All Ireland Minor B Championship preview

All-Ireland Minor æB’ Championship Final: Derry vs Antrim, Celtic Park 1pm (Saturday)

Derry will take on rivals and neighbours Antrim in the All-Ireland Minor æB’ Final on Saturday in Celtic Park at 1pm.

The game is perfectly set up to be a thriller as two Ulster sides battle it out for All-Ireland glory. The sides have clashed twice this year with the Oak Leafs coming out on top both times including the Ulster Final but Derry manager Gerard McErlean knows his side will face a different prospect tomorrow.

“”We’ve played two times this year and yes we came out on top but we can’t afford to take anything for granted, there is more on the line this time round and Antrim will not be easy put away,”” said Derry manager Gerard McErlean.

McErlean is confident that his side will be able to get the result again tomorrow: “”We have been training hard, working on our first touch and speed. I want the girls to increase the intensity at which they do things and hopefully that will get us the result. We know that Antrim will provide a tough contest, they are not turning up to get beat.””

Regardless of who claims the spoils tomorrow McErlean feels that both Antrim and Derry are more than capable of competing in the æA’ section and that the underage system that is in place will enable Ulster sides to compete at the highest grade in all competitions.

“”I have seen the best that Ireland has to offer and I am in no doubt that both sides can match the teams in the æA’ section. The skill level and fitness is there and both sides would be able to adapt to the speed of the higher grade. Given the capability of both sets of minors, the future looks good for Ulster camogie, I have no doubt that both Derry and Antrim will be competing at the highest grade in the next two or three years, it would be an injustice to the teams if they weren’t,”” McErlean added.

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