Cork might be without a large part of last season's All-Ireland Camogie Championship-winning team but Orla Cotter believes they have what it takes to mount another strong title challenge this year.
On Saturday Cork will begin their Liberty Insurance All-Ireland campaign with a game against Galway.
But the Cork side that lines out in the Group 1 encounter at Tullamore will look quite different to the one which started the 2014 decider against Kilkenny, with one-third of that team absent.
Anna Geary, Joanne O'Callaghan and Jennifer O'Leary have all retired while Angela Walsh and Julia White are unavailable, although White is expected to be in a position to return later in the Championship.
Cork manager Paudie Murray has been busy rebuilding for the Championship and forward Cotter is happy the Rebel County are ready to fight to hold on to the All-Ireland.
Cotter said: "Certainly there have been quite a few changes to the squad with players coming and going but I feel we are well equipped for the Championship.
"I know we have lost quite an amount of experience with the players who are not around from last year but many of those who have stepped up to the starting 15 have been around at this level for a while now.
"They understand what is required of them and they did very well during the recent National League.
"The good thing about the Championship is that it starts with the group stage and we are guaranteed four games. It takes a bit of pressure off players who might not have played much in the Championship before as they have time to settle.
"Even if things do not go well in the opening game there are other fixtures to make sure we do enough to get into the knockout phase."
Cork's first outing in the Championship will give them the chance to avenge the defeat to Galway in the Irish Daily Star National League final last month.
In that game, Cork were slow to start and found themselves 11 points adrift at the end of a first half where little went wrong for Galway. After the break Cork rallied as Galway eased off and there were three points between the rivals at the final whistle.
"Galway are so fit, strong and talented that we know if we are not at our best then we will surely struggle" - Orla Cotter
But All-Star Cotter is hopeful Cork will turn in a much-improved display when the re-match goes ahead.
"We began poorly in the League final and, before we knew it, the game was as good as over," recalled Cotter. "For whatever reason, we were not tuned in from the throw-in whereas Galway were and they got well on top.
"In the second half we showed a big improvement and were able to restore some pride – even if we did not manage to catch Galway in the end.
"That game gave us plenty to work on for the Championship and it is fingers crossed we will be on our game from the start.
"Galway are so fit, strong and talented that we know if we are not at our best then we will surely struggle.
"Even though it promises to be a big game to begin with, it will be a good one for us as it will give us a proper idea of where we stand for the rest of the competition."
This will be the first time in six years that Cork will be going into the Championship as the reigning champions. In their last attempt to retain the O'Duffy Cup they came up short, going down to Galway in the last four.
However, Cotter is not thinking much for the moment about possibly retaining the biggest prize in the game.
Cotter declared: "The fact we are the holders does not count for much now.
"We won the All-Ireland last year and this will be a brand new campaign. If anything, being the champions will make it that bit harder for us because opponents will raise their game against us.
"Having said that, we have generally coped well with the extra attention this year.
"While it would be special to successfully defend the All-Ireland, really it is not something we are considering at this stage of the season.
"Our immediate aim is to try and beat Galway and, looking a little further, do enough to get out of what is quite a competitive group with Limerick, Offaly and Wexford also in with us."
SATURDAY 20 JUNE
All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship Round 1, Group 1:
Cork v Galway, Tullamore, 3pm
Limerick v Offaly, Newcastlewest, 2.30pm
All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship Round 1, Group 2:
Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 2.30pm
Ulster Ladies Football Senior Championship quarter-finals:
Cavan v Tyrone, Enniskillen, 1pm
Donegal v Down, Enniskillen, 3pm
SUNDAY 21 JUNE
Leinster Ladies Football Senior Championship first round:
Meath v Laois, Walterstown, 3pm
