Episode 19: All Ireland Finals Day.

In this week's episode we look ahead to what promises to ne a very exciting day's action on Sunday, as the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championhips reaches its climax, with the finals of the Premier Junior, Intermediate and Senior championships. I'm joined in the first half of the episode by former Laois player SarahAnne Fitzgerald and by former Antrim player Eleanor Mallon to look ahead to the Intermediate final between Laois and Antrim, we also hear from four of the players involved on the day, with Laois's Aimee Collier, Antrim's Caitriona Graham and Armagh's Rachael Trainor as well as Cavan's Roisin O'Keeffe ahead of their respective games. And in part two of the pod, I'm joined by Elaine Aylward and Geraldine Kinane to look ahead to the Senior Final between Galway and Cork as both these side sgo head-to-head for all the glory for the third year in a row. And we also hear from both camps with Cork's Ashling Thmpson and Galway's Shauna Healy ahead of the big game.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

And you're welcome to this week's episode of the Talk and Comey podcast. Ahead of the All Ireland or Clay Damp 6 All Ireland finals on the weekend. Premier Jr. is Calvin versus Arma. In intermediate, we have Ancherman Leach, and in the senior for the third year in a row, it's Gowin Cork. And for the first part of today's episode, I'll be joined by former Leash player Sarah Anfit Jared and former Anther player Eleanor Mallin. And coming up in the second half, I'll be joined by the second part, I'll be joined by Sterling Canal and Elaine Aylwald top going to talk over the senior game. But for now we're going to with Sarah and Eleanor, we're going to talk about the really final. Obviously, Butcher County didn't have a big day for both of them. Sarah, obviously, for ye Leash coming up from junior last year, you know, chance to go back to back Ireland wins. And so the last time this was achieved was Bioffley back in 2009-2010. What would it mean to Leash Komoge to get do this and go up senior? I think it'll be the first time to be up senior as well if they were to go up. So obviously a big achievement.

SPEAKER_11 1:01

Absolutely, Joe. It'll be massive for Leash to even, you know, to be evening in the conversation of potentially being senior is just huge for Leash Komoge. And something that I don't know if we ever dreamt of it, but we have an opportunity on Sunday to make that happen. And I think it would just be exceptional for Leash who are on a crest of a wave at the moment. And like I suppose counties like ourselves and Elnor probably knows as well. When you have a good group of players, you need to make the hay while the sun is shining and these things go in cycles. We don't have the history or tradition, like there are top Camogie counties like a Cork, like a Galloway. So when you have an opportunity, they don't come around too often. You have to grab them with both hands. And as I said, Leech's in a really good place. And this season's just been fantastic for Leech. You know, they've really built on the momentum of last year. And just you know, getting to the final, I don't think many people predicted that they would get to the final, but this team really believed in themselves and put in the effort that is required and full deserved winners against Kerry and had a really, really strong championship season so far. And look, long may continue, and I hope it continues on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 2:09

And look for Eleanor for Antrim, I suppose you look, you have the history of winning All Ireland seniors, but obviously the last one came in 1979. But you've been down a few years now in the intermediate, like and you've been looked obviously looking to get back up senior again. And obviously, Antrim is on a crest of wave as well at the moment. Like obviously won the unit 23B this year. You're in the region 1A of the league. I know you're a relegated from it, but look, you have had a great win down at court, like joined that league. So obviously there's a lot of young talented players as well coming through. So I suppose you're looking to push back, get back to senior, as you said, and maybe push on from there as well, like and be competitive up with seniors if you do go up again.

SPEAKER_00 2:45

Yeah, I think Ambrum is sort of in a similar position to Leash, to be honest. Like we do have a strong Harlan Camogie County, but we haven't really capitalised the success that we possibly could have over the years. This year, whilst we did get relegated from Division 1A, it was actually, you know, we actually had a really strong league campaign. You know, we beat we beat Cork. We only got beat by Galway by two points, I think it was, in the last couple of minutes. Kilkenny only pulled away from us in the last few minutes as well to win with five or six points. You know, we we did put it up to the big teams. The goal at the start of the year was to compete in the league, to put in solid performances and make life very difficult for every opposition that we came across. And we like we excelled at that. You know, we probably, if we were being totally honest, we probably did better than we ever set out to do. Not that you know you plan to do well, but we were not naive. You know, we weren't going out to win Division 1A. We were going out to compete and to make life difficult for the opposition, which we definitely did. And we probably came up short, unluckily, a a couple of times. And you know, those wee small maybe errors of judgment or even a few refereeing decisions that didn't go our way. At the end of the day, you know, those are the wee things that win win you games or lose you games, and we only needed, I think, to win one more game, and we would have retained our our status in Division 1A. So that was unfortunate. But we're building the last couple of years, we've been building under well, under the new management now with Elaine Dowds. But over the last couple of seasons, you know, we got promoted from Division 1B last year. We won the the intermediate a couple of years ago. So it has been we've been building really since 2011. With it's sort of the county scene in in Antrim sort of fell away a wee bit. There was a lot of building to do. So, like Leash, we've been we've been coming up through the ranks again, and like you have to give it to Leash, even like getting promoted from Division III, wasn't it, last year, to them being in the top three of Division 2A this year. Like that's that's some going. And then uh to be in the intermediate final after winning the junior last year, like you know, fair play to them, that's that's some going.

SPEAKER_05 5:25

Like as I said, Sarah, you know as Lee Shark coming up, like in your own club there, Camelot, you won the Ireland Intermediate Club Championship earlier on in the year. So, you know, it's as if there's big things in leash happening in the leash at the moment. I suppose just to keep build on that momentum that you have there now at the moment and keep it going for as long as you can.

SPEAKER_11 5:44

Absolutely. Um as I said, like the scene in leash, Komogi scene leash is very strong at the moment. And look, we're probably in similar trajectories a little bit with Antrim, except they had a really like, yes, they got relegated from Division I league, but they had an extremely successful league, you know, big teams like obviously beaten Cork, not too many teams do that down in Cork, which is probably even more remarkable. And as Ender said, you know, came up short against the big names of likes at Galway and Kilkenny. But Leash 2 actually had a really, really strong league as well. I think the aim of the year for them, the league perspective, was to stay safe. But you know, truth be told, you know, they just ran out short at the end on score difference, prevents them from getting into the league final. So they had a really, really strong league campaign. But from talking to the girls, you know, there was a marked improvement, a marked step-up from what was done last year in terms of training. You know, if they just continued on from last year, they essentially would have been standing still and they would have got it alive at intermediate level, but there was a marked step up from the level of training. And that credit goes down to Pat Hollier and Robert Jones and his management and their management team. And I suppose the girls just buying into it as well, and they would have got huge momentum from the league, consistent results, competing at all, competing against all the teams. And as I said, on the final day, they're actually just in a puck of a ball in the last last few minutes in a game. I can't remember, I think it was the mead game, that meant that they didn't reach the league final, which would have been a tremendous result for them. But I think they got out of the league what they really wanted to do and what they wanted to achieve. And they've just built on momentum since then and did a really, really strong obviously campaign in the All-Ireland series, topped the group. And look, whatever the Mogey obviously have a new format this year. I I personally don't agree with it. I thought they should have got rewarded for topping the group. They got down in the I suppose the preliminary quarterfinals and or sorry, the quarterfinal, and that was a really, really tricky opposition for them. And it could have gone either way, and look, luck was on Leash's side that day, and they got over the line, but they then they went into semi-final against Kerry, and like everyone would have had Kerry as odds-on favoured for that game. But look, Leash, I thought were comprehensive winners on the day. Their fitness really came through at the end, and they were the dominant team. And I think they're full credit and fully deserving of being in the all-air in the final on Sunday. Yes, it's going to be difficult. We're up against you know much stiffer opposition. And look, I think at the start here, Antrim would have been in everyone's favourites, and they've lived up to that tag so far. But I don't think Leash are going to name without hope. I think Leash have a really, really strong chance. I'm sure that they would have analysed a lot of Antrim games to death, and that's the beauty now, I suppose, streaming and stuff like that. Both teams have access now to each other's games, and I'm sure both sets of management have been analysing their games. But I do think Leash have a really good chance on Sunday. But look, it's one of those games where Leash can't afford to have seven out ten, six out of ten performances. All Leash girls need to be at a minimum eight out of ten performances to get over the line on Sunday, but I think they're well capable of doing it.

SPEAKER_05 8:31

It was final itself, like two teams, probably the best two teams in the intermediate championship this year, but have won every game. Like I know they were in different groups, maybe Antium, I suppose, was in the stronger group, but the interviewing a championship, there's not really much in anything in it anyway, so it's they're all fairly even, like both four teams coming in with 100% record, like and had impressive wins in the semi-finals like in against both tough opposition, like Ansheum can chew against Beat like in a tough game. And I said Leach can chew against Laser as all are the finalists, beat the finalists. So that would have been a huge win. So the confidence they would have got from that one as well, beaten like carrying it was get chewed, especially in the game the way the game went like they conceded a goal in the first minute at Bo Half, like you know, and a lot of teams would have, you know, maybe fallen down from that, but uh shows I suppose the car it's the meta stern stuff, like and they're mighty to come back and bought occasions like and as you said, they were deserved winners in the end.

SPEAKER_11 9:23

Yeah, definitely. Yeah, look, they probably got off to a bad start in that game against Kerry, and uh they could have easily dropped their heads, but they didn't. And then I suppose what I was really pleased to see with the kind of identified areas that Kerry were dominant in, and Kerry had a lot of space inside between their half-forward line and full forward line, and Kerry are utilising in the first 10 minutes, but Leech closed up shop and stopped that ball going in and uh cut out the space as well. And they were able to build on that platform, and our forwards took over and midfield in particular, where our midfield was excellent that day, and Sarah Cra, Jade Bergen, really, really strong, dominant performance covered every blade of grass, and then up front our forwards really, really stood up and were counted. I thought our half forward line of Susie Delaney, Granny Delaney and Kaylo Keefe were exceptional on the day, you know, able to win their own ball, which is just massive in Komoge. And then in full forward line as well. I thought in particular Carson Keenan was exceptional on the day in terms of winning that dirty ball, holding up play, didn't get onto the scoreboard herself, but she held up so much ball, it stopped Kerry coming out with a quick ball. It also held up play to get leash girls in around her, and she was able to pop passes off and get scores and passes to hand as well. You know, sometimes we can do all the work and the pass can let you down at the end. But I thought our forwards, all of them were exceptional on the day. And and but in particular, I thought our midfield was the backbone of the success and was the the launch pad of our success. Really, really dominant display. But it's gonna be interesting for Sunday in terms of matchups and stuff like that. And I think you know, Cloda Tynan and Leech Centre back and on Russia McCormick, Antrim Centre is gonna be a massive battle. And I think who comes out on top there, I think will determine a lot in terms of where the couple go on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 10:55

Yeah, I'm just gonna mention that one like probably used the key battle for the whole game, Russian and Claudia. Like Clauda was excellent in the semi-final, and Roshi and hit four points from playing there for for Antrim and Eleanor. And you know, that will be a key battle. Like, you know, as Sarah said, whoever couldn't with that athlete couldn't determine which team wins the game.

SPEAKER_00 11:14

Yeah, definitely. And it's I think you know, every every team they've if you've done your homework, you'll know who the big players are and you'll have your matchups and all done. It doesn't always work out like that in the day. Anything there could be any sort of wee changes made that maybe mix it up a wee bit. But you want to see the best players on the best players too, to see who's going to come out on top. You just mentioned there, Sarah, that even like your top players don't always necessarily have to be the ones that are scoring. You know, your top players if you're top if your big players aren't the ones that are doing the scoring, but aren't throwing the tile in as such, they're still working hard and setting up scores, you know, like that could be the case. That could be the case on Sunday. You know, we all know what Rosie McCormick is capable of, but likewise, you know, we all know what her opposition is capable of. So it'll be down to work rate and it'll be down to there'll be a bit of luck involved. There'll be a wee bit of probably not relying on the referee, but the referee might have a say, a say in things too, whether he's gonna be harsh on tackles, like we would like to see the game flowing a bit. We know like Leisha are a big, strong, fit, physical team, but so are we. So you don't want to be you don't want it to be a start-stoppy game. You want to let the girls go, let the game flow, let the runners run. And if there's big hits, there's big hits. I think both teams at this stage, after the season, we've both had, they're well capable of looking after themselves out there. But yeah, you want to see you do want to see the big players perform, but at the end of the day, it's all gonna come down to tactics and what the plan is. If I was leash, I would have a plan for Tandram's big players, and likewise it'll be it'll be the same, like vice versa. Can't give away too much, obviously. But yeah, uh the number six and the number 11 rules will be very interesting, as you say, could definitely make or break, or win or lose, win or lose the game.

