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Cork v Galway

THIS is a mouth-watering prospect, with the teams meeting for the first time since the 2015 decider when Cork upset the odds, having been beaten by Galway twice prior to that in the National League Final and the group stages of the Championship.

Cork returned to the All-Ireland Final last year, but found Kilkenny too strong and it is worth recording that Galway only fell to the Stripeywomen after injury time in the Semi-Final.

They are on their third manager in as many seasons, Mark Dunne taking over from Ollie Bergin, who had in turn succeeded Tony Ward.

Dunne, who has included his sister Molly in his backroom staff after her retirement, as well as former Galway and Dublin hurler Niall Corcoran, is moving closer to his strongest side, although he might have preferred a sterner test from Tipperary in the Quarter-Final.

They were extremely professional in navigating the group phase but were unable to break down Kilkenny.

However, having finally given long-touted Minor star Siobhán McGrath her head, they have even more speed in attack and will look to cash in on the offensive threat that is also provided by McGrath’s sisters Orlaith and Niamh, Maria Cooney and the competition’s leading scorer Ailish O’Reilly.

Cork, of course, are renowned for their ability to smother opposition attacks, the likes of Pamela Mackey, Laura Treacy and captain Rena Buckley among the stickiest of defenders in the game.

In addition, All-Ireland-winning skipper Ashling Thompson has been a central figure in the game-plan with her athleticism enabling her to sweep up deep in her own half while also forcing turnovers around the field and getting forward for a score or two. Gemma O’Connor, Aoife Murray and Orla Cotter are just some other who provide plenty of experience while Niamh McCarthy represents the new breed.

Galway have a similar profile in that regard, as apart from Siobhán McGrath, Róisín Black is a newcomer who has appeared to the manor born in defence. At the other end of the experience spectrum, Sarah Dervan’s return from injury adds steel to that division,

Lorraine Ryan was captain when they won the All-Ireland in 2013 and Niamh Kilkenny remains an absolute joy to watch and a pain to marshal with her runs from deep and ability to finish off either side.

If both teams turn up, this could be a game for the ages.