Galway target back-to-back titles as Rebels plot for revenge

Third straight All-Ireland decider between camogie's top two counties

By Eanna O’Reilly

GALWAY are one step away from completing an historic two in-a-row of All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship titles as they face their date with destiny on Sunday afternoon at Croke Park. Facing the Tribeswomen are familiar foes in the shape of a Cork side that will bring huge determination to gain revenge for their defeat in last year’s title decider (throw-in: 4:15pm).

Galway and Cork have navigated their way through the championship and reached camogie’s biggest day for a third straight year. The renewal of what has become the game’s biggest rivalry in recent years is bound to produce plenty of drama and entertainment this weekend.

Cathal Murray’s side are seeking to win the O’Duffy Cup for the sixth time. if achieved, it would take Galway ahead of Tipperary and level with Antrim in the All-Ireland roll of honour list.

The county has never previously put All-Ireland senior titles back-to-back. The closest they have come to achieving the feat was in 1997 and 2020 when they reached the final only to suffer defeats to Cork and Kilkenny respectively.

Retaining the title would represent an enormous achievement for the current Galway squad which has two players seeking to win their fifth All-Ireland medals. Ailish O’Reilly (Oranmore-Maree) and Aoife Donohue (Mullagh) were part of the squads which triumphed in 2013, '19, '21, and '25, with O’Reilly starting in all four finals.

Donohue and O’Reilly remain two of Galway’s most important players this season with huge experience and know-how in terms of winning at the highest level. The pair have won six All Stars each and Donohue has been named Player of the Year award on two occasions (2021 and '25).

Team captain Carrie Dolan has top scored for the Tribeswomen in their championship run with 1-15 (0-13 frees) across four matches. Centre-forward Niamh McPeake has tallied an impressive 2-9 from play, while corner-forward Caoimhe Kelly has chipped in with 1-7. Kelly is one of camogie’s most exciting young talents and appears to be getting better with each game in maroon.

O’Reilly and Donohue have both tallied 1-3. Niamh Niland, sister of Galway hurlers Aaron and Evan, has struck 0-4. Completing the scoring chart are Áine Keane (0-3, frees), Mairéad Dillon (0-2), Aoibheann Barry (0-2, frees), Rachael Hanniffy, Dervla Higgins and Alannah Kelly (0-1 each), giving the team a very healthy spread.

Niamh Mallon and Jennifer Hughes have been Galway’s main injury casualties this season, and it remains to be seen if either will be part of the matchday squad on Sunday. Donohue, Higgins, Dolan and Sabina Rabbitte all picked up knocks in the Tribeswomen’s semi-final win over Kilkenny, all of which will be monitored ahead of the final.

Galway’s opponents come into Sunday’s title decider in impressive form. Ger Manley’s Cork side have come through the championship undefeated. The first round saw the Leesiders travel to Athenry in early June and record an impressive 0-18 to 1-8 victory.

Cork followed up that result with wins over Tipperary and Waterford and were full value when overcoming Tipp by 2-16 to 0-17 in the All-Ireland semi-final.

First half goals from veteran corner-forward Amy O’Connor and Millie Condon set Cork on their way. They held a nine-point lead at half-time and though Tipp mounted fourth quarter comeback, the Rebels always looked in control.

Free-taker O’Connor tallied 1-3 on the day, while Emma Murphy was also very productive in attack with four points from play. Full-forward Sorcha McCartan chipped in with three apiece, while Orlaith Cahalane and substitute Orlaith Mullins tallied two each. Laura Hayes and Saoirse McCarthy completed their scoring with one apiece.

Cork’s inside trio of O’Connor, McCartan and Cahalane is capable of putting up big scoring totals on any given day, and the Galway full-back line must be on top of their game. Katie Manning, Róisín Black and Rachael Hanniffy have all been impressive this season and it will be fascinating to see how things develop in this area.

Cork centre-forward Saoirse McCarthy can be hugely influential and Galway will hope that Ciara Hickey can continue the form which saw her claim the player of the match award against Kilkenny. Carrie Dolan and Ally Hesnan must break even in the middle third against the experienced Cork pairing of Ashling Thompson and Laura Hayes.

Defence is where Cork may not be quite as strong as in previous years. Since last year, they have lost Pamela Mackey, Aoife Healy and Laura Treacy from their backline. Galway will look to supply inside attackers Niland, O’Reilly and Kelly as often as possible.

Since their opening round defeat, Murray’s charges have improved considerably with each game recording three wins on the bounce. They will be well aware that Sunday’s final presents their biggest test of 2026 against a Cork side that will be ravenous to atone for last year’s All-Ireland loss.

Last year saw Galway produce their best performance of the season on All-Ireland final day. Replicate that and it may well be enough to bring the O’Duffy Cup across the Shannon for a second consecutive year.