Episode 16: All-Ireland Semifinals Preview

I'm joined in this episode which is the first of two episodes this week by former Galway All-Ireland winner Martina Harkin, former Tipperary All-Ireland winner Joanne Ryan, former Cork All-Ireland winner Sarah O'Donovan and former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Elaine Aylward as we take a look ahead to Saturday's two All-Ireland semifinals in Thurles. We look at both game sindepth and discuss where the game could be won and lost, in what promises to be two very exciting games at the weekend.  I also caught up with Carrie Dolan, Sorcha Cartan, Eimear McGrath and Aoife Norrisd at the media event for the semifinas in Thurles on Tuesdya. Also coming up later in the week I'll be joined by former Offaly star and two time All-Ireland winner Elaine Dermody as we look back on last weekends action in the Premier Junior and Intermediate semifinals.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

And you're very welcome back to the latest episode of the Calk and Camogie podcast. The first of two episodes this week. This week, in this episode, we're looking ahead to the All Ireland Senior Camogie semi-finals at the weekend, but on internless on Saturday evening. The first is Gaway Kakini, which is on a four, and then at six is Cork and Tipperary. Both games were on RTE. And for this episode, I'm joined first by Elaine Edward of Kilkenny, Sarah Dolliban of Cork, Joanne Ryan at Tipperary, and Martina Harkin of Gaway, who's making a first appearance on the pod. So you're all very welcome to the pod, and it's great to have you all on.

SPEAKER_07 0:35

Thanks, Joe. Thanks, Joe. Great to be here.

SPEAKER_05 0:38

And it says, look, it's also the big weekend coming up, Final Four, semi-final action in the All-In Championship. So we start off with maybe the Gaway Kakin game. And I suppose coming in for them, Elaine, start off with June Kikinney. You know, they had a big win over Waterford in the quarterfinal and another big game for them coming up now on the weekend against Galway, like the upright League of All-Ireland champions. It'd be a tough one for them, like, but they'll be coming in full of confidence anyway.

SPEAKER_04 1:05

Yeah, look, I suppose a step-up score, they don't come much bigger than coming in against the All-Ireland, as you said, league champions in in All-Ireland semi-final. But I think it's a case of another box ticked for that Kikkenny team, you know. All along, I think during the group games, they would have been aiming to top that league group. That would have been the aim of that of the Round Robin games. They did that comfortably enough in the end, and then facing into Waterford, who probably have got the better of them over the last year or two. You know, Waterford regarded their first championship win over Kikenny last year down in Welsh Park. So Kikani definitely wants to get back to that stage. And I think, as I said, I think they've been driven all year by this tier one, tier two, even the way they they talk about it as tier one, tier two. Kikkenny don't like being seen as a tier two team, so they're back now, and I think they have a chance now this weekend to prove that they really are a tier tier one team. Look, it's a huge ask, like Galway are a phenomenal team and have been all year, have been over the last number of years, and they just have this knack of grinding out games when they need to win them the most. I suppose they didn't weren't at their best for a lot of the league and took off on a team holiday in the middle of a snowbound in New York and still came back and managed to win the league, probably without getting really out of maybe third or fourth gear at times. So they were really, really impressive there. And likewise in the championship, you know, beaten on day one by Cork up in Galway, probably gave them a little bit of a kick in the bum that they need it and went on, then needed to win the next two games and went on and did that. So they've been really, really impressive. It's going to be a huge step up for Arc Kikenny. But sometimes I think if you're going to beat someone like the All Ireland champions, someone like this Galway team, then maybe a semi-final is a nice place to get them in. They've had a four-week layoff. Maybe they're a little bit undercooked coming into it, and Kikenny be hoping that maybe they can get one over on them.

SPEAKER_08 2:40

Kinkenny, too. Sorry for putting in there, Elaine. You know the way they're they're not favourites, like same as Tip. Tip and Kilkenny aren't the favourites, so that's probably you know help them out a bit too, won't it? Galway and Cork are the big favourites now for the semi-final on Saturday. Maybe reading up little bits.

SPEAKER_05 2:56

Yeah, I think they've all gone in his favourites, Cork and Galway. So yeah, you said it probably will help Kenny intimate going in his underdogs. There's nothing really to lose, and they can just go for it, go for it, really. And my team, if I just get you and Galway so far this year, like obviously they won the league, and maybe they haven't been at their very best so far, but maybe it's shape to getting somewhere near the best the last year against February when a very impressive performance and win for them in that game.

SPEAKER_07 3:24

Yeah, yeah, true, Joe. I suppose as Elaine alluded to there, it's they're probably gone in as favourites at the weekend. And I suppose their their their campaign so far has been successful, obviously, thanks to winning the league. And you know, I suppose we have to remember too, round one of the league this year. Kirkenny, you know, pipped them to the post by by one point. So I'm sure that Godway will look to avenge that single point defeat again when it comes to Saturday. And look at they have been impressive, but they haven't really been tested, and that's nothing against any of the other teams. You know, I think a lot of the teams they're young, they're young, they're a lot of their management are blood new new players, especially in Tip, Kilkenny, Waterford. You know, I don't think that they have peaked. Galway are being plagued with injuries at the moment, you know. Going in, Carl Murray normally doesn't name his team until the Friday evening. So here we are in a Monday. I don't even know the team, but going on the team for Tipperary, I would expect he would be there there about starting uh a team like that. Look at they were on holidays, Athan Rye won the All-Ireland Club Championship. A few of the Athan Rye girls didn't feature in the league, and you know, he's transitioning a new player. Neve McPeak seems to be the spearhead now for Galway centre forward, and she had a serious ACL energy and injury, my apologies last year. So she seems to be the one that's Galway's go-to player. Neve Mallon had be over the last last year or two, and again, she's plagued with with injury, whether she'll feature or not. I like the way that he's transitioning and blooding these new players. Quiva Kelly hadn't featured much this year. She now has started two championship debuts, and also Shannon Carkin, who's also back from an injury, uh, she played as well. Moray Dylan, you know, had been sitting in the line and she was Galway's goalscorer in the All-Ireland final. So I'm sure she's she's blooding and and ready uh to try and secure her place for Saturday. I think it's going to be a great game. I would not like it to be a one-sided game. If Kilkenny are going to, as Elaine said, if they're going to win this semi-final, now is the time to do it and do it in a semi-final because this Galway team, uh, Cajal is he's blooding the few, but they're not at their peak yet. They're only in second and third gear, and that's no offense to any other teams. But I think Joanne mentioned there earlier, it's possibly set up for a Galway cork final unless Kilkenny and Tipperary can spoil it.

SPEAKER_08 5:51

Yeah. Well, should time will tell that, Martina.

SPEAKER_07 5:55

Well, time will tell, and anything can happen on the day, you know. If Galway can put in a performance against Kilkenny and are all guns blazing, yes, they'll see it out. But if Kilkenny put in a performance and catch Galway early, you know, Galway don't like to be on the back foot. Their backs are very, very secure insofar as he has near enough the same backs to kind of secure their places. But it's up front that he's making a lot of changes. Carrie Dolan, she could be named centre forward, she more than likely will start midfield, and you know, she's the glue that that sticks that whole team together from the ball coming out to the back to the supply ball into the forwards. So if any team is going to catch them, their backs need to be on top.

SPEAKER_08 6:35

Because I know Kilkenny they'll rise to the occasion. I said that the last day. They love coming down to top. Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah. And Kilkenny are strong too. They don't they, you know, you you earn your crust every time they play Kilkenny, that's all I can say.

SPEAKER_07 6:52

Like, you know, but hopefully match that yeah, and the pressure is on Galway, you know. There's no pressure on Kilkenny. They're the you know, and they have nothing, nothing to prove. They're they're coming. As I was saying, I was looking at the Kilkenny team, you know. Apart from your day, Elaine, I wouldn't have known many of the girls' you know, names. So that's a great thing for Kilkenny and the fact that they're not gonna be able to do that.

SPEAKER_08 7:15

And like they're after coming. Kilkenny are after coming from five.

SPEAKER_07 7:18

You know, some fantastic girls there, I'm sure, will start tomorrow.

SPEAKER_08 7:22

Kilkenny are after coming from five consecutive wins. They're they're on they're in that winning mood as well, like you know. So, you know, you know, if they turn up at all, it'll you wouldn't know what way it'll go. Like, I wouldn't think that much. Like, but Kilkenny or Kilkenny.

SPEAKER_07 7:41

Exactly. But it should be a good game. It just depends on what Galway team turn up. If they play with the tenacity and aggression and physicality that they played with in the All-Ireland final, I don't think any team can stop them. But they haven't shown that yet this year. So they're pacing themselves. I think they're taking their time. Um, Oliwan Rabbit is a massive loss. She's obviously recovering from injury, the same with Sabrina. One or two are are are away or have taken time away from from Galway Komoge. So, you know, while he might look to the bench, he's still dependent on his the old dogs for the long road. Do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_06 8:21

Yeah. What I was very impressed with from quarter final win for Kilkenny was their midfield. So Laura Murphy and Laura Green getting on the score sheet, but their work rate, they blotted out that Waterford midfield who've been very good. And the likes of Lorraine Bray, the likes of Beth Carton, at different stages, Lorraine Bray tried to, I suppose, kind of shut down the Kilkenny midfield. The girls just kept running and running and running. And you know, testament Laura Murphy was was named the player of the match on the day. And that's that's a huge confidence boost, I think, for Kilkhenny as well, knowing that you can go back as far as eight and nine and get scores, you know, which is which it which is a which is a big help in Camogey when when they're doing the work and and contributing from there as well.

