Galway's back-to-back aim can come to fruition 

2025: Aoife Donohue of Galway in action against Cork players, from left, Laura Treacy, Ashling Thompson, Aoife Healy and Sorcha McCartan. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Galway are forewarned not by the comprehensive beating at home to Cork on the opening day of the championship but by the piercing hurt that demonically drove them in last year’s final. The champions know the shoe is firmly on the other foot this time around.

Where Cork were surprisingly rattled by Galway’s on-the-edge savagery 12 months ago, an approach complimented by the artistry of Donohue, O’Reilly, Mallon, and Dolan, the Tribeswomen must be ready for what wounded Cork come with.