FALCONER IN FULL FLIGHT

Vikki determined for Deise to have a better day against Cork than the 2023 decider...

- BY DARAGH Ó CONCHUIR

THE last time Vikki Falconer lined up to face Cork in the knockout stages of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie Championship, she had the All Star already in the bag and was a leading contender to be player of the year.

What's more, like teammate Niamh Rockett, she was a an hour away from what most believe would be a unique treble of winning senior, intermediate and premier junior All-Irelands.

Waterford's specialist marker won the first battle with Cork captain Amy O'Connor but crumpled to the turf after just three minutes when attempting a change of direction.

That was that.

O'Connor went on to score 3-7 from 10 shots, 3-2 from play, and the Rebels were 2023 All-Ireland champions.

That day left its mark obviously on Falconer, the ACL torn and a far from straightforward return ahead. The one sided nature of the game left its mark on Waterford too.

They have looked better this summer and the return of the Tramore defender is surely a factor, along with the gradual healing of the detritus of scar tissue scattered everywhere in the wake of that chastening day at Croke Park.