Cork and Kilkenny square-off in the All-Ireland Camogie final this Sunday with the 'black and amber' looking to defend the title they won last year.
Aislinn Connolly and David Herity joined Friday's Off the Ball to preview the action and speaking to Ger Gilroy, Connolly believes the loss of Gemma O'Connor is a huge blow for the Rebels.
"It's a huge loss for Cork that Gemma isn't starting," she said, adding: "She is one of the best defenders ever to play the game. She's such a stalwart and she's so influential amongst the team as well - it's not just her actual hurling ability. It's her presence and her voice on the pitch so it's a huge loss and a huge blow to Cork.
"I think Ashling Thompson will pick up that position, number six but then that kind of leaves a hole in midfield. Rena Buckley will stay full-back where she has been all year so it is a big blow and then funnily enough the key position for Cork number six in Gemma is also the key position for Kilkenny with Ann Dalton playing like a deep sweeper system and who has been playing brilliant all year.
"So I think from Kilkenny's point of view they will relish the fact that Gemma isn't playing in the number six position and then Cork will have to nullify Kilkenny's number six because her defence is brilliant and once she gets the ball - she never gives a bad pass and her distribution into the forwards is so well placed all of the time.
"So, you would have said before going into the match that it's a battle of the two sixes but now with Gemma gone it's going to favour Kilkenny absolutely," she added.
The full preview, including a look back at the infamous 'handshake-gate' from last year's final is available here:
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