SPEAKER_08 9:06

Yeah, you're you're right there, Sarah. Yeah, they've great energy about them this year, Kilkenny, don't they? Yeah, that's a great word for it. Yeah.

unknown 9:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08 9:15

They're like two conveyables near the center field. You're right. And for Kilkenny, they're in that mining mood as well. Sorry, Joe.

SPEAKER_05 9:24

Just Kenny, they're they're full forward line. Quickly, Sarah Barkhouse, Stephanie Faster, they've been in great form. But look, they're going to be coming up against a massive challenge in that Galway full back line, like Richard Hannafi, Roshi, Black, and Darvley Higgins. So I suppose that could be a key factor of the game, is how well Sarah and Steffi come up fair against that Galway full back line and could have that could tell a lot on how the game goes. Like if Galway full back line can they at hop their kick in the could be in a bit of trouble there because I said Sarah and Steffi are getting a lot of their scores this year in their front line.

SPEAKER_06 9:53

But defensively, I thought Steffi was very good, Elaine. When Steffi was coming back, it's the way she's actually like I suppose dispossessing the half backline and the full back line for for Waterford as well. They just couldn't get out and then they couldn't distribute the ball because she was putting them under so much pressure. So they kind of have it all. And I and I think they've probably built that confidence from the last five games in tier two. As as stressful as it was for the group to be in tier two, it's allowed the team to knit, hasn't it?

SPEAKER_08 10:22

Yeah, definitely. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 10:23

Yeah, and I think it's something this Kakkenny team probably needed because you do have a mix. Like I know a lot of names are new there, but they're names that have been around the panel for a while. A lot of them have college experience. They have a lot of minor on-arless with Kakinny stuff. So they're not new to the whole winning thing. And sometimes that brings like you, there's no fear. Some of those young ones have absolutely no fear of Galway or Cork or Tip or whoever they might face. Like, and that's a brilliant thing. But I think it probably takes the time to make that step up from minor or colleges even to the senior intercount team. I think Kikenny used the league really well this year to do that. Like they unearthed some of those players during the league, gave them exposure to the likes of Galway, Cork, and Tip. And then the five games in the group games, as Sarah said, as stressful as it was, and the week on, week on thing, you know, having to go out every weekend and win was actually probably building confidence. As I said, those young ones, they don't care. They just want to be playing games. When you're winning, it brings huge momentum. And then they were in the beautiful position of being able to rest most of them against Wexford and be fresh out coming into Waterford. And you're right, Sarah, they were ravenous against Waterford. They really, really went after it. I think, as I said, I really think they use that tier two thing as a stick to beat themselves with this year. They want to be back in Grove Park, they wanted to win that quarterfinal. They felt like they were robbed against Tip last year in the quarterfinal, the way the result went in the end. So they were anxious to get back there. So they're back there now. But as I said, it's another huge step now when you're facing into Galway. But I don't think they'll fear it. And as I said, they'll be like in fairness to Jimmy Marraie, you'll have them well coached, they'll have their matchups perfect, but it's just whether they can shut down enough of the Galway danger forwards, I think. And as Martina said, if Galway click on the day, Galway just have this knack of time with a run. And in fairness to Carl, he's such an experienced manager, the panelists so experienced, be the new guards that are in there or whatever, but they time their run perfectly. You know, they're hitting peak, come semi-final, and then final day. Like, who could have seen the performance in the All-Ireland final coming last year until it actually came? So look, they're really experienced, I think, at that managing that running and stuff. But they have had four weeks off, though. So whether maybe Kilkenny can play on that a little bit coming in and get a good start, get off to a good start early, and maybe ask some questions of Galway. But um, yeah, it's a huge, huge chance. But as I said, they're a young, ambitious Kilkenny team, and I don't think they'll be phased quite.

SPEAKER_07 12:28

Yeah, and I'd agree, I'd agree with you there, Elaine. You know, I suppose Galway's championship campaign started. They had a bit of a tactical setback, you know, against their defeat to Cork. And I suppose they came out second best in a lot of the spatial coverage, the ball retention during that mar match. But as you said, Cahell is great at grounding these players, and he structurally adjusted then the setups for maybe round two and round three of this year's championship. But I suppose his primary focus for me from watching games was his defensive organization and and his space. And against Waterford, they tightened up the lines, you know, the eliminated gaps that Cork had previously exploited. They were in third and fourth gear, and I think if they can hit the ground running on Saturday, and while Kilkenny have absolutely nothing to lose, I'd say if I was if I was a player, I'd I'd rather be playing with Kilkenny because you're you're putting it up to all Ireland champions, you've no fear. And these young blooded players that are coming in, isn't that what you want? You want to be playing all Ireland champions and give it to them. But Galway, if they can bring that high-intensity work rate, and the half forwards are great at tracking. Leave McPeak goes all over the place. You know, she's up in the forwards, she's she's coming back, she's helping out. I suppose Ciara Hickey will be pivotal in her role, and she hasn't been as influential so far this year as she was in the All-Ireland final. And I think that's thanks to other managements that are kind of taking her away and out of the game. So I suppose a non-negotiable component of Galway's current blueprint is their incredible work rate, but they haven't hit the ground running yet. So if Kinkilkenney can cancel out the runners, I think we'll be in for a good matchup.

SPEAKER_05 14:07

For Kilkinley in the game, it's probably imperative that they get off to a good start and can stay in the game as long as they can, really, you know, and keep it tight right till the maybe the last 10-15 minutes and see where it takes them. But like I say that at the same time, there's probably no better team in the country than Galway to actually win tight game and get the job done when it's really tight coming down the stretch.

SPEAKER_04 14:27

Yeah, as I said, they're huge league experience and they win these games that they're not supposed to win sometimes. You know, I thought going into the league final this year, I thought Waterford had a really, really good shot at taking a league title. You know, I thought Galway were there for the taking, but somehow they just grind out this result similar going into last year's All Ireland. Like Corp were probably favourites among 99% of people for that All-Ireland title. They'd blown everyone away on the way to it. And Galway came with a plan and met them with a frosty. So I said they're just really good at winning those kind of games. They just the games they need to win, similar to the league this year, you know, got off to the bad start in the league, lost a game to Waterford, then come thundering back in to win the two, like what at one stage they're facing relegation, maybe the prospects of it, come back, win the two games they need to win, come into the league final and win it. Then they're just really good at grinding out those results. And I suppose it's it's down to the experience. You know, you look at the likes of Valich O'Reilly, Carrie Dolan, Darville Higgins, those kind of players. That's huge, huge, huge experience. And then you look at Kyle and the experience he brings as manager and what he's brought to them over the last couple of years. So it's something that Kenny will have to be aware of. And look, Kyle Murray and Gollum sure will be aware of the Katie Nolan threshold, and they'll be watching to see maybe when she's introduced. And sometimes from a Kenny point of view, assuming she's not going to start, but she's been using that impact sub-roll for the year. So you'd imagine nothing will change on Saturday, or maybe that's the curveball they'll throw from the off. Who knows? But um, Galway will have to be ready for that, obviously, when it comes. I don't think like the Kenny have been good at getting goals all year. Even the last day against Water, it was Katie Nolan's two goals really that sealed the victory for them. They probably won't get as many goal chances against Galway. So if they get one or two, they'll have to take it, they'll have to be clinical. And and managing Katie Nolan then and and you know when to introduce her is the other side of it. You know, that there's huge pressure on her coming on, I suppose, as an impact sub that she's an experienced player, loads and loads of experience. But there's pressure coming on if you're coming on and you're expected to score a goal or two in every game, especially if you're chasing a game. So look, Galway will obviously be watching that closely to see when Katie might be introduced, and Kekenny will have to manage it to see if and when they're going to introduce her. So there's going to be a load of those small little battles I feel around the field that uh they'll be trying to get their matchups right and trying to counteract one another.

SPEAKER_07 16:28

Yeah, and I agree with you 100% there, Elaine. But I'd say Cajal will have this Galway team prepared that to be prepared for the introduction of Katie Nolan at some stage. And I suppose their tactical setup then uh Galway tactically, I reckon they want to stretch obviously the fullback, and we know that Kilkenny's fullback are extremely good and they're tight. And I suppose Galway's thing is get to get goals quick earlier on in the game and then kind of you know push on, push on from there. I know that the likes of E Fedona, who carry Dolan, I know in the past they've been told strike early, strike early, get your points, the goals will goals will come. But goals, I think, are going to be the difference uh on Saturday against Waterford. An early goal for Galway inside, what was it, three or four minutes, kind of served as that foundation to keep Galway ahead. But as you said, they seem to win games that they shouldn't be winning. And Kilkenny will will obviously put it up to them. But I think the introduction of Katie Nolan, regardless of whether it's early or the second half, will have to Galway will certainly have to be on their guard because Kilkilkenny can get a few goals. And believe me, they Galway have a fantastic full back line, but have not yet been tested this year. And they haven't been stretched, and Durvula is is back obviously in there, and she likes to go forward. And I think if Kilkenny can create enough space inside to stretch those girls out and leave leave space in the middle, Kilkenny will certainly put it up to them. But it's Galway's game to lose on Saturday, as it is Cork's game to lose against against Tipperera.

