Championship News Briefs

 

First up are the Dubs against long-time rivals Offaly at O’Toole Park, Crumlin with Alan Lagrue, taking charge of the 2.30pm tie. Offaly started well last week against Galway but their challenge faded towards the end and manager John Troy will be looking for a more consistent display this time round.

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. 
 

The meeting of Cork and Wexford is a difficult one to call and the early season Irish Daily Star League final win of the Leesiders over the All Ireland champions, adds an extra bit of sporting drama to Saturday’s game in Bellefield, Enniscorthy at 3.15pm. Cork’s power caused Wexford some dilemmas in that final earlier this year and JJ Doyle’s defence will be aiming to hold firm with Catherine O’Loughlin and Mary Leacy two key figures. The return of Una Leacy is a major boost for Wexford and expect the Oulart club-woman to have a major say in proceedings.

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.

Tipperary and Clare form part of a double header at Semple Stadium, with the 5.00pm fixture preceding the meeting of Tipperary and Offaly in the football qualifiers at 7.00pm. Clare will be intent on getting their championship campaign back on track after last week’s disappointing defeat to Cork.

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.

In the All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship Group 1 stages, Cork and Galway are tipped to record wins in their respective ties against Wexford (Bellefield, 1.30pm) and Kilkenny (Nowlan Park, 1.30pm). This year’s All Ireland Premier Junior Championship also throws in and the race for honours is wide open. The Division Three champions Kildare take on last year’s All Ireland finalists Down in Naas at 1.00pm while Division Two league champions Meath face Laois in Pairc Tailteann at 1.30pm.

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.

Keep up to date with all the results on www.camogie.ie and www.facebook.com/CamogieAssocation.