SPEAKER_05 13:37

I suppose another one that could happen is like Ava McAllister, how well Leash can deal with her because she'll be in great form all year, like you can go back to 2023, like only under 18 as well. Like so it's possible for the future, but she's already she's already closed in it even now, like she got 2-2 in the semi-final. I suppose Leash will have to probably stop come up with a plan to stop her because if she gets bought on ball, that's she's gonna cause loads of problems for that Leash defence.

SPEAKER_00 14:01

Yeah, like Eva's Eva's fantastic, and she's only a kid, you know, she's only 18, she's a flying machine, and she's been very dangerous in all of our games. So, you know, if I don't wanna I don't want to single her out though, because like we've 15 good players on on the squad, likewise sootal eight. So depending on what way the matchups are gonna go, like I don't think it's fair. Eva, don't get me wrong, Eva's fantastic. Our full forward line in general are fantastic, but like who do you pinpoint in the half forward line? You know, everybody needs looked after our midfielders, our halfbacks. There's there's no line in the pitch that Antrim won't have problems with, and there's no line in the pitch that Leash won't have problems with. So there's two good teams, there's two teams that absolutely deserve to be in the final. Like we didn't get an easy run either. Meath gave us a really tough time in the semi-final for Leash to get by down and carry. Like, that's that's incredible because they're two really hard teams to come up against. So both of us deserve to be there. There's unbelievable players on both sides, there's absolute rockets on both sides in terms of speed and power. So listen, it doesn't really matter where the ball is, there's gonna be it's gonna be troublesome for for everybody. So I don't want to be singling out individuals. Obviously, Leash will already have that homework done, but yeah, like we do have a couple of real young, young wee players that are absolute stars. Like they're definitely ones to look out for in the future, you know. The likes of Eva McAllister, like there's there's Tue McIntosh, uh guards from Bycastle that like you know they're they're brilliant, but we do have like some of the older stalwarts as well that are they're trucking, like they're 18 years old still, too. So it'd be remiss to to look past any of them, to be honest.

SPEAKER_05 16:22

Sarah just unleashed now, like this obviously could be their third final in a row, like after the two junior finals last two years, like they won last year, but they were beaten the year before that by Chipperary by a point looking close game, and they were unlucky for another, but like they won't fear going into club park anyway, surely like the third year in club park on a final day. And they're obviously probably the usual nerves, I suppose, before the final, but it's definitely like they won't be failed by it, and like as they said, you know, they know what it knows it takes to win in club park, like, and they've experienced I suppose the joy of winning and you know the disappointment and the heartbreak of losing, so they'll have kind of both of them there still fresh in their memory.

SPEAKER_11 16:59

So yeah, absolutely. There will be no uh no doubt there'll be no fears in that and uh from leisure from both teams to be honest. I think both teams are you used to this and used to the big occasion. I think what I'm really looking forward to on Sunday is I think it's a forwards game, really. On Sunday, I think there's pace in both forward lines, and I think that's pace and space that Crowe Park gives you, I think that's gonna be makings of I think we should be in for a real cracker, and I think we should see great scores on display. You know, as Ender says, like it's every line I think is covered. I think look, I think Leech are really strong in certain areas, and likewise with Antrim. But again, as I was saying, that that half backline, half-forward line battle, I think is just going to be key. And I think I'm actually from a Leash perspective, I am a little bit concerned and worried about the threat of Roshi McCormick. You know, she's a game changer and a game winner on her own, but I suppose my fear is a little bit more amplified, the fact that she probably goes relatively quiet in the semi-final and she's a big game player, and I just have a feeling that she could explode into life on Sunday. And and if she does, uh look, I think Leash will be well able for her, but she is a game changer on her own. So I think luckily she'll be forearmed with that and will, I'm sure, have their work done in terms of what needs to be done. And I think the way Leash plays, you know, there's a lot of work, and I'm very similar. I think Antrim and Leash actually do a lot of similar in terms of dropping back. Uh Katie Malai kind of drops back into the pocket their centre back, and likewise Cloda drops back into the pocket as well. So puts a lot of work and emphasis on, I suppose, both half back lines, both midfielders and half forward lines in terms of upping the work rate to allow their centre backs to cover that space. But in terms of the occasion and that, look, it's at the end of the day. We're lucky that leacher in a position that they're used to this now, which is great, doesn't often happen. So shouldn't be any fears and errors that bar the usual All Ireland final day. But I think look, this team, they're relatively young, but yet they're a relatively experienced group as well. I think the average age is is definitely under the 26 mark, is even lower. It's a really, really young team. I suppose Dara Kra and Ashing O'D are the last ones standing from the 2015 team that won the junior All Ireland, they're still going strong. They're the last links to that group. I think anyway, that they're the last links to the group, but the rest of the group, in terms of experience, look, they're used to the match they know and what it entails. And I suppose relatively the uh hype in that has been relatively lucky around Leash at the moment. It hasn't taken off into overdrive as of yet. I think that can be a good thing too. You don't want it hyped up too much and you get overwhelmed by it. But uh, I think Leash looked at they're in a good position, and and I just can't wait for Sunday.

SPEAKER_00 19:27

No, I was just gonna say it's the same, it's sort of the same in the Anthem setup in terms of the experience and the young the young guns coming through. There's only a couple of the girls that have never played in Krook Park before, compared to the majority of the team have, whether it's through the last time they won the intermediate, which was 2021. There's a couple of the girls knocking about still that would have played maybe in the 2011 intermediate final, and then there's footballers amongst the ranks as well. So through Club Kamuge, Club Football and Club Kamugy, the girls have all played in Krook Park. So yes, there will be all Ireland final day nerves, which you would expect. But in terms of the the occasion, like the the changing rooms, you know, the WoW factor of Crook Park, that should all be done and dusted at this stage, bar maybe one or two, and it should be hopefully it'll be the same for Leish. It'll be business as usual. It's it'll just be another game. It just happens to be in Crook Park that is now not the the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that it used to be. Like girls are getting to play in Crook Park a lot more often now, which is a great thing. So the occasion shouldn't shouldn't be a factor for either team, because there's enough experience in both panels now to suss suss the the playing field out, like they both teams know. Tactics can change in a second in Crook Park because it is so big. Communication is a massive issue. The size of the stadium, you can't hear your ears. If there's 20,000 or 50,000 in it, or 1,000 in it, you still can't hear hear your ears. So the communication will play a big part too. But but yeah, so experience, let's say I haven't done the maths, but I would say the average age of the Antrim Squad is under the 25 mark as well, which is a good thing to have the youth in the squad, plus the experience, and to have experience at that young age as well is incredible. So, but yeah, kneeling the head, I think this is going to be a cracker. Someday it probably will be a forwards game. We both know that Group Park is massive. The space that you find yourself in, it's actually really lonely at times, which is great for the blister and pace of both of our forward. So yeah, it'll be it'll definitely be an exciting game, if nothing else.

SPEAKER_05 22:10

But the winners obviously won up senior next year, like in the way they do forward is supposed to senior with two groups. And I don't know that uh if they do keep it that way, whoever wins it will fancy the chances going up senior next year, maybe getting a couple of wins, maybe, and challenging for a semi-final spot like 'cause you just look at offly there this year, two wins and look, they were seen a bit chance to get the semi-final going into the final game. So they could take heart babies from that as well. You know, if they do get a senior that they can be competitive at senior if they keep this format the way it is.

SPEAKER_00 22:38

Well, there's no reason. Given both their history of the last two seasons with Androman with Leash, there would be there's no reason why either of us could be going to senior level next year and competing well. Like we've shown in the league this year that we are right up there. Like we were dining at the top table with the big dogs. We proved that we were very capable of doing that. I think Leash's progression over the last 12 months, beyond that as well, has been has been really good. And I think it's like a testament to the players buying into the management setup. Ultimately, it's down to that one group. If if everybody buys into it, everybody has full belief in what they're doing and commits 100% to it, then like it sounds cliche, but genuinely, you know, anything is possible with that mindset. And I think that's what Leasha brought in over the last season or two. The development has been like unbelievable. There's like if I was in Leisha's position right now, I'd be fancying myself, like this is a fairy tale year, this is a dream ending, you know, underdogs possibly, but you're like, that's a tag that you'd love. And I think that if it's like if we come up with the goods on Sunday, absolutely, we would have every faith that we would be able to compete at senior level. I know the last time we got that far, it didn't go that well for us, but probably we were naive to it at that stage and we didn't have enough experience behind us, but now that now we do. But it's all just about pushing on and keeping keeping the momentum going. Like if whatever way it goes for either team, the last thing that both panels would want would be to drop the heads or to to throw the tile in. You know, at this age, you probably wouldn't really want any retirements in either panel. You'd want to keep the momentum going, you want a wee bit of consistency, and all the all those wee things play a massive part in how your next season takes off. So but yeah, you know, there would be there would be no doubt from our end anyway, that if we get through Sunday, that we'd we'd be hoping more than hoping to be competing highly next season.

SPEAKER_11 25:12

I think that's where the new format, the group format thought does is beneficial that the likes of a team that goes up from intermediate level, you know, can maybe pit themselves that they would have a chance against some of the other teams. What I don't agree with, I think if you top your group, you should get a reward in some way, shape, or form, be it a home draw or you know, it goes into a seeding again in terms of like one place four, two place three, etc. Stuff like that. But from that perspective, I do think the new format is working to allow the likes of Antrim, likes of Releasion and Offly compete and to get I supp to get confidence and to kind of get used to playing the big teams and competing at that level. That's where it benefits, I think.

SPEAKER_00 25:52

Yeah, and I think that's the I know there's probably not much that could be done with the league setup, the league format, but that's where it's disappointing from our perspective, like getting promoted from 1B last year to getting the chance to play M1A and proving that we're actually we belong there, like we did we did really well there to then get relegated again to have to go through the same the same thing again. And I know who that you know it sounds it sounds stupid because I know that's what every league setup is, and teams get relegated and teams get promoted. But just for the promotion of Camoge and the smaller counties, it would be beneficial if there was some sort of system like there is in this new championship setup for a team that gets promoted to maybe get another champ, like maybe get two years before relegation battle or something. I don't know. I don't know what the the solution would be, but I just think it's a shame that not it's not a shame that we were relegated as such, but it's a shame now that it's gonna it's gonna be so much more difficult for us to get back into 1A again because 1B is so competitive.

SPEAKER_05 27:10

Sunday's game, like obviously there has to be a loser, like you know, after his an all-final, but which team like would it maybe set back the most if they were to lose, like you know, which team would it affect most? Like you take leash, like if they're they probably weren't expected to be in the final, so maybe you know it might not affect them as much, maybe, but on the other hand of Antion, you know, probably were favourites coming in, like you know, and after the beer they had, like if they weren't twittered and got senior, would it how much of an effect would that have on them then going forward? Because like if you look, whoever does lose, like if you look at the intermediate championship that's gonna be there next year, just you still have the likes, you know, you're carrying your meat, like you know, and that but then they also have Wexford coming down from senior, which is gonna make it another really tough intermediate championship that forever it is left in the intermediate championship next year. So um it'd probably be if it affects Antrim maybe a bit more with it. Do you think it's a bit more of a setback for Antrim Komogi as a whole? Like if they were to lose then say Leech, because it's as I said, their first year up at this level, so maybe weren't expected to do so well.

