There is no transfer window in camogie, but if there was, Galway's capture of Niamh Mallon would be hovering around the multi-million mark given the stature and threat the former Down player carries at the sharp end of this Galway team.
In a Galway team that has seen seven major changes in the past two years, the option of having a marquee forward such as Mallon is what gives supporters great hope when they face overwhelming favourites Cork in Sunday's final at Croke Park (throw in- 5.15pm ).
No team has come within ten points of Cork in this calander year, but you get the feeling these are the kind of stats that Galway manager Cathal Murray will be using as motivation to his talented squad as they finiosh their preparation for the final.
The squad and management will have been left hurting by their absence from the last two All-Ireland finals after a hat-trick of appearances in the years before that. And they are determined that Cork will have to work hard if they are to retain their All-Ireland title against the Tribeswomen at HQ on Sunday evening.
Last Thursday evening in Athenry, hundreds of young players turned out to support the squad as their countdown to the final continued — their appearance the legacy of six years of Galway camogie success which has seen the senior squad assume elite status.
Pathways have been been established to ensure that a conveyor belt of top talent makes its way through to the senior ranks and another success on Sunday would go a long way towards sending interest levels to sky-high levels among young players.
But it won't be easy for Murray's squad and they'll have to use every ounce of their nous, youth and experience against a Cork side who will arrive full of hope and confidence.
Losing run
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.
That day 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.
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.
