National league news

Cork manager Denise Cronin will have a number of selection headaches for Saturday’s tie against Kilkenny planning without the services of Briege Corkery, as well as recently retired duo Una O’Donoghue and Emer Dillion. Kilkenny fresh from a five goal feast against Tipperary, with Aoife Neary bagging three, will fancy their chances at home against last year’s All-Ireland champions.

Dublin manger John Hunt hopes that injuries to Amy Murphy, Shauna Duff and Laura Twomey will have cleared in time for their game against Clare. Both sides lost last weekend and will be looking for their first league points. Galway travel to Wexford in the remaining Division One match and a high scoring game is in order as both sides possess a potent set of forwards. Galway’s attacking trio of Emma Kilkelly, Niamh McGrath and Veronica Curtin were on song last weekend while Una Leacy and Lenny Holohan were to the fore for the Leinster side.

In Division Two action Wexford face Galway, who had a three-point victory over last year’s Junior All-Ireland finalists Waterford. Limerick, boosted by the return of Vera Sheehan to inter-county action could go top this weekend if they hold off the challenge of Wateford at Kilmallock on Saturday afternoon.

Joachim Kelly’s Offaly will be looking to make it three league wins in a row when they face Tipperary at home. The 2009 Junior All-Ireland champions racked up fifteen points against Derry last weekend and will hope that attacking trio Karen Nugent, Elaine Dermody and Michelle Davis are on song again. In the remaining fixtures, Kilkenny face Cork while Ulster rivals Antrim and Derry come head to head.

Division Three league leaders Laois travel to Armagh; Kildare face Meath while Roscommon take on Dublin in Athleague with Siobhan Coyle making a return to inter-county action with the westerners after a break of twelve months.

London, who suffered a narrow defeat to Westmeath last weekend entertain Tyrone while Westmeath face Carlow in the final Division four fixture.

 

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