GRACE Murphy hopes Cork can build on their national league title success and begin their Munster LGFA SFC campaign with victory at home to Tipperary on Saturday evening.

The Rebels head into their Munster championship opener in the best possible shape having overcome Galway to lift the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 title.

Newcomer Grace Murphy from the Naomh Abán club played an integral role in Cork’s successful league campaign. Murphy hopes her county can build on their recent triumph.

‘We definitely enjoyed ourselves afterwards,’ Murphy told The Southern Star.

‘The positive atmosphere and stuff was great all week. We were conscious that we had championship in a week’s time though and that’s where our priorities lie right now.

‘Obviously, we’ve had a bit of a lull in regard to silverware these last couple of years.

So, winning the National League was good for Cork, as a team, and it’s good for the county as well.

‘It was great to give something back to all of those supporters and all the people who put so much time into Cork LGFA too.’

Cork’s Division 1 title success comes at an opportune moment.

Joe Carroll and his players head into their provincial championship off the back of a positive national league run.

Yet, Murphy is aware of the challenges that lay ahead over the coming weeks. Last year, having reached the Division 2 league decider, Cork lost their Munster opener at home to Kerry, rebounded to beat Tipperary in Fethard before losing 3-12 to 1-9 away to Waterford.

Missing out on last year’s Munster decider has focussed minds ahead of Saturday’s clash with Tipperary.

‘We would have been preparing and being as ready as we possibly could be, whether we won, lost or drew the national league final,’ Murphy admitted.

‘Missing out on last year’s Munster final is definitely going to be in the back of the girls’ minds. It is our choice whether we leave that drive us on or get a bit caught up by that.

‘Every single team is out there to win the Munster championship. There’s no team that wants to get beaten by any team, whether they’re Division 1 or Division 2.

‘So, I think everyone’s going to be striving to play their best on the day, no matter what the circumstances were this year or last year.’

Despite plying their trade a division below Cork in the league, Tipperary always give the Rebels a tough outing. Saturday night will be no different.

Murphy has played alongside some of Cork’s upcoming opponents in college but admits victory is essential to kickstarting the Rebels’ provincial campaign.

‘You never get an easy game from Tipp,’ the Naomh Abán and Cork forward stated.

‘We know a couple of the Tipp girls well because we played on the UCC team with them this year. They’re a quality team.

‘We’re going to prepare like we would any other opponent. Hopefully, it’ll be a very good match. We’re lucky to have a home advantage for our first Munster championship game at Páirc Uí Rinn.

‘It would be nice to settle into it with a win. We will be preparing our usual way and, hopefully, going into the game calm and collected.’

Murphy has played an integral role, most often in the centre-forward position, during her first year representing Cork at senior level.

Having Naomh Abán team mates Rosie Corkery and Lydia McDonagh training and playing alongside her has helped the transition from club to inter-county.

‘It’s just super having the Naomh Abán girls there,’ Murphy added.

‘It was nice to have a few familiar faces as this is my first year in with the Cork seniors. Lydia is studying in Mary I at the moment and Rosie is a full-time dentist. They are both preoccupied off the pitch but it’s great to have them in with Cork and that helps with the team spirit.

‘It is super for Naomh Abán as well. I think it is great for the club to see that all the hard work and commitment being put into us as players is paying off.

‘I am so, so lucky with the Cork management and team that we have. They trusted me a lot, I think, putting me in centre forward in my first year. They have been super to build up my confidence.

‘As for the Cork players, I’m lucky that we have such great leadership out on the pitch.

There’s experienced players and girls closer in age to me as well.

‘So, they’re proving it doesn’t matter what age you are or how much experience you have. We are all the one team on the pitch. Everyone’s there to support each other and drive each other on. I’m very lucky to have that kind of setup with Cork.’