SPEAKER_05 17:59

I felt just from the fact that I know Sarah won't like me right in this, but Galway not too long ago were involved in a game where there were huge underdogs at Ireland in an all-in-a-sem-final, like and they managed to win it come through handy. So as it can't be done, like you know, the underdogs can get the win, like if especially if they can bring the intensity that's required. Clay Lee though, they'll probably need the full 60-minute performance though, if they are going to manage to be cork, and they'll have to have everyone, I suppose, uh 100%, like you know, giving it play to the best. Because, like as I said, they're coming in, they're off their five supposed last few years, they're kind of been rebuilding again, like since the last dollar win in 22. So they do have a mixture of suppose youth and experience. So they're still gives it if they can as I said, if they can just give every give it 100%, and everyone's performance for the 60 minutes, they should be there or thereabouts.

SPEAKER_06 18:48

Like I think that the difference between Kilkenny and Waterford, as an example, Kilkenny aren't chasing that first delusive win the way Waterford are, and that put Waterford under massive pressure the last couple of years in the bigger games. And you know, the I suppose the Kilkenny dressing room has bags of medals when I was looking at them for the gig a couple of weeks ago. And I think that is important, as Elaine said, there's there's massive experience in there. They've they've they're used to winning. And while it mightn't have been at the top level, it hasn't been at the top level for anyone, Bark and Galloway for the last couple of years. But distinctively, one like Tip, one like Waterford, Kilkenny were at the top table so much more recently that that will bring them confidence as well. That's memory. I actually was in Crogue Park on Friday and the Kilkenny on 2016 team were in Krogue Park, uh, the Kamoe team for the All Ireland uh lunch with the GPA. And Michelle Tian was there or or or I perceive it to be Michelle. I don't think I missed miss mistook her, but uh you know, she she's a massive cog for for Kilkenny and she has all of that experience. Isn't that right? Like she's she's she was there in 2016, was she?

SPEAKER_08 20:05

So yeah.

SPEAKER_04 20:07

Yeah, Michelle was there, and meet Dee Dee. There's a number of who are on the panel, even you know, they might have been on the team, they mightn't be first name players, but they've been on the panel, they've been in that training environment. So they're not new to the whole thing, I suppose.

SPEAKER_06 20:18

Yeah. Like different to Waterford, different to Tip, who are kind of chasing something that they haven't reached yet. Um the good the girls do have medals, and and that that does help. And you know, obviously you've alluded to the fact that they won the first round by a point against Galway as well this year, so it's beating Galway is not unfamiliar. So it could be a cracking game and and should be because the experience of Beaman Croke Park, even as the game was coming to kind of the its big conclusion the last day was really filling up, and Cork and Galway fans were getting in there and it was it started to get really noisy, you know, and that and that helps the girls too.

SPEAKER_05 20:53

Just ongoing, like obviously we should mention already, but Shannon Corcoran, like particularly now the last day against Tiberiri. I thought she was very impressive, like a very young talent. And she's like, it's great to see young players like that coming through, but she could play a key part as well if she gets hits fire like she did against Tipperary last year out. There was the two goals she got, I think, against Tipperary last time and she caused havoc for the Tipperary fullback line in that game.

SPEAKER_07 21:16

Yeah, yeah, she did, Joe. And I just know I've I'm involved a little bit with ATU when Shannon came back from an injury, and she was one of our you know pivotal players up front. And one thing about Shannon is she knows where the goal is, and you know, since she was a young age, she's that's been her role is get the ball, turn, run, beat your opponent, and and and and score. So uh her return is going to be, and she's a big strong girl for a young girl. She's strong, she's physical, as is Anya Kane. Anya cane's return this year. You know, she's a highly versatile defender. She's she played her camoogue, she plays a comoge with Thomas's, has played with UL. She's back from a series crucial or an ACL as well, and she has. Has been very prominent this year in the championship. Her physical presence, her ability to play transition balls out of defence. I suppose they've added structurally to Galway's middle third following their opening loss to Cork. So, you know, as as you mentioned there, Joe, the likes of Shannon, the likes of Quiva Kelly, who is a complete opportunist, and you know, she she'll be good for two or three points. And again, it'll be up to Kilkenny to kind of close down that space that Galway tends to is to try and get the ball in the corners. So tactically, matchups, I think, if Galway can get the ball in early and try and spread the Kilkenny defence and have your runners or your support play coming through, definitely a little chance to win at the game. For Kilkenny, if they can close the space and just play with a bit of freedom, they've nothing to lose. I think it'll be very close.

SPEAKER_05 22:49

And Elena, just like on Kilkenny, you know, they obviously have some press big games there. But one of the players have been impressed with this here. I think Ashley McCarty there going forward, like she's had a great couple of games there where she's had momentous games and scored a nice few points. Like I think she's a massive player for them there as well. She can get to get her in the game, like and not just her scoring, but her build-up play and all that, and getting others into the game as well.

SPEAKER_04 23:12

Yeah, she's been a huge player from probably last year's probably her first real introduction onto the scene. But this year she's been really impressed, probably overshadowed a little bit by the scoring expedit of Sarah Barco, maybe inside and um Katie Nolan when she's coming on. But Asha gets through an awful lot of work out around the middle of the field, and that's where Katie Kenny's work rate is huge. Uh Kuiba Karma is back out there at centre forward, but out around the middle of the field bringing huge work rate. And I suppose it's it's the work then of Asha, Quiva, Kuiva Mortiker, Eva Pendigas around the middle field that free up Laura Murphy and Laura Green to get forward that little bit as well. So they'll want to bring that intensity. Now they probably have a metaphysical challenge like they're going to meet on Satish, like Galway, if they bring the intensity they brought to Last's All-Ireland final, the Kilkenny Girls will be hit hard and they'll be hit often around the middle of the field, and that just dictates then the quality of the ball that you can put into the full forward line. So you might find that the quality of the ball that the likes of Sarah Barco and Steffi and Sight have been getting for the last couple of games probably won't be as of as high a quality as actually, because if you're coming out of the middle of the field and Carrie Dolan or Earth Dunho or someone's coming after you, or Anya Kane is coming after you, the quality of the ball you're giving in is not going to be the same as if you're no offense to any of the other tier two teams, but if you're coming out against the likes of a Limerick or an Offly or a Dublin or a Wexard or whatever, the quality of the ball is obviously going to be better on those occasions. So that's something Kilkenny are going to face into a challenge on Saturday. As I said, they won't have met the physicality of Galway up to this point. Water brush to a certain degree. And I suppose, like on that water for playing the player back, probably suited Kilkenny a little bit. Leisha Forrest that way, way back almost as a second fullback. I know Ursula went through it on the Sunday game tonight in the analysis or on the day of the match. And that played into Kilkenny's hands. The likes of If I Pendergast and those love to shoot from out the field and they're well able to take points from out the field. Kira Hickey won't sit back as deep for Galway. And I know Martinez saying maybe she hasn't had as big an influence so far this year, but she'll have an influence on Saturday. She won't sit back as far. And I said she's one as well that likes to get forward as well. So if Kilkenny are going to have any joy in on the inside line, they're going to have to get around here. And here's a fantastic reader of the game. So the delivery of the ball inside is going to have to be pinpoint active if Kilkenny are going to trouble Galway on the scoreboard from that inside line. But yeah, the likes of the half forward line, the halfback and those two massive players in the middle of the field are going to have to have massive gains for for Kilkenny. And I think whoever can kind of come out on top of the battles there is going to dictate the quality of the ball then that goes into either the Kilkenny full forward line or the Galway full forward line. And we both know two sets of full forward lines are lethal. You know, so if there's goals to come, it's going to be the quality of the ball that gets in. It's going to be whoever wins the most for it around the middle of the field.

SPEAKER_07 25:39

Yeah, and if if if goal if Kilkenny too can get the ball in past Kira, as you said, Elaine, Akira likes to sit. She's a wonderful reader of the game, and she will have a big impact on Saturday. And if the Kilkenny, I suppose, midfield half back line can kind of launch that ball in past Galway's half back line, well then any anything can happen. Do you know what I mean? And also the likes of Eva Dunna, who I suppose, you know, she's been quiet this year so far, but she has a serious attacking ability, and she's she tends to drag inside defenders out of position, and she'll end up opening the lanes there for support and half forwards. And while she isn't going as well as what we know Eva Dunhu is going as she'll be she'll be up for the fight. She is one dog that loves to hunt, and she has absolutely no problem. And for a small girl, she's a serious amount of power behind her, and she'll be under no illusion, she'll take woman body, you name it, with her. So Kilkenny will have to uh you know just watch where she goes. She doesn't tend to stay in the one position. She'll come out to midfield, she'll provide that support play, and she'll make those darkened runs inside. And she has a way of getting in past the half forward line to get in and to grab those four those few scores. So, yeah, it'll be interesting to see how things go. But defensively, in fairness to Kyle Murray, he has tightened up his defence massively from their first round against Cork. And I think it'll all come down to the defence with Galway's defence anyone. If they can provide enough good ball into the forwards, well, then I think Galway will definitely see it through to Crow Park in in a couple of weeks' time.

