Cork's Laura Hayes is relishing a third meeting of the year with Galway in this Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Camogie final at Croke Park.
The Rebels are seeking to retain their crown and will be hard to stop after a resounding semi-final win against Dublin in UPMC Nowlan Park.
The Tribeswomen saw off Tipperary by a single point to reach the decider, gaining revenge for the Premier County beating them by the same amount in the league final earlier this year.
The counties have had many battles in recent years and have each taken a victory so far this season.
Hayes is predicting the game to be an enjoyable final for neutrals: "Galway and ourselves have been definitely big rivals the whole way back. We always love playing each other.
"It's always a really tough game, very competitive and free-flowing which are the best games players want to play.
"Coming into the final there is a lot to be answered so we will see who comes out on top.
"We have played Galway twice this year in league and championship. They beat us in league and we beat them in championship. It's definitely level pegging and this one is winner takes all."
It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Cork this year after a slow start to the season.
Like many great sides, they have timed their campaign right to peak in the latter stages.
Hayes is pleased that they have left their best until last.
"During the league we probably weren't going too well," she admitted.
"We wouldn't have been happy at the standard we were playing at. We didn't get out of the group into the final so there was definitely a lot of work to be done.
"But I think we had a good run in the Munster Championship and that set us up for championship. Since then I've felt we've been going quite well, building on every game.
"There is definitely lots to improve on. We got opened up a small bit against Dublin at times so lots to work on going into the final at the same time."
The Rebels will be fancied to emerge victorious on the day
One of the most impressive factors in reaching Croke Park was utilising their substitutes when the result was secured against Dublin.
The Cork subs scored 1-04 from play, including two points from Clodagh Finn and Sorcha McCartan.
Hayes believes that shows how much the panel has developed over time.
"A lot of our team are very strong. Probably our key thing at the moment is our bench. The people coming off the bench are very strong and they probably have a lot of impact.
"We rely a lot on them because when they come on they give us a big boost.
"Training is very competitive so you don't know which XV will be starting or who will be the five coming off the bench. I think that's a testament to the strenght of the panel in general."
Cork are seeking a third title this decade and a 30th in all.
They have been in every final in the last four years, including losing to Galway in 2021.
Despite the familiarity, the occasion does not lose its gloss for one of Cork’s stars.
"The final is probably the thing you dream about as a child," Hayes explained.
"It's definitely something you want every year and when you come to training this week you count yourself lucky that we are the ones running out in Croke Park.
"Although there will be a bit of nerves it's real excitement and goosebumps and it's a moment you'll remember forever.
"We're just taking it game by game. The thing we are saying is we're playing in the moment and every moment counts. We're not thinking about a result or anything passed the first ball."
Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship finals, Laois v Tipperary in junior at 1pm, Cork v Kilkenny in intermediate at 3pm and Cork v Galway in senior at 5.15pm. All games on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
