Dual sports star Áine Connery believes Kilkenny have come back stronger this season after their collapse in last year's All-Ireland Camogie final.
Kilkenny seemed set to claim a first All-Ireland since 1994 when they led Cork by six points in the second half of last year's decider.
But the Kilkenny challenge crumbled as Cork came roaring back to finish on top, winning by 2-12 to 1-09.
And now the sides are set to meet for the first time in the Championship since that encounter when they go head-to-head in the semi-final at Walsh Park on Sunday.
And forward Connery, who also represents Ireland at hockey, believes that Kilkenny are better for the lessons they learned in that disappointing All-Ireland final defeat.
"You always look to improve from game to game, regardless of the result, and the All-Ireland final last year was no different," said Connery.
"We saw afterwards things that we needed to be better at and I feel we have done that. As a squad we have paid special attention this year to things such as fitness and tactics and that has helped.
"Certainly it was a big disappointment for us to lose that day to Cork, particularly when we had been doing so well in the game and found ourselves in a strong position.
"However we gradually put it behind us and we have a new focus this year as we strive to go one better."
Kilkenny also have a new manager this year with Fintan Deegan being drafted in as the replacement for joint-bosses Graham Dillon and Niall Williams, who departed at the end of last term.
Deegan quickly found his feet with the Cats, guiding them to the last four of the Irish Daily Star National League ahead of the start of the Championship.
And Connery insists she has been impressed with the work he has done with Kilkenny, who won all four of their games in the group phase of the Championship by a staggering average of 24 points.
"The previous management left excellent foundations in place and Fintan has come in and built on them," said Connery.
"He has freshened things up, which is what you would expect with someone new in charge, and has taken us to a higher level.
"We are pleased with the progress we have made but we are now coming to the important part of the season in terms of the Championship. While we got maximum points from our group games, that counts for little at this stage.
"It is knock-out now and really we could hardly have asked for tougher semi-final opponents than Cork.
"They have a fine blend of experience and youth in their squad and they will certainly be determined to edge closer to retaining the All-Ireland, which will only make our task harder."
Cork or Kilkenny will take on the winners of the other semi-final, which will feature Galway and Wexford at Nowlan Park on Saturday, in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Championship final.
A victory for Kilkenny would give dual star Connery another crack at All-Ireland glory, which is her main ambition in camogie.
Earlier this year, she missed out on another of her sporting dreams as the Ireland women's hockey team went agonisingly close to claiming a spot at the Olympic Games.
They were denied automatic qualification when they lost to China in a quarter-final shoot-out at the World League before the US made sure their hopes were ended in the play-offs for fifth place.
And Connery admits it was a huge let-down to miss out on securing a passport to the Games.
She said: "Everyone involved with the side put a massive effort into trying to make the Olympics but unfortunately it was not to be.
"We did so well in the pool stages of the League and when it came to the quarter-finals we came up just short. It would have been a terrific achievement to get to the Olympics, given that it is quite rare that Ireland manage to do that.
"Personally, it would have been a massive highlight as it was the main reason why I tried to get into the squad in the first place.
"With the next chance to qualify not coming for another four years, I am not sure if I will still be involved.
"I will continue to play hockey for Hermes in Dublin but for the moment all of my concentration is on camogie with Kilkenny and trying to round off the Championship on a high."
