Our Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues get underway this Saturday, so we take a closer look at the three fixtures taking place in Division 1 this weekend.
Saturday, May 15th
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 1
Group 1
Galway v Clare
The 2019 Division 1 League Champions get their campaign underway on home soil this Saturday as they welcome the Banner County to Athenry. With no conclusion to last year’s league campaign Cathal Murray’s side remain the current holders of the trophy, and will no doubt be strong contenders once again this year.
It is always a daunting task facing the champions in week one, but those thoughts will be far from the mind of the Banner County players when the sliotar is thrown in on Saturday. They will be led out this year by captain Clare Hehir and with players of the quality of Chloe Morey, Aine O’Loughlin and Niamh O’Dea, they have the talent and potential to cause trouble to any opposition.
Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath)
Venue: Athenry GAA, Galway
Throw-in: 2pm
Group 2
Cork v Tipperary
A very tasty battle lies ahead in the opening round as the Rebels welcome their Munster counterparts Tipperary to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Cork are without a Division 1 League title since 2013 despite being a dominant force in Camogie over the last number of years. They carry the perfect blend of youth and experience and are certainly a side to watch out for throughout the campaign.
Tipperary stormed out of the blocks in the Division 1 League in 2020 and were the team that everyone was talking about before the pandemic halted the campaign. Injuries hampered their Senior Championship Semi-Final showdown six months ago, but they showed in the early parts of the year how strong they can be when they have a full-strength team on show.
Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)
Venue: Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork
Throw-in: 2pm
Group 3
Kilkenny v Dublin
The team from the capital will provide the first competitive challenge for the All-Ireland Senior Champions who are no doubt full of confidence and raring to go for another year of Camogie action. The last time Kilkenny entered a league campaign as reigning Senior All-Ireland Champions was back in 2017 where they went on to claim the Division 1 League title, so they will be hoping for another repeat of those fortunes this year.
Dublin face a very difficult opening round fixture against a county that has won three Division 1 League titles in the previous five campaigns. It will be an important test of character for the Dubs who will need to take as many of the chances that come their way while also trying to keep six clinical Kilkenny attackers at bay, a tough feat for any county.
Referee: Andy Larkin (Cork)
Venue: John Lockes GAA, Callan
Throw-in: 2pm
Fixtures:
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 1, Group 1
Galway v Clare, Athenry, 2:00pm. John Dermody (Westmeath)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 1, Group 2
Cork v Tipperary, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2:00pm. Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 1, Group 3
Kilkenny v Dublin, John Lockes GAA, Callan, 2:00pm. Andy Larkin (Cork)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 2, Group 1
Antrim v Down, Roger Casements GAC Portglenone, 12:00pm. Eamonn Cassidy (Derry)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 2, Group 2
Tipperary v Cork, Drom & Inch GAA, 2:00pm. Barry Nea (Westmeath)
Kerry v Galway, Lixnaw GAA, 2:30pm. Cathal McAllister (Cork)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 2, Group 3
Wexford v Kilkenny, Bellefield GAA, Enniscorthy, 2:00pm. Gavin Donegan (Dublin)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 2, Group 4
Dublin v Westmeath, O’Toole Park, Crumlin GAA, 2:00pm. Owen Elliot (Antrim)
Meath v Kildare, Meath GAA Centre of Excellence, Dunganny, 2:00pm. Mike Ryan (Tipperary)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 3, Group 1
Down v Armagh, Mayobridge GAA, 2:00pm. Bernard Heaney (Meath)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 3, Group 2
Limerick v Clare, Kilmallock GAA, 2:00pm. John Horgan (Cork)
Waterford v Carlow, Kill GAA, 2:30pm. Kevin O’Brien (Limerick)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 4, Group 1
Tyrone v Antrim, Páirc Éire Óg an Charraig Mhór, 2:00pm. Alan Doheny (Laois)
Cavan v Wicklow, Kingspan Breffni, 2:00pm. Enda Loughnane (Galway)
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 4, Group 2
Kildare v Louth, Manguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence, 2:00pm. Conor Quinlan (Galway)
Roscommon v Mayo, Ballyforan GAA, 2:00pm. Aaron Hogg (Clare)
#StyleOfPlay
