Pipping Cork in the honour roll an extra incentive for Kerry

Kerry's progress in the last five seasons under the joint management of Declan Quill and Darragh Long has been clear.

In attendance during the captains day ahead of the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship Finals at Croke Park in Dublin is Kerry captain Niamh Carmody. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

When Kerry won their last All-Ireland ladies football title in 1993, a record 11th, they had precisely 11 more titles than Cork. Neighbourly rivalry? It simply didn't exist.

The problem for Kerry was that when Cork did finally start winning, they couldn't stop, collecting 11 titles themselves between 2005 and 2016. They had an opportunity in 2020 to push out in front for the first time ever, not just ahead of Kerry but in the national roll of honour.