O'Donnell's sights firmly on Cork
Armagh captain Bronagh O'Donnell could be forgiven for feeling drained - the fall-out from the controversial semi-final win over Galway took much of the shine off the Orchard county's qualification for their first ever All-Ireland Ladies SFC final.
However, this Armagh side, the reigning Junior champions, are supremely focused and write themselves into the history books on Sunday by becoming the first county to win the Junior and Senior championships back-to-back.
Having collected their first Ulster crown, beating Monaghan in the decider, O'Donnell's charges saw off Waterford before edging 2004 All-Ireland winners Galway in a drama-filled tussle at Hyde Park on September 9.
Armagh emerged as 1-13 to 1-12 victors but only after Galway substitute Barbara Hannon had had a legitimate point ruled wide and Sharon Duncan had slotted over a last-gasp free at the other end.
The Galway Ladies Football Board had their appeal against the result rejected by the Ladies Football Association's Central Council, just 13 days ago.
Centre back O'Donnell explained: "The week after the Galway game really drained us, we didn’t know where we stood, there were meetings here and there.
"We were made look like cheats although we didn't do anything wrong - we played by the referee's whistle. The papers were saying different things and we did not know if we were to prepare for the final or had we to play Galway again. It certainly took away from our win, which was a pity because it was a great game.
"We have put it behind us now and are now setting our sights on Cork."
Armagh's ability to take each game as it comes this season and peak at just the right time has stood them in good stead.
"Being realistic, our goal at the beginning of the year was to remain in Division One of the league - we did that and then we set ourselves up to give Ulster a crack and we won that. We took each game as it came, beating Waterford and then Galway, and now we find ourselves in the final," O'Donnell said.
It will be a real family affair this Sunday for the Crossmaglen ace, who is an audiologist by profession and who will not be overawed by the reigning champions Cork - "they are just normal girls like us".
O'Donnell's twin sister Alma plays in midfield for Armagh.
She added: "It is great to Alma alongside me. It has been that case all the time, I suppose, from underage up to club and county level. We have always been together.
"At times I hear her shouts more so than the rest of the players, but it does make it extra special and we can talk about different things from different games afterwards."
Winning a senior All-Ireland final would certainly be a talking point.
