All-Ireland senior camogie final player-by-player guide: Cork v Galway
Amy Lee (Na Piarsaigh) Just three goals conceded in five championship games shows her positive influence. She's in regular contact with her defensive unit, in a role that goes way beyond stop and go again.
Pamela Mackey (Douglas) Since joining the county senior panel in 2009 with her twin Katrina - took a break in 2022 - she is Ger Manley's major weapon when it comes to policing one of the big guns.
Libby Coppinger (St Colum's) Has re-established herself in the key number three position after injury ruled her out of the team last year. She continues to fly the flag with distinction for west Cork camogie.
Méabh Cahalane (St Finbarr's) She's a proven leader. Vice-captain last year, captain this year. Equally at home in the half-back or full-back line. It will be horses for courses in this last line of defence.
Aoife Healy (Aghada) So versatile, she could line out at midfield or defence. Just out of minor and when in her first term as a senior in 2023, she excelled in the number nine jersey.
Laura Treacy (Killeagh) When opposing teams revert to a sweeper, she is really good at adjusting. Does it to perfection. Equally good at clearing her lines and delivering pin-point accuracy to the inside forwards.
Laura Hayes (St Catherine's) The current Player of the Year is not just a sticky marker who doesn't give an inch but she likes to roam forward as well. A teak-tough defender.
Hannah Looney (Killeagh) Another who can adapt with little fuss, be it in defence, midfield or attack. A player who has juggled both codes successfully for almost a decade and with it she brings lots of experience.
Ashling Thompson (Milford) In her mid-30s and commanding one of the crucial midfield positions demonstrates her undeniable will-to-win. Especially after an ACL injury in 2022 that could easily have ended her career.
Emma Murphy (Glen Rovers) Growing in stature with every outing, as seen by her eye-catching display in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Waterford. She has become a vital contributor to the scoresheet.
Orlaith Cahalane (St Finbarr's) The second of the Cahalane sisters. She successfully stepped up from the minor grade a couple of years ago. Possesses a great turn of pace and has a good nose for goal.
Saoirse McCarthy (Courcey Rovers) Her display in the semi-final was one of the best seen, largely coming when her team was under the cosh in the first half. Overall she delivered seven points from play and frees.
Katrina Mackey (Douglas) Has had a tough time due to a variety of injuries, but her smooth return at the business end of the championship sees one of the greats resume like she's never been away.
Sorcha McCartan (St Finbarr's) Her physical presence makes her difficult to contain. Has worked tirelessly to secure a starting slot after her peripheral role last year. She is central to setting up scores too.
Amy O'Connor (St Vincent's) Injury earlier in the season affected the influence of the heroic captain of 2023. She has been getting more and more game time, and still remains one of Cork's top forwards.
Amy O'Connor of Cork in action against Abby Walsh of Clare during the Munster Senior Camogie Championship semi-final. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Bench
There is rarely a dip in form when a sub is introduced - no matter what position - such is the competition for places. When a cohort of established players were absent due to injury throughout the year, there was always someone ready to slot in and effortlessly.
Management
Ger Manley is in his second term as manager, having previously held other backroom posts. Some alterations to his management team this year include Gemma O'Connor, Adrian O'Sullivan and Seán Crowley, to name just a few, who have come on board. It hasn't upset their momentum.
GALWAY
Sarah Healy (St Thomas') An underage All-Ireland Poc Fada champion, Healy's booming restart is a useful weapon in Galway locker, as is her ability to convert long-range frees. 15 Cork goals en route suggests she'll be busy, even if the same expectation didn't materialise last year. Is her confidence brittle after semi-final mistake?
Shauna Healy (Ardrahan) Absent last year on account of giving birth to her first child, Billy. Amy O'Connor has always been her dance partner when Cork and Galway step out onto the floor together. Sunday will be no different. Aggressive. Plays right on the edge. Full-back line stronger for her return.
Róisín Black (Oranmore-Maree) The All-Star full-back of the past two years was traveling at the start of the season. A knee injury meant her rejoining the fold was not followed by an immediate return to full-back. Semi-final start was her first championship involvement of 2025. Cork will seek to exploit her lack of match sharpness.