SPEAKER_00 28:08

I mean, Leash are definitely on a high because of the season that they have had, but that's not to say like I think Leisure would be going into this game hoping to put in the performance to win. I I'd there's no reason, and obviously, like I'm an undermoman and I'm in the the management setup, but Leas should be going into this game expecting to win it, but otherwise, what is the point? Do you know? And it's the same for us. Like, we'll be going into this game with high expectations that we have what it takes. Obviously, there's going to be a loser. Would it set us back? Yes, yes and no is probably the the honest answer. I don't like the favorites tag. I I've never liked it. I always prefer to be the underdog. There's less pressure on you. But with the favorites tag, obviously there is a wee bit more expectation on you to perform. I think sometimes, depending who you're talking to, they are a wee bit dismissive of the intermediate championship. It's only intermediate, you know, and that's that's like I think that's the height of disrespect because it is a really hard, it's a really hard championship. Like the team's in it, they're tough teams, and like we're all fighting like dogs to to get out of it. And like Leisha would agree, like it, it's it is hard. The setup that we have, you know, like hopefully the management squad will stay together for a couple of years and keep building this team no matter what happens. It would be a disaster if it fell apart. And I think I I think that would be the same for Leash, like whenever they're on the crest of a wave for things to fall apart for them now, win or lose, it would be a disaster for the county whenever they've worked so hard to build things up. But yeah, like it's a hard question in terms of a setback. It probably would be a bit of a setback because we want to win it so much. But like I've said already, like we're not naive, we know how difficult this game is going to be. So listen, if if it doesn't go the way we want it to, then you we pick ourselves up and we go again like any other team. And it would be absolutely shocking if we went in with the attitude that you know this is this is ours, like we we deserve to win this. Like complacency is the ruining of all successful teams. So that's absolutely not the case. So yeah, like it might it might have a bit of an impact on the county, but at the same time, like Leash, we're on a bit of a high two because our ladies' footballers just won the junior all Ireland there on Sunday, so maybe that does leave us in a wee bit more of a pressurized situation to come home with a cup, but so be it. I don't think either team will I don't think either team would let a defeat come come at a cost to the the development of Kamoge and the county.

SPEAKER_05 31:29

I'll just let you go there now in a minute. And but just before I go, look, I'm gonna get predictions for you. I'm not gonna ask you for predictions for this game because it seems like we're both gonna go for it, but I'll just get quick predictions off you for the other two games for start off the premier junior final like Kevin and Armad. So just get a quick prediction off you for that two of you for that game. We'll start with you, Eleanor and Kevin Armagh, who should be a week, could you on that one?

SPEAKER_00 31:50

I can I might get in trouble for for saying that, but my heart probably says Calvin, and my head says Armagh. I think Armah just have a wee bit more experience. They've been in the final quite a few times now. But then it's very hard to write off Calvin too. You know, they've got some cracking players, they've had a good campaign this season, but I think I think Armah will probably come up with the goods, but only just uh I would say maybe one or two points, three at the most, to Armah.

SPEAKER_05 32:30

David, I think you got your prediction on the Armah again.

SPEAKER_11 32:33

I I'm gonna go for Armand this one as well. I think I'm gonna say maybe five or five or six points. I think they're just more established, they're longer on the road, use of the occasion, also used to play in, I suppose, more higher established teams as well. And I think from what last year, you know, I know Leash, I saw them obviously against the Leash team. I think that will stant them, and I think Armara will get over the line on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 33:06

The last bit of three, you know, some free wasn't all to win it, like you know, but so it should be another great game. And look, hopefully, actually, for all three games, it should be a good game, but hopefully, and hopefully we'll get a good crowd in hope to people come and watch, you know, watch the game. But strategy fair on this one, prediction for Cork goes.

SPEAKER_11 33:22

Yeah, I think this yeah, there's probably no love loss between these two teams, and they've met each other so often now. But I'm gonna go for Cork on Sunday. I think they've the grip between the teeth, and I think their semi-final performance against Tipperary in that first half is probably the best display cm I've seen in a long, long time. The way they moved the ball, the pace and the forward line, ball to hand, they got unbelievable scores and look took their eye off the ball in the second half. And actually, Tip could have caught them if Tip got their up took their opportunities, but I think injuries are going to come against Galway. Just see their Sabrina Rabbit is out after only coming on after three minutes, the poor devil in the semi-final. And I know Cottle Murray can some or Cottle Murray can sometimes, you know, play can kind of um, I suppose, gives up gives away a lot of information to the media, is not afraid, but I'm sure Cork uh will be clever enough to and won't read too much into. But if you're to go by, I suppose, uh the examiner reporting there, there is a good few injuries on the Galway side. I do think that swings it in Cork's favour. And I think they'll still have that the determination after last year. Galway absolutely blitzed them and I think kind of bullied them. I don't think Cork will allow that to happen again on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 34:27

Yeah, I know they have Shauna Healy back now available again. She was available, she was there in Name and Mountley at the end of Hennaford semi-final, and she was actually goal representative at the media event there at Crow Parker on the day that was at all. She's back available in the squad, so I've had to have her experience there. Well, and I just get your quick prediction for the goal record game as well.

SPEAKER_00 34:47

I might counter that. I know Cork didn't have a great start to their season, and you know, they they've shown the like you say, the grip between their teeth and the the determination to overcome all that. And I know that they had a few injuries in their squad as well. But I just think Galway, the way they move the ball, like they're like footballers, they they move the ball, they they run off the shoulder, everything's sharp. You know, they they like they track so well. I just think even though and I know they do have injuries on the in the squad, they've also got a few ones coming back from injury, which is a big boost for Galway. But I do think that they have enough on the bench as well, like serious talent on the bench to to come on and do a serious job. I it'll be tight. I'm gonna go with Galway. I know it's gonna be tight, but I think it's just I I love the I love the way Galway play, I love how they set themselves up, everything's so like just watching them, they're just so sharp. Uh everything is at a blistering pace, and and maybe not throughout the entire season, but you know, they're hopefully they're saving the best, the last, and I do I'm gonna back them for the win on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 36:12

Right, so I won't go on different ones to her, but listen, just let you go there now a minute, but just cover up now. After this, I have have interviews with Kevin's Rosh and O'Keefe and our mass racial trainer and Leecha's Amy Collier and Antrim's Katrina Graham from the media event at Kropakia on today. And then after that, I'll be joined by Elaine Award and Jervin Cannan to talk about the senior final and Sunday. So Eleanor, Sarah, thank you for coming on. It's been an absolute pleasure having you on. And look, we suppose you're counting the very best on Sunday. And one of you obviously will be celebrating while the other one probably be founding your sorrows maybe for after the game. But as I said, it's been a pleasure having you on, and thanks so many for coming on.

SPEAKER_00 36:54

No, thank you very much. Thanks a million.

SPEAKER_05 36:57

Amy Collier of Leash, head of her intermediate final against actually my son. Amy, what's how's the camp going into the final and from semi-final?

SPEAKER_08 37:07

Yeah, look, we're just really excited. Um, you know, after the match and Tumor, there was a lot of emotions. You're absolutely thrilled to be in this position again. Um so yeah, no, we're just absolutely delighted and everyone's buzzing, excited for Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 37:19

And obviously, look, this could be your third Hall Ireland final in a row, so come up to crop back, so it's no hold no fair for you at this stage. Like obviously, we last the one two years ago and one last year against Armagh, so you know what it's like anyway.

SPEAKER_08 37:33

Yeah, look, we we do have a bit of experience, I suppose, within the last three years. It's great, like, but um I don't think you you know it's still daunting at the same time when you come out into the field, you know, you still need to take a few minutes to compose and refocus. But yeah, definitely the experience is gonna help the girls settle in a little bit more, I hope.

SPEAKER_05 37:50

And as you look, Antriman Sunday in the intermediate final, it's gonna be a bit of a step up, I suppose, from what you used to like it's a very it's a very good Antur team. Like, you know, they've fed well in the league, they've beaten cock this year, like you know, they've won an 123B championship this year as well. So not a young lot of young talent you've heard in that squad as well.

SPEAKER_08 38:07

Like Oh yeah, 100%. And they actually beat us in a minor All Ireland dinner last year in in Olin Park as well. So yeah, we recognise the the talent in that squad, and 100% it's going to be a huge battle and a huge challenge for us. But you know, we will relish that challenge, and you know, these are the teams you want to be playing, and they have a lot of experience. Um, but uh yeah, we'll we'll put our first foot our foot first anyway and see how we go.

SPEAKER_05 38:31

Obviously, look, you're a good team yourself, like you know, you've won every game so far. Your first year up, like you know, intermediate after winning the premium junior. And look, you could go back to back, like the last team to do that was awfully like your own neighbours back in 2009 and 2010, like so you it obviously would it's a big achievement, not an easy achievement either, because obviously not many things doing so obviously being mean a lot to be down and each to get achievements like that and be up senior then.

SPEAKER_08 38:53

Yeah, it'd be unbelievable. Look, you know, your aim is to play senior and those are the teams you want to be up competing with, and you know, the the intensity and you know the games. I was in Temple Stadium there last week, like you know, the games are unbelievable, and that's where you want to be. And yeah, definitely it would be unbelievable to do back to back, but as you say, that that's definitely not easy, and we're at a whole new level now, so it's going to be a battle.

SPEAKER_05 39:18

And obviously, you look, Leech Moge is on a height at moment, winning junior last year, and obviously, look, yourself and Camaros winning the top intermediate year all that. So it's definitely you kind of success is coming now, and uh you just to keep going, I suppose.

SPEAKER_08 39:31

And uh Yeah, definitely. I think once you get a sniff of success like it does, 100% drives you on. Yeah, look, it's it's really progressing in Leash, and our underage is very strong, and I suppose the club scene as well, you know, that that has definitely driven Leash on as well. Um yeah, so I just hope it all comes together now for us on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 39:50

Amy, thanks for joining us and very best of luck on Sunday.

SPEAKER_08 39:52

Thanks a million.

SPEAKER_05 39:59

Katrina, how's the feeling in the camp going into the final?

SPEAKER_01 40:01

Yeah, we're all buzzing. It's it's a great time to be playing Kamogie at this time of the year. Really enjoying now the buzz and the lead up now into Sunday, and you know, hopefully it all goes well on the day.

SPEAKER_05 40:12

And look, obviously Ancient Komogie going through a bit of a nut brain at the moment, like you know, you had a good league. I don't know how you were relegating the league, but like you you compet competed well. And look, you went down to Cork and had a mass got a massive win, like which must have been it's a great achievement, like you have to go down to win cork. Not many teams beat Cork as it is, like it's that you're down in Cork. Like, what was it like to get that win like?

SPEAKER_01 40:30

Okay, that was great. It was a great weekend, and you know weekend trips like that down to play matches, you know, it really brings a team on anyway, with the amount of time you're spending together. So to go down and get a result that weekend as well was was class. You know, Cork obviously, you know, they don't have ever they didn't have everybody out that day, but you know, there's still ones pushing, you know, to go on to their team, and you know, we were just happy then to to go out and get a good result, which we were probably focusing on more so and a good performance, sure, should I say, more so than actually the results, but so I think we got a performance that day and thankfully became Weber result as well.

SPEAKER_05 41:07

And obviously, look, you've uh under an All Ireland win in the county already this year when you win it on 23B. And it look a lot of them players are on the squad like this. So that David David experience was a win in All Ireland like night, so that should Sandy to go stead as well.

SPEAKER_01 41:21

Yeah, uh they had an excellent one. I think even their semi-final as well was went right down to the wire. They I think they came from three down going into the last few minutes of the the match then to win it in extra time or additional time. Just you know, it was a great win for them then in the final. So there's a lot of crossover then with that team and our panel now this year as well. So it's great for them to have have that experience of winning this year, and you know, they've just brung that straight back into us as well, and you know, they're really driving us on as well, the younger ones.

SPEAKER_05 41:56

And obviously, look, there's a strong tradition of Komogi Unancheum like multiple all Irelands over the years, like going back, what does it mean to give back up the senior, you know, and be competing there again at that level, and especially with the young talent that's coming through, you know, maybe and they can show that you can compete at that level. So it'd obviously mean a lot to you up there.

SPEAKER_01 42:11

Yeah, yeah, that's obviously where we where we want to be going. If we can get the result now this weekend and look forward then to seeing your comoggy next year, where and 1B next year as well, where you know there's a lot of good teams as well, and hopefully then we can be a playing then senior championship as well. That's ultimately where we all want to be playing at the end of the day. So yeah, to get back up there would be massive.

SPEAKER_05 42:35

And obviously, look, this will be your first time playing leash this year, but they're coming up from the Prime Junior and to get to another Iron Final, and it's a great achievement for them. And they obviously have a lot of good players themselves and a few good young players as well. So another team that may be around the up as well as yourself. So it'll be as you said, it would be a tough game on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 42:51

Yeah, definitely. You know, they're coming in with massive momentum from winning last year and now going through their season this year. They went through the group's unbeaten and a big win over down and then Kerry as well. So yeah, they're coming in with massive momentum behind them, and you know, they're a great team, they've got a lot of young players as well, and uh we'll be hopefully well ready for them now on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 43:13

And obviously, look, you get the chance to play in Crow Park. It maybe just doesn't happen every year, like but you know it must be it's a great feeling as well. I'm waiting to go into the game. How are you feeling yourself? Like getting a chance to play in Crow Park like this.

