The National League Final is fixed for 3:30 on Saturday in St.Peregrines, Blanchardstown.
This will see Clare and Derry renew acquaintances after Derry beating Clare in the All-Ireland final last year. This will be motivation enough for the Clare side and they will be looking to avenge that result. Both Clare and Derry stepped up a division in the National League and both have come through their respective groups unbeaten. Clare had wins over Kilkenny, Cork and Waterford to get to the final and have amassed a total of 8-42 in the three games. The Clare girls will need to be on such form again as Derry also had a good scoring average with 7-37 to their credit.
Clare have a number of injury worries to contend with ahead of the game. Orla Slattery who was making a very positive comeback to inter-county camogie has picked up a knee injury. Cathy Hally has tweaked a hamstring while captain Deirdre Murphy is also nursing a slight knock. On the up side Sharon McMahon continues to make progress but has had very little game time. Aimee McInerney is also returning to training after suffering broken fingers in the Cork game.
Derry will hope that things are just starting to come right for the. Grainne McGoldrick who had picked up an injury in the All-Ireland final last year returned to inter county fare in their last game against Tipperary and accounted for 1-06 that day. Another All-Ireland medalist from last year Sinead Cassidy added four points that day with Oonagh Mullen getting 1-01. They will be looking to back up the win of last year again.
Clare know that they will have to be on top form against the northern side and with changes being enforced through injury the game will be very open on the day. Derry just snatched victory from the Banner side with a last minute goal in the eight minute of injury time in that final last year. There had been very little between the two sides throughout though. Expect more of the same on Saturday.
The Clare team will train on Tuesday and Thursday evening this week. The team will not be announced until later in the week.
Tipperary v Clare (Munster Intermediate Championship) game to be confirmed
The Munster Intermediate game on Sunday will be a new outing for the Banner side. Clare have won this title for the past two years. As a result of this that team have now been promoted to Senior and so none of them are eligible for this grade this year. A full new team will be in line for places in this team. Due to the postponement of the u18 game last weekend management may take the opportunity to now play the eligible members of the u18 squad in this competition. That team will open their All-Ireland competition with a trip to Antrim in the following week and would have used the Munster Final to help in final preparation for this.
Preparations for this game have been disrupted though this week and a squad will not be put in place for the game until later in the week. Clare will have to travel to this game as a Tipperary venue will be decided later in the week.
Orla Considine
Clare PRO
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