SPEAKER_05 27:16

Um I might be a bit cliched to say about discipline for both sides could be massive on the lead because I both teams have excellent free takers, like Denise Perdergast and Carol Dolan. So the chair, if any either team is bit maybe ill disciplined, you know, I could end up costing them again massively, like because as I said, neither of them missed too many frees on farm.

SPEAKER_07 27:34

Yeah, yeah, I agree with you there. And like the All Ireland last year against Cork, Galway played on the edge for three quarters. You know, their physicality was second to none. And you know the way Carrie works. Carrie will penalise you from any any corner of the field. Like I've often seen her here in the last couple of weeks, meeting her. She's she's always at the field, she's she's practicing, she's very disciplined, very diligent. And what I like about her in the last couple of years is she's now offering a lot more from play. It's not just her free taking, taken role. She has really upped her physicality, she gets stuck in and she's well able to win. And one thing about Galway is they win those battles, those tight battles, they win balls that they shouldn't be winning. And like that, they win the free, they win the free in any position, and Harry will step over that ball and you know, straight away, you know, you know, it's a score for Galway. So def yeah, I suppose setting it up free taking is going to be very, very important. If Kilkenny can be disciplined, I think that they have a good chance because Galway with Carrie will penalize anything that that needs to be taken.

SPEAKER_08 28:41

Can be the win and a losing of a match, Martina, can't she? Oh, the freeze, it should be that so they're important to be shooting them all over.

SPEAKER_07 28:48

And you know, we saw it last year, she stood over a pint. Sorry, job. No, you know, it's just yeah, that you're talking about the free the last free game, yeah. So, you know, it's yeah, like she stood over it, you know. There's no pressure on her. She's press she she's fine with pressure, do you know what I mean? She's so used to taking them. Um, and it's I think it's pivotal. It's like having a brilliant goalie. You know, your first line of attack is your goalie, and a goalie is so important, but more important is your free taker. And you think about yesterday, I'm not taking away from the Komogate, Galway versus Limerick. Like without Aaron Island, he scored 10 points and nine of them are from freeze. You know, you take those nine freeze away, Galway would have it would have been a it was a disaster, but it would have been far worse, far worse. So free taking is going to be very important.

SPEAKER_05 29:33

And just Sarah and Joanna, the neutral I suppose for this game, like just get your opinion. If Kakini are to get the victory, how do you think they're going to how do they go about getting the win? Like them, what do they need to do to get that win?

SPEAKER_08 29:45

God, I I just think that they to continue what they're doing all year, like they're like Kukinney, they're they're like they're not they're knocking on the door there now for the last three years, you know. They and as uh Martina was a juice here was saying, like they have some of that team to have all our medals in their pockets, do you know what I mean? And they're going to drive on the other players. So just I I it'll be it'll be a close match, I think, anyway. And as the girls are saying, Kilkenny they've nothing to lose, they'll throw the kitchen sink at Galway and away they go, and they'll bring a good crowd with them too to uh simple stadium. And I I said it before, Kilkenny love playing in in Simple Stadium, you know, and they're that type of a team, they rise to big occasions, you know, and they're they're full of energy, you know. So but Galway too, it just it's I'm looking forward to the match, I'll put it that way. And I don't I don't think it's gonna be a close match because Kilkenny are they're they're chaun at the bit, as they say, for the last you know, two to three years there. They bet remember the match in Crow Park last year, they bet Tip. Oh no, Tip bet them by a point there, you know. They were we were lucky to get over them, like you know, that that was a big game in Crow Park, you know, that'll stand to them for experience as well going forward there on Saturday, my thinking.

SPEAKER_07 30:59

I think yeah, if you look if you look back to the league, you know, Kilkenny exploited Galway, they they used a lot of deep runs, you know, to create overlaps and and to score goals. So I suppose if Galway are going to win on Saturday, their half-forward lines, they just kind of have to abandon this loose zonal mark and match Kilkenny runners stride for stride. Their defensive structure has seriously tightened up, but they have to remain compact, they have to play as a unit, ensuring that you know that to squeeze the Kilkenny forwards and not allow them an inch. And I suppose to ensure also that their defenders aren't sucked out of position, because this Galway full back line have yet to be really tested, and you know, you need to take them out of their comfort zone. And if that full back line from Galway aren't sucked out of position, well then there'll be a lot of green, uh green flags going up the other end. So I suppose to exploit Kilkenny's uh running, if Galway can match them stride for stride, and I suppose Galway probably have a little bit of a physical advantage going in on Thursday, but Kilkenny have Ute and they have runners, and if Galway are not able to deal with this running game, they're going to be in serious trouble.

SPEAKER_06 32:13

Martina, on that piece, the physicality piece, I had been in parking cube for Waterford and Cork, and I thought Waterford's physicality was going to really trouble Kilkenny. Um, I just thought that you know they'd done a lot of work on it, and like Kilkenny have that work done too. That that's another part about Kilkenny because of getting to that level in 22, those players know the work that's been done and they've actually carrying the work that they've done over the years. So Waterford's increased physicality didn't actually help them. And and that should again help Kilkenny against Galway on on Saturday. What I like as well about Kilkenny is their ruthlessness. If a player is bearing down on goal, one of the Kilkenny girls will step across and she'll make sure that it's a free, there's no free shot. There's never any free shot. And if an Aris's communication is excellent, you know, she's she's talking to the girls all the way through. And I'll take a yellow, you'll take the next yellow, we'll we'll share the load. There, you know, it's it's a very clever thing, and it's very hard to coach in comoge players, is is to be that mean and ruthless player and and then to be that player for your teammate to step across. And Kilkenny have always done that, and that's a mark of how good they've always been.

SPEAKER_07 33:25

Yeah, and that's testament too to a team who's willing to put everything on the line to get over the line. Yeah, I agree with you completely. And and Kilkenny have, they have that physical aspect as well, and it'll be down to the matchups. Do you know what I mean? But I suppose if Galway can pull that Kilkenny central defenders out of the middle channel, they have a good chance of direct fastball movement into. We have more, we have more fast forwards, full forwards, than physical forwards, if if you know what I mean. And I suppose we're we're runners as well. So yeah, I agree with you 100%. Yeah, it'll be interesting. I just hope that it'll be a good game. You know, I just hope it won't be a game like we watched yesterday in the hurlin, where it's kind of all one-sided and it's over in in 10-15 minutes. I don't think it's going to be because Galway yes have to be tested. And Kilkenny from the one-point defeat back in February, they have progressed, they have progressed an awful lot since their league campaign against Galway. So it's onwards and upwards for Kilkenny. The pressure is on Galway to to maintain that steady run into an all-Ireland final, and who knows.

SPEAKER_05 34:31

And now we leave that game for the time being, and we go on to the second game of Saturday, which sits up showing between Cork and Tip. It's the fourth meeting of these two teams this year. They both have a win each, and also there's been a job which was in the league. Tiberi can had a victory in the once a championship, I think was six points in the end, while Cork came through in the group stage at the championship with a three-point win. So, look, Sarah, just get you up hip top and Cork at the moment and where they are coming to this game. Like, obviously, they've really set it up since the championship started, like after maybe disappointing start of the year, and they've come in now, they're coming in on 100% record and looked impressive in the group stages.

SPEAKER_06 35:07

Yeah, I had been in Sebastian for the Munster Championship game, and at that point, Ashley Thompson was still out injured. Sergeant McCarthy had just come back uh from some time away. They looked very raw and they had a lot of new players around the group, and they were kind of devoid of ideas when Quiva McCarthy snapped in as the sweeper and they were pumping ball in the top of Warlack and Alan, and she has an incredible touch, but they weren't asking her to do so much against you know a plus one. And I thought they were quite naive that day, and like temporary were full value for for the win that day in the Munster Championship. But the block of work that Clark got through to say that they turned up in Galway ready for road, kind of cut Galway off guard, I think. And the players around, I suppose, the old ones reliable the the new players, the fresh players, the likes of Millie Condon, the likes of Ava Fitzgerald, they've really come into their own. And the last day in Parkie Rin when they played Waterford, it it looked like a much more cohesive Cork team. Now, Waterford didn't take their chances that day, and they were guilty of dropping balls short, and Lorraine Bray hadn't started, and Neve Rocket hadn't started that day. And then obviously, of course, she gets sent off closer to the end, which impacts Waterford like against Kilkenny. I did, though, feel like Cork were more back to themselves, and a nice physical game against Waterford kind of gelled them more, and and it's a confidence-boosting effort. Amy O'Connor as well, I suppose, hadn't been around the scene for the league. And she spoke to media and said, you know, we've we've had 14 changes to the team from the goalway game. Now most teams wouldn't be able to live with that as they'd have to pack up their bags. It's I think it's it's a testament to the I suppose the under 23 championship that Cork has been able to pull players in from that. And they've come half cooked, and the last eight to ten weeks in training has really brought them along. So I think Cork are in a good place going into the semi-final. I think playing Waterford, Tip, and Galway in the group one phase has also stood to them because the newer players are getting the full impact of what they can expect in a semi-final.

SPEAKER_05 37:27

And Joanne, like obviously for Tipperary, it's been a mixed bag in the championship. They had winning the winter championship, but then they came into the championship other group and they lost all three games. They were in the came in clear in the quarterfinals. They were impressive, and they had the game wrapped up by the 45th minute, and my tear came back a bit at the end. Tipperary were always in control, and he ever felt like they're going to lose, but like they're going to have to really up with now again, another level going.