SPEAKER_01 43:24

Yeah, it's great to play in Crook Park, that's where everybody wants to be playing. Start of the year you want to be finishing your year in Crook Park, so that's where we want it to be this year, and thank God we're back. Just it's a it's class to be walking out onto Crook Park, but at the end of the day, we're here to play the match, and you know, if we come away with a result, that will be the main thing on the day.

SPEAKER_05 43:45

Right. Thank you very much for joining us and best of luck on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 43:48

Thank you very much.

SPEAKER_05 43:48

Here now with Armad Rachel Trainer ahead of the All Ireland Premier Junior final on Sunday. Rachel, how's the camp like going into the game?

SPEAKER_10 43:57

Yeah, it's really good. Everyone's got a really good buzz going about the Spirits are high, there's a lot going on, and everyone's really looking forward to the day.

SPEAKER_05 44:04

And obviously, look at your second final and role after losing after your final cliche. So the disappointment from that I suppose has been kind of pushing you on. How did it do this year?

SPEAKER_10 44:12

Yeah, everyone was very disappointed last year, not to get over the line, but we've all stuck together and yeah, hopel, hoping for a different result on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 44:20

And obviously, look, the experience of playing in Crowe Park and maybe losing a final, it should Stanji and Gosteck going into the final. But like obviously it's not going to be easy because you're up against a good Calvin side as well. Like who have already beaten you in the championship, maybe and 100% record going into the final.

SPEAKER_10 44:34

Yeah, 100%. We know what we're going to be up against against Calvin. They've had a brilliant year so far in the championship. And we're just, yeah, hopefully hopefully the experience will stand us. But we know that we'll have to put up a massive fight to get over the line.

SPEAKER_05 44:47

And like obviously, not just winning on Ireland, but up to intermediate. What would that mean for our like you've been there or thereabouts the last few years? Like we just have a minute to go over the line. So if you could finally do it and go up play an intermediate, it'd be massive for the county, would it?

SPEAKER_10 45:00

Yeah, 100%. And we've been up in the Division II League a couple of times now and haven't managed to stay up. But we've won again Division III this year. So we're up in the Division II League, and to get up in championship as well as well would be massive for the county. We do feel we're at that level and can compete with those teams. So yeah, that is where we want to be ideally.

SPEAKER_05 45:19

And I obviously if you look at say Leash after winning last year, you know, they went up intermediate and they're into another final now. So just seeing what Leash can do when they went up kind of gives you motivation as well, you know, to that if you went up there that you could maybe do achieve something at intermediate level.

SPEAKER_10 45:32

Yeah, 100%. Seeing what Leash done has been unbelievable. Their journey, only having to play at us um a year ago, we were there and thereabouts with them in the league as well. And if they can do it, I don't see why we couldn't.

SPEAKER_05 45:45

And is there any injury doubts or worries in the squad coming into the game? Are you all ready to go?

SPEAKER_10 45:50

No, everyone's ready to go.

SPEAKER_05 45:52

Thanks so many for joining us and wish you all the best on Sunday.

SPEAKER_10 45:55

Thank you very much.

SPEAKER_05 45:56

I'm here with Roshin O'Keefe of Calvin ahead of their All Ireland Primer Junior Kamoge final against our man Sunday. Roshin, how is they feeling in the camp going into the game?

SPEAKER_07 46:05

Yeah, there's uh a massive excitement to going into the game. All Ireland final days where every young girl wants to be and every comoge player wants to be. So yeah, there's lots of excitement. It's a big day, and we've been working hard and um everything's good everything has been going good so far. So yeah, hopefully it'll be a good day on Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 46:21

Obviously, look, Kevin, maybe I haven't had much success over the years, but obviously if you could get the win now and get up to intermediate, it'd be a massive achievement for you. Especially maybe to start here to struggling maybe with numbers and all that. So, you know, it's kind of going to show where you come in a little short space of time.

SPEAKER_07 46:36

Yeah, absolutely. Look at there's a a pride tradition of Camogi um within Calvin, and I suppose we just haven't been winning a whole pile of titles, and I getting the team back this year has been is has been massive, and as you said there, hopefully it'll inspire the next generation to come up and and keep that going and be competitive.

SPEAKER_05 46:54

Like you do have an All-Irland winner within your squad, like when Rosie actually won an intermediate football back in I think it was 2013. So obviously to have that, she must be leading in there. Like no, she's been there, done it, and not that she's Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_07 47:07

I actually was with Rosie um on that team as well. No, not at all. And we also have um Orla Smith as well. She was with Lee Stram footballers a few years ago um winning an all-armed intermediate title. So yeah, look at there's there's so many leaders within that group um between Rosie and um Orla, and even the younger girls. There's a lot of younger girls there that have played some comogi with their college and and and football with Kavan as well. So yeah, look at there's it's not just one leader, it's it's the whole group. And look at Rosie's been amazing, and it was alluded to before there with women in sport and and mummies and so on. Look at she's two kids there and what she's doing, the way she's able to get out and train and commit. Like, you can't not just drive on for that.

SPEAKER_05 47:46

Like obviously, look, it's been a good year for you in Championship if you've won all your games, including the win over Armagh in the group stage. But that probably won't count for much now on Sunday, like totally different game, especially in club hack. Like, you know, so are you you're confident obviously going to because you've run the director, but you know it's gonna be a tough game against a very good Armagh side who are have the experience as well of last year's final as well.

SPEAKER_07 48:07

Yeah, absolutely. Look at we have massive respect for Armagh, we know the side that they are, and um as you've alluded to, they have been here so many times and come out the wrong end, so we know like the calibre of players they have, but also that attitude and that hunger that's there within them. So look at we have so much much respect for them, but seeing that we have to go in with a belief and and confidence too, and look at where we're expecting nothing but a battle, and I'd say that's what it's gonna be.

SPEAKER_05 48:32

And like I spoke to Rosie after the semi-final win, and she was saying like as much she enjoyed the football, but camoge was her main sports. So she said that it'd be great to like win in Kamoge as well, like for her. Is it the same for you, yeah?

SPEAKER_07 48:45

Um I suppose I've always been half and half. I wouldn't be able to choose, but look at um to see what it'd do for Calvin Komoge be absolutely massive. And I think the standard of Camogey over the last few few years has just gone to a different level, and it's it's great to be kind of part of that. And yeah, look at it'd be so special and surreal to win a camogie title for Calvin um out in Crow Park.

SPEAKER_05 49:07

Yeah, and as you said, if you could win it, like what we do for the county, like especially youngsters coming up, maybe watching again young girls and to see a successful team, and it'll get them maybe wanting to get involved in as well, like going forward and playing comogi as well.

SPEAKER_07 49:18

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's that's the biggest thing that you know the younger girls who are playing Camogey that they can see that you know I can go on and maybe get to Crow Park someday and and keep at it, and and hopefully it will inspire some of them uh younger girls to stick at it and and drive on and and and keep I suppose that pride tradition of uh camoe within Cavan going.

SPEAKER_05 49:40

All right, thanks a million for that and best of look on Sunday. Thank you. Thanks a million. And you're welcome back to part two of the Talking Comoggy podcast for this week. I'm joined now by Elaine Elward and Geraldine Canan as we look ahead to the All Ireland senior camoe final at the weekend. And just before, there you had you heard from Roshin O'Keefe of Kavan, Rachel Trainer of Arma, Deisha's Amy Collier, and Antrim's Katrina Graham, ahead of the Primer Junior and Intermediate Finals, which are also on Sunday ahead of the senior game. But Elaine Gerline, you're very welcome to the pod. Thanks, Joe. Big weekend now, All Ireland final day on Sunday. And up third year in a row, we have Cork and go going head to head. We'll have one win each in the last two years. So looking forward to another, what should be hopefully another great game at Comoge anyway.

SPEAKER_09 50:22

Yeah, I think I think one thing we're guaranteed is probably an excellent game and a very close game. I know you know myself in the lane would probably have loved if Klikini or Tipperary were there, but I think when you have when you have Galway and Cork, you do have the two best teams in the country, they're meeting for the third year in the road. There's a great rivalry there. And I've seen some interviews where it's not a hatred, it's but there is an edge there between them, I think, when they meet. And you know that they've really raised the bar. We've had great finals the last couple of years, and I'm looking forward to another really close, exciting game. And I think it'll come right down to the wire again.

SPEAKER_02 50:55

Yeah, and I think even like going on last year's All-Ireland final, it's the All-Ireland final nearly out of all the four of them. Last year, they've got people talking, even non-commoder. So if they can produce anything like that again this year, I think people are tuning in, and you'd expect the crowds maybe to be even up again on last year to see what kind of a spectacle they can produce this year.

SPEAKER_05 51:11

And look, it's they're going into it now, the both teams are supposed to be very mean defensively line. Like, even they've only conceded what one goal between them, and that was the goal goal was scored against Cork in the offer 50 between the two sides. So the defenses are really mean. And if there is a goal scored in the game, like it could be crucial like to the overall outcome of it.

SPEAKER_02 51:31

Yeah, like I think both sets of defences probably I think the average they've conceded each is 14 points in the championship, which is phenomenal. Like, and look, if you look at the names right through, like look at Libby Coffinshire for Cork, I suppose, getting the player the match the last day at full back, so you know how well she commands that. And even Amy Lee behind you, like that save from Grace O'Brien, probably, you know, for all the exploits and all the great Harlan Cork had done in the first half, it was probably that save from Amy Lee that kept them really in it because Tip were mounted a bit of a comeback at that stage. So even if you are to beat the six backs in front of them, I suppose you still have to beat Amy Lee in front of you. And similarly for Galway, look there, a really, really strong defensive unit, and that half back line has been really, really strong throughout the year. And I think here Hickey does a massive job for them at centre back dropping back like that. And again, if you were to beat them and head into the full back line, you have the likes of Gerald Higgins or Roche and Black or Rachel Hannafi coming out to meet you. So even to beat them and then have Sarah Healy behind you, they're two really, really mean defenses. And I think if there's a goal to be scored on on Sunday, it'll nearly be worth six points because, as I said, it's it's points win games. And if you look back on the last couple of games that they've played, the last couple of all iron points. So I think a goal would be a huge, huge one in it, but you'll have to work hard to get it.

SPEAKER_09 52:35

I think I think neither team worry about scoring goals and such because uh they're just so prolific from shooting out the field, there's such a spread of point scores. Both teams are happy to put up, especially Cork last couple of years, they're happy to put up good scores, high scores, you know, you'd be high 20s in points. But I I was surprised actually, Joe, when you sent on some of the stats there, that how how mean the defences are, you know, really, really solid defences, you know. Certainly from a temporary point of view, when we played both Cork and Galway, you know, we struggled big time even to create and goal opportunities, never mind trying and score one. So their defences certainly are key. I think I think Kira Hickey has been brilliant for Galway at centre back, you know, really, really impressive. And you know, she she you know, their Galway full back line has always been kind of impressive, but for me, she's a key player for them this year at number six and a big a big part. And look, you know, Cork, Libby Coppinger got player in the match the last day as well. You know, I mentioned that save from Amy V. So their defences, you know, often the the forwards get the plot as often, but uh I think both Galway and Cork's defences are really impressive, and I suppose has been key to their success really in the last couple of years. You know, other teams just struggle to score against them, you know.

SPEAKER_05 53:46

You look like like from last year's final, both teams have lost. I suppose quite a few players like Cork have lost a lot more than Galway have, but it hasn't seemed affected either team that much, like you know, and they're still back here again. Like, so I suppose it shows in a way it shows that they're still look their minds ahead of the rest at the moment, like you know, maybe not mine, but it could be ahead still, like and even with the look at the loss of that have players that are ready to come in, and it doesn't seem to have affected them too much.

SPEAKER_02 54:12

Yeah, as Jaredine said, I think you know they have been really, really consistent over the last couple of years, and I think the under-23 championship has probably used it last year. And look, the fact the fact that you have the same management teams, Col definitely used it last year, I think, to have a kind of a test run on trying to beat the Cork dummy or the Cork sweeper. He used it as kind of a test run for that, I think, and it paid dividends because they played a lot of the same tactics, I thought, in the senior all-air ends as they had in that under-23, and they won both of those. And then I think this year Cork used the under-23 championship really, really well because they needed a bit of a bounce, they needed something positive after the poor league campaign they had and the poor Munster Championship. So Germany, I think, put out his strongest under-23 team he could, and they ran away with that under-23 championship in the end. And what it did is it gave that panel of players a lift then coming into the senior panel, and they haven't both of them have been well able to use those under-23 players the last couple of years. So I think the under-23 championship has really, really helped both Cork and Galway. And while look, you won't replace a lot of the players that they've lost from either panel, you know, they were generational players, but it really has helped those under-23s to be able to step up to that level really, really quickly, which other teams just haven't been able to do. And I think that's what's setting Cork and Galway apart as the top two at the moment.

