Cork are in a similar boat to Armagh, having not played a competitive game since the TG4 Munster final victory over Kerry last month.

But any hopes that potential pretenders to their All-Ireland crown harboured about a drop in standards were blown away emphatically as Cork put 6-14 past the Kingdom in the provincial decider.

Goalkeeper Elaine Harte and former midfielder Juliet Murphy may have slipped into retirement but Cork's conveyor belt shows no signs of slowing down. The Rebelettes are aiming to lift the Brendan Martin Cup for the ninth time in ten seasons but Mayo will prove a tough nut to crack.

The Westerners stuttered past Westmeath last weekend but Cora Staunton was in superb scoring form again, registering 2-6 and the winning free to get her side over the line.

Cracking tie

Sarah Rowe

was excellent too and Mayo have plenty of experience in the form of Staunton, Fiona McHale,

Helena Lohan

, goalkeeper

Yvonne Byrne

and

Martha Carter

.

A cracking tie is in store and last weekend's game should bring Mayo on a lot but Cork, who are almost five weeks without a competitive game, proved last year that you cannot back against them in knockout games. Verdict: Cork