'Live your dreams and your dreams come true', isn't that what they say?

Well every Camogie player dreams of playing in Croke Park at some stage in their career but it's the privileged few who actually do.

For the Down Camogs, the dream is about to become reality!

This Sunday (19th) Down play Cork in the All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship Final (throw-in 1pm), and of all the years to reach an All-Ireland Final, 2004 is the year to be in Croke Park at the culmination of the Camogie Association's Centenary celebrations.

The Mourne County's All-Ireland final appearance marks the return of the Red and Black. Over the last few years, the County has seen its fortunes dip after having being one of the top teams in the Country right throughout the 1990's.

Down's reversal in fortunes this season has taken some by surprise but their convincing victories over Armagh and Derry in the Ulster Championship have made others sit up and take note. Both of the aforementioned counties fancied their chances of reaching Croke Park this year but both were left stunned at the manner of Down's victories.

However, team Manager Bernie McNally knows that Down's appearance in the All-Ireland Final is just reward for all the hard work the players have put in not just this season, but last season too. "Looking back I suppose last year was a year of discovery for Down. Players and Management were only really getting to know each other and realistically, it was this years Championship that would be make or break for the team. I knew after last year that the potential to get to Croke Park was definitely there, and I believe the players knew it too.

Probably the defining moment for the team was the defeat to Kildare in the National League this year. It was a game we could and should have won. We all knew that but the result really galvanised the whole team...it was a defeat that made the team stronger."

On their way to Croke Park Down stunned Armagh in the first round of the Ulster Championship with a display of Camogie some have since described ‘as the best any Ulster team have played in years.’ A comprehensive win against Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final was complimented with a hard-fought but convincing win over Derry in the final – the County many had tipped to actually win the All-Ireland outright. In the All-Ireland semi-final against Roscommon Down didn’t have to move out of second gear to overcome the Connacht Champions to set up a date with Cork this Sunday.

With only Cork standing between Down and the All-Ireland title, Bernie McNally knows it will be a tough assignment for the Mourne County. “It will definitely be a tough one. But then again it will be just as tough for them. Both Counties have had hard campaigns to get this far but it we play the way we have done in the Championship thus far we definitely have the potential to win it, there is no doubt about that. We’ve been playing some great Camogie and the players have been hurling with confidence and belief in their own ability which is crucial for any team.”

Cork have been installed as the bookies favourites by virtue of a tougher semi-final win over Wexford, but according to McNally that suites Down fine. “There’s nothing unusual about an Ulster team being the underdogs when it comes to playing the likes of Cork. That’s par for the course so to speak and we certainly won’t be entering the game in fear of them, we’ll give them the same respect we afford to any of our opponents.”

So can Down win? “Yes, without doubt. Down has a proud tradition in All-Ireland Finals and we intend to carry that tradition on.”

Down team to play Cork

1.Teresa McGowan (O'Donovan Rossa)

4. Clare McGovern (Liatroim Fontenoys) 3. Moya Maginn (Clonduff) 2. Anne Morgan (Liatroim Fontenoys)

7. Deborah Kelland (Ballyholland) 6. Pauline Green (Drumaness) 5. Karen Murray (Portaferry)

9. Lisa McCrickard (Liatroim Fontenoys) 8. Jennifer Braniff (Ballycran)

12. Fiona Duff (Portaferry) 11. Mairin McAleenan (Liatroim Fontenoys)10. Catherine McGourty (Ballycran)

15. Fionnuala Carr (Clonduff) 14. Cathy Mulholland (Ballyholland) 13. Karen Gribben (Clonduff)

16. Orla Maginn (Clonduff) 17. Mary McPolin (Clonduff) 18. Ciara McCarthy (Ballycran) 19. Brenda Gallagher (Liatroim Fontenoys) 20. Angeline Fearon (Attical) 21. Mary Gilmore (Ballycran), 22. Katrina Fegan (Warrenpoint), 23. Colleen Grant (Kilcoo), 24. Pauline Trainor (Longstone)

Cork junior camogie team for All-Ireland final against Down.

1. Ellen Clifford (St. Finbarr's)
2. Gearóidín Kearney (Fr. O'Neill's)
3. Elaine O'Riordan (Milford)
4. Niamh Goulding (Glen Rovers)
5. Jennifer Browne (Ballygarvan)
6. Amanda O'Regan (Douglas)
7. Mairéad Holland (Ballinhassig)
8. Valerie O'Sullivan (Fr. O'Neill's)
9. Valerie O'Keeffe (Kilbrittain-Timoleague)-captain
10. Marie O'Connell (Inniscarra)
11. Sarah O'Donovan (Ballygarvan)
12. Elizabeth Bugler (Valley Rovers)
13. Eimear O'Farrell (Sarsfields)
14. Miriam Deasy (Kilbrittain-Timoleague)
15. Marian Jagoe (Tracton)
16. Gillian Harrington (Valley Rovers)
17. Michelle Hegarty (Glen Rovers)
18. Janice Duffy (St. Finbarr's)
19. Kim Hickey (Newtownshandrum)
20. Geraldine Collins (Barryroe)
21. Mary Coleman (Ballyhea)
22. Lucy Hawkes (Valley Rovers)
23. Mary Buckley (Aghabullogue)
24. Hazel O'Regan (Clonakilty)