by Daragh Ó Conchúir
AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championships Final
Eglish (Tyrone) v Myshall (Carlow)
Sunday March 5th
1.30pm, Croke Park
It is the primary attraction of the AIB All-Ireland Club Championships that county trends are not always a barometer of how things will go and perceived minnows can rise up to have not just one day in the sun but the ultimate day.
Not too many would have predicted a Carlow-Tyrone pairing but we are left with the best two teams in the land at Intermediate level after Myshall’s one-goal defeat of Galway side Cappataggle and Eglish’s success over Gailltír of Waterford by the minimum margin.
Ulster is the only province doubly-represented at Croke Park on Sunday and Eglish made the experience of being in the last four in 2016 count against a side favoured to go all the way, having themselves ended former champions Lismore’s hopes.
Leanne Donnelly proved too hot to handle though while her older sister Ciara, scorer of one of the greatest goals ever seen at headquarters in Armagh’s All-Ireland Premier Junior Final loss to Carlow last September, is one of the best players in Ulster. Ciara McGready, Maria Jordan and Brenda Horsfield are others that will need watching.
The Donnellys will see plenty of familiar faces among the opposition as Myshall were well represented in that Carlow team that broke their hearts. They will certainly have cause to remember Ciara Quirke, who banged in three goals that day.
It was a considerable achievement by Carlow, who had only garnered the Junior A Championship 12 months earlier. Myshall had managed back-to-back All-Irelands of their own when bagging a brace of Junior titles in 2012 and 2013 and have continued to progress, like the county team, flourishing at the next grade. Marian Doyle, Ali Ruschitzko, Kate Nolan, Ciara Mullins and Niamh Quirke ensure that this is not a one-player team.
Myshall came through a really tight game against Shinrone to annex the Leinster title and with so many of the players comfortable in All-Ireland situations, they will be confident of adding another medal to their burgeoning collections.
Camogie has always had a strong tradition in Eglish however and the club reached an All-Ireland Senior Final in 1991. The manner of their Ulster Final success over Pearse Óg of Armagh in Granemore, when they scored 19 points, was certainly eye-catching and having dispensed with Gailltír, they too will believe that that this can be their day.
AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Championships Final
Sarsfields (Galway) v Slaughtneil (Derry)
Throw-in: 3.15pm
AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championships Final
Eglish (Tyrone) v Myshall (Carlow)
Throw-in: 1.30pm
*In the event of a draw at Full-time in either fixture, the replay will take place on Sunday March 19th
Ticket Prices:
Match Day: For Hogan Stand Only
Adults – €15
Students / OAPs – €15 (€5 refund on the day with Valid ID)
Juveniles – €5
Tickets can be purchased online at www.tickets.ie or from selected Centra and SuperValu stores nationwide.
Tickets will also be available to purchase on matchday from the stadium at the Ticket Office at Gill's Corner and the Ticket Van on Jones' Road.
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