Another hectic weekend lies ahead in the All Ireland camogie championship in association with RTÉ Sport with Dublin, Offaly, Tipperary and Clare still seeking their first points.
Dublin, with home advantage and perhaps a more experienced outfit including the impressive Louise O’Hara, could collect their first points.Galway travel to Nowlan Park for their tie with Kilkenny at 3.15pm with Karl O’Brien in charge. A tricky assignment awaits against a youthful Kilkenny side. Manager Brendan Williams’s had six debutantes in last week’s win over Dublin, with teenager Miriam Walsh bagging 1-04 out of 2-15. Galway will be relying on their defence, lead by the superb Ann Marie Hayes. The greater physicality and power of the Connacht outfit should see them come through.
Jenny O’ Leary hit last week’s winner against Clare, and her early form bodes well for Cork, while other key performers include Katrina Mackey, Orla Cotter and Briege Corkery.
The form of Fiona Lafferty, who hit 1-2 last weekend allied with Clare McMahon and Deirdre Murphy should pose the Tipperary defence problems. Tipperary with home advantage, will be keen to make amends and put in a strong display but expect a more experienced Clare unit to shade it.
Expect Kildare and Meath to collect early points while in the remaining tie Armagh may shade their away game to Roscommon. Ulster rivals Cavan and Monaghan meet in the Junior A championship in Stradone at 2.30pm and the Breffini county are tipped to get their 2012 championship off to a winning start while in the remaining Junior A ties, Westmeath should have too much for Offaly and likewise Division Four league champions Dublin over Tyrone. Carlow should shade it in their home tie against Cill Dara in the Junior B championship at 5.30pm in Bagenalstown while Kerry may prove too strong for Wicklow at home in Causeway on Sunday July 1st in their 2.00pm fixture.