Clare full back Siobhan Lafferty misses Saturday’s game

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CLARE has suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday’s crucial Gala All Ireland senior camogie championship second round tie against Limerick in Cusack Park with the news that experienced full back Siobhßn Lafferty is absent because of a leg injury. A second opinion on Monday confirmed that the Kilnamona player, who starred in Clare’s All Ireland junior success last year, will be sidelined for at least six weeks. This could not have come at a worse time for Bertie Sherlock who will be seeking his first championship win with the Banner County.

Lafferty’s club mate Carina Roseingrave is also a doubt but she is likely to start. Captain Deirdre Murphy says it is vital for her team to get the win especially with success at underage level on the up.

“”Our minors had a great win against Galway last Wednesday and the U16 side won the Munster title. So, there is a good crop of players there.

“”We are not looking beyond Limerick but if we could manage to come out on top, it would set us up for our final group game against Wexford at home in two weeks. Wexford lost to Galway at the weekend so they will want to win this game, as much as we need to.””

The Shannonsiders are in a similar situation to Clare with both teams having suffered first round losses. However, there is a twist of irony if Limerick‘s Naoimi Carroll gets a call from boss Phelim Macken as the Cratloe teenager crosses the border to play her camogie with Na Piarsaigh. Regarded as a classy forward, Naoimi is also an international hockey player.

Elsewhere Tipperary travel to Parnell Park in a must-win match with Dublin if they are to keep their championship hopes alive. They shipped a three point loss to Kilkenny a few weeks back and with Cork yet to be played, they will need points on the board before they head to Pairc Ui Rinn on August 1.

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