• Headlines
  • Listen Live
  • About
  • Advertise
Scoreline.ie
  • GAA
  • Camogie
  • Soccer
  • Rugby
  • Podcasts
  • Other Sports
No Result
View All Result
KCLR
Scoreline.ie
No Result
View All Result
Scoreline.ie
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

The rundown: The All Ireland Final looms as Kilkenny takes on Cork

Guest Columnist by Guest Columnist
Friday 5 August, 2022
in Hurling
Reading Time: 5 mins read
The rundown: The All Ireland Final looms as Kilkenny takes on Cork
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This is the 15th meeting of Cork and Kilkenny in a Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior final but the first since 2018 when Aoife Murray received the O’Duffy Cup on behalf of the Rebels.  

It will come as no surprise to followers that the old rivals are deadlocked on seven triumphs apiece in the seasonal climax, so whoever has their head in front on the line this time around, will have just a few more bragging rights as well as the most important silverware. 

Though Cork won their first two meetings, in 1970 and 1972 as the Rebels registered a four-in-a-row, it was all about the black and amber for a lengthy spell with six consecutive final defeats of the Leesiders, the sixth arriving as Kilkenny completed an overall seven-in-a-row in 1991. That team was captained by Angela Downey, who along with another former All-Ireland-winning skipper, Breda Holmes is a part of the current team’s backroom group, having being brought in by Angela’s twin, Ann – herself an All-Ireland-winning captain and manager. 

Embed from Getty Images

See also: We’re previewing the All-Ireland senior camogie final between Kilkenny and Cork, and you’re invited

Linda Mellerick’s last-gasp goal to snatch victory in 1995 heralded the Reds’ comeback against the Stripeywomen in deciders and they have inflicted more late torment with the injury-time winning points of Julia White and Orla Cotter in 2017 and 2018. Cork have won five of the last six final pairings now, 2016 being the odd one out when Michelle Quilty became the first Kilkenny skipper to get her hands on the O’Duffy memorial since her manager, the aforementioned Ann Downey. 

This is the first time in more than a decade that Paudie Murray isn’t boss of Cork, one of his former lieutenants Matthew Twomey taking over and illustrious hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald taking over the coaching duties. 

The blood and bandage reached the League final but fell short to Galway, who had also proven a tad too good in last year’s All-Ireland final. They cruised through the group stages until being stunned by Tipperary in the final tie, but that didn’t impact on their direct progression to the semi-final, where they survived a huge challenge from Waterford before prevailing by a flattering five points. 

Embed from Getty Images

See also: Cork manager Matthew Twomey on Sunday’s All-Ireland final – ‘I don’t care how we win it just so long as we do’

They will need to be a lot better than was the case for at least 40 minutes of that game if they are to beat Waterford, particularly in attack. Ashling Thompson had a major impact upon her introduction, while Libby Coppinger and Saoirse McCarthy also stood out and Amy O’Connor did the business from placed balls. Emma Murphy also made some big plays when brought on in the second half. 

Kilkenny remain unbeaten all season in competitive games, only failing to reach the League final on score difference after Cork’s Chloe Sigerson pegged them back with a very late pointed free from distance to nab a draw in the group. They then claimed provincial honours and manager Brian Dowling has spoken about how seriously they took that competition this year.  

They scored heavily through the group stages, before again, just losing out on score difference, this time for the direct semi-final route, thanks to Áine Keane’s stupendous equaliser for Galway in a game for the ages at Kenny Park. The rematch was set-up by a comfortable win over Dublin in the quarter-final and colossal workrate, allied with four big saves from Aoife Norris and Laura Murphy’s brilliant goal gave the Noresiders a four-point win. 

Embed from Getty Images

See also: Kilkenny captain Aoife Prendergast on using the pain of defeat as a motivational factor

Miriam Walsh has been operating at her very best levels as the attacking focal point, while Julianne Malone’s return after a three-year absence has added class and a regular scoring return to the forward division. Katie Nolan is perpetual motion, with or without the ball, while Claire Phelan’s reading of the play and the marking of Michelle Teehan and Grace Walsh have been vital to their side’s progression. 

Both teams are missing influential figures from last year’s semi-final, when Cork edged the verdict. Orla Cronin, Pamela Mackey and Laura Collins are significant losses for Cork but Kilkenny have been harder hit, Davina Tobin, Collette Dormer, Meighan Farrell, Kellyann Doyle and Aoife Doyle all out of the loop through retirement, travelling and injury. 

But Kilkenny have the likes of Tiffany Fitzgerald, Steffi Fitzgerald and Michaela Kenneally that have capitalised on the increased opportunities, while for Cork, Méabh Murphy, Clíona Healy are Katie O’Mahony among those to have established themselves as regular first-team starters while former Down star, Sorcha McCartan has been a wonderful addition. 

Cork are in pursuit of a 29th title from what is a landmark 50th appearance in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie final. If Kilkenny were to prevail it would be a 15th success from 25. So even in terms of strike rate, there is nothing between the teams. Don’t expect a lot to separate them at the final whistle either. 

Listen to our preview show tonight on KCLR or to our camogie podcast Caman Caint below:

Latest podcast from Scoreline.ie

Follow for free on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Latest Updates

‘They don’t lack in any area’ – Paul Murphy on Kilkenny’s hopes for 2023
Hurling

‘They don’t lack in any area’ – Paul Murphy on Kilkenny’s hopes for 2023

by Robbie Dowling
28th January 2023
0

The serious business starts for Kilkenny next weekend. Following three Walsh Cup games that brought with it victories over Offaly...

Read more

Carlow’s Allianz National Football League games: Who and when will Niall Carew’s side be playing?

Live football: Carlow v Wicklow, National Football League Division 4 Round 1

Niall Carew names Carlow team to face Wicklow

2pm for the hurlers, 4pm for the footballers as Carlow fans set to be torn for next weekend’s league games

Latest Podcasts

Big Game Live

Big Game Live: Listen back to Carlow’s football league-opening draw with Wicklow Netwatch Cullen Park

28th January 2023
Podcast

The Knock On Season 2 E18: J1 bragging rights for Tullow over Carlow, Kilkenny drop down the table, Towns Cup draws, Womens & Youths rugby and more

27th January 2023
Full Time

Full Time #68: Kilkenny’s Walsh Cup exit, Ballyhale Shamrocks success, Carlow’s Kehoe Cup finale and more

24th January 2023
Hurling

Scoreline Extra #110: Shamrocks players TJ & Richie Reid celebrate All Ireland win, Derek Lyng on Wexford loss, fantasy hurling and more

22nd January 2023
Scoreline.ie

Scoreline is KCLR's sports brand, bringing you the latest sporting news from Kilkenny, Carlow and around the country.

Listen live on-air and online weekends from 2pm.

Follow us on social media:

Show Times

  • Monday 6.10pm
  • Friday 6.10pm
  • Weekends 2-6pm

Podcasts

  • Podcasts Home
  • Camán Caint
  • The Football Manager Football Show
  • The Clash Act
  • All Things MMA

Contact Scoreline.ie

KCLR Sport
Leggettsrath Business Park
Carlow Road
Kilkenny R95 YTD5

E: [email protected]
T: 1800 909696

© 2023 KCLR · All rights reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • GAA
  • Camogie
  • Soccer
  • Rugby
  • Podcasts
  • Other Sports

© 2023 KCLR · All rights reserved