SPEAKER_09 55:21

Yeah, it's interesting. You mentioned under-23s, and then I I watched a very good interview with um Ashley Thompson yesterday. Tresa Collin did it, and you know, Cork weren't going as well that's at the start of the year. You know, they were they lost to Antrim in the league. You know, they they got knocked out of the first round of Monster Championship against Tip. But she commented that that seven-week block, you know, they seven weeks to kind of got their house in order. And you know, she she alluded to the under-23 championship. The girls love playing with the under-23s, they won that, came back into the setup, seemed to bring a new energy and I suppose a confidence with those younger players who maybe, you know, you know, Ashley said she's 36. Some of the girls she didn't know at all. She didn't know them to see, never mind know their names at the start of the year. So that was obviously going to take a bit of time, but you know, they've really gelled, and I think they're, you know, they're hitting form at the really right time. They're a bit like, you know, really getting momentum, and they're like a runaway trade at the moment to just getting better and better with with each game. And you know, you touched the talk about the players are missing, and you know, they're missing a huge lot of players, but at the same time, I think they lined out with 10 of the team that started the LRM final last year. So like that's still 10 unbelievable players. And then you just have that conveyor belt with the under-23s and with the minors. And I suppose Galway are in the same position, and you know, I suppose if other counties are are trying to see, you know, why are they ahead of us or what can we do better? You just have to see what they're I suppose what both Galway and Cork are doing similar. And it seems to be that continuous conveyor belt of minors and then the under-23s and seniors working together, like Cotlin Murray, I think, deserves some amount of credit. He must be the longest serving manager in Komogie at the moment. I think he is this his eighth year or or ninth year, and what he's won. And I think he's you know, I just hear people say he kind of changed the whole culture, the whole setup, but serious professionalism. I think he's won three all Irelands, you know, and like he's come back a time and a time and again, and you know, he just seems to blood in new players, freshens up the thing, and goes over the 23s, or whether it be the 23s or in the past, and to me, this goes over the two of them together and is constantly developing, developing camogie in Galway and bringing new players through. And you know, I I what I was surprised here, they've never done back to back. And I suppose maybe that's their goal at the weekend or yeah, this Sunday is to do that back to back because you know he's good, he's looking for something to give them an edge, you know, something that I suppose to motivate them this year. You know, they are the All-Iran champions, what motivates you to come back and do it again, and maybe it's that we've never done back to back while Cork have done, and until we do it, maybe we might get the credit we deserve. Or, you know, some of those girls have them won their all-irland, and you know, but like Saifa Dunnahu comes back every year, and she's such a big player. I, you know, she's nearly always a win for player of the match in an all-iron final. Um I know she kind of went off with an injury the last day, and I think Sabine Rabbit as well. So maybe that that could be the concern for Gaway. I don't know if you've heard of that since, or have they full bit of health going into the the weekend?

SPEAKER_05 58:12

Or Sabine Rabbit's definitely anyway. She had an operation on her tongue. I think uh I'm not sure other than they have a few injury worries on our goaway. Like I was chatting to Shauna Healy yesterday up in Crow Park, and she was saying everyone else though should be alright. Like, you know, that there are maybe maybe one or two injuries, but that was after the semifinal. Like the rights of Carr and had a bit of a knock. Like I think Leeva Peak had a bit of a knock, but Annie Fidonhu, but I think they're going to be alright anyway for the final. So I thought that about Sabina Rabba Stefans, yeah, anyway, because she had an I think she broke a ton front in them. So she had an operation on it there a couple of weeks or last week or something. So other than that, I think everyone else was available.

SPEAKER_02 58:47

Yeah, it's two weeks being a should be larger. Yeah, I would be a little bit worried about the injuries. I think you know, even minor knocks or that like two weeks is a short turnaround time, and definitely Gerald Higgins, Eva Dunho, and Carrie Jolan all look to be carrying obviously Sabina Rabbit is out now, but they did look to be carrying some kind of muscular ones, and even from an Ashton Thompson point of view from Cork, definitely hampered by that hamstring. So while I expect them all to line out, you just wonder whether they'll be at 100%. And like if last year's final is anything to go, if you're not at 100% out around the middle of the field in an Iron Finals, you're going to be found out, or you're certainly probably not going to last the 60 minutes. So I suppose it's something both sets of management will probably keep under wraps. As I said, they'll probably be both to care a full bill of health and and line out on day, but whether they can last the full 60 minutes plus, it will be the real telling us. And that's when both sides will have to probably dig into their panel maybe a little bit sooner than they'll want to, and mightn't get the huge impact from like their four big, big players from for across Mogey, let it alone from the two teams. So just to be interested to see if they are at 100% what their impact will be.

SPEAKER_05 59:45

You mentioned that they're like digging into their panel like that. If you look at the two teams, Gawa seem to have the stronger bench at the moment, like more experience on their bench. So like that could be the key, like at the end of the day. Like, you know, I know Lee Malin, she was an injured out that she'd pick up the injured on. I don't know if she'd be back, like if she was available to come on, and then you have like Shauna Healing back in the panel as well the last couple of weeks. So, you know, it's not a bad clear person to have to come in, like, and even just her experience around this squad, like you know, just the character, some of the players that maybe half from played one in Ireland for you know, just helped and bring them on. Like, so you do think Gaway seemed to would have the stronger bench like at the moment than Cork at the moment. Because Gowa do seem to have that little bit stronger bench at the moment.

SPEAKER_09 1:00:23

Yeah, I would have said Galway had a very strong bench, but that was I was counting Neve Malin and Sabina Rabbit, but I suppose Sabina's gone now and uh Neam didn't come on in the semi-final, which makes me wonder is she uh is she you know is she available to come on at all? Um we haven't really seen her, so I I I I you know I think that greatly weakens the Galloway bench. Uh, you mentioned Sean Healy and you know what a warrior coming back again. And I think she had a did she have a child back in April or something, and uh, you know, I I missed that actually that she was named in the extended panel in semi-final, but um obviously I think she was up at the launch there the other day. And you know, I think even you know, I say Cottle even for that kind of job to send her to do that job and and and maybe keep the limelight off some of the the other players or or you know it's it's it's it's a bit of a spin Galway to Dublin, it's a long day, and you know, I'm sure maybe they'll train that evening or something. So, you know, Cottle is clever. I often see Galway, they do, you know, they're clever with things like that. I think Anya Keene was injured last year, and she was kind of sent to do all those uh press stuff and and launches as well. You know, they're so used to these all-arum finals, he he knows how to to prepare for them. And you know, like you mentioned, Sean, it'd be a great experience around the dressing room, around the setup, and you know, some of the young some of those younger Galway players as well, you know. But you know, I think Cork, you know, Cork have a nice few players as well to come on if they need be as well, like say Amy Shepherd, Need McNaboular, you know, they have talent as well and that bench, and it's just sometimes it's you know girls you mightn't even know, but they have huge experience, like Amy Shepherd or huge experience at underage with Cork as well. So I I wouldn't fear any of those Cork girls coming on either. You know, there's pl there's plenty of talent in both sides and both benches, but um I think Sabina Rabbit is a is a big loss for them. She would have had a big impact coming on, she could have even pushed a start, but uh she's a loss there for Galway, definitely.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:10

Yeah, she had a huge All-Ireland last year at the second half. I thought she was nearly in line for third of the match. Like she went in and like long before Jason Robert did it, I suppose, for the Galway Harlows, she did it for the Galway Commodies last year in the All-Ireland final in the second half. She was a real lone warrior up front there for a long time, held up an awful lot of ball. I thought got involved, turned over Cork a good few times. You know, I think she could have had a huge, huge impact, and I think she'll be a real loss to Colmurray because, like, as I said, even I think the first half of Harland that Cork played the last day against Tipperary was just such a blistering start. It was such a half an hour of Harlan. There's no way you can keep it up for a full hour. Similarly, last year in the All-Ireland final, Galway's first half was just they blew Cork out of the water in that first half. But it's hard to maintain it for 60 minutes, and that's where I think a real impact player like Sabina Rabbit coming in up front just to hold up the ball, give the the Leifer Dunhoose, the Carrie Jones a chance to get up the Queva Kellys to get up beside you to win the ball. I think she did a really, really good job. So I think she'll definitely be missed from the Galway panel for that reason. And yeah, like you said about Cork, I suppose that's where you really feel, you know, the loss of the 14 panel members from last year. Maybe, you know, you still have your 10 starters, but it's when you start to dig down further that maybe you know you start to feel a little more brute. As you said, huge experience on the bench as well. The likes of Haley Ryan has been around intermediate panels, senior panels the last number of years. Orla Mullins came on the last day, got two points, got a really crucial goal in last year. Kiro Sullivan has had her share of cruciates, and there's a good bit of experience there from UCC within the Ashburn early in the year, the likes of Average Hashman and stuff like that. So while there might be household names, I suppose there is a lot of time comes to introduce some subs, he'll be looking to get an impact from some of them. And often, as I said, it's often some of that it'll be one of those, it'll be the impact sub for Cork.

SPEAKER_05 1:03:45

A key battle, Nate Murphy Cork against Neve with Pig. Like Neve has had a great year, it's been very well good for Governor. Influential there, like even in the semi-final, like you had to seen like if you don't know who's dropping short, then look, it get create a lot of space for Neve down the middle, like you know, and it caused lots of problems in that field. So, you know, how May of Murphy maybe handles her could be a massive layer in on the outcome.

SPEAKER_09 1:04:07

Yeah, I was actually she was the player I was most impressed with in the group stages with Tip and Galway. I thought Galway, I I after that match I said, nobody'll stop Galway this year. You know, they all earned as theirs for the taking. I was so impressed with them in the group stages. I know there was probably a bounce back from them after losing to Cork in the first round, but they ran temporary right. I suppose you could say Cork did the same in the first half. So similar, very similar style there. The movement of the forwards, uh, the crisscross movement, you know, it was so hard to defend against, and Tip had no answer, and the game was you know effectively over by half time. And for me, Neith McPeak was a key you know player in that. She was really, really dangerous against Tip in the group stages. I don't know what she finished with, but I think she could pop up for the two goals. She was really, really good. Do you know but it doesn't really matter who finished it, it's the the movement. Um, you know, Neve McPeak, Neve Nyland, Eva Dunhu, Queaver Kelly as well. The goal six go away forwards, you know, Anya Keene will work all day. Eva Dunnew will will cover huge ground, whether she goes out to midfield or where she goes, she'll be everywhere. But the six goal forwards I was really impressed with in the group stages, and Neve McPeak was was probably the main one there. And look, Maeve Murphy again, there'll be a great battle there. I suppose the last day Maeve was probably kind of like the sweeper, you know, lovely hurler, great player. So that'll be a great battle. And similarly, Sirius McCarthy, I think on on uh Kira Hickey again as well. You know, Sirius McCarthy is an excellent player, um you know, really good player picked out, I suppose, since she was young. And you know, I actually think she'll probably like she's a fantastic player, but she'd probably play even better maybe if she was out in the wing, because usually, like when you're playing centre forward, I always say you end up marking probably the best player on the on the on the opposite team, and you know, sometimes they just kind of nullify each other. But I I sometimes think if Cyrus was out in the wing or even so, you know, she'd probably even have a bit even bigger influence on the game, but um you know whether she's centre forward The wing for her, she she's a class act, a really, really good player, really important player for Cork, especially you know, with some of the older girls not available this year, and it's Katrina Mackey not there at the forwards. I think Seria stood up and been a real leader. So I think 11 and 6, there's that's where the main battles are going to be. I think um uh at both ends of the field, it's it's it could have a big bearing on the result as well, you know, whoever wins those battles.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:21

Yeah, and I think it's nearly it's not even the direct 11 and 6 anymore. So it's not like if you look at Cork like it's Emma Murphy and Millie Condon tracking back from a wing forward, like Emma Murphy nearly has as much possession, I'd say, in her own defence than she does in the attack. Like the minute um Cork dispossessed the ball, she's gone here and back the field. She picked up more ball in her own full back line, I'd say, and carried it up the field. So that's what allows Maid Murphy supposed to sweep so well. And likewise with Golloway on the other side, like here hickey is allowed to sweep because of the work that the half-forward line do coming back out the field, tracking back out and letting the midfielders drop back. So rather than it being nearly a direct 11 on six anymore, it's nearly how your half-forward line track back far enough to pick up that loose ball to transition it up. But what I thought Corp were really good at against Tip is is playing against the sweeper. I thought they really took Karen Kennedy out of it with the the way the forward's lined up inside. Like if you look at Circa McCartin or La Callan and Amy O'Connor, they play nearly in a direct line behind the sweeper. It's very, very hard to defend that because you could see Karen Kennedy. She's looking out the field to try and predict where the ball is going to come in. But inside her, the movement, and as you said, Jardine, the crisscross running out of the three of them, and they play so well off one another. Even if you look at Amy O'Connor's goal, like that's a ball that looked like it was going to be played down into the wing that Karen Kennedy down into Circa McCartney's corner, and she has sprinted from nearly the other side of the field to win it. And then the movement of Amy was very, very hard to defend that kind of movement. And I think Clark did really, really well whether they'll be able to play Kira Hickey out. And what I love about her as well is that she loves getting forward, she's not just happy to sit back. I saw her the last day against Kit. She wants to get her name on the score sheet, and that really sets Galway on the attack. And I suppose she's can do that like Sabifa Dunho or Carrie Dole in around the middle of the field have dropped back to give her that freedom to go forward. So then half back lines on the midfield, I think that's going to be a real, real battleground, and then how they can supply the insight. We know the likes of um Amy O'Connor, Sirka McCartney, and Orla Kalawa, they can produce Neve Nyland and Ailish O'Reilly and Kira Kelly is in unbelievable are so if they can get enough ball in there, we know that both sets of full forward lines are really capable of doing damage.

