Meabh Cahalane on Cork v Galway: Rebels prepared for toughest game of the year

Last year she got one hand on the cup, but tomorrow Meabh Cahalane will be hoping it’s two.

She will captain Cork in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie final at Croke Park, throw-in 5.15pm, as they hope to make it three in a row.

She was vice-captain last year and lifted the cup with captain Molly Lynch, and this season the St Finbarr’s star will be hoping to lead the side up the Hogan Stand steps again to create their own little bit of history.

Cork are bidding for three-in-a-row of championship titles, a feat they haven’t done since the 70s, when they won four-in-a-row (1970 to 1973).

But for Meabh and her team-mates their only thought is on tomorrow, and they will worry about anything else after that.

“Getting to the final is what we set out to do at the start of the year, and I suppose everything leading into that was preparing us to get back to Croke Park,” said Meabh.

“We were delighted to get over the line the last day, just to have another opportunity to go out and play in the final.”

Cork took a bit of time to settle in the semi-final, but once they did, they never looked like losing, with maybe the four-week break hitting them early on.

“Yeah definitely. I mean we hadn't played a game in four weeks, and I suppose the last group game was a bit of a dead rubber as well. There was nothing at stake even for that game.

“So coming in, you'd obviously be a bit nervous. There's something at stake, and no matter how much you prepare for something like that, nerves will kick in.

“But I think once we settled and got to grips with Waterford, we pushed on in the third quarter to win. I think the impact off our bench again the last day, just the freshness of that, really drove us on.

“The bench is huge, Orla Mullins coming on the last day and scoring 1-2. She's been a tough task to mark at training the last couple of weeks, and she really showed form and was rewarded with coming, and is another option we have. No matter who's coming on, we know that it will only strengthen the whole set up so you know we're just delighted again to have that bench impact.”

Cork face Galway, like they did last year, tomorrow, and there was little between the sides all through. In the end there were only three points in it come the final whistle so Meabh knows that it will be far from easy again this year.

DIFFERENT ANIMAL

“When Galway get to Croke Park they are a different animal. 

We had a huge battle last year with them, no different than any other year, and you know, Cork and Galway, it's just always a huge battle.

“You prepare tactically and you know that's a huge part of it, but it really comes down to work rate on the day. You have to absolutely go at 100% for as long as you can against them. Then we're hoping that we have that impact off the bench. We know that this will be the toughest game we'll have for the year, and that's what we've prepared for over the last few weeks since the semi-final.

“We're in a great place and it’s a huge honour to represent your county in an All-Ireland final, we’re just really happy to be here and looking forward to it now.”