Tipperary Captain Geraldine Kinnane speaks ahead of NL Divison One final

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Tipperary and Wexford are set to come face-to-face in Saturday’s National League Division One final at Parnell Park. The Premier County booked their spot in the decider following a very impressive 2-19 to 0-13 win over holders Kilkenny on Sunday. This may have come as a surprise to many pundits, but for Tipperary captain Geraldine Kinnane, there was nothing too unexpected about the outcome.

“”We drew with Kilkenny a few weeks ago in the group section of the league and had not a lot of training done, in the meantime we worked very hard so we were quietly confident that things might go our way,”” said the Drom-In-Inch player.

“”There is a good buzz in training especially with the girls coming back (Una O’Dwyer, Eimear McDonnell, Paula Bulfin and Suzanne Kelly). We had a decent run in the league and the girls returning have strengthened the squad further. Tipperary has won nothing of any consequence since 2004 and that is a long time for this group to be without silverware.

“”Everyone is looking forward to the championship, that is the main competition, but for us Saturday is another competitive game and a good test before the summer action begins and it is also the National League final which is of huge significance.

Geraldine plays in the forward line alongside Eimear McDonnell who made a return to the game last weekend bagging 2-6 from play. She says there is a great battle for places on the team.

“”It is brilliant that there is so much competition for places. Una (O’Dwyer) who used play at full back played at left half forward so that creates freshness within the squad. We are at full strength for Wexford. Julie Kirwan missed the Kilkenny game but everybody else came through unscathed.””

Wexford who bridged a 32-year gap in 2007 to claim the All Ireland senior championship will provide formidable opposition.

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