SPEAKER_05 1:08:16

Mentioned it like you mentioned it in not long ago about you know Galway's first half performance like last year in the final. Like in that like Galway had first ten more turnovers than Court like in the first half of that game, you know, and that's very impressive. Like, oh and he said it is hard to achieve it off 60 minutes, but and we've seen it with Tiberi in the semi-final against like or Court against Tiberi semi-final. Like Court had that ability to do, like you could blow a team out of the water saying five, ten minute period, but you don't really see even through that to that go away team, you know, especially that goal with the fence like because that is probably Gaway's strongest part of the team really is due to the fence like and how tight they are, like you know, and you don't as we mentioned already, they don't give away any scores like and sometimes it might put up big scores either. Like Gaway, it's Gaway uh to you know win the t win against tight, like you know, and control maybe like two, three points percent of it like Cork have that ability to do, but I just don't see it happening against Galway. Like, so just it's something like Cork though can do is to get the chance though, can open up on a team.

SPEAKER_09 1:09:16

Yeah, I I think you know, like I said, after Galway about us in the group stages, I really thought they were firm favourites to win the other end this year, you know, and uh like you know, we had played Cork in the group stages, we had played them in in Munster and the league, and I just thought Galway, you know, were definitely for me, they were the firm favourites. But I just think Cork, you know, I have to say, after the semi-final against us, I they really blew us out with the war in the first half, and then they weathered the storm. And fairness tip came right back into in the second half and put them in a very good performance. But I thought Cork really weathered the storm, and you know, you know, they kept us at bay. You know, I think I don't know if we went inside five points, and uh, you know, they were really, really impressive. And I thought they're the way they can the the control of the game and their you know the management of the the of the game I thought was really impressive. So I think I don't think I think at the weekend I don't think anyone's gonna be blowing anyone out of the water in the first half. Yeah, you mentioned the work rate of Galway last year, and maybe Cork, you know, maybe they weren't up for the fight as much as Galway were Galway were there to stop Cork three in a row, and you know, they they they you know it's been a couple of years since they had won it, they were just really, really hungry. But I think there's both teams are going to be really, really up for this. I think even small teams like Galway, well it's not small, it's more Galway ladies' football winning a Mayo win to the football, like that just gives everybody a lift of you know, I you're watching the celebrations and you're thinking about what the homecoming would be like, and you know, certainly Mayo's win would inspire everyone and and the work rate. And then Galway watching, you know, I'm sure there's plenty of friends on the ladies' football or teammates, and and you know, they'd love to you know follow in their footsteps and when they're all Ireland, and the two of them can go off and and celebrate for the for the winter, you know. You'd imagine there'd be huge excitement and and hype after that as well. So you know that's certainly going to inspire and motivate Galway. But you know, Cork, you know, I suppose a lot of people wrote off Cork at the start of the year, maybe they wouldn't be, you know, without Hannah Looney or the Mackeys or you know, you know, all these great players. People probably questioned Laura Tracy, you know, uh, you know, have they any chance this year? But um to me, Ashley Thompson, you know, is really the leader there, and I think it's her motivation coming back after you know the the injury to her the the elbow dislocation and you know she broke she's damaged tendons and ligaments and all sorts of things, but I think I think she drives and sets the standards in that squad uh and the likes of Laura Hayes as well. And you know, I think they're driving the whole thing forward as well. And obviously Germany management as well, huge experience as well. So I think there's going to be real uh motivation there from the Cork side as well. So, you know, for I was so confident of Galway winning a couple of weeks ago. I'm not so confident now. I think it could be a very close game. Even, you know, I think Galway probably only did enough to, you know, I think they were happy just to do enough to to beat Kilkenny in the semi-final. I know they had a few knocks, but I'd say Cott was happy to take off players and you know not show too much of his hand. You know, the last thing he wants maybe is to beat Kilkenny too too well and and everyone, you know, blowing up uh Galway going into the final. You know, I think I think he's happy enough with with how that semi-final went to say they were they look comfortable, but you know, probably didn't maybe you know the hype isn't there, nobody's saying that someone is red hot favourites. I don't think they are anyway. Just a comment on Emma Murphy as well that you mentioned Elaine. Like I was so impressed with her all year. She's just up and down the field, and Millie Condon as well at the other side. And I think that could be key because you know, if Galway have a weakness, maybe they're two wing backs. Arnton does, uh you know, maybe Arnton is experienced or you know, as formidable, maybe as some of the other players. And I think uh maybe Emma Murphy and Millie Condon will be told to just keep attack, attack there, and you know, they could have Galway on the back foot there. I met someone from Emma's club after the match, and they were questioning why she was taken off the last day. And you know, I was saying I think her GPS was after blown up, to be honest, because there couldn't be any other reason why she'd be taken off. Like she was brilliant, and in all the games, you know, I'd imagine they're probably just seeing that she has run so much and has covered so much ground that they're just bringing on fresh legs. But she's been uh really impressive for me this year, and uh Isabel Sheen as well, even uh over on the other side at wing back, she's attacking, she's coming forward. So I think Cork are very strong down the wings, and maybe that's an area they'll they'll try and explain Galway in.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:26

Just ask you, like obviously two years ago, Cork will by three points, a golf by a point last year, so there's not much in it. Any chance of a draw, maybe and the game ending a draw. Like, I don't know if it does. I think the replay is a week later, so like you know, just asking having played in all Ireland finals, like, and you obviously look in the build-up to just trying to get to win and do you ever have the thought like of a withdrawal going to a replay? How did it make how would you feel about that? Because it's obviously then if it goes through replay dog, there's extra training and an extra match to go. So, like, would it be something that she tried to avoid at all costs? Like, because you know, it just adds a bit of extra pressure, maybe at other game and they said more training, or do there something that really crossed your mind in the build-up to a final?

SPEAKER_02 1:14:07

No, in hindsight, I'd give an arm for a draw because at least it would have been better on the day in Trevum. But um no, I think on the day both teams are just heading up there to win it. And actually, funny, I was talking to someone else during the week. I did another quick preview with someone, and I actually did predict a draw because I've gone through it since the semi-final. I came out of tireless that evening and I said nobody is gonna like charge, and I was going into tireless saying, I think it's Galway is all Ireland to lose. I think they're really determined, they've got the players they need back, they they look like they're really focused on going back to back. And then I saw that first 30 minutes of Harlem from Cork and I said, There's nobody going to live with Cork if they can hurl like that again, if they can reproduce that. So then I've I've since the semifinal, I suppose I've gone over and back, I've gone through it all, I've looked at the players. Now, look, I'd probably say the injuries are probably a concern. They're one thing I would be thinking about, I'd be saying if both sets of panels are both sets of players are not at 100%, there's probably a slight weakness into one of them depending on on who's not fully fit. But like if you look at free takers, if you look at the defences, both only conceding 14 points each. I think Cork have scored an average 21 points and Galway have scored an average 17. I don't think there'll be four points in and at the weekend, but there's nothing between them. They're free takers, the goal, everything I can come up with, I can just I can't find anything that's going to split them. So I do actually think I wouldn't be surprised to see a draw. It's a huge anti-climax, I think, on an all-areland final day to have a draw because you know you've planned for a banquet, you've planned for a homecoming, you've maybe not the players themselves, they won't have thought of that. As I said, they're all in the background, you know, all that's gone on, and and there'll be, you know, people someone will be planning celebrations or whatever else, and that all goes out the window, I think, at the end of an all-areland final. So it is a huge anti-climax on an all-Ireland final day. But look, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it was to happen on Sunday, because as I said, I just think they're that close, I just can't see what's going to split them.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:47

It'll be a close one, like I said. Like obviously last year played the whole of the second half, down to 14, like Hannah Looney getting the right card, like, you know, and something like that. Like obviously referee on Gavin Donnegan, like Goblin, his first All-Irland final, like so. How he referees the game as well could have a massive impact as well. Could he let the game in every flow? Or would he and hopefully he left the fortune, like instead of flowing for every you know, kind of three, but like that could be interesting to see how he does referee the game.

SPEAKER_09 1:16:27

Like I think they're you know, there's has been some adjustments to the the rules in recent years that have improved Komogi and has allowed the game to flow, but certainly I I I will have the opinion that referees have been told to let it flow the last couple of years as well, because you know, for years there the you know the main talking point on the Sunday game was probably to stop stop start nature and the freeze and and the you know, people I suppose critiquing the referee more than the actual play. So I have a feeling maybe referees have been told to let it go, and like it's a senior Komoge final, the girls are in peak of fitness and and physicality. And I think people have really enjoyed the finals last couple of years because they have been let go. So I hope it it will be the same. And I suppose you're just hoping it doesn't come down to you know, like a sending off or you know, a call, and you'd be hoping the referee doesn't have to make a big call at late in the game. You know, we see the football there at the weekend, a lot of late scores, late goals that you know, great comebacks and great excitement. But I suppose this uh is a hard way to lose, maybe maybe a free at the deck, even against you that has question marks over or something like that. So, you know what, maybe hopefully it will be a close game, but you'll be hoping that maybe there is a decisive winner in the end. And um, like it is it is gonna be very hard to call. Um, I suppose even as the podcast goes on, I'm thinking of it more, I'm kind of chopping and changing my mind as well. And you know, I suppose from a tip point of view, we'd be disappointed how we played in the first half as well. So it's hard to know how good were Cork, like they were awesome, obviously, their movement, but you know, were Tip a bit shell-shocked, stuck to the ground, nervy, did they hurl at all? You know, when you see how well Tip hurled in the second half, or or else did Cork put the foot, take the foot off the pedal in the second half. So you you'd love had to if Tip had performed in the second half the same as in the first half. Maybe Cork wouldn't have looked as impressive. They certainly looked very impressive in that first half to me that you would give them a brilliant chance against Galway, but maybe Tip didn't really hurl in the first half either, so maybe that has a big point to pay. But when I thought Serica McCartan actually had an unbelievable semi-final, everything she touched just went over the bar, and obviously she's a fantastic player, but it's probably the best I've ever seen her play. Can she repeat that in a final? You know, could she, you know, it's it was one of those games where literally everything she hit went over the bar, Mark and Washington black the next day. Will she get you know the same opportunities? You know, we'll go we'll go away. I suppose we'll go we have a plan to stop her, Amy O'Connor or that Calan as well. We're all brilliant, you know. I mean, any day you know your six forwards are on form and and everything's going over the bar, you have a great chance of winning, but you just don't know. You go out the next day, first ball is a wide, second one drops short, and then you start getting nervous and it's just not swinging your way. But uh, you'd be hoping all iron final day, you know, everything goes, you know, for both both sets of players that you know they do have the games in their lives, but it probably will come down to that that you know how many players really have that top class game that yeah, they're all able to all able to do and all able to produce, but unfortunately, you know, it's it's reality is rarely does everyone have their perfect game in an all-iron final. So it just makes it even harder to call. And uh, I suppose it makes it more really, really exciting. And I think both sets of supporters can travel with real anticipation and real hope, but also know that it's going to take a massive, massive battle to win it, you know.

