Centra Camogie Leagues Finals Previews

Waterford and Galway’s meeting in round two of the Centra Camogie League on 28th February seems a world away now.

Trudging off the field, possibly still recovering from jet-lag after a belated return from their team holiday in New York, the Tribe were left to lick their wounds after a second straight defeat. With games away to Tipperary and high-flying Antrim still to come, along with the visit of Cork in the final round, the reigning All-Ireland champions suddenly found themselves worrying about the previously inconceivable notion of relegation.

Cathal Murray’s charges had a mountain to climb. But recent weeks have seen them get back on track. They came through the two away assignments, but still needed a result at home to old foes Cork to secure their Division 1A status for 2027. Ultimately, the Westerners looked after their end of the bargain, with results elsewhere going their way, to secure what had appeared to be an unlikely final berth.

Coming out of Kenny Park six weeks ago, there was a pep in the Déise’s step. Heading back Suir-side with two wins over Cork and Galway, Michael Boland’s charges were clearly the form team in Ireland. Further wins ensured they had their business done before the final round meeting with Tipperary.

It is the county’s first ever visit to a league final, and it is expected that the stands in UPMC Nowlan Park will be full of white-and-blue on Sunday afternoon.

The Munster side will be hoping to continue that wave of momentum.

“There is a good buzz in the camp,” Waterford’s Orla Hickey said at the Centra Camogie League Finals launch. “It’s absolutely great to be in a final. First time Waterford has been in a Division 1A final. So it’s absolutely brilliant.”

Galway: Laura Freeney; Róisín Black, Dervla Higgins, Rachael Hanniffy; Jennifer Hughes, Katie Manning, Fiona Ryan; Katie Anna Porter, Carrie Dolan (captain); Aoife Donohue, Ciara Hickey, Niamh Mallon; Kayla Madden, Niamh McPeake, Shannon Corcoran.

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Keeley Corbett Barry, Clodagh Carroll, Vikki Falconer; Rachael Walsh, Orla Hickey, Eimear O’Neill; Lorraine Bray (captain), Beth Carton; Niamh Rockett, Rebecca Farrell, Abby Flynn; Alannah McNulty, Sarah Lacey, Mairéad O’Brien.

Galway’s mid-campaign revival was perhaps only bettered by Dublin across the five divisions. A credible home draw with Clare in the opening round was followed by a disappointing defeat to Down. The Dubs then suddenly clicked into gear, accounting for Wexford, Offaly and Limerick in dominant fashion. The return of Aisling Maher played a part, as the St Vincent’s totem notched 1-15 across the campaign, supporting the scoring efforts of Aisling Gannon’s 1-10.

All-Ireland semi-finalists in 2024, the Metropolitans have fallen off since then.

Promotion back to the top tier of the Centra Camogie League would be a real statement of intent from Bill McCormack’s charges that they mean business ahead of the summer.

Clare meanwhile are making steady progress. Several eyebrows were raised by their run to last summer’s All-Ireland quarter-final, where they gave Waterford a stern test in Croke Park.

Springtime has brought with it a real opportunity for silverware, after an unbeaten run through the division. They used that away draw to the Dubs as a springboard, and they reeled off four consecutive victories.

Eugene Foudy’s side will sense an opportunity to mark some notable milestones over the coming weeks. A Centra Camogie League Division 1B title would herald welcome progress.

Being drawn on the same side of the Munster Championship as Kerry and Waterford will give them reason to believe that a summer of possibilities awaits.

Clare: Susan Daly; Jennifer Daly, Aoibhín McNamara, Róisín Begley; Muireann Scanlon, Abby Walsh (joint captain), Clare Hehir (joint captain); Ziyan Spillane, Andrea O’Keeffe; Lorna McNamara, Danielle Griffin, Aisling Cooney; Sinéad O’Keeffe, Caoimhe Cahill, Róisín McMahon.

Dublin: Ciara Jones; Eve O’Brien, Emma O’Byrne, Claire Gannon; Grace O’Shea, Sinéad Wylde, Niamh Gannon (captain); Jody Couch, Gaby Couch; Aisling O’Neill, Aisling Maher, Kerrie Finnegan; Sarah Power, Leah Butler, Abby Ryan.

Kerry were held by Laois in their opening assignment of the year, but proceeded to power through the remainder of the Division 2A campaign with a perfect record.

Meath secured second place by the skin of their teeth, with a final day draw at home to Carlow.

When the Kingdom and Royals faced off in Round Two, it was the Munster outfit who prevailed, 2-10 to 1-11.

Expect a similarly tight margin on Saturday afternoon.

Kerry: Aoife Fitzgerald (captain); Sara Murphy, Michelle Costello, Ellen O’Donoghue; Patrice Diggin, Kate Lynch, Laura Collins; Áine Devlin, Rachel McCarthy; Emma Conway, Amy O’Sullivan, Ruth O’Connor; Caoimhe Spillane, Jackie Horgan, Danielle O’Leary.

Meath: Maggie Randle; Maeve Clince, Emma Regan, Aoife Carey; Abbye Donnelly, Aoibhín Lally, Rachel Moran; Ellen Burke, Olivia O’Halloran; Leah Devine (captain), Grace Connolly, Brodie Kelly; Mae Fahy, Ciara Foley, Aisling Byrne.

Four wins from four, and an average winning margin of over 12 points summed up a dominant Division 3A springtime from Armagh, as they eye an immediate bounce back from last year’s relegation.

The Orchard County will face Roscommon, who have Kildare to thank for their spot in the decider. The Lilywhites denied Tyrone in the final round, clearing the way for the Rossies to sneak through on scoring difference.

After defeat in last year’s All-Ireland Premier Junior Final, Armagh won’t want to develop a losing habit in national deciders.

Armagh: Ciarrai Devlin; Gemma McCann, Fiadhna Loughran, Eimear Hayes (vice‑captain); Eimear McGeary, Ciara Hill, Niamh Forker; Katie Convie, Corinna Doyle; Sinéad Quinn, Eimear Smyth, Lucy Doyle; Alanna McEntee (vice‑captain), Jessica Traynor, Rachael Trainor (captain).

Roscommon: Michaela Finneran; Mairéad Lohan, Erin McDermott, Hannah Murray; Sinéad Mannion, Orla Connolly, Sally Bolger; Alannah Sutton, Siafra Finneran; Anna Hussey, Grace Jones, Aimee O’Connor; Oonagh Kelly, Rachel Fitzmaurice (captain), Katie Heneghan.