Galway's senior camogie team begin their All-Ireland title defence this Saturday against rivals Cork at Kenny Park.
Cathal Murray's side are back in action for the first time since their two-point Centra Camogie League Division 1A Final victory over Waterford in April. That win, in which captain Carrie Dolan starred, ended a run of two consecutive league final losses for the Tribeswomen.
Due to the change in format for this year's championship, which sees the 2025 semi-finalists making up Group 1, Galway find themselves grouped with Cork, Waterford, and Tipperary. They are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, but the top two will progress automatically to the semi-finals. Finishing in one of those spots will be item number one on the agenda for Murray and his team.
So, a rematch of last year's All-Ireland final kicks off the Tribeswomen's defence of the O'Duffy Cup. The Rebels will be eager to strike a blow after the 2025 loss, as well as falling to a six-point defeat in the league meeting between the two teams in March of this year. That 0-18 to 1-9 win for Galway in Kenny Park was the first game between the two sides since that All-Ireland final last summer.
Getting off to a winning start is crucial. Galway will want to continue the momentum gained from the end of their league campaign, and more importantly won't want to give their competitors any encouragement.
Throw-in at Kenny Park is 2pm this Saturday.