SPEAKER_02 1:19:36

Yeah, and I think even when you're talking there about whether you can judge um Cork on the tip performance, whether Tip had, you know, Tip's poor start or whether Tip were stuck to the ground, was that because Cork were so good or because Tip were a bit shell-shocked? But I don't think we ever see the true Galway until like an all-Ireland final or a league final or whatever it is. Like they never beat teams by 10 or 12 points, like they always just seem to do just what they have. The penalty, obviously, after halftime, gave them a little bit of comfort, but they always they never looked like losing that game, but they never looked like they were going to win it by 10 points either. And similarly in the league final this year, even to be in the league final, like when you think of it, they they could have been in relegation at one stage, they were snowbound in New York at another stage, and then they come back and they're in Nolan Park, and you think, well, Washford have a right chance here now because Galway are not at full throttle here. So if anyone's ever going to beat them, maybe today is the day Washford beat them, and and suddenly, like that in the league final, they just do enough, they never look like they're going to be beaten, but they don't beat Washford by 10 points either. So I think it's really, really hard. And even coming up to the All-Ireland final last year. Like, I don't think anyone could have predicted the performance they brought out on that All Ireland final day. Like, uh nobody saw it coming in my eyes. Like, I don't think Cork were overwhelming favourites, but I certainly don't think anyone saw the Galway performance coming until it came. And I that's what I'd be thinking for Sunday, as well as that we're going to see it. But I think this year Cork will be prepared for it. Like, I think Galway, much like Cork did to Tip in the semi-final this year, Cork just blew them out of the water and and Tip didn't get a chance to get their feet in the game. I think Galway did that to Cork in the All-Ireland final last year. And I said Cork were a little bit shell-shocked with the intensity, with the speed, with everything that Galway threw at them. Whereas I think both sets of the teams are going to be ready for it this year from the throw-in and quarter press four. And that's why I think it's going to be an absolute rip roar from the get-go.

SPEAKER_05 1:21:11

Just look at the first game on Sunday, the Prime Junior final between Armand and Kevin. Like and both teams come in. Probably the look the best two teams in that you know, Kevin come in and won in all the games, like two days, and Armand, that's just the one game. That was to Kevin in the I think the second round or something. Like Armand has been very impressive with the score, but I think it scored 19 goals and 100 points like in their game so far. Like in Kevin scored 14 goals and 64 points, so 14 whatever to score. So that'll probably be a high scoring game, probably on Sunday, like the first game, 12 o'clock that turning. So like I know Armagedd back second year in a row, like it was a finish last year's final. So like they'll be out to avenge that defeat, like like having as well. At the start of the year, like it looked like they were they were struggling for numbers and they didn't even know what they'd have a team. So, you know, from from being in that position to where they are now, it's been a great turnaround for like having Smokey's one house from the start of the year. So it's fair play to them, like you know, to get to a final like that from the last situation. I think at one stage, I don't know if it was just here, but they were only getting, I think they had 10 players or something available right somewhere. So, you know, it's not a bad turnaround and being in all earning final then a few months later.

SPEAKER_09 1:22:22

Yeah, it's probably unheard of, really. You know, they didn't field a team in the league. They didn't field a team last year at all, I think, at Adult. And they didn't field in the league this year. I suppose that's where the under-23 worked well. They had they had a team for the under-23, and I suppose they kept that group together and and and some of the other girls that had been playing for years, you know, were champion at the bit to get involved and got involved with the under-23s then. And I think they entered only back in March made the decision to enter the championship and played the Ulster Championship, and then have just been on an absolute journey since. And you know, it's unbelievable, you know, what a bit of winning and a bit of momentum does, and you know, they're in an all-irn final. Um, I suppose I I would have uh I'd be mad to see Armand to win, to be honest, because they've just been so close for years. I was kind of watching them back in I had kind of an eye on them since maybe 2023. I think our juniors, Tipperary juniors, were in um a semi-final, and we bet Ross Common and Armand and Claire were in the other semi-final, and Armand had lost the final the previous year, so they were kind of the team to beat that year, and uh but Claire bet them in a semi-final by a pint, and then Claire went on and won the all Ireland. And usually, you know, you think, all right, Claire are gone now. You suppose with Junior, Claire go up into media, then you think the following year beat Armagh's year, but I suppose that year then we bet them in a semi-final by a pint as well, and then we went on and won the all-irland. So I'm sure Armand felt right last year was our year, and next thing Leash came along, you know, and Leash beat them in in the in the final, actually, I think only by a small margin again. And now obviously Leash are gone up into media and doing really, really well. So Armand must feel it has to be their time, you know. They've even before that, they lost the final in 2022 and 2021. I know they won the final in 2020 against Cav, and that was kind of a COVID year. I think there was no only first teams allowed in it. You know, it wasn't the same thing, and they decide to stay at June or that year the following year to keep uh to keep building. So they're in a final again, and you you would just feel for them that surely it's their year. Um I know Rachel Traynor is a big player for them in the forwards. She's been playing for maybe 14 years or so. They have a lot of experienced players, and maybe players have gone away and you know, had families and got married and came back and are playing again. And you know, you just hope they haven't missed their chance, maybe as these newer counties are coming through and maybe younger talent coming through. But um, they have a great uh chance again in the final. But they're up against a Kavan team that has beaten them already this year, 313 to 110. Kevin, really impressive scoring goals, uh, as you mentioned, Joe. And I think that could be a real cracker of a game as well. And I think Rin for a feast on Sunday with three really, really good games and you know, the top teams, and you know, you'd be hoping that a good crowd travels on Sunday, and no doubt they will. And you hope all of I suppose our man Kevin get behind the girls. And you know, it's a great, I suppose, spectacle for and a great promotion for Ulster Komoge as well to have two teams in a final and entrim in in the intermediate final as well. Huge work going on in Ulster Comoge. And you know, it's it's impressive to have three counties in Crow Park, and I'm sure there'll be buses coming from you know, coming from Ulster travelling to Dublin on Sunday, they're always great supporters as well. So, you know, hoping it's uh it's a great game and really impressive story from Kavan to where they've come from. Unbelievable for that group of players and the management team. But I suppose I'd love to see Armagh win it just purely because uh they've been they've had such heartbreak in finals and be hoping uh this will be their year, and you know, Kavan can win it the following year then.

SPEAKER_02 1:25:44

Yeah, I think but I think we're in for a really high-scoring game there, I think, because as you said, they've both put up really good scores on the route to the final. Um, as you said, like what a contrast, you know, Armagh win the Division III League, and Kavan, I don't think, don't even take part in the league. And it's great to see them, you know, we spoke about Galway and Cork using the under-23 championship. Kavan obviously used it really, really well as well to get to get players back, to get a team together, and then to add the experience of those players who have been playing with Kavan over the last couple of years to to form a good squad and to get back, and like they've had real momentum through the group stage of the championship, so they'll be hoping that that carries through. But I just wonder with the quality of the games that Arama have had through the league, and as you said, a lot of them would have been beaten in the last couple of semifinals and finals, and even to the to be beaten by Leash last year. And as you said, when you see Leash in the intermediate final this year, like that's a huge standard to be playing, obviously. And and they've been so close for the last number of years, and really goal getters like they're 4-19, I think, in the semi-final is a huge score, and they'll be looking to put up a good score like that again. But look, that Cavern half bat line, I think, is really, really strong, and there's a number of them would have been in line for player of the match in the set as free-flowing for them, but I do expect it to be a high-scoring game. And I just think maybe the experience of playing at that higher level for for a longer time might just stand to to our man in the end. But as Jarly and said, I think it's going to open a great day Kamogi for us. I'm really looking forward to the intermediate game as well. A huge standard there, and two really good teams. I mean, when you see what Antrim did in the senior league earlier in the year in the 1A League, how impressive they were, and that victory over Cork that really set them up for the year, I think, and gave them huge momentum and huge confidence where they came from last year and having that really good championship as well. And and then the icing on the on the top will be Cork and Galway and the seniors decider at quarterback four. So, as Jerdine said, I think a huge, huge day to come over.

SPEAKER_05 1:27:22

Look, hopefully we could get a big crowd like the Hoban over 30,000, like you know, a record crowd, and hopefully you can get that. Look, if you're listening in, like and you're even not from one of the counties of all, try to get up and just to watch support the players, like all six teams, like every player and everything to work that they'll put in through the air, and look, they deserve that support, like in fairness to them, like you know. So hopefully we can get a good crowd, like and get behind all six teams. But look, I just before I let you go now, I'll just get your predictions for three finals anyway. Like I had Sarah Ann Fischer and Eleanor Mallon on for the first part of the pod. And look, I didn't ask them for a prediction for the elite action game because they would have for brought him anywhere. I think Eleanor went for Galway, Sarah went for Clark, the ball went for a man and a junior. So look, I'll just get to your prediction. We start with the junior. Jonathan, we start with you for the prediction for the junior finally.

SPEAKER_09 1:28:10

Yeah, I suppose I I haven't seen too much of either team this year, but just going on and I suppose past their past records. And I like I said, I've been kind of keeping a close eye on Arma for a good few years. And I just fancy them, you know, that this will be their year. So I'll go with Armagh for the junior.

SPEAKER_02 1:28:25

Yeah, I probably as I said, I just think that probably playing at the higher standard, maybe the 3-8, the league, the the experience they have from playing the likes of Leash and stuff last year. And I just think that determination to keep coming back year on year, they're scoring for us or for like 419 is superb scored, and I think for for any grade.

SPEAKER_05 1:28:42

So I just think Armand might I would just let you really find out Antrim and Leash. I don't know. You go Arva, you go first for this one.

SPEAKER_02 1:28:49

Yeah, look, as I said, I think the story of Leasha is phenomenal. Like the moment you're all Ireland to get the straight back up to intermediate all Ireland this year is huge, huge testament to the work. They have some real standout players and huge, huge defenders and brilliant scorers up front. So I think Antrim playing in the in the 1A league this year, they got huge, huge experience. They were really, really competitive. I know they got relegated eventually in it, but I think they were hugely competitive in a lot of their games, and I think they have some class forwards and some real standout forwards. And I just think in the vast spaces of Crow Park now on Sunday, I just think they'll come to light. And I think this could be Antrim's year for it.

SPEAKER_09 1:29:26

I fancy Antrim all year, and I actually travelled up to Antrim for a tips league game against them at the start of the year, and um really really impressive with everything about Antrim that just the style of play, the setup, you know. I think a lay down is an unbelievable measure, and then seeing how well they did in the other games as well, beating Cork. So, you know, I'd kind of it was kind of it took me a few while to say, are they on the intermediate? I'd kind of go up and go and check the check the teams again. And I was kind of doubting myself that they were intermediate for the year. Once I saw they were, I said, you know, they'll surely win the intermediate championship. I suppose they were going so well in the league because you had to, you know, they couldn't, they had to be kind of nearly at their peak in the league to be competitive with those senior teams. That's the only thing, you know, trying to sustain that for so for for throughout the whole year can be tough. And you know, some people say that you know peak too early, but they've had a really good, impressive uh intermediate championship. Um, you know, they've kept that going, and you know, I I've kind of fancied them from the start of the year, so I'm gonna stay with them. But you know, what you know, Leash Komogi are on a real upward curve as well. Camarath winning the uh they all earned it last year as well, and you know, you know, the junior obviously the the juniors winning and and straight up to intermediate. So that's a another brilliant storyline, and and you know the camoe association must be delighted with these other teams competing and and coming to the top. But I'm gonna I go I go with Angstrom. Just I've seen them at the start of the year in the senior league, and you know, was really in Division 1A League and was really impressed with him, and I just fancied him for the intermediate.

SPEAKER_05 1:30:51

On leash, if they were to go back to back junior intermediate, they'd be the first team since Offlin. You just have to put that out there that off great off the team back in 2009 and 2010. So I have to put that out there as ineffable. It was this kind of similar circumstance as well, because like Offreed lost the junior final the year before they won it, so which you haven't really eaten, so look, you never know. But and out for the big one, I suppose the pictures for the big one, I suppose this one's a very hard one to call because it really very evenly matched, right? So it's almost impossible to call, really. But Charlie, it's a good job prediction for the senior final anyway.