SPEAKER_08 37:57

Just have yeah, I suppose to have that belief in themselves. They're you know, Sarah, you were talking about that monster final. Oh, we we'll have that in our heads, like you know, we we can beat the we've beat them this year, you know. I I don't know what was it, 118 to 2.9 or something. So that would be in their heads going forward anyway. And I know Cork are they're just they're they're exceptionally good now. Their defense this year is grown and grown and grown. Like, you know, they they're they'll have to work harder forwards to get in there for a bit of a score and things like that. And again, as you know, Ashley is back there, Ashley Thompson, she's gonna boost the the Cork team. And it's Searshaw, she's back in the middle of the free now, isn't she, Sarah?

SPEAKER_06 38:38

She is, yeah. And the thing with Ashley Thompson is she started at 11 against Waterford. Now she looked very uh out of kilter there because it's it's it's not where Ashley plays. Ashley loves coming onto the ball and moving forward. So it was only in the second half when she moved back into kind of midfield and and and that sweeper role in in in front of the centre centre back is where she looked very comfortable. And Sertia McCarthy kind of found a head of steam, and she was very good against Galway as well, Martina. The first day out in the championship. I think they've just taken a little longer to get to the table.

SPEAKER_08 39:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 39:10

Joanne, would you be would you be comfortable with that kind of Quiva sitting back and sitting in that in that cover role? Do you think it takes from your forwards?

SPEAKER_08 39:20

Well, look, it it depends on what way the other teams plan out their game. Like it can work and I can't work, you know, this type of thing, but she'll she'll clean up all day, like Quever. That's the sort of player she's, and she's she's well able to go forward as well. I suppose we have Karen, like she's back now in training, she had an injury there, was a hamstering, I think, wasn't it, Joe? But she's back or grind, yeah. She's back running and training now, she's going to be a boost to us. And then we also have Quiva Stakelum, we've depending a lot on Quiva. She was she's at her leaving start this year. And do you know there's I think the the game against Claire, I know the that the score we we came out winners in the end. That game will stand to the tip girls because there was a lot of new girls came up there, like you were saying, Sarah. We got a few from the under 23s. We pulled out a few too there. And they played there in Crow Park. It's good to get that game time, and there was big crowds there. So, you know, that kind of experience will stand to tip. And I know they haven't won it in a long time, and they're they're kind of like water chasing and chasing, but look, at the end of the day, if you're not in, you can't win, isn't it? And the pressure they're not for hivers, like you know, which is it can help a team too, you know, and they're preparing hard for it.

SPEAKER_06 40:39

Will Karen Kennedy be back?

SPEAKER_08 40:41

She will, yeah. She's back in training now, running and competing in the matches.

SPEAKER_06 40:45

She I think she was a loss for them, wasn't she, guys?

SPEAKER_08 40:47

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_06 40:49

There's a massive, yeah. She brings massive, I suppose, experience, but also she's great, she's a great ball carrier. So having to cover her off would be a problem for Cork, especially with the younger players in around the midfield and half back line.

SPEAKER_08 41:01

Yeah. I'm hoping she'd start Joanne. I think she's back in doing the training anyway for the last two weeks. You know, she was excited and running and things.

SPEAKER_05 41:08

The big question is how much fit will she be and how if she looks down, would she be able to last a full 60 minutes? Like, and that could be um that could be a big question for them, like after missing like the last two games as well.

SPEAKER_08 41:19

Like, yeah. Well, Karen is Karen. She's you know, she's more mature player now, and sometimes a bit of a rest of a few weeks can can crown an older player like you. They can come out gunning to go and things like that. And Karen is such she's such a professional girl. She'll be tipping away with trying to down at that ball wall and tipping away with keeping in her eye and all that. She's I wouldn't be worried about her match fitness. She's just she's one of those kind of naturals players that come around for the main time.

SPEAKER_04 41:49

Yeah. And for me, Queaver Murray's obviously big lost to the losing. Um, if they had the two of them in field that they'd be really settled, they'd have Quiva at centre back, they'd have Karen to go in midfield and be able to maybe push up Cloda McIntyre up into the forwards again as a more of a scoring threat. But obviously, now with Quiva gone, they have to rejig, I suppose, losing your centre back. Now, Cloda Cork came in there the last day and did a fine job against Claire, but um, I suppose it's just a pity that they haven't that full pack to choose from because you're going to need everyone the day you go up against Cork. Um they'll probably be worried maybe about how they drifted out of the game a little bit against Clare, similar to last year's All Ireland final semi-final, sorry, against Galway in Nolan Park, they left Galway off to an awful head of steam of a head start, and it was only when Kareem Blair got injured, Carnegendi's lucky goal just before halftime, that it kind of kicked got our tip into gear that day. So, look, if I was I'd probably be a bit worried maybe if they're drifting in and out of games like that. If you drift out of a game for 10 or 12 minutes against Cork, they'll have you punished on the scoreboard and you're chasing them from there and you won't catch this Cork team. So I think to be honest, from the world go, and that's where I think the game being in Semple Stadium might actually stand to tip. I think they've kind of been gunning to get back to that semi-final, a home semi-final such. And if they can get a big crowd in behind them, I hope the nerves don't play a part. The fact that they've beaten Cork already, the fact that they're reigning monster champions should give them that confidence to hit the ground running. And I think if they can get up ahead of steam, match Cork stride for stride early on and stay in the game, I think then we're in for a right run down the stretch. And I actually give Tip a really good chance in this one. I just think there's something about them this year. I think from the first day that they were beaten against Waterford in the group stages, I think they know that they were aiming for a quarter final. I think they've timed their run to it. Now they won't have been 100% happy with how the game against Claire went with, but look, they'll have had work on through the last three weeks to get this right for Cork. And I think they really, really are primes to hit a purple patch. They're fantastic scorers, fantastic hurlers, and if they can bring it all, I would give them a really good shout against Cork.

SPEAKER_08 43:47

I just think in on the build up to this, like Tip lost their first three matches, you know, they were playing Galway and Cork. But like the way we we you'd be looking at it, it they were good, solid matches against Galway. Do you know their top teams, top team Cork. And you know, they have the games played, do you know what I mean? But they're still in it, they'll stand to them that those games, you know. I suppose when you were saying about the like tip, how many subs did they bring on, Joe, the last day against Claire? I suppose you're they had there was a on all five, yeah. Yeah, they got on all five, I suppose. And maybe it might have you know, when you upset the team positions and and things like that, maybe new players coming on the likes of Efo Dwyer. Now she came on and had a fine game, she's only a young player, and sometimes then that can reflect the score. You know, yourself coming on for the first time. You might I I would put the when people might say they they um took their foot off the pedal bit, just maybe they were blending in a couple of the younger players there. That that you'll always have a little bit of that kind of game. You might lose your scoring ability. I know Claire came back and they got two goals there in the end, didn't they, Joe? But um it's a total output. But yeah, as you said, to get our scores early on in the match there and we'll we'll just see how it goes.

SPEAKER_06 45:01

But my one my one criticism from them last year in Nolan Park was that when they lost Karen, obviously that was a big loss, and you know, she was obviously there to do a big job, and and I really love her the way she attacks the ball, and she's a Galway forwards nightmare because she'll go toe-to-toe with you and try and bring you, you know, she won't let you win a ball. I thought in the second half, Tip didn't push when the game was there to be got at, and they sat back, and Marianne Evison sat back, and they probably needed to go full tilt in the last 20 minutes against Galway to see if they could pull something out of it. But they almost like England in in the soccer, they sat back and and and they watched the game and brought Galway onto them and and never actually pushed. So I'd be hoping on on Saturday that that's what tip do. If it gets to a point in the game where where they can release the handbrake and they go and attack it and and give their forwards that support, you know, that's where the likes of Eamer McGran and Beavis Dayklem will really appreciate it, and that's and that's where they'll get their scores. So don't sit, don't wait for it to happen if if if it's there in the melting pot, they have to go at it. Because I'm sure there was regrets last year when they looked back on the way they the way they sat off Galway for the last 10-15 minutes.

SPEAKER_07 46:14

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I I definitely agree with you there. But look at looking at it positively, Joanne, I suppose they found success in open play scoring this year against Galway. Like they scored 15 points. Do you know what I mean? But I think I suppose it's their secondary that the sec that secondary defensive line, it kind of collapsed under high ball from Galway. So their full back and their halfback lines kind of failed to contain the inside forwards because they conceded three three goals, two from Neave McPeak and one from Kweva Kelly, and effectively took the match out of Tiberi, you know, reach by the third quarter. So if anything, playing the likes of Galway, playing the likes of Cork so fell this year, it it's going to stand to them, and they should have no fear against Cork, but Cork have come on as well. You see, what's good about this championship is all teams are progressing, they're all getting a little bit better and a little bit cuter, and you know, they're learning from past mistakes. And you know, I thought Rosheen Howard and the return of Emer McGrath to steady the middle third there is fantastic for Tipperary. But again, I thought they were outmuscled a little bit by Galway. They struggled maybe a little bit on their pookouts, and Galway were constantly turning over possession in the middle of the third of the field. So if that, if they I'm sure they have worked on that between that game and and and Saturday's game, and I suppose not to be not to have the likes of Grace O'Brien and Emergine isolated. They need good, fast ball, clinical ball into the two, and they are so dangerous. You know what I mean? Because Galway's halfbacks were just sitting deep and they were acutely sweeping across the defensive channels, and Tipperary didn't have a chance, they were actually starved of low ball forcing them into maybe lower percentage, long-range point taken. But from a positive point of view, 15 points is a great score line. And you know, I think Sarah alluded to there, Tipperary will have nothing to fear going into the game. And if all their good key players are are going well, you know, they'll definitely put up put it up to them.

