This Sunday a traditional All Ireland final marks the end of the inter-county camogie season, with Kilkenny and Cork meeting in the Gala All Ireland Intermediate Final (McGrath Cup) at McDonagh Park, Nenagh, 2pm.
Cork captain Marie Corkery is up for the challenge of bringing yet another All Ireland medal to the now famous household in Cloughduv.
The pre-match hype usually associated with younger sister Briege might not be as apparent, but organizing the big day has turned out to be quite a test.
‘My younger sister, and my daughter Aileen, are playing an U12 match with St Val’s at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning, so we have to make sure they get to Nenagh on time,’ she says.
‘Then, we have to arrange for other members of my family to go to my uncle’s induction Mass.
Fr Jackie Corkery was recently made a Canon, and his Mass is on in Kanturk on Sunday. We are having some fun trying to sort out the arrangements for everyone,’ she joked.
Marie, who has an All Ireland junior medal from 1999 and an All Ireland senior B gong in ’06, will be roared on by one of her best supporters, Briege on Sunday.
‘I’m very proud of her, and her achievements. I suppose what I admire most about her is how she takes it all in her stride, she is a kind of a cut-loose-type-player.’
While Cork will be vying for double All Ireland successes – following on from their recent senior victory – Cats boss and Kilkenny legend Ann Downey will have other ideas, especially after Kilkenny’s defeat of a determined Galway side after a replay in the semi-final last month.
Her team is relatively young, but she says: ‘This is an excellent stepping stone for some of the girls to progress on to the senior team for next year.'
The 12-time All Ireland winner adds, ‘The two games in the semi-final against Galway were very tough. We showed great character to come back in the replay the way we did.
‘However, we can’t let ourselves fall six points behind Cork on Sunday. This is going to be a battle where we will have to win every position.’
The Black and Amber are backboned by players from their recent All Ireland triumphs in minor and U16.
KILKENNY squad to face Cork in the All Ireland Intermediate final at McDonagh Park, Nenagh, 2pm:
AM Lennon; L Phelan, E O’Shea, L Fennelly; S Long, C Dormer, AM Phelan; D Gaule, J Reddy; L Kavanagh, L Gahan, C Ryan; M Brennan, A Fahey, C Aylward.
