This year's Irish Daily Star Division One League final will take place in Semple Stadium at 1.30pm as part of a double-header fixture with the GAA Allianz Hurling League Division One final meeting of Kilkenny and Tipperary. Kilkenny booked their passage to the Irish Daily Star league one decider, defeating Wexford by a goal in a nail-biting semi-final on Easter Sunday and this weekend its the turn of Cork and Clare who throw in at 1.00pm in Kilmallock.
Cork and Clare continue their long-standing rivalry with a place in the Irish Daily Star League final against Kilkenny on offer for the winners. Clare had to reach the semi-finals the hard way, going through the play-offs and defeating Galway and Limerick en-route. The games may well stand to the Clare side, who include All Star Chloe Morey amongst their line-up (returned after a cruciate knee ligament operation). Their half-back-line of Roisin McMahon, Niamh O’Dea and Eimear Considine looks particularly strong. Cork will hope to prosper with Kaitriona Mackey in the full forward line along with Marie O’Neill and Orla Cotter who has been superb, in this position since switching from her customary midfield/half-forward line berth. Much will depend on Rena Buckley at mid-field as well to lead the way, as Cork start without the experienced trio of Anna Geary, Briege Corkery and Aoife Murray. Cork will be intent on reaching back-to-back league finals but Clare’s power and hunger may prevail.
The game is followed by the Minor A Final meeting of Cork and Limerick at 3.00pm. Limerick defeated Cork in the round-robin stages by 0-15 to 2-6 but Saturday's encounter should be an entirely different matter. The Cork forward line is particularly potent hitting 3-13 in their semi-final against Tipperary while Limerick star Caoimhe Costelloe was hugely influential in her side's defeat of Galway and captains the side from centre-forward. Cork's half-back line will need to be in top form and will look to Leah McEvoy at centre-back to marshall the defence against a lively Limerick attack.
In the Minor B final Derry face Waterford in Peregrines, Blakestown, Dublin at 2.00pm. In the Minor B Shield Dublin face Antrim at 3.00pm and Armagh take on Meath in the Minor C final at 1.00pm with both games taking place in An Riocht, Co.Down.
ENDS
*Pictured Cork Division Two captain Amanda O'Regan and Down's Fionnuala Carr ahead of the Irish Daily Star Division Two final
Follow the action on twitter.com/officialcamogie
Admission prices for the Camogie/GAA Double header in Semple Stadium on Sunday May 4th are adults €20 and students €5
