Laura Hayes relishing Rebels' deciding clash with Galway

Cork's Laura Hayes is relishing a third meeting of the year with Galway in this Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Camogie final at Croke Park.

The Rebels are seeking to retain their crown and will be hard to stop after a resounding semi-final win against Dublin in UPMC Nowlan Park.

The Tribeswomen saw off Tipperary by a single point to reach the decider, gaining revenge for the Premier County beating them by the same amount in the league final earlier this year.

The counties have had many battles in recent years and have each taken a victory so far this season.

Hayes is predicting the game to be an enjoyable final for neutrals: "Galway and ourselves have been definitely big rivals the whole way back. We always love playing each other.

"It's always a really tough game, very competitive and free-flowing which are the best games players want to play.

"Coming into the final there is a lot to be answered so we will see who comes out on top.

"We have played Galway twice this year in league and championship. They beat us in league and we beat them in championship. It's definitely level pegging and this one is winner takes all."

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Cork this year after a slow start to the season.

Like many great sides, they have timed their campaign right to peak in the latter stages.

Hayes is pleased that they have left their best until last.

"During the league we probably weren't going too well," she admitted.

"We wouldn't have been happy at the standard we were playing at. We didn't get out of the group into the final so there was definitely a lot of work to be done.

"But I think we had a good run in the Munster Championship and that set us up for championship. Since then I've felt we've been going quite well, building on every