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The eight teams in the Gala All Ireland senior camogie championship will battle it out on Saturday for the four All Ireland semi-final positions. These final group games will determine the placing in the penultimate stages, and while there are no certainties, camogie followers in Galway and Wexford will be hoping their counties will emerge from Group Two, however Group One is far from clear cut.
Titleholders Cork are top of this group, while Kilkenny and Tipperary are tied in second place. The Premier Girls travel to Pßirc UÝ Rinn and have to beat the home side to stay in the competition as the Cats would be expected to overcome Dublin. Cork captain Amanda O’Regan who was helping out yesterday in the VHI C·l Camps rubbishes any notions that Tipperary might be regarded as the also-rans this season.
“”Tipperary are always tough opposition for Cork. It is seen as a local derby and we will be treating this game with great respect. Everybody is saying Tipperary have to win, but we have to win also, or else we are in a play-off the following weekend. The last thing you want is to be in that situation a week before the All Ireland semi-finals, because it would be like starting all over again.
“”We will remain positive. There is a lot of competition for places, probably the most competitive in a long time. Joanne O’Callaghan has recovered from an ankle injury and she will be pushing to start. We defeated Tipperary in the Munster final but it was a tight match. There will be no holding back from them this time as they can’t afford to lose.””
Star forwards Eimear McDonnell and Claire Grogan did not line out for the Blue and Gold in their previous game against Dublin. It will be interesting to see manager Fr Peter Brennan’s starting 15 this weekend.
Meanwhile, Kilkenny travel to Dublin and they too need a victory if they are to harbour hopes of a semi-final date on August 15 in their home turf at Nowlan Park.
The remaining matches in Group Two see Clare, fresh from their triumph over Limerick, entertain Wexford while Galway welcome the Shannonsiders to Athenry.
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