When Cork played Galway in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final just over 12 months ago, the Rebels were on a lengthy losing run against their rivals going back eight games. It started at the same stage of the 2019 campaign, when the westerners ended Cork’s three-in-a-row bid in a pulsating encounter and went on to claim the first of two All-Irelands garnered under the stewardship of manager, Cathal Murray.
Three of those eight successes had come in that same calendar year so there is no overplaying the importance of laying that particular bogey to the Leesiders. Manic workrate and aggression were the trademarks of the triumph, nowhere more evidenced than by Aoife Healy chasing down Aoife Donohue despite being without a hurley and forcing a turnover that prompted a huge roar from the terraces.
Galway managed to breach the Cork defences for two goals but overall, they were outscored 15-8 and never led on the way to a three-point defeat.
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Cork went on to end their six-year wait for a return to the winner’s rostrum in the Hogan Stand and have been imperious through this year’s Championship, with only Wexford getting to within a single-digit margin of the champions. Galway were among their victims in the group stages, when a dozen points separated them at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It was a margin and performance that brooked no argument.
Galway were already qualified to the knockout rounds at that point, however, and were without the dynamic Aoife Donohue, as well as Ann Marie Starr, a veteran who was first involved in an All-Ireland final with Galway in 2010 and had re-established herself this year after a lengthy absence from the first 15.
Donohue was back for the three-point defeat of last year’s runners-up Waterford in the quarter-final and Starr returned to the fold for the dramatic semi-final victory over a Tipperary team that had edged them out in the League final earlier in the year.
Not for the first time, Carrie Dolan illustrated her courage when faced with pressure placed balls as Galway trailed by two points with time running out. The joint vice-captain halved the deficit and after Donohue equalised from play, split the posts to secure a return to the final for Galway for the first time since their 2021 triumph.
It was a far smoother progression for Cork against Dublin, though the 20-point margin was a bit flattering as the Dubs did create a number of goal chances and Amy Lee was forced into a few top-class saves. Saoirse McCarthy’s speed and accuracy caused carnage however, while youngster Orlaith Cahalane also enjoyed her day with two goals.
Cahalane’s older sister, Méadhbh, a current All-Star, is winning her battle to be fit for the final, having not played since the group stages due to a hamstring strain, though the youngest Cahalane on the squad, Gráinne is a major doubt after picking up an ankle injury in training. Dual star Libby Coppinger is definitely ruled out with a hamstring injury that required surgery.
On form, Cork are hot favourites and Murray was more than happy to place that tag on Ger Manley’s crew but we know Galway will produce their best performance on the biggest day. If they can get enough of a supply into Niamh Mallon, they will certainly have a huge chance, while Cork will hope Laura Treacy and co can cut off the supply and that their rich forward talent will do the rest.
