By Paul O'Neill
Joanne O'Callaghan says Cork are bracing themselves for their biggest challenge of the season when they tackle Kilkenny in the All-Ireland camogie final.
Cork have advanced to today's decider (4pm, live on RTÉ Two) despite suffering a defeat to Wexford in the group phase of the Liberty Insurance Championship and also needing a replay to see off the same opposition when they met in the last four.
On the other hand, Kilkenny boast an impressive 100 per cent record in the Championship and have racked up a total of 16-78 in their five games to date.
Defender O'Callaghan admits Kilkenny’s form underlines just how difficult it promises to be for Cork if they are to come out on top in the showdown with the reigning National League champions at Croke Park.
O'Callaghan said: "For me, Kilkenny are quite similar to the county's senior hurling side in that they can run up big scores almost at will.
"They seem to find it easy to get goals and points and that shows just how talented they are - especially up front. Their defence is quite solid too with little given away and you really have to earn any scores you get against them.
"As a team, they have been playing with great confidence this year and if we are to get the right result then we are going to have to be at our best from the throw-in to the final whistle."
And she continued: "The last time we played Kilkenny was in last season's All-Ireland semi-finals when they beat us by one point but it was a game that could have gone either way.
"For sure it was disappointing to lose because it was the last step to the final but I do not think what happened then will be on our minds going into this game.
"It will not be a case of us looking for revenge. We will just want to win as it is the final and the biggest game of the season."
When the final comes around, it will have been just 15 days since Cork defeated Wexford in their semi-final replay.
Kilkenny will have had six extra days to prepare for the showdown and O'Callaghan insists Cork have had to move quickly to get ready for the showpiece encounter.
"The build-up to the final has been a bit of a rush for us because the gap between it and our last game is short enough," declared O'Callaghan.
"It will not be a case of us looking for revenge. We will just want to win as it is the final and the biggest game of the season."
"Generally in the past we have had about four weeks between the semi-final and final so it has been that bit tougher this time. With the replay being required we had Wexford in our thoughts for three weeks and then we had to quickly turn our attention to Kilkenny.
"But despite the fact it has been a bit hectic, we cannot complain because many other sides would gladly swap places with us.
"I know some people have been wondering if having the extra game against Wexford might be a help or a hindrance to us but, to be honest, I do not think it will make much difference.
"You could argue that it might help us to sharpen up or perhaps leave us a bit weary but really it has not mattered - except, as I said, it has left us to cram things before the final."
O'Callaghan is still chasing a sixth All-Ireland medal - three years after coming out of inter-county retirement to play again for Cork.
After quitting the Rebel County squad following the 2010 Championship campaign, she was talked into returning two years later by boss Paudie Murray - although initially she planned to come back for only one season.
She recalled: "When I opted out, I missed not playing because being involved with Cork had been such a big part of my life for so long.
"Then Paudie took over three years ago and he spoke to me about possibly playing again. I knew him from when he was in charge of my club Cloughduv and he thought that I still had something to offer the county.
"I said I would give it a go but the idea was to do it for just the one year. Now I am into my third back but I am still enjoying it.
"Getting to the All-Ireland final makes the effort put in through the season worthwhile to a certain extent but collecting another medal would truly make it worthwhile. I am lucky to have won five but one of the reasons I came back was to try and win more.
"When I re-joined the squad I felt we were capable of reclaiming the All-Ireland and I still believe that now."
Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Final
Cork v Kilkenny 4pm
Liberty Insurance Intermediate Camogie Championship Final
Kilkenny v Limerick (Croke Park, 2pm
Liberty Insurance Premier Junior Camogie Championship Final
Down v Laois (Croke Park 12pm)
