All-Ireland camogie final: Cork v Galway player-by-player guide
Cork's Libby Coppinger appears to be benefitting from concentrating on camogie while Aoife Donohue will be one of Galway's key players in the final. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Her importance as goalkeeper is clear to see, with her contribution going beyond being a shot-stopper. As was demonstrated in the Waterford championship game when she scored a wondrous goal after a one-two with Libby Coppinger that landed in the opposing square and bounced all the way to the net. With camogie constantly evolving, the green flag turned out to be decisive.
The loss of Izzy to an ACL injury in 2025 was a serious blow to Cork, not alone because of her versatility but she is considered to be one of her side’s more experienced players. Travelling that long road back required dedication, and slotting in at right corner-back in a position that was filled by the impregnable Pamela Mackey, she’s grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Was named the official Player of the Match in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Tipperary, her tactical awareness is one of her best traits and her reading of the game. It would appear having decided to play one code this year at inter-county level (played as a forward in football), while a difficult one, is something that she is benefiting from. Any injury setbacks she has put behind her.
Captain of the team for a second successive year, and as a leader she performs her duty with great focus. Was forced to sit out the first two rounds of the All-Ireland championship due to a calf injury, and this coming after an extended season with her club that also ended in All-Ireland heartbreak following a replay in January, was a blow. Her younger sister Órlaith is a threat up front.
First start for Ava in an All-Ireland senior final but she’s seen it all at club level, especially with Sars’ journeys through the Munster and All-Ireland championship in recent times. A minor two seasons ago, she is one of a cohort of players that claimed All-Ireland U23 honours earlier this year, and as it happens, that turned out to be a breakthrough moment for the senior squad.
Another of the Cork U23 successful group that brought that winning feeling with them. The retirement of Laura Treacy left big boots to fill, so in taking over that pivotal position, she has done an extremely good job. Credit to management and the potential they saw in trusting her with the number six jersey. She had a very good semi-final.
A first All-Ireland senior final appearance for the Éire Óg club woman, but she is not short on talent, nor is she short on pedigree. Hard work is part of the Sheehan and Dunlea DNA. She needed to be patient before tying down the wing-back position, and she is now the third cog in what is a totally new Rebel half-back line.
Unfortunately the midfielder has had a grueling season that has been affected by injury. A serious elbow injury sidelined her for over three months, and then this was followed by a hamstring tear she sustained in the days running up to the All-Ireland semi-final that required further rehab. Not the ideal preparation for the big day, but she’s lion-hearted and will want to play her part in an 11th senior final.
When they soldier together, Laura and Ashling form a really formidable midfield partnership. Relentless commitment and drive is what you will get from these two stalwarts. In part, while this is a new-look Cork team, Hayes has established herself as one of the finest and her reputation precedes her. She is someone you can always rely on. Received Player of the Year gong in 2024.
She leaves everything on the pitch, as epitomised not alone by her regular scoring returns but by her unyielding work-rate. One of the standout performers in the All-Ireland semi-final, it was her four points from open play in an electrifying first half that established the mood. Her running game is particularly effective, and she is ready and willing to exploit any space she can find.
Entrusted with leading the line of attack from centre-forward - but you could find her in any of the half-forward positions - where she brings an element of calmness and level-headedness. A very good long-distance free-taker as well, and these conversions are crucial and can go a long way in deciding tight matches. Shortlisted for senior Player of the Year for the third year in-a-row in 2025.
A mainstay throughout the championship, she is the third Cork player that will be lining out in her first All-Ireland senior final. A vital cog in the Cork U23 winning team, it is her endless drive and vitality that shines through, as was shown in the goal she nailed in the first half against Tipp in the semi-final. A confident 21-year-old.
One of Cork’s longest-serving players along with Ashling Thompson, she is no stranger to appearing in All-Ireland finals. As winning captain in 2023, she has already brought the O’Duffy Cup home, a year when her three-minute hat-trick still gets talked about. Hit by injury and missed the start of this year, but she is back to herself.
