Cahalane savouring those big days in the red of Cork

Another All-Ireland final for Cork captain Méabh Cahalane and another chance to really appreciate what it means to line out for your county on the biggest day of the year in camogie.

The Munster county are aiming to make it a hat-trick of senior titles when they take on Galway at Croke Park on Sunday (5.15pm throw-in) in what is a repeat of the 2024 decider.

Cahalane was vice-captain last year and now steps up to lead Cork, just like her father Niall, who skippered the men's football side in the 1980s.

"It's a huge honour for myself and my family," the 29-year-old told RTÉ Sport.

"There are so many leaders on our group, anyone could be captain on any given day but to lead out this group of girls is so special and it's something I don't take for granted."

As for leading out her county as it strives to create more history, the St Finbarr's player is looking forward to gracing the Croke Park turf again.

"It's such a special place to play and it's what you dream of growing up, when you're nine or ten years old," she said.

"We watched the All-Ireland finals and now getting to play in those finals, but we've worked hard to get there. You know, maybe the older you get, the more special it is.

"And these days don't come around too often and I try to say that to my sister Orlaith (pictured), who came into the squad in 2022. She's been here every every August since coming into the panel. But you know, this group of players are really talented group of players and it's it's not too often that you get to be a part of a group like that.

"So we just want to make the most of these days, you know and hopefully put in a performance that might put us in a position to to get over the line."

The arrival of younger sister Orlaith is an addition that makes the older sibling proud, with Méabh saying: "Orlaith came into the panel two years ago and we knew her potential coming in from underage. She has really grown into that role; she's a huge player for us and any night you're marking her at training you'd be dreading it.

"She is so quick, so smart on the ball. I'm so proud she has come into the panel and made such a difference. It's so special on days like Sunday when you get to share the Cork jersey with her and hopefully I'll get to walk up the Hogan Stand steps with her."

Cork are looking to complete a league and championship double after comfortably seeing off Sunday's opponents in the Division 1A final last April.

Shauna Healy of Galway (r) is tackled by Cork's Amy O'Connor during the Division 1A final

That success ended a 12-year wait for spring silverware; it was a prize that Ger Manley's squad had their eye on.

"At the start of the year the league was something we wanted to target, many of us on the panel had not won a league medal so that was important," Cahalane revealed.

"We took it game by game and thankfully got over the line in Thurles and then heading into the group stage of the championship that really gave us confidence for those games. It was Important for girls coming onto the panel that they get to play in a national final."

Cork joy after last year's All-Ireland final

Four month have passed and Cahalane is expecting a much sterner challenge from Galway on Sunday evening, no doubt similar to last year's meeting when the Rebels had three points to spare at the end.

"We know Galway will be a different story the next day, when Galway get to Croke Park they are a different animal. They bring huge tenacity. Around the middle third they are really good at getting on breaks and have quality forwards that will need looking after. Cork and Galway do bring out the best in each other.

"As for the league, different teams can treat it differently. We played well that day and Galway will feel they underperformed. And you must remember that they brought a huge battle to us in last year's All-Ireland final. It's going to take up to 20 players to get over the line the next day and you know it's going to have to be our best performance of the year. I think we're prepared, and we're confident."

In the semi-final, Cork came good in the second half to see off the challenge of Waterford, with Cahalane stating that "we had another few gears to go" in that second period.

So the side is primed for one last battle and their skipper is hoping that a sea of red will be there to cheer them on on Jones's Road.

"The hurlers had a great support this year, the public really got behind them and we're just hoping if

If even half the people could get up and support us. then that would be great.

"Bring your daughters, bring your nieces, bring your friends. I think the game has gone to a whole new level and you saw that in the semi-finals; the pace, the skill and the physicality. I just think the more girls that are exposed to that, it's only going to be good for the game, so I'd really encourage everyone to get behind Cork, get behind Galway and get a huge crowd up here next Sunday."

Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship finals on Sunday from 12.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, including the senior final of Cork v Galway at 5.15pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Click here to read article