Ulster preview

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There are four Ulster teams in action today (Saturday) in the Gala Camogie Championship. Down and Antrim will battle it out against Dublin and Meath respectively in the æNew Ireland Cup’, while Tyrone and Armagh will go head to head against Westmeath and Carlow in the æNancy Murray Cup’.

The Antrim vs Meath match has the potential to be a classic with Antrim Captain Kelly Maybin admitting that they know little about their opponents.

“”It’s fair to say we don’t really know that much about Meath but we’re fully prepared for the challenge and have been working hard. Obviously we know it won’t be an easy match, Meath will be strong opposition and we know it will be a tough, competitive match,”” she said.

Maybin is confident her side can get their Championship campaign off to a winning start saying: “”Like all the other sides involved we’re looking forward to getting the Championship started, these are the matches you want to be playing in. We’re fully prepared for the game and I’m confident we can come away with the win.””

Meath ækeeper Emily Mangan could find herself having a busy afternoon with the scoring threat of talented young stars Shannon Graham and Emma McMullan but Antrim will need to be weary of midfielders Kristine Troy and Lizzy Oaks as they dictate most of the play for Meath.

Down and Dublin promises to be a mouthwatering game, with the introduction of eleven new faces on the Dublin team and Down manager Joe Baldwin admits that today’s match will be a lot different to the National League encounter between the sides: “”The team that they announced has eleven new players so it’s a different ball game. We always knew that it was going to be a different challenge as this is Championship but because of the new faces we have to be even more focused. I’m confident that my side can get the result but at the same time weary of Dublin because of all the new faces.””

Baldwin however believes that his side is fully prepared for Championship season saying: “”We been working hard in training and we’re really looking forward to getting the Championship campaign started and the prospective challenges that come along with it. We have everyone fit and a full panel to select from so we’re ready in that regard. Hopefully we’ll get the campaign off to a winning start.””

Down will be boosted by the news that both Captain Lisa McCrickard and Maireen McAleenan have recovered from injury to take spots on the bench.

“”The good news is that Lisa (McCrickard) has recovered from the injury she sustained against Derry a few weeks ago and Mo Mac (Maireen McAleenan) has also returned. Both players will start on the bench and that bodes well for the team, to have to players of that calibre on the bench ready to come into the field of play at any time is a huge confidence boost for the squad,”” Balwin added.

Both Tyrone and Armagh are in action in the æNancy Murray Cup’ today.  The Tyrone girls are in fine from and will be hoping to continue their winning ways against Westmeath.  Armagh take on Carlow and will hoping to obtain their first win of the season.  However the Orchard girls suffered a blow earlier in the week with the news that experienced ækeeper Bronagh Keenan suffered broken hand in a club game.    

Fixtures:

Gala Junior Championship æNew Ireland Cup’:

Down vs Dublin Clonduff GAC, 5pm

Meath vs Antrim Kiltale, 2.30pm

Gala Junior Championship æNancy Murray Cup’:

Carlow vs Armagh Dr Cullen Park, 1pm

Westmeath vs Tyrone Cusack Park Mullingar, 7pm

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