Cork and Galway battle for final spot

Sunday August 22nd 2010

Cork v Galway

Semple Stadium, Thurles, 3.30pm, Una Kearney, Armagh

Part-two of a thrilling instalment throws in at Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon with the winners facing Wexford in this year’s Gala Senior All Ireland  Camogie final.

Last weekend both sides played out an epic encounter with Cork grabbing two late points to level matters 1-17 to Galway’s 3-11.

Cork’s experience in the first half and in the latter stages of the second showed to good effect but Galway, to some degree, must be content with their response. Losing tight matches has for so long being the Achilles heel of this Galway side and manager Noel Finn will have been reassured by the character his side displayed throughout.

Finn, makes one change from the side which started against Cork bringing in wing back Therese Manton in place of Sinead Keane. Manton will more than likely be given the task of curbing Player of the Match, Jennifer O’Leary who hit 1-3 from play last weekend. Ann Marie Hayes fills the centre back berth while Emma Kilkelly and Orla Kilkenny assume the centre field roles once again. The duo will need to put in an improved performance as Cork’s Orla Cotter and partner Eimear O’Sullivan, for the main, dominated proceedings in the first encounter.

Finn has named an unchanged forward line and will be hoping that sharpshooters Veronica Curtin (2-2) and Ashlinn Connolly along with captain Therese Maher can pick holes in the Cork defence. Although scoring 3-11, Galway will be concerned with the concession of 1-17 with Cork attacker Sile Burns picking off 0-9 with eight of those from frees.

Cork named an unchanged side. Injury doubts linger over Joanne O’Callaghan but the Cork captain and corner back takes her place on Saturday. The participation of centre back Mary O’Connor and Rena Buckley in the ladies football quarter finals on Saturday afternoon, will be a cause for concern and Cronin will hope that the influential duo come through unscathed. Upfront, Sile Burns, Jennifer O’Leary and Rachel Moloney will be relied upon while All- Star Gemma O’Connor will need to exert a greater influence on matters this time around.

If Galway can replicate their blistering start and ensure a greater level of consistency throughout then they have a good chance of making the final since 2008. However, the ability of Cork to pick off scores coupled with their shrewdness makes them slight favourites.

Verdict: Cork

Gala All Ireland Junior B Final Replay

Sunday August 22nd

Cavan v Monaghan, Donaghmore Ashbourne, 2.30pm, Mike Sheehan, Cork

It took a late goal by Aoishe O’Reilly to give Cavan another bite at the cherry. A surprising development considering her side led for vast periods of the game, before relinquishing the lead to Monaghan in the latter stages. The Farney County will have learned from their first outing and know that a good start will be vital second time out. However, Cavan’s determination held them in good stead and it should see them over the line on Sunday.

Verdict: Cavan

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