SPEAKER_08 48:19

Yeah, yeah. And again, they're they're you know, it's like Galway and Cork, I you know, reading two things there, they're they're favourites too. Do you know it kind of takes the pressure off a team too, doesn't it? When they're not just when they play their hearts and see how they get out, come out after the game.

SPEAKER_07 48:36

Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_08 48:37

And sometimes it's you know, the players like Queevus Day Clem, I know she's young, like Karen Blair, if they can all click and the likes of Karen, we we'd be hoping that you know to we'll we'll we'll try not to make it easy for for the other two. Look, I I'm looking looking forward to the game, and look, if you're not in, you can't win, and you never know what happens on the day. So and I've no doubt James there, he'll have them all in tip top form for Saturday, and sure. Look, if we'll have to wait and see.

SPEAKER_05 49:11

One of the key battles could be Ema McGrath adapt against Libby Carpenter because like obviously Tipperary has an Emer back this year, she'd been a huge plus to the light. Her ability to win ball that goes in there, to get quality ball into her, she can win any type of ball, like high and low, she could win threes, score herself, or she can set off players around there. And I think when she's on fall and getting a good ball in and setting off players around her, that's a temporary at her best. But then the type of quality of the ball that goes into her, like I've noticed a temporary a lot over the last few years watching them, and even this year. Sometimes they get panicked in further off the field and to just hit aimless balls in and drop either job wide or just go nowhere, no one at the pitch. Like, and they'll have to be at the very best getting the right quality ball in. And if you can do that, like they'll have they'll have a great chance because I've been even McGrath being a great foreign year since going back to the injury listed all the past years.

SPEAKER_08 50:00

Yeah. Yeah, and again, a good start for Tip will help them, like, you know, not to be getting a few clock up a few scores early in the match. Like it's a good thing to help to settle a team as well. That's the way you know Grace O'Brien, when she settled down early in the in the first half, with a few nice balls, she'd be well warmed into it. And the same with Emer, you know, give her f her pint or two at the start, and you know, it settles them in, and then but as I said, that park defence, every match they play, they're getting stronger and stronger every year. I think that's where they've excelled most this year, is in their defence corp. You know, so we'll we'll have to work hard to get around them.

SPEAKER_06 50:36

They've been quite mean, and I suppose Amy Lee is a is a huge positive for them because she acts as an extra defender, you know. She's she steps out when she needs to, or her distribution is quality, you already saw the poor, unfortunate goal that Brianna O'Regan got or conceded, and Brianna's one of the best in the game, and you know, a hundred yards strike from Amy puts the ball in the back of the Waterford net in the in the championship game a couple of weeks ago. So Corker almost played with seven defenders as well because Amy is so involved in everything that they do and she really stretches the game and looks for the ball. And she's always an outball option. I'd be nervy now if I was having goal receiving ball like that, but she doesn't bat annihilate, so she's always available, which is a huge plus for Libby. If Libby commits into a ball and she turns and she's popping it off or is the O'Reagan, there's there's a lot. Now, I would say for me if Murphy is in at six and she is untested. I I think that Laura Hayes back there would be I suppose I'd be more used to kind of seeing Laura in seeing um Laura Hayes in place of Laura Tracy. And and I think Clark are looking at something and and using Maeve in that she sits, but I don't think she'll have come up against possibly a Carrie Dolan at 11, and uh that'll really stretch her. I uh Elaine, have you seen much of Maeve Murphy in centre back?

SPEAKER_04 52:06

I've probably seen most of her with UCC during the year. She was really good there last year. I think that's what propelled her into centre back, maybe for a cork. And she has, you know, she plays that sweeping role. If she is obviously not as dominant as Laura Tracy, Laura Tracy had that role down to a T. Maybe Murphy is good at going back. I'm just not sure. Like yourself, I think I've probably been more used to seeing Laura Hayes there, and maybe a more commanding figure at centre back. I thought Waterford got a lot of possession around the middle of the field and bypassed Murphy a lot. Now, because Waterford had come in, they sprayed it to space, they got Beth onto the ball, they got Maggie Gossel onto the ball, but then they had no runners coming from the middle of the field, so they couldn't punish Cork on the scoreboard. I think Tip will be able to punish them because I think if Queebus Taken and gets a ball in the corner, she'll have Emer McGrath inside her, Cloda McIntyre plundering through from the middle of the field, she'll have Grace O'Brien in the far corner. I think Tip will punish them more on the scoreboard if they get the same amount of ball. Tip's restarts are another really huge key one for them. I noticed against Claire. I think it's one nine they got from their own puckouts. So if you watch the tip puck out, it comes rapid fast. Normally it finds Emer Hefman on one of the wings. So she scored, I think, three points, two from one, two from the right hand side and one from the left, if I remember correctly. But the minute the ball is in hand, she's gone running across the field, and the tip restarts are crucial. I think it's one nine. I'll go back on the stats, but I think it's about one nine they scored from. So if that cork half backline is not set up, if that cork midfield haven't dropped, and if Maid Murphy is not in position, tip will punish you. And I think that's some where Tip will get reap rewards at the weekend.

SPEAKER_07 53:37

And I also think against Galway, and again, I get on. Yeah, against Galway, too. I think their aerial dominance wasn't as as good as what it could have been. You know, you know, while you had the individual point scorers, you know, and they were well able to find success maybe from distance, their their fullback awful isolated when Galway broke through on long ball deliveries. So I'm sure James Heffernan will have some tactical changes made from their defeat against Galway. And you could see that in the Clare game, because those defensive gaps that Galway exposed, the the tip, I suppose, management reshaped their defensive system a little bit. Chris O'Brien was able to, you know, net two clinical goals to sink Claire and propel the path. She's the type of player she needs to make progress how how how much oh she does, she needs to get into it. Yeah, really settled in. And I know they they were pivotal, but Claire Chip or Eri had learned from the Galway defeat because Galway had exposed their their defense uh their defense massively. And I think if Claire or Chip can win that high ball, the aerial ball, they'd have a good game.

SPEAKER_05 54:48

I obviously know Martin and Elaine as a key illustration for this game. Like obviously, Corp will start his favourites in this one as well, you know, because recent history and all that. But and I think the seven, uh the winner seven have lost eight semi-finals, or they've lost all seven. How much of that will play on their minds going into Saturday, do you think, or will it just be able to shake it off and treat it as any other game, maybe, and forget about the recent seven final games, or will it will it play a part mentally on their mind? Like, do you think it'll affect them much?

SPEAKER_04 55:17

I think the fact that the game is in sample stadium actually really plays into their hands. I think if I was tip and heading back up the road again to Nolan Park for whatever my seventh or eight to All Ireland semi-final, you'd have to have kind of flashback and post-traumatic stress nearly at this stage, heading into Nolan Park again, wondering is this going to happen again? Whereas I think going into Semple Stadium, like obviously same team lineup, same training and all that done. But mentally, I think going into Semple Stadium, it sets them up that little bit nicer for it. I think probably James Hefnan in this year as well, is probably a breath of fresh air. Look, if you look at the management over the last couple of years, you had Bill Mullani and then you had a carry-on into the follow-up management.

SPEAKER_08 55:54

Yeah, Dennis Kevin.

SPEAKER_04 55:55

You have a whole new setup as well, new fresh voice, maybe. You know, sometimes it's those smallest things that that make the difference, you know. So as I said, new manager heading into Semple Stadium, so the surroundings are different. They'll be hoping for a huge home crowd to get out and support them. I think it really preferred. I think you know, there's been something about them this year. As I said, I think from early on they settled on a quarterfinal position, they used the defeats, right? They got three good, tough games in the group games, they didn't win them, but I think they learned a lot. Martina alluded to it there, they changed things along the way. And let's not forget, James is a new manager as well. So he was probably taking learnings. You know, he'd come up against teams maybe he hadn't come up against before. He was probably learning a bit on the job as well. So he's had three huge tests in those group games. Got to Croke Park, got the job done. Look, it wasn't flawless, but I think as Joanne said, look, the job was done. They made a few substitutions, Claire got back into it. I wouldn't read too much into that second half. And I think James more or less said that in his interview afterwards. Look, they got the job done. That's all that that quarterfinal. And as I said, I don't think I think the new surroundings, the new managers, and the fact that they've already beaten Cork in the championship this year, they shouldn't have anything to hide behind. If they're going to do it, I think now is the time to do it for them.

SPEAKER_05 57:04

Look, we have two games coming up there, and hopefully, look, it'll be great, both of them will be great games, close games, and we'll very tight games, and we look highly entertained, like especially with being on the we're on RTE, so something to look forward to. But now I think it's time just we get predictions out for the game. I'm not going to be giving any more predictions anyway. I'll try to give up on predictions for now because it's been a disaster all year. But what I'll do is I get Elaine and Natida to give the prediction for Cogtip, and Joanne and Tara to give predictions for Gaway to Kinney. So Elaine, we start off with you on here, the Cogtip game. Your prediction for that one.

