“Tipperary are the form team and it’s going to be a massive battle in two weeks’ time but it’s lovely to be there and lovely to be going to Croke Park.”

Carrie Dolan was unerring with her shooting, providing ten points as Galway defeated Cork by 0-14 to 0-9 at Duggan Park in what was essentially a straight shootout a place in the Very National League Division 1A final against Tipperary at Croke Park on April 14.

It is the westerners’ fifth consecutive appearance in the final and they are looking to join elite company by bagging a third crown on the trot as well as a fourth in five renewals.

“It’s a similar situation to last year, we got beaten by Tipp but this team has great grit and great determination and we’re back in the same position as last year and we’ll be going to try win another League final,” said Dolan after being named Very Player of the Match.

“Tipp are a great team but we’ll be looking to do a bit better than we did the last time we played them.”

Niamh Kilkenny, the former player of the year who sat out last season after giving birth to her son, was introduced to a large cheer for her first Gaway appearance since the 2022 All-Ireland semi-final, and it certainly was an experienced and effective midfield unit the Maroons finished with, as Kilkenny was joining the excellent Ann Marie Starr.

It was the character of the players that stood out for manager, Cathal Murray, however.

“They’ve shown that in the last three games, against Kilkenny, in the second half against Waterford – we were under pressure against the gale – and again today, that game had to be dug out. We really had to work hard for it.

“Our scoring efficiency was 80% in the second half. We really took our chances. We were probably in situations in the first half and didn’t take the chance to shoot but I’m really happy with them. It was a real tough game and that’s always going to be the way against Cork. They’re brilliant All-Ireland champions. It’s good to get the win and it’s nice to be in a League final.

“We know we’re up against it with Tipperary. We went down to The Ragg last year and got bet by nine points and we went down again this year and got bet by three and were really lucky to be only bet by three because they got Róisín Howard sent off in the second half.

“So, we’re up against it. Tipperary are the form team and it’s going to be a massive battle in two weeks’ time but it’s lovely to be there and lovely to be going to Croke Park.