Clodagh Finn on fierce rivalry between Cork and Galway: 'We have to bring our A game to Croke Park'

Clodagh Finn is in search of her third All-Ireland senior camogie medal on Sunday and has played a major part in Cork reaching this year’s decider.

She has been outstanding all year for the Rebels and confirmed during the week that she is over her injury and is available for selection.

Finn has been one of Cork’s most consistent performers all through the league, Munster and All-Ireland campaigns and it is no great surprise to hear that she is among the top scorers in the championship this season.

Like all the Cork side, she is looking forward to their clash with Galway in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland final at Croke Park on Sunday, throw-in 5.15pm, but is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

“We're just so grateful to be back at this point,” said Clodagh, “it seems like yesterday we were taking on Galway in the final and look they're unreal opponents.”

Earlier in the season, Galway hammered Cork in the league round robin stage but the Rebels got the better of them in the league final. Clodagh said there is a massive rivalry between the two counties and they would never take Galway for granted.

There is a fierce rivalry between Cork and Galway over the last few years and we have to bring our A game to have any chance of beating them.

“They beat us down the Páirc in the league and then we came up against them in the league final. We really went after them that day, we went after their puck outs with plenty of aggression and everything like that.

“But look that means nothing on Sunday and we know it's not going to be an easy game. We’re just going to have to bring everything, and we just have to go back to our standards and our principles and just like fight for each other and give it everything we can for 60 minutes because it's the last 60 minutes of the year.”

Defensively Cork have been very strong all year and that starts from the forwards back, who never make it easy for any defender to drive out. They needed that in the final last year and will probably need it again on Sunday.

“We always say forwards set the tone and it makes life easier for the backs if we put the pressure on and try force Galway or any team to turn it over. That’s taking the pressure off the backs and it's one of our principles of play and it does make a difference at the end of the day...

“I remember seeing one of the Galway girls running up the pitch last year and just said I have to get at her and then Amy O'Connor had a block at one stage and it could have stopped them from getting a goal or a point.

“So we all talked about being honest and just doing your job and I think we all just did our job on the day and just literally fought for everything and gave it our all to the very last whistle and we will have to repeat that this year to have any chance of beating Galway.”

CONSISTENT

This year Finn has become one of the main players Cork look to in attack and she has delivered across the league, Munster and All-Ireland championships.

It’s no surprise to hear that she is among the top scorers from play in the All-Ireland championship, with 4-7 to her name. At that, she missed the semi-final through injury, so have no doubt it would have been higher.

This team is so competitive and it's everyone's goal to get on that starting 15. Last year I loved coming on and doing my job as a sub.

“This year I just wanted to push myself even that bit further, push myself at every training session and look, luckily it's paid off. We have some team, it's genuinely so competitive and like nobody's safe from game to game.

“There are so many great players and you have to be at your best in training to have a chance of starting. But no matter who starts, it’s all about the squad and everyone involved and hopefully we can get over the line on Sunday.”