We have an extremely exciting weekend approaching in this year’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship. This Saturday 29th June sees the final games in the round robin series’ for the Senior and Premier Junior Championships, with important places in the knockout stages up for grabs. Who will reign supreme this weekend? Get yourself ready for the action by reading our previews below.
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Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship
Structure: Top team in each group straight to semi-finals. 2nd & 3rd in each group straight to quarter finals (2nd in Group 1 plays 3rd in Group 2, 3rd in Group 1 plays 2nd in Group 2)
Relegation: Bottom team in each group will be relegated to the Intermediate championship for 2025
GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1 (all games 4pm)
Limerick v Antrim, Mick Neville Park Rathkeale
It has been a campaign to forget for both teams, neither of which has managed a point from four outings. Limerick got closest, leading by two points mid-way through the second half against Derry at Owenbeg three weeks ago but conceding the last eight points.
The Shannonsiders are bottom of the table with a 14-point inferior score difference to Antrim however, so a draw would secure the Saffrons’ senior status next year. Whoever finishes bottom will be relegated to the Intermediate grade for 2025.
Tipperary v Kilkenny, The Ragg
Live on Official Camogie YouTube – LINK HERE
This is a really mouth-watering prospect. It seems as if losing last year’s All-Ireland semi-final to Waterford has jolted Tipperary into a new level of performance. They ended a two decade national trophy famine by winning the League and are four from four in the group phase of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior championship, having gotten a modicum of revenge on the Déise in the opener.
Kilkenny were thought to be in transition, with Denise Gaule and Claire Phelan no longer in the trenches and a new manager in Peter Cleere. But that mistake has been made before about the Black and Ambers, and they remain real contenders. A draw with Waterford means they must win this to grab top spot and a direct route to the semi-final, while a share of the spoils will be sufficient for Tipp.
Waterford v Derry, Walsh Park
It’s funny how the fixtures algorithm how thrown up so many straight shootouts, whether it be for top spot/semi-final, bottom/potential relegation or as in this case, with the final qualification berth up for grabs.
Waterford are in the box seat by virtue of their draw against Kilkenny but all the pressure is on them as last year’s All-Ireland finalists, while newcomers as last year’s intermediate champions, Derry are buoyant as a result of securing senior status early with wins against Antrim and Limerick. The Suirsiders would seem to have far more scoring power, however, and crucially are close to full strength for the first time this year.
GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2
Cork v Galway, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Live on Official Camogie YouTube – LINK HERE
Yet another head-to-head, this like Tipp/Kilkenny, between two unbeaten teams battling for semi-final qualification. This will be Cork’s first real test and it is a test they had struggled with for a number of years until finally getting the better of the Maroons in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. They went on to take ultimate honours then and while they were workmanlike in the League under new manager Ger Manley, they have been humming since, even without some key defensive injuries which might be more significant in a game like this.
Galway reached the League final and after losing that, Siobhán McGrath withdrew from the squad but Niamh Mallon made her first appearance in the jersey after her transfer from Down in that decider at Croke Park and nearly pulled it out of the fire. She has been electric since even as Galway gradually grew into the competition. This is a game both managements will welcome, regardless of the result.
Clare v Wexford, Cusack Park
Wexford will be desperately disappointed by their performance against Dublin, which puts them up against it, though the injury to Claire O’Connor might have been too much to deal with. Still, after drawing with Galway, it was a massive letdown.
Both sides have beaten Down. A win would be enough for Wexford to grab the third qualification position were Dublin to only draw with Down, while Clare would need a big win and Dublin to lose up north.
Down v Dublin, Liatroim Fontenoys
It was always going to be a struggle for Down this year and losing one of the best players to ever wear the red and black, Niamh Mallon to Galway multiplied the difficulty quotient by any number you care to pluck out of the ether. Their negative scoring difference of -99 tells its own tale.
