Cork and Galway contest the Gala All Ireland intermediate final

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ALL eyes will be on the Galway intermediate camogie team as they go in search of All Ireland honours on Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds against Cork (2pm). The Westerners pinned most of its hopes on their seniors this year after an All-Ireland appearance in 2008, but their dreams were shattered by a strong Kilkenny side in the All-Ireland semi final.

Caroline Murray is the Camogie Development Officer in Connacht and was part of a busy team looking after proceedings in Croke Park last Sunday. Next weekend she is looking forward to getting into the action herself, and she will be a vital cog in the Galway line out.

“”We will be hoping to bring glory at adult level to Galway. We were very disappointed to lose out in the senior championship. Our U16 team has already brought silverware home earlier in the year, so this would be a great boost if we could lift the Jack McGrath trophy.””

Incidentally, the McGrath trophy was donated by a well known Cork referee. So, undoubtedly the Red and White will be anxious to bring the Cup home to Leeside. They pulled off a remarkable victory over a talented Derry side in the All Ireland semi-final. The teams were locked at full time but a goal from Emer Watson followed by a point from Michelle Browne resulted in a shock win. Building on the momentum of last weekend, Cork would love to add an intermediate title to the O’Duffy Cup they won with such style.

Galway were equally as impressive when they triumphed over Tipperary in the other All Ireland intermediate semi-final, keeping the Blue and Gold scoreless for the entire second half. That day Martina Conroy and Murray totalled 11 points between them. Under the management of Noel Finn and Basil Larkin, strong performances will again be needed from a number of key positions including captain Caroline Kelly and centre back Sarah Dervan while Martina Conroy, Murray, Tara Rutledge and Gemma Kelly will be essential to Galway’s attack.

Cork: J Kavanagh; A M Fleming, C O’Neill, A Sheehan; P Mackey, R Curtin, C Motherway; M Walsh, H O’Mahony; M Watson, M Coleman, L Power; D Luby, E Watson, M Browne.

Galway: D Ward; J Coone, N Lawless, K Brien; C Gill, S Dervan, C Kelly; P Kenny, A Lynskey; C Bowes, C Murray, M Conroy; T Rutledge, G Kelly, L Pardy.

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