Tipperary news

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Tipperary Camogie notes

www.camogie.tipperary.gaa.ie

Next Sunday, November 15^th will see Cashel travel to Oulart the Ballagh in Wexford to take on the hosts in the All Ireland Senior Club semi Final. Throw in for the game is 2.30pm. It will be two weeks since their last competitive game when they claimed their 6^th Munster title. This Sunday, Cashel are going into the lions den, fully aware of the challenge facing them. The Wexford champions are steeped in Camogie tradition, & they have contributed a lot of talent to the Inter County scene in Wexford.

Nonetheless, Cashel are looking at their task, their own talent & their own displays that have got them to this stage.

Their first real challenge came in the County semi final when they were pitted against Drom. Despite playing against the wind in the first half, Cashel were first to settle into that game & raced into an early lead before Drom registered their first score in the 15^th minute. Throughout this game, Cashel showed that they were determined to re visit the glory days, & even when Drom came close, Cashel seemed to just have so much left in the tank that they totally shut the game down on Drom. In one of the best County finals ever, Burgess/Duharra pushed the Cashel girls all the way to extra time. Even then, Cashel kept cool, never panicked, & even when it looked as if the game was slipping away from them, they stuck to their task. This belief in themselves finally got them over the finish line & ultimately to this all Ireland semi final clash this weekend.

Cashel are strong throughout the field. Una O Dwyer at full back has been very impressive, & her return to the Tipp Senior team was equally impressive. Their half back line is like a fortress. Paula Bulfin lets her hurling do the talking, while Philly Fogarty is so comfortable at number 6. Julie McGrath has an engine which could go on for ever & is comfortable at wing back or mid field. Jill Horan herself has had one of her best years for Tipp, & her influence in any game is immeasurable. At wing forward, Cora Hennessy is starting to find her form, & in the last few games has been able to pick off scores from 40 to 50 yards. Claire Grogan even on a bad day can destroy any opposition, & her hunger for the game has grown. She will no doubt be a target for Oulart to restrict her influence. Emily Hayden’s tenacity & drive is hugely important to Cashel & she strikes fear into any back line. Alison Lonergan at corner forward will also pose a threat if past games are anything to go by.

Cashel have experienced both loss & victory at this stage since 2006.  They won their only All Ireland title in 2007, so they will desperately want to add to this. Earlier in the year, Cashel won the All Ireland sevens in Kilmacud Crokes, could this be an omen. Best of luck to all associated with Cashel Camogie in Sunday’s game.  

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