Women wary of Dublin challenge

THE Cork women’s footballers chase a remarkable sixth All-Ireland senior title in a row on Sunday - and their 11th title in 12 years - but standing in their way is a Dublin team more than ready and able to dethrone the Rebels.

Despite a change in management for Cork, with Ephie Fitzgerald succeeding Eamon Ryan as manager, Cork have worked their way back to Croke Park in September for another All-Ireland Final, against the only other county to have won the Brendan Martin Cup since 2004.

Cork captain Ciara O’Sullivan, from Mourneabbey, is expecting a very tough game.

“Dublin are the joint best team right now. They have shown that over the last number of years and more so this year than all the others.

“They have a great team and have some great players. We have had great battles with them over the years and never more than a point or two in it so I expect the same story this weekend,” she said.

Her Mourneabbey club mate, team selector Con O’Sullivan, backs the captain’s assertion that Dublin are going to be formidable opposition.

“We might often forget down here but remember Dublin haven’t been sitting on their hands either since the semi-final, they will also have been preparing well and they are an excellent team, we all know that. They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. We all know what is ahead of us and it will be all down to the 60 minutes or so on the pitch.

“The girls are going well, a couple of niggling injuries all right, but overall they are going well and it will all be on the day.”

Throw-in is at 4pm