A Cork U23 All-Ireland medallist. She has pace and zip that keep most defenders on their toes. Another very good attribute is her team-play, always willing to look up and find a colleague if her route to goal is not clear. Well able to source a green flag of her own too. Will do all in her power to help sister Méabh get her hands on the silverware.
Her greatest asset is being able to shoot points from the most difficult of angles, which can be a real crowd-pleaser. Strong and physical, she won’t let anyone get the better of her easily. She has settled well into what is considered to be a strong inside line for Cork, although you could see her wander out the field as well, which underlines her ability to adapt to different situations and different tasks.
It’s not just from the starting 15 that Cork lost players, but their bench was also impacted with the likes of Kate Wall moving to Australia after the All-Ireland club final with St Finbarr’s.
While it was noticeable that management only used two subs in the All-Ireland semi-final - Órlaith Mullins and Hayley Ryan were brought on late in the second half - that probably has more to do with trusting the players on the field of play.
We saw what Aisling Egan can do in some of the earlier rounds. Ciara O’Sullivan is another who is capable of making an impact. And any of the U23s, who gave the squad so much of a lift following their success.
Last year’s minor captain Rachel Murphy is one to watch out for.
Ger Manley and his backroom turned the year around when it appeared to be going south, so getting back to the All-Ireland final following the departure of a number of key personnel speaks volumes for the work they’ve done. Having been involved with Matthew Twomey for a few years, this is Manley’s third term as manager, and that experience has been put to good use.
He has highlighted what Dónal O’Grady (analyst) brings to the table.
He has good men and women around him - Séan Crowley, James Nyhan, Gemma O’Connor (all coaches), John Hartnett (goalkeeping coach) and John Paul Ivers (S&C). Not to mention an extended team where Jennifer Mehigan (female liaison officer) and Marian McCarthy (county board liaison officer) make sure it all runs smoothly.
They’re all singing off the same hymn sheet. And they’ll need to be.
Has yet to be beaten in Championship 2026. So much of that clean sheet is her own doing. Denied Caoimhe Keher-Murtagh from close range in the semi-final. Produced superb saves to deny Orlaith Cahalane and Saoirse McCarthy on June 6. Cork have only twice bested her across last three championship meetings, and one of those was a Katrina Mackey throw.
Top of the class when the brief is to shadow and subdue a wrecking corner-forward. When Healy goes short, Hanniffy is her favoured outlet. Came out with an amount of ruck ball in semi-final. Marked Amy O’Connor in the 2024 final, Katrina Mackey last year. Presumption is she’ll pick up Orlaith Cahalane, having done so for June 6 opener.
She and Amy O’Connor danced together on the opening day of summer, but will Galway want a repeat of this match-up? O’Connor was prioritised to such an extent 12 months ago that the No.8-wearing AnnMarie Starr went back to track her. Black was superbly solid the same day. A two-time All-Star the opposition know is infuriatingly difficult to breach.
Along with Aoife Donohue, she is the harrying and hounding embodiment of Galway’s bullying work ethic. In your face from first whistle to last. Wears No.4 but the expectation is that we’ll again see her raise the temperature in the half-back line. Captained Athenry to All-Ireland club honours last January. All-Star recipient the last two seasons.
2022 All-Ireland intermediate winner. 2025 All-Ireland U23 winning captain. 2026 half-back line newcomer, albeit she’s spent plenty of summer at corner-back. While clocking a fine semi-final, her reference point this past fortnight will have been the Round 1 first-half against Cork where Sorcha McCartan scored 0-2 off her and won two converted frees off her.
Despite 2024 being her first summer as a starter, the 22-year-old has accelerated at such a rate that she has been camogie’s outstanding No.6 this year and last. Invaluable is her competency under the headings of game-intelligence, positioning, and reading of the play. 12 possessions in the first half of semi-final alone. Feasts on loose deliveries and breaking ball.
