It is crunch time for four senior counties this weekend as this year’s All Ireland Quarter-finals take place with an all Munster clash in Cork, between the home side and Clare, throwing in at 2.00pm while also at 2.00pm in Parnell Park, Dublin take on Offaly.
Cork had a narrow one point win over Clare on the opening round of championship and no doubt the sting of a recent Munster final defeat played heavy on the minds of the Rebels. Saturday’s encounter is intriguing as it pits two fierce rivals against one another in a high stakes encounter with a place in the semi-finals on offer.
Clare put in a storming second half display against Tipperary in last weekend’s tie with Fiona Lafferty, turning in a Player of the Match performance while Claire McMahon hit 0-10 (0-9f, 1 ’45) of her side’s total of 1-19. The Clare defence played their part holding Tipperary to 1-07 and how they fare against the power and pace of Jennifer O’Leary, Katrina Mackey and Gemma O’Connor will be crucial to their chances. Highlights from Saturday’s tie will be shown on RTÉ The Sunday Game as will the clash of Dublin v Offaly.
Dublin secured a one point win over Kilkenny after extra time and no doubt Denis Murphy’s charges will be on a high as they enter, new and unfamiliar territory, with a spot in the semi-finals looming for the winners. The last time the side’s met, Offaly ran out winners 3-14 to 3-11 with Elaine Dermody hitting 3-08. While Dermody will be a major player for Offaly on Saturday, the performance of others such as Siobhan Flannery and Arlene Watkins will also be crucial. Mari Moynihan is an important score-taker for the Dubs, while former All Star Louise O’Hara, Captain Elaine O’Meara and last week’s player of the match Arlene Cushen are also big players. In the All Ireland Premier Junior championship, second placed Laois face Armagh while table toppers Meath face arch rivals Kildare in Pairc Tailteann at 2.30pm
Dublin are also in action in the U16 A final on Sunday afternoon and face the formidable challenge of Galway at 3.15pm in O’Connor Park, Tullamore. The game is preceded by the meeting of up and coming Kerry and Armagh in the U16C Semi-final at 1.30pm while in the U16 B Offaly face Antrim in Donaghamore Ashbourne at 1.30pm and Wexford face Derry, in the same venue at 3.15pm.
To keep up to date with all the action go to www.camogie.ie and facebook.com/camogieassociation
