Valerie Mulcahy told Off The Ball's SuperValu roadshow that she has found the facilities available to certain Dublin clubs better than those at county level with Cork.
As a former footballer with ten All Ireland titles, there are few better-placed to preview Cork's meeting with Dublin this Sunday.
Cork-Dublin
"I was a manager and playing with Ballyboden-St Enda's there; seeing the setup that the clubs have, with the numbers that the clubs but also the setup.
"The girls have years of gym experience - they are matching the Cork inter-county players for their preparation. We had a nutritionist and a sports psychologist; no stone goes unturned."
Would the same situation not be expected at county level, for one as storied as Cork?
"No, and there isn't as much of a link in with the male clubs. At Ballyboden, they have the backing of the lads and the use of the same facilities.
"What really struck me was the girls' form and technique in the gym, these club girls had really been at it for a few years. I had to go off and source that for myself with my cousin in a gym in Cork."
Physicality
Is there a significant gap in fitness between Cork and Dublin, and could this have an effect on Sunday?
"I think they probably have a few years' gym experience [on Cork] but Cork have more footballers, with a natural kicking style. But, as I learned early on in my career, unless you can win the ball and are physically fit, it doesn't matter what you can do with it.
"With the Cork girls, they will have a lot of experience in the gym, but I do think the Dublin girls do have a few years on them. But I don't know how much that will tell; while it's physical, we don't quite have the shoulder on that yet."
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