Another 2022 All-Ireland intermediate winner, 2025 All-Ireland U23 winner, and 2026 half-back newbie. Clubmate of Hickey, this familiarity has smoothed Porter's senior transition. Quietly and effectively gone about her business. Significant examination is approaching. If Cork put a forward on Hickey’s toes, could Porter wind up as the spare defender?
Galway have benefited immeasurably from her relocation from inside forward to midfield leader. Has steered the maroon title defence. Delivered the levelling and lead points late in League final win. Assisted 0-2 in All-Ireland semi-final, central in the creation of a third, won and converted penalty, as well as raising four white flags herself. Top-scorer with 1-15.
An injury-time sub in the last two deciders, this will be her first final start. Jennifer Hughes was initially favoured as Carrie’s midfield colleague, but a mid-season injury saw Hesnan promoted for championship. Being swarmed and turned over by two Cork players at the throw-in of their June 6 clash was an instant topflight welcome. Will again follow Saoirse McCarthy.
Her cruciate went two minutes into the 2025 championship. Her return was the 2026 championship opener against Cork. Into the wind, Sarah Healy repeatedly sought to find her to achieve retained possession. Caught three puck-outs clean. Must be more impactful than in semi-final. Failed to finish any of their four championship outings.
Thus far, a mightily impressive return from the cruciate injury that wrote off McPeake’s 2025. Her 2-9 positions her as Galway’s top-scorer from play. Player of the match recipient for round-robin victory over Waterford. Took Tipp for two goals a fortnight later. Anonymous in 2024 final, so will be determined to imprint herself in latest Galway-Cork decider.
The one player Galway need to surge. The one player Cork have to stop. Galway’s outstanding performer in ‘24 and ‘25 finals, the red shirt rouses the 33-year-old like no other. Tables suffocating intensity. Thrives on turnovers. Workload unmatched. Subbed off in two of their three round-robin outings, Donohue was unusually subdued in League final, championship opener, and semi-final.
A first All-Ireland final start. The sister of Evan and Aaron fell out of the first 15 towards the end of spring, as well as first two championship games. Promoted for Round 3 against Tipp. 0-2 in semi-final and assisted a third. Only one of first four semi-final deliveries into her stuck, significantly improved hold-up required on Sunday.
If any other player was coming into Sunday with just three and a half games under their belt for 2026, and finished only one of the three they started, there’d be a degree of concern. Not with O’Reilly. Not with her track record. Only had three possessions in semi-final second half, but 0-2 came off them. Astuteness personified.
Didn’t start the League final. Came off the bench to clip two points, including the clincher. Remained outside of the first 15 for opening two games of championship. First summer start was against Tipp, where she struck 1-4 from play. Added 0-3 against Kilkenny last time out. Similar tally required from the teenager here.
If Niamh Mallon doesn’t start, and there are strong suspicions from certain quarters that she will, the Down import then becomes Galway’s main bench asset. Sabina Rabbitte is a monumental loss. She was a relieving outlet 12 months ago where under-pressure defenders could just fire the sliotar in her general direction and know that she would hold up, if not hold onto possession. The bustling physicality of 2025 final goalscorer Mairéad Dillon means she is well suited to the expectant fare. Shannon Corcoran, who started the League final and opening two rounds of championship, is another inside forward option. Shauna Healy, who gave birth to her second child in April, could be called upon as defensive back-up, what would be her first involvement since last year's final.
Whether it was or wasn’t his motivation in returning for a ninth season, masterminding Galway’s first-ever O’Duffy Cup back-to-back would be Cathal Murray's crowning legacy. In light of the defensive and middle-third absentees, his success to date in 2026 has been stitching a team together of U23-winning newcomers, cruciate returnees, and coaxed-back experienced heads.
Proved on the eve of '25 final that he is capable of sizable calls. Dropped Emma Helebert in favour of Siobhan Gardiner, with the latter turning in a superb final showing. Depending on the well-being of Niamh Mallon’s shoulder, does he throw her in for a first start in nine weeks to again strengthen his final line-up?
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