Just seven days after the Kilkenny hurlers fell short in their three-in-a-row bid, the county’s camogie team will be aiming to deny Cork a similar feat in Croke Park.
The Rebelettes are favourites to land a third title in succession for the first time since the early 1970s, while Kilkenny hope to end a 22-year drought at this level.
The Cats lost finals in 2013 and 2014, to Galway and Cork respectively. They’ve been beaten in each of their last six All-Ireland finals and not since current manager Ann Downey was skipper back in 1994 have they lifted the O’Duffy Cup.
Both sides enjoyed battling semi-final victories, with Kilkenny emerging as 3-15 to 1-19 extra-time winners over Galway, while Cork edged out Wexford by 0-19 to 0-15.
It promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
Throw-in 4pm. Live on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player.
Here’s how the teams will line up.
Some pre-game handbags!
We’re almost set to go. Who do you fancy to win it?
2 mins – Cork 0-0 Kilkenny 0-1
Meighan Farrell clips over a nice score to give the Cats an early lead.
3 mins – Cork 0-0 Kilkenny 0-2
Denise Gaul doubles the Kilkenny lead with a free. She’s very accurate from placed balls.
4 mins – Cork 0-1 Kilkenny 0-2
Orla Cotter with that very distinctive style sends over a free for Cork.
6 mins – Cork 0-1 Kilkenny 0-3
Julie Ann Malone swivels and splits the posts. Excellent score.
7 mins – Cork 0-2 Kilkenny 0-3
Cotter opens her account from play. It’s tit-for-tat so far.
CHANCE! Michaelle Quilty sends a glorious goal chance inches wide after a long delivery bounced into her path. Big opportunity missed.
11 mins – Cork 0-4 Kilkenny 0-3
The Rebelettes are starting to find their groove. Eimear O’Sullivan sends them a point in front.
13 mins – Cork 0-4 Kilkenny 0-5
Malone’s second point puts the Cats back in front.
Here’s another look at Quilty’s goal chance minutes earlier:
17 mins – Cork 0-4 Kilkenny 0-6
Gaule’s third score moves Kilkenny two in front.
18 mins – Cork 0-4 Kilkenny 0-7
Another free from Gaule. Her free-taking has been flawless so far.
22 mins – Cork 0-5 Kilkenny 0-7
Leading by example, Cork skipper Ashling Thompson puts over a score from distance. That’s their first score in 11 minutes.
PENALTY FOR CORK! Fantastic catch and run by Hannah Looney. She was dragged to the ground as she bore down on goal.
26 mins – Cork 0-6 Kilkenny 0-7
Goalkeeper Aoife Murray’s powerful penalty is deflected over the bar by Ann Dalton.
27 mins – Cork 0-6 Kilkenny 0-8
Gaule lands over another free.
Half-time: Cork 0-6 Kilkenny 0-8
Kilkenny lead after a low-scoring first-half.
We’re back underway for the second-half. Can Cork turn this around?
35 mins - Cork 0-6 Kilkenny 0-9
Malone wins an extremely soft free and Gaule converts.
Another Cotter free drops short. Her radar hasn’t been that precise so far today.
37 mins - Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 0-9
Amy O’Connor sets up Looney for an important score. You sense a goal would be a real game-changer here.
39 mins - Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 0-10
Another Gaule free leaves three between them again. She’s got seven points now.
40 mins - Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 0-11
Wonderful long range score from Anna Farrell. Kilkenny lead by four and it’s no more than they deserve.
GOAL! Shelly Farrell finds the net for Kilkenny!
42 mins - Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 1-11
The Cats are really in control now. They lead by seven and are growing in confidence all over the field. What a finish that was by Farrell.
43 mins - Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 1-12
Beauty of a score from way out the field by Katie Power. Cotter sends a free wide at the far end.
45 mins - Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 1-13
Malone fires over from a tight angle for her third score.
Michael Fennelly enjoyed that goal from Shelly Farrell, who is a sister of Kilkenny hurling forward Jonjo.
RED CARD! Cork’s Gemma O’Connor is sent-off for a second yellow. Huge blow to the Rebelettes.
57 mins - Cork 0-9 Kilkenny 1-13
Still a substantial gap between the teams. Cork have only scored 0-3 in the second-half. It’s goals they need at this late stage.
SAVE! Kilkenny stopper Emma Kavanagh saved really well from Eimear O’Sullivan’s strike on goal!
62 mins - Cork 1-9 Kilkenny 1-13
GOAL! Orla Cotter strikes a lifeline for Cork with a rasper from a 21m free.
Full-time: Kilkenny 1-13 Cork 1-9
It’s all over! Kilkenny are All-Ireland senior camogie champions!
For the first time since 1994 Kilkenny are the champions. What a year it’s been for them. League and All-Ireland champions in 2016. They thoroughly deserved to win the game today.
Thanks for joining us.