SPEAKER_04 57:40

Yeah, look, I think the two games are kind of similar this weekend in that Gork and Galway are our favourite rightly so, probably going from where they're coming from and with past history. But I just think there's something about the two underdogs this weekend. I just think, as you said, they've nothing to lose for the tip one. I think tip are coming. As I said, I think being in Semple Stadium, I think they've divide this up for a long time out. There's a lot of hurt there in that panel. You know, they're carrying a lot of hurt from the last seven years of of falling at this hurdle. I think Cork are a little bit under tested. You know, I know they had a brilliant performance, but they've had an up and down year. They've obviously grown into the championship. And look, early results speak for themselves. They were down 10, 11, 12 players, like no team could sustain it. So they've parked the league, parked the Monster Championship, and that first day in Galway, they really hit the championship running. But I just think sometimes you learn more from defeats. Cork might be a little bit untested. They've won their three games. Sometimes the days you think you're cruising are the days you meet the biggest uh bump in the road, and I think Tip might be their bump in the road this afternoon. So I'm going to give a slight nod to tip on this one.

SPEAKER_05 58:37

Matt Fina, if we get your prediction now for this game as well.

SPEAKER_07 58:40

Yeah, I suppose look at Galway are all Ireland champions. We can't take that from them. While they've had a slow start to this year's campaign, both the league and championship. I think that Cahal is really steady in the ship now. And I think tactically, maybe they're not peaking yet. I think that Saturday. It'll go what it'll obviously go one way or or the other. I think Galway are seeing the the end game with a possible setup with Cork. I think they'll want to get back into Crow Park again. I I know that they won't fear Kilkenny, but at the same time, they'll be wary of Kilkenny. So my heart is definitely Galway. My head is probably Galway as well. But as Elaine said, you know, it could be the year of the underdog, but I'll call Galway on that one. With the other one, Tip and Cork. I suppose just from knowing Galway versus Tip, I'd have to go Cork based on the fact that Galway's game against Tipperary. You know, I was disappointed with Tipperary, even though I know they're well capable of doing much better. I think Cork are coming. They've got their, you know, the few girls are coming back into the into the panel. I think they're going to strengthen their panel against Tipperary on Saturday. So I'm going for a Galway Cork All Ireland final.

SPEAKER_09 1:00:09

Sorry, Elaine.

SPEAKER_07 1:00:10

Sorry, Joanne. I knew you would, Martin Martina. Oh, but sure, if you if you don't go for your own Joanne, you might as well. So apologies in advance, and I hope you let me know if things go differently on Saturday. No doubt you will. Time will tell. Time will tell. Time will tell, exactly. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:00:30

Sarah forget your prediction there now.

SPEAKER_06 1:00:32

Or Kilkenny Galway. Yeah, yeah, Kilkenny did a lot right against Waterford. I wonder though, whether they've benefited by the fact that Waterford had had such a physical game against Cork the previous Saturday. It was kind of you know a six-day turnaround and Lane Bray didn't look fit, and she didn't actually come out for extra time, but we didn't even pick that up in the commentary. Things were going so fast. So my my head says that Galway have the homework done and they'll just be a step ahead this year. But you know, that's that's not going to blemish Kilkenny's year if they don't get over the line. I think the the players that have come through and the six games that they've played will definitely bring them back next year. And and and you know, if if the group structure is retained, they'll be group one next year, which which was probably the first thing that they set out to do was was make sure that they were in the group one for for 2027. So I'm going Galway first. Right.

SPEAKER_08 1:01:34

Okay. My turn. Galway Klickenny. Would you believe it? I've I I'm going for Klickenny. What moment should I? Yeah. Just watching them all year and even last year as well. They're I think the players have matured, got strong, they're and they've a few players there that already have all our all Ireland medals in their pocket and they're just driving it on the whole time. They were very sore last year when Tip bet them. Remember up in Crow Park last year, they bet them by a pint. I don't know if you can remember that. And physically like Waterford are a very physical team too. Kilkenny matched them the last day as well. Do you know the way sometimes I know Galway are the favourites and that's the way it is, but sometimes maybe they could be it it works with a team and it might, but look, that's my prediction is Kilkenny anyway, for the Galway Kilkenny match. And it wouldn't surprise me if Kilkenny win it, and I think they'll win it. But as we say, Martina, time will tell, won't it?

SPEAKER_07 1:02:38

Oh, it sure will.

SPEAKER_05 1:02:41

Look, we won't keep it too much longer. I know a couple of you have got off the train on this evening, yeah. So I just we'll have to soon, but just also coming up now after this, we'll have there's for I'll be at the media tomorrow and I'll have interviews with Eamon McGrath, Serica McCartney, Carrie Golden and Neford Oris from that. So that'll be coming up at the end of the episode. And also there'll be a second episode coming up later on in the week. I think it'll be out Thursday. We'll be joined by Elaine Darvedy, former office player. We'll be looking back at last weekend's action in the premier junior and intermediate semi-finals. So there were wins obviously for Antrim and Leach in the intermediate and Armand Cavan in the junior. And we'll be looking back in them and looking ahead to the two all-in finals in that in that level. But look, for now, anyway, we'll leave it at that for this week. Look, it's been an absolute pleasure having you all on Elaine, Joanne, Martina, and Sarah. As per usual, pleasure having you on in Thanksgiving, thanks very much for coming on.

SPEAKER_08 1:03:34

Okay, thanks, Joe. Thanks, Joe. Thanks, Joe.

SPEAKER_09 1:03:38

Best look, ladies.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:50

Ifa, how's the feeling in the camp going into the game?

SPEAKER_01 1:03:53

Yeah, we're really looking forward to it. It's great to be back in the semi-final. We haven't been there in a few years. So, yeah, real look of our Saturday.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:59

You're coming in, I suppose, high winning either games in the championship. I suppose the group stages you can throw it in. It was a bit of a step up against Waterford, and that'll be another massive step up now against Galway on Saturday. They're in the League and All Ireland champions.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:11

Oh, definitely look, and I think we got great confidence and momentum from the group stage, and then going into Waterford was a massive battle. I could have went either way on the day, it took extra time, but we're just lucky to go over the line, and yeah, look, Galway are going to be a step up from that again, and as you said, they're all Ireland champions and they're league champions, so we are well aware of the the battle that faces us.

SPEAKER_05 1:04:32

And obviously, maybe Kenny's been going through a bit of a transition period, but there's still a lot of all Ireland medals there in that dressing room, you know, and a lot of young young players, young, good palliative players coming through. So there's a very nice mix here in the squad.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:45

Yeah, that's it. There's there's girls there that have been there for numerous years in around any setup, and then there's girls there that probably their first, second year in. But it's a nice blended group, and I think there's a real good spirit and togetherness within the group this year, and yeah, we've a lot of belief going into Saturday.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:01

Obviously, look, you can get scoring a lot of goals throughout the year, and I suppose that'll be key. If you can get maybe you might need one or two more goals at the weekend, like, but your full forward line there, particularly Stephanie Fisterl and Sarah Barco, have been playing for us well so far.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:12

Yeah, that's it. The girls have been on fire throughout the championship campaign, and I suppose it comes down to the girls out the field supplying them and and working hard to give them in. But uh look, the girls are two top forwards and they've been so clinical for us, and yeah, hopefully it continues.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:28

And you obviously have a bit of debt to Scott, like when you have the likes of Katie Nolan coming off here with her experience, like coming in and you know, obviously getting two crucial goals the last time against Watford.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:37

Yeah, look, no better woman. Uh, I was absolutely delighted for the work she has put in for Kenny Komoge over the last few years has been second to none, and look, when you're looking for someone to come in and make an impact, you need to look no further than Katie. So look, she's an experienced player, she's been there, done that, so yeah, I was absolutely delighted for her.

SPEAKER_05 1:05:54

And obviously, you've probably felt like you've had a bit of a point to prove this year, you know, being in group two, you know, maybe the so called weaker group. You probably Donicle Kinney feel like you belong in the top group like that and you're coming in. So has that been there something you've been going at this year as a as a group?

SPEAKER_01 1:06:09

Yeah, look, I don't think um within the sport you deserve anything really. You have to show and you have to you have to perform. So look, we were on we were beaten in the last three quarterfinals, so look, we're in tier two, and the challenge facing us was to get out of it. So our goal at start of the year was to try top tier two and get ourselves in a good position to hopefully progress, and that's what we did. So that was our aim.

SPEAKER_05 1:06:32

So you're going to start there, maybe it's underdogs, but from that perspective, you don't really have anything to lose and you can just give it everything then and see where you stand at the end of the 60 minutes.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:41

That's it. Look, we're looking forward to it. As we said, I think the quarterfinal will give the group a lot of belief and a lot of confidence, but we're also very aware of the test that we face, and look, as you said, we're going to go out there and give it absolutely everything and see where it takes us.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:07

Four-week break by the time the game comes, but uh train's been going well, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:07:12

And like you come in there, you won the league, and you have you then you had a long break before the championship started. Like, and I suppose the league, you maybe you haven't been in top gear as if yeah, maybe your best performance was the last year against Tipperary, but do you feel you have another gear or two to get up to before ahead of the semi-final?

