Dublin face huge task facing Cork, the All-Ireland champions, in their own back garden on Saturday

“I think I missed nearly every free I took,” she laughed.

In Croke Park the next day, she scored a second half hat-trick of goals in three minutes. And 3-7 in total (0-5 frees).

There were over 30,000 at the game. A record for the camogie final.

Waterford were in their first All-Ireland final since 1945. They had captured the imagination.

But Cork clinically cut through all the hype to put the red ribbons on the Cup.

It was their 29th title. Putting them three ahead of Dublin on the Roll of Honour.

Matthew Twomey led them home. It was their first O’Duffy Cup since 2018. They had lost the finals of 2021 (to Galway) and 2022 (to Kilkenny).

Ger Manley is now the manager. They’ll welcome Dublin to the state-of-the-art SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

Cork have already secured a place in the knock-out stages. Dublin’s win last week against Wexford has seen them travel a good bit down the river.

Dublin will conclude the pool stage with a trip to Down on Saturday, June 29.

“It was a really good performance against Wexford in Parnell Park,” relates Dublin defender, Emma O’Byrne of Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels.

“I think that since the Leinster Championship, we have been on an upward curve, and it’s nice to see it all coming together.

“Things are really positive at the minute, and we are having a solid campaign.

“Even looking back at our first championship game at home to Galway. We lost it, but there wasn’t much in it. We played well. We certainly matched them, and we had our chances.

“Not so long ago, when we’d be facing a team like Galway, we’d have been written off.”

Galway won by a goal. They were relieved to hear the final whistle.

The following week, Dublin hosted Clare at St Peregrine’s and delivered an excellent display. Striking a cluster of porcelain points.

“It was encouraging that we were able to bounce back straight away from the Galway loss and play so well against Clare,” notes Emma.

Dublin will now hope to carry on from where they left off against Wexford.

That was seen by many as the black-ball game in the group to see who emerges to earn a spot in the last eight.

Cork are top of Group 2 with three wins from three. They overcame Clare last week in Cusack Park, with Amy O’Connor scoring 1-5.

“From our point of view, it’s all about building on what we have been doing,” remarks Emma.

“I think our mindset has changed when it comes to meeting top sides like Kilkenny, Galway and Cork.”

In the Leinster final against Kilkenny in Tulllamore, the Dubs also had much to be proud of. In the end, Kilkenny won by five points.

“It’s about having more belief in our ability. And having that confidence that we can compete against these teams.”

The Very Division 1B League success has increased the optimism in the capital.

That final against Wexford in Carlow was balanced on a shoe-string. For Dublin to lift the silver was such a boost. Especially after all the years without any reward.

It instilled more resilience in the timber. That was proven in Donnycarney when Wexford scored a very early goal, and were looking strong. With the splendid Slaney centre half-back, Sarah O’Connor, in a commanding mood.

Dublin gradually worked their way into the match and, eventually, they pulled away. Scoring four goals in the process. From Elyse Jamieson Murphy, Emma Flanagan, Grace O’Shea and Aisling Gannon.

Dublin’s level of fitness was impressive. They finished the game with the same gusto as they had started it.

“There’s good strength-in-depth in the squad,” declares Emma. “And the players that have come on in games deserve so much credit.

“They are just doing as good a job as those that were picked in the first 15, so that’s a favourable position to be in.

“We have had our share of injury problems. We lost Aisling O’Neill in the Galway game, but we haven’t let the injuries disturb our focus. We have just got on with things.”

Emma commends the support that turned up in Parnell Park and at St Peregrine’s for the team’s opening three matches.

“It makes such a difference. To hear them cheering you on gives us all such a lift. And it’s true what they say – it’s like having a 16th player on the pitch.”

Facing Cork, the All-Ireland champions, in their own back garden, is quite the task.

Yet the Dubs, like Bruce Springsteen on the banks of his own lovely Lee, are determined to produce another worthy showing.