Dervla Higgins (Athenry) The game's outstanding corner-back. Forever robust and ravaging. Hers is an uncompromising, in-your-face approach. Lifts not only the pressure when storming out with a turnover, but her teammates and supporters too. Herself and Katrina Mackey be a fascinating match-up.
Ciara Hickey (Davitts) Still a minor when lining out on All-Ireland intermediate winning side in 2022, Hickey enjoyed a breakout senior final performance 12 months ago. Has continued from there to become the most commanding and steadying presence in Galway half-back line. Will sit as the spare Galway defender.
Emma Helebert (Ballinderreen) Another member of the starting defence who was absent for the 2024 campaign. Lined out at centre-back for 2019 and '21 final wins. Struggles when turned and forced to chase. Must bring her experience to bear to limit such scenarios against running Cork half-forward line.
Annmarie Starr (Killimor) On the go in maroon since 2011. Longevity is to be commended. Needs an improved showing on semi-final. Needs to find far more confidence in possession. Always looks to immediately offload rather than use her burst of pace to break a tackle or burn an opponent.
Rachael Hanniffy (Oranmore-Maree) Wore No.8 for the semi-final but midfield and her were no relation. Executed a superb shadowing job on Tipp's Grace O'Brien. The corner-forward had 4-10 from play to her name arriving into Nowlan Park. Hanniffy held her scoreless from play. Best placed to stand beside Saoirse McCarthy.
Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge) Same as Hanniffy, the midfield number on her back had no correlation to her inside line semi-final deployment. Starved of possession in that semi-final and so her influence from open play was peripheral. Management has a quandary as to where they station their captain.
Niamh Mallon (Sarsfields) The Down import will have noted the success Waterford enjoyed when attacking down the right flank in the first-half against Cork. Galway's top-scorer from play with 1-17. Revealed after semi-final 1-2 that her greater comfort in Galway dressing-room this year is leading to greater displays.
Ailish O'Reilly, right, and Niamh Mallon of Galway console Caoimhe McCarthy of Tipperary after the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship semi-final at UPMC Nowlan Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Olwen Rabbitte (Athenry) Expect the daughter of Joe Rabbitte to do most of her work at midfield. A strong ball-carrier, she must get herself on possession far more than was the case in the semi-final. Cork's midfield didn't overwhelm at Nowlan Park. Can this Rabbitte forage and frustrate them?
Aoife Donohue (Mullagh) A playmaker. A troublemaker. Her vision, intelligence, and movement create the space and opening for others to raise flags. Possesses ceaseless energy. Was given licence to roam in last year's final and thrived on that freedom. Galway's heartbeat.
Mairead Dillon (Kilconieron) On the fringes of the panel for several years, the 2017 All-Ireland minor winner has had to show exemplary patience. Grabbed and justified the chance given to her this year. Strong in possession. Direct too. Galway can't afford for this final debutant to lose out to the occasion.
Ailish O'Reilly (Oranmore-Maree) The big-day performer in the Galway attack. Provided the goal in the 2013 final win. Provided two goals in the 2019 final win. Assisted the winning goal in the 2021 final win. So smart when operating at centre-forward against Tipp. Finished that semi with five points from play.
Caoimhe Kelly (Sarsfields) Wore No.30 on the afternoon of the 2024 final. Didn't start the opening three rounds of this year's championship. The teenager's late summer push has been one of style and sublime touches. The daughter of 1993 All-Star Pádraig Kelly will be tested by Cork's physicality.
Bench
Murray was far too slow to make changes in last year's final. Only one sub in before the hour mark, compared to Cork's four. And irrespective of whether management had trust in those sitting behind them, there were players out on the field who hadn't earned the right to last as long as they did. Orlaith McGrath's decision not to go again in 2025 has weakened their bench compared to last year. Niamh Niland is sole attacking threat in reserve. 2021 All-Ireland winning half-back Siobhan Gardiner leads defensive back-up.
Management
A fifth All-Ireland final appearance for Galway on Cathal Murray's watch. Having come in midway through the 2018 campaign after players pushed out the previous management, this is his seventh full season at the helm. A third O'Duffy Cup tomorrow would take him ahead of Tony Ward as the county's most successful ever camogie manager.
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