SPEAKER_00 1:07:29

I think we do, yeah. I suppose we with a bit of a break, as you said, after the league and other teams probably had the provincial championships, and I suppose we got a bit of an eye-opener in the first round against Cork and maybe got things back on track after that. And as you said, the the probably best performance was the last round against Tipperary, but I suppose we can still go up another couple of gears as well.

SPEAKER_05 1:07:47

And look, obviously, up against Kilkinny, you played them once in the league, and look to bet you in the early round of the league, so you know how tough it's gonna be. Like it's always gonna be tough against Kilkinny anyway, no matter how and like maybe they've been good going through a bit of a transition period in recent years, but they seem to have found uh a lot of youth and experience during the team this year and seem to be going very strong. They'll come in with 100% record, like so. They'll be tough opposition.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:08

They will, of course. I suppose we were introduced to them really in the first round of the league where they bet us up in Ballon Slow. I mean you could see you could see the hard work they had done in the offseason, and I suppose they brought that down into the championship. There's six wins on the bounce, coming with great momentum, and we click any teams, you're always going to get them dying until the end, so the weekend is going to be no different.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:27

And plus the squad, are there any major injury doubts or any worries or anything going into the game?

SPEAKER_00 1:08:32

Ah no, we'd with a few niggles um I suppose after the last group game, but the four-month break has has really eased them up, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:39

And obviously yourself, you know, you're a free taker for going like the pressure like you showed it last year in the all-run final with the last minute free like so what's like in them moments like when you're take stepping over a free like and that, do you how do you feel like in it like or is it just normal or uh yeah, I suppose you you can't really try and treat it uh treat any different.

SPEAKER_00 1:09:00

Do your normal routine. You're looking at your I suppose you visualize those things down practising in training or for myself down in Clarembridge, and I suppose about being having a positive mindset and striking the ball well.

SPEAKER_05 1:09:11

Emer McGrath Tiberi ahead of the Ireland semi-final against Cork on Saturday. Emer, what's the feeling like in the camp going into the game?

SPEAKER_02 1:09:17

Actually, look at this stage we're just really excited, you know, big occasion on Saturday here in Turlus, so we're really looking forward to it. I suppose we've been three weeks now without a match, so it's been a kind of a long layoff for us, but I suppose it gives you a good opportunity to kind of get bodies right and you know get a little bit of work done as well. So I think we've used the three weeks well, and I think everyone is just excited to get going now on Saturday.

SPEAKER_05 1:09:38

And obviously for you, the team, I suppose it's been a bit of an up and down year, like you start the league and you won the month of the championship beating Cork along the way, but then the champion of the group stage losing all three games, but you came back, you got the win against Clare then as well. So it's as I said, it's been an up and down kind of year for you.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:53

Yeah, I suppose that's kind of just you know, the way with the the structure this year, you know, is always there was that potential for that maybe to happen. So I suppose we just had to kind of focus on the performances, particularly in the group stage. We would have been happy with aspects of most of the games. The goalway one probably was maybe the the the biggest blip for us. We've probably felt we we were kind of blown out of the water that day. But I think here against Cork, I mean the second round we really kind of showed what we're about. So hopefully we'll be able to call on a bit of that now on Saturday.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:23

And obviously for yourself, after missing all of last year with injury, you must be delighted to be back there again and involved in it. The session of semi-final, like it must have been tougher you missing there last year.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:32

Yeah, definitely, I suppose. You never want to miss out, you know, on any game. So I suppose I missed all of last year, and that was really disappointing. But you know, a delight to be back now playing, you know, the the prospect of being here now on Saturday in an All-Irland semi-final is is really exciting. So um yeah, I'd be really looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:48

Like obviously Tiberi lost seven semifinals in a row that you played in. Is that playing there much on your mind, or you're just putting it to one side and just hit play taking it one gate another game and another semi-final?

SPEAKER_02 1:10:59

Yeah, I think you have to just you kind of have to look at it in isolation, I think. If you if you start dwelling too much on the ones that have that have gone by previously, like you're you know, you can't be getting into that kind of negative mind frame. So look, obviously you you have to take certain learnings from those games, but I think overall you kind of just have to put them to the back of your mind and and focus on the task at hand. You know, it's a new year, you know, a lot of new girls on the panel who have no experience at losing semi-finals, like so. Yeah, I think in general, like you kind of just have to park those those previous defeats and and focus on on this year.

SPEAKER_05 1:11:33

One positive aspect I think for you this year has been the impact of the bench in a lot of games, which probably just to show that it's probably one of the strongest squads you've had in the last few years. So that's gonna be a big asset for you to be in, especially if it's a tight game coming up to the end. And you do have players that can come off the bench, like Jean Kelly there comes off. How many times does she come off over the last couple of years and she's always worth a pint or two and players like that? So it must be one big asset.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:54

Yeah, definitely. You know, it's a panel game, like um, you know, we've 35 girls on our panel, you know, everyone wants to play, like so. You know, I think you have to be able to to run your bench and stuff as well. Like the games are so physical, they're so intense. Like, you know, you need those five girls ready to come in off the bench and and make an impact. And I think in fairness, we've had that. Of the girls who have come in, they've they've been making a difference when they come on. So, yeah, look, any one of our subs will be be chomping at the bit to get on. So yeah, no, I think we've we've built a strong panel this year, and hopefully that'll stand to us on Saturday.

SPEAKER_05 1:12:26

And obviously, new management there in with James having an interest here. What you brought to the squad near as a manager this year?

SPEAKER_02 1:12:32

Ah, look, sure, it's like anything, you know, a change of vice brings a bit of freshness to the thing. You know, everyone's kind of starting off a of a clean slate, you know, and even the in terms of the selectors and stuff, you know. I'm not sure even some of the selectors have they worked with many comoge teams prior to this, so they would have, you know, been very kind of you know, they wouldn't have any bias in terms of players and stuff. So I think that's important too, and you know, it's like anything when you when you change things up, you kind of maybe get that bit of a bounce off it. But I think the lads, in fairness, they've left no stone unturned in their preparation and stuff. So yeah, it's been good. Yeah, really enjoying it, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:07

Like Karen Kennedy obviously missed the last few games. Will she be available and back for Saturday?

SPEAKER_02 1:13:12

Um, yeah, in fairness, Karen has been coming along well in her her rehab and stuff. So hopefully, yeah, she'll be she'll be hopefully ready to go for Saturday. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:20

I'm here with Cork Serca McCartney before they are all Ireland semi-final against Hebrew on Saturday. Serca, how is the feelings in the camp going into ahead of the game on Saturday?

SPEAKER_03 1:13:29

Yeah, like just huge excitement. I think we've went four weeks without a game, so we're definitely excited and hopefully we're ready to give our best performance of the year.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:36

And like obviously coming in now from after last year's All-Irland final defeat, how much has that been there playing a part for you this year, trying to make up for that defeat there in last year's final?

SPEAKER_03 1:13:45

Do you know what? I think it's a bit of a new squad, new team, so not really much of a bearing. I suppose, like, look, last year was obviously a huge disappointment, and we still have players involved who were involved in that game last year, but I think it's fresh mindset this year. Do you know there's no real pressure on us? We're just gonna go out and try and enjoy the game on Saturday.

SPEAKER_05 1:14:01

And like obviously, it was you wouldn't have been happy with the start to the year you had maybe in the league and in the month of championship and how that went. But you went away then after the month of championship to defeat actually, and you come back down the championship, and you've been really all guns blazing, and you come out three wins out of three in the group stage, so you must be happy with how it's going now.

SPEAKER_03 1:14:17

Yeah, look, definitely happy. Look, that's what we aim to do. We aim to come out and put in performances every day, and look if that got a result, thank God. But do you know I think all those performances that we've had recently probably won't be good enough come Saturday. We we've worked over the last four weeks now to up the intensity and hopefully bring that in Saturday, and we'll need the like as I said, we'll need our best performance to get over tip. They're a hugely experienced team.

SPEAKER_05 1:14:38

And obviously, you said that there's a lot of new players in the squad this year, but there's also is that mix of experience there from previous years. So they're obviously probably playing the key part with the youngsters coming through and all that, and all the more experienced players haven't bringing them through and helping them.

SPEAKER_03 1:14:51

Yeah, 100% everyone's kind of pulling their weight now, and do you know, like obviously it didn't happen overnight, but I think everyone's kind of meshed in well now and and look, everyone's kind of chomping at the bit, and it's kind of one of those things where we're just really looking forward to the weekend, and you know, like they're obviously as you said, there's younger players, but look, we're gonna bring them on along with us and hopefully we'll be get the results.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:12

I suppose look to Breri, you know them well now at this stage. It'll be your fifth meeting, I think, in the year. And you've won one choham one and lost one, so you know them and you know it's gonna be another tough game for you. They've all been close, like so. You're expecting another close game then at the weekend.

SPEAKER_03 1:15:25

Yeah, expecting it to be hugely physical and a huge mental battle. But look, we're we're going in as perhaps as we can be. Like we've had four weeks off there to really, really knuckle down, so we're under no illusions that this has to be our best performance of the year to get over tip because they're com they're gonna come with huge intensity playing in turless. But um look, we just have to look forward to it and just try not to let the nerves get the better of us and just go out and express ourselves.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:45

And what's the injury up there? Any injuries or any more major injuries going into the game?

SPEAKER_03 1:15:50

No, no, everyone's fresh and fish and happy out.