SPEAKER_09 1:31:22

Yeah, I look if I I think if I think about too much, I'll just keep changing my answer. So I'm just going to go, I suppose, with my gut feeling after seeing Galway for the first time this year. Well, the second time actually saw him in the league as well. Actually, I forgot about that game. In the league, we played him in the rag, and I was right on the sideline, and I said to people beside me, it was the most physical game of Camogie I had seen in a long, long time. I was I thought physicality was through the roof. This was like in early, I suppose February, probably it was, the physicality and you know, tip went toe to toe with Garby that day, but I thought Goby were really, really impressive considering, you know, obviously they had won the All Ireland and I don't had to go on the team holiday at that stage, and you know, they were heading out, or maybe they were back, I can't remember, but the you know, they were just really, really impressive. But having seen them in the group stages of the championship, I just thought, you know, they'd win after I came away that day, say nobody had beat them. And I I'm just gonna go, I'm gonna stick with that prediction. I just felt it that day that they'd win the All-Irland again, and I'm gonna stick with it, but like I would not be surprised either if Galway were, I suppose, climbing the steps of the Hogan on Sunday even. But I'm gonna stick with Galway. Or I wouldn't be surprised with Carcour, sorry, but I'm gonna stick with Galway. Yeah, confused myself even as I'm talking.

SPEAKER_02 1:32:31

Yeah, just even onto physicality. I thought in the All-Ireland semi-final when they came out onto when Galway came out onto the field against Kilkenny. Now I know Kilkenny are are further back down in terms of development, maybe, and and have a couple of younger players, but I just thought the difference in physicality, and I actually spoke to someone who was in the tunnel as the players came out and they said the Galway team came past them and they were like, Oh my god, and the Kilkenny team came past them, they were like, Oh god, those poor girls. Do you know? Like they just the difference in physicality. But I just think that first half performs a cork, the last thing. Look, as we said, who like maybe Tip underperformed a little bit and Tip maybe were a little bit disappointed, but they did go toe-to-toe with them in that second half. But look, as I said earlier, I've gone over and back since since the semi-finals, and I've had the pros and the cons for both of them, and I just can't find anything that's going to separate them. As Jordane said earlier, look, I hope it's not a you know a controversial refereeing decision or a red card or something like that that plays it. And I hope it was Carrie Jones, the Ashton Thompson's that they're all fit and able to play a full 60 minutes because I think this game deserves to have the best players. It's their showcase day. I think we deserve to have the best players in the country on the field. I think I looked it up earlier. I think it's 1981 since we've had a draw in a senior commode all Ireland final. And I think I'm going to stick with a draw. I just, as I said, I can't see what's going to split them on the day. So I'm going to call it as a draw and see how we go.

SPEAKER_05 1:33:44

I can't blame you if you're going to such a can't blame you as well. Because it is really hard to call. But look, we'll leave it at that now, sure. Look, coming up in a minute, we have interviewed by Ashley Thompson and from Cork's outshawn healy as well from the media event in the club park yesterday media launch. And just to let you know, next week's episode we'll be looking back on the big finals. I've been joined by Sarah O'Donovan and Elaine Darmady for them too for that episode. So before we go, also mind you have our social media on Instagram at Talking Comoge Podcast. And you can find us on X at Talking Comoge Pod. And if you want to email the show, you can at talking or at talking comoge podcast at gmail.com. But look, we leave us there for now. Look, look forward to the weekend. Look, hopefully we get three really good and exciting games, close games, and hopefully we can get a very good crowd as well. Like you know, maybe a record crowd, like we did for the semi-finals. So good and Geraldine. Look, it's been a pleasure having you on again. And thanks really for coming on again, anyway.

SPEAKER_02 1:34:37

So thanks, Joe. Thanks, Joe.

SPEAKER_05 1:34:39

Bye bye for now, and again, we'll be back again next week. Here we are. Ashleen Thompson at Cork before the All-Irland Monkey Senior Final and Sunday against Galway. Ashley, how are things in the camp building up to the final?

SPEAKER_06 1:34:49

Very excited. Um we've a lot of young girls that have come in, a lot a lot of new faces, and we've had a very up and down season, but how we've progressed across the championship has been exceptional, and those young girls have really come to the fore. So look, it's very it's a very exciting time for them.

SPEAKER_05 1:35:07

As you said, it's been a supposed an up and down year for you. A lot of new players in the panel as well, a lot of youngsters in the panel, maybe their first year as well, and the first come up to the first of all Ireland. How are they coming accumulated into the situation again ahead of their first final?

SPEAKER_06 1:35:21

Again, I think there's a lot of excitement around the camp because to be fair, a lot of them it is their first time, but they've also been, you know, on the fringes for quite a while. So whether they've been integrated into the group for just part of the season, maybe as minors, but there's a few of them that have been part of the panel for the last few years, and some girls that have stepped away for some time and then come back, and you know, they've been involved in intermediate teams and you know, underage teams, they're well used to competing, well used to winning, and a lot of them have already graced the field of Croke Park or have been there on Allern and final day. So look, I think you know, excitement is probably the main factor.

SPEAKER_05 1:36:00

And for yourself, obviously, it's supposed it's been a bit of a frustrating year with injuries and all that. Like would you go back for the qu or the last group game and then you played the semi-final as well. How has it been like for you this year from watching from the sidelines? Especially when you're so used to playing most of the time.

SPEAKER_06 1:36:15

Yeah, look, um I suppose it was no different back in 22-23 when I had my or did my SEL, so maybe back then I felt a bit more enthusiastic, but definitely at 36 it wasn't the nicest welcome back, I suppose. But look, it's it's been yeah, definitely a frustrating year from my part. There's you know a lot of a lot of pressure, I suppose, that you put on yourself to try and get back, but at the same time I would never jump the gun or put myself into a vulnerable position. But look, yeah, as I said at 36, it's not the most ideal thing to be hitting the gym three and four times a day over the course of three or four months, and then before the semi-final I picked up another knock. So and look, I got through the semi-final just fine, and things are going well now in preparations for the final. So look, every player deals with deals with these things.

SPEAKER_05 1:37:06

I suppose it's not something I've been used to over the course of my whole career, but look, I'm here and I'm still kicking, so and obviously look, it's go away again, and look, you know, then first final just there's gonna be third final in a row, like they obviously bet you last year, so you know it'd have been a lot of disappointment. How have you used that for last year's defeat to help you this year, or is it something that you've been talking about watching the camp?

SPEAKER_06 1:37:27

Yeah, I think coming off the back of a loss, and then when you lose so many faces in such a short time span, and you know, seven of those players were on the starting 15 team from last year, so I guess when you come back, I s or yeah, come back off such narrow defeat, and also a very I suppose it would definitely have left sour taste in our mouth as well in terms of how we performed and just I suppose how the game went that day in general. So yeah, a lot of frustration, a lot of anger initially in the season, and you could see that I suppose in our league performances and in the first round of Munster, but as I said, there's so many new faces getting to know girls, even to getting no names and things like that. But look, I think getting knocked out of Munster has probably stood to us massively, and then the girls winning the under 23 competition was huge for us. So yeah, it's been an incredible finish to the season. I guess it's just having to finish that off now on Sunday is the main thing.

SPEAKER_05 1:38:22

Yeah, and obviously from your own personal point of view, it'd be seven dollars Ireland for you. So what does where would that stand in the achievements of all the other previous six? Like would this be obviously could maybe come towards the end of your career, like so I mean another one now would be massive for you, would it?

SPEAKER_06 1:38:36

Absolutely. I think seven always sounds better than six. So you know there's a stat there that it's the 11th final in 13 years, so I'd rather say seven out of eleven than six out of eleven, that sounds a lot sweeter. But yeah, look, as you said, the last uh win is or the last win, you know, is the last one, but the next one is more important, so I think that's it. When you're coming to the latter end of your career and there's an opportunity there, you have to take it. And look, I've I've really enjoyed the new faces, the new girls, they brought uh an element of fearlessness, you know, they've driven on that team and so many huge players missing from last year, it hasn't phased them, which is just incredible, you know. So, look, we're really looking forward to it, and yeah, like uh we'll be out to win it, like finals are there to be won. We know we're under pressure, we know we're the underdogs, but we'll put up a good fight.

SPEAKER_05 1:39:25

And just one last question. In the group's age, you're like go away, water for Tipperary and then Tipperary in the semi-final, so you've been battled hard and then you're well battling hard. Now at this age, going into the final, so there was no like easy games for you at all, really.

SPEAKER_06 1:39:39

Which is brilliant, because like you know, obviously we would have along with other counties maybe questioned the whole format this year in terms of you know, yes, you've you've good strength in the group, but you also qualify no matter what way it comes out. So, like you had Tipperary there who lost three games in the group stage but still managed to make it to an Ireland semi-final. So, yeah, there was questions, but at the end of the day, would you know would you rather play the the three top teams in the competition? Like, and that again was a massive test for us and to see where we were at, especially the first game against Galvay, like we were kind of saying, well, that's gonna kind of see or prove to us like are are we capable of of pushing this further this year? And are we are we capable of righting the wrongs, I guess, from last season and answering the questions that have been asked of us of this season from so many outside voices? But look, there was definitely a huge advantage to playing those three games and then playing another top team in Tipperary in a semi-final. So hopefully it'll stand to us going in.

SPEAKER_05 1:40:38

Alright, that's thanks a million for then best of luck on Sunday. Thanks very much, thank you. And joined by Go with Shauna Healy, ahead of the All Ireland final against Cork and Sunday. Shauna, what's the feeling like in the camp at the moment?

SPEAKER_04 1:40:50

Yeah, look at it, everything is is great now, really, and looking forward to Sunday and yeah, lovely buzz around.

SPEAKER_05 1:40:56

So as it's been the few new players into squad this year, you know, injuries haven't been helpful either for you going into the final. So uh obviously yourself as well, you're having you're only just back within squad. How's it been like for you then as well this year? You know, been kind of supposed on the outside looking in.

SPEAKER_04 1:41:11

Yeah, great, lovely to be back involved now with the girls and um yeah, just like that, like sure, if I can offer anything at all, I'm happy. So yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:41:20

And look, Gows going you're going for back to back now. It's something they've never done in the county, so that must be a big added butt trying to get that, you know. That's something that's been there, like maybe for you for the last for the year, like you know, going for the two in a row for the first time.

SPEAKER_04 1:41:32

Look, it we're not even thinking about anything like that now, we're just focusing on the performance now and um yeah, getting to Sunday.

SPEAKER_05 1:41:39

And obviously, look, you know, shana rabbit, she's out out. So no, that's a big blow for her as well. Like, you know, personally, like, especially after the work she would have put on to get back fit as well, like, and then only to be on the pitch for a few minutes and then another if I was injured and off the miss the final.

SPEAKER_04 1:41:54

Yeah, poor Sabina, like she uh yeah, she broke her thumb soul, unfortunately. That Sabina ruled out. But I've no doubt Sabina will be back, you know, in in a couple of weeks. Do you know she's she's a mighty girl, she works really hard and yeah.

SPEAKER_05 1:42:08

And look, obviously, it's supposed this year you come into the final, it's all you've all had tough games, like you know, the debate the group stage was in the Watford, Tipper Prairie, and Cork like in the group stage, and then continue in the same final. So every game has been tough for you this year. Like there's been no like easy games coming into the final.

SPEAKER_04 1:42:22

And there is no there is no easy games out there by any means. So yeah, and look at it, you can take the learnings from from all them games and and try and better yourselves in.

SPEAKER_05 1:42:30

And I suppose you've been good just doing what you've had to suppose so far. Maybe you have been pledged your best so far. Maybe the temporary game in the group stage was somewhere near your best like. So but you've been doing just enough to get to the final, and you must be confident in going into the final after the setback against Corkus was in the first up and game of the group.

SPEAKER_04 1:42:48

To be honest, I I can't really make a comment on it. I wasn't there. Um I was watching from obviously the you know uh the outside, but yeah, look at yeah, the girls have been training really hard, they've taken loads of learnings from from all the games. So yeah, just m you know, moving on now and and trying to get the best out of ourselves.

SPEAKER_05 1:43:05

And obviously, look, you know Clark very well now at this stage should be the third final and up between them a win each, so maybe just to see who's who's the number one team definitely, like you know. So obviously you're expecting a really tough game against a very good Clark side.

SPEAKER_04 1:43:18

Yeah, absolutely. They're always very good when when we play them. A lot of freshness in their team and they still have their, you know, their their number of players there that have been there over the last couple of years. So yeah, yeah, we'll be I think everyone's just looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_05 1:43:31

All right, thanks for joining us in very best of luck on Sunday.