Saoirse McCarthy and Laura Hayes directly scored or assisted half of Cork's semi-final total to reach this afternoon's All-Ireland senior camogie decider.
Cork's left wing is the most feared in the country with both players set to play a huge role as their team bid for a first three-in-a-row since 1972.
Hayes at left half-back, and McCarthy, ahead of her at left half-forward, shared 62 involvements over the 60 minutes of Cork's 1-21 to 1-11 win over Waterford two weeks ago. They were involved in most of the good things their team did - scoring, creating, breaking lines, carrying hard into space, passing long and short, battling for possession and tackling back.
Inspiring all around them from the left flank, even as Cork struggled in the first half, they alone scored or assisted 0-07 of 0-09.
Over the entire contest, they accounted for 0-12 in scores and direct assists - scoring eight points between them and with four more assisted - as well as one of them having an involvement in a further four points. In total, the left-wing duo were involved in 24 scoring chances as their team reached a fifth consecutive All-Ireland final.
The pair combined for Cork's very first point from play, with Hayes assisting her team-mate with a pass down the left wing. McCarthy took off on a trademark run, from just beyond halfway right through to the 21-metre line, before splitting the posts from a tight angle along the sideline.
Later in the half, they combined again, this time McCarthy fed Hayes who assisted Sorcha McCartan. Of Hayes' three assists and one point, McCarthy gave or received the final pass for half of them.
It was McCarthy, though, who was the star of the show. The Courcey Rovers club woman provided one of her best performances in the red jersey.
She finished up with seven points, four of which came from frees. All but one of her scores came from beyond 40 metres as she gave an exhibition of long-range shooting, both from frees and play.
In total, she scored seven of nine shots, with two efforts from play drifting just inches wide. She also provided two assists - both for her left corner-forward Katrina Mackey. McCarthy's seven points, two assists and two wides were crucial in an eventual 10-point victory.
In all, she was involved in 15 scoring chances, including an earlier pass in the sequence for two more points - one for McCartan and another for Mackey. She had a hand in another six chances which were missed, including a goal-opportunity she created after cutting out a poor puck-out.
The 25-year-old enjoyed 22 in-play possessions in the game - and was involved in a scoring chance with 68% of them, with a white flag being raised for seven of those.
Eleven of the 22 possessions saw the three-time All-Star open up, showcasing her top-end pace and balance to carry down the line or break it for her team.
Her three points from play were assisted by Hayes, midfield general Ashling Thompson - who also assisted Hayes' point via a give and go - and Murphy on the other side of the half-forward line.
Hayes enjoyed 23 possessions and while McCarthy only struck one ball from play on the right-hand side of the pitch - Hayes gave four passes down the other wing. Over half of her involvements came between her own 45 and 65, whereas McCarthy was most involved between her own 65 and the opposition 45.
Laura Hayes has also been superb for Cork
From a defensive view, Hayes also made five turnover tackles or interceptions - and fouled with three more attempts. Cork's number 12 made a strong turnover tackle which led to a good scoring chance, as both players battled hard for breaks and under puckouts throughout.
The excellent showing of the two 2024 Player of the Year nominees (won by Hayes) against Waterford brought their combined scoring total to 1-22 for the five games of the 2025 championship to date. With McCarthy scoring 1-18, including eight frees, she is the team's second top scorer and the championship's joint ninth. Hayes has 0-04.
Galway's Niamh Mallon will likely line up at right half-forward, coming in as her team's top scorer from play with 1-17 including 1-02 in their semi-final win over Tipperary and leaving Hayes and McCarthy with fitting opposition as they aim to make history.
A 31st title is on the line for Cork. If they can get the best out of their talented duo and dominate the left side of the field, they'll have a strong platform for victory in Croke Park.
Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship finals on Sunday from 12.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, including the senior final of Cork v Galway at 5.15pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