Dublin are coming off a dreadful performance against Cork, in which they failed to score from play and were opened at will by the Rebels. Coming after such an eye-catching effort against Wexford, it was puzzling. They remain in pole position for the final quarter-final berth, while Down would need something miraculous to avoid relegation as basement dwellers in the group.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship
GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1 (all games 2pm)
Offaly v Galway, Banagher
This highly anticipated clash in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship will no doubt go down to the wire on Saturday evening in Banagher. Both teams are still within a chance of reaching a top table position if bottom of the table holders Wexford manage to pull of a win against current leaders Cork. This will be a match that will be contested down to the final whistle and one not to be missed!
Wexford v Cork, Buffers Alley, Wexford
Wexford hold the slight advantage this weekend of playing this Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship fixture on home soil. The side have struggled to get their 2024 Championship season off the ground, having not earned a win yet in three games. Cork, however, currently hold first position on the table, and will be looking to go another week holding that top spot. They are a force to be reckoned with in this year’s Championship!
Westmeath v Clare, TEG Cusack Park
With three games each played by both of these teams, they have each earned one win and two losses. Both will be looking to prove themselves in this group of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship going into this weekend’s game and will be aiming to boost themselves up the table to be within contention of at least a quarter-final spot going into the latter stages of the round robin series.
GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2 (all games 2pm)
Dublin v Kildare, St. Peregrines
Dublin registered a promising win last weekend against current second place holders Kilkenny in their round five fixture, which will provide them with good confidence coming into this Saturday’s fixture. Both Dublin and Kildare have each only registered one win so far in four games. Kildare return after a welcome rest last weekend and will be looking to bounce back after their two recent heavy defeats.
Carlow v Antrim, Netwatch Training Centre, Fenagh
Carlow, current fourth place table holders meet bottom place holders Antrim in this Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship clash on Saturday. Antrim have failed to register a win so far in this year’s Championship and have struggled to get their season off the ground. They will face a Carlow side, who play on home soil, and who will be looking to pick themselves back up after their defeat to table toppers Kerry last weekend.
Meath v Kilkenny, Rathmolyon
The meeting of Meath and Kilkenny this Saturday in the round six fixture of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship is sure to be an exciting one. Meath currently sit third on the table only one point behind second place holders Kilkenny. Both teams are fresh and full of confidence following each of their respective wins last weekend and will be looking to beat each other to the second spot position on the table after this weekend’s games.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship
Structure: 2 groups, 1 group of 5 & 1 group of 6. Top in each group straight to semi-finals. 2nd & 3rd in each group straight to quarter finals (2nd in Group 1 plays 3rd in Group 2, 3rd in Group 1 plays 2nd in Group 2).
Any 1st team who does not qualify for the knockout stages of the Premier Junior Championship will be entered into the Nancy Murray Cup.
GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1 (all games 2pm)
Wicklow v Tyrone, Echelon Park, Aughrim, Wicklow
Both teams sit in the middle of the Group 1 table in the Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship with equal points after three games played. Wicklow suffered a heavy defeat to table toppers Armagh last weekend, so will be looking to prove themselves coming into this weekend’s game. Tyrone however registered a convincing win against Down and will look to continue their winning ways this weekend. A place in the Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship quarter-final is at stake for both teams.
Tipperary v Armagh, The Ragg
Tipperary and Armagh are sure to battle it out this weekend, with a spot at the top of the group table and a direct place through to the Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship semi-final at stake. Both teams are currently sitting nine points apiece after three wins from three in the round robin series. This is a game not to be missed this weekend!
GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2 (all games 2pm)
Laois v Roscommon, Mountrath GAA
Laois have a tough battle on their hands this weekend when they meet Roscommon in this final round of the Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship. A convincing win for Roscommon could see them jump to the top spot, but this will all come down to score difference should this happen on Saturday. If Laois come away with the win, they will secure their place in this year’s Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship semi-finals. Another game that you won’t want to miss!
Cavan v Limerick, Crosserlough
Cavan and Limerick will fight it out this weekend for a spot in the knockout stages of this year’s Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship. Cavan currently sit in third spot on the table, with Limerick following closely behind on three points. Limerick will have to pick themselves up following their recent defeats, but after a week off they will be full of energy and ready to battle for their place! Cavan will be looking for a repeat of their recent narrow win against Roscommon, which would be enough to see them through.
