“
All-Ireland intermediate final in association with RT+ Sport
Preview by Daragh O’Conchuir
Antrim v Wexford,
Croke Park, 2pm
Referee: John Dolan
Once again, Wexford’s second string will warm up the county’s supporters in the Intermediate final but they will be looking for a better result than last year, when Offaly denied them a famous double.
I
t was an incredible achievement by the Faithful, given that they had only captured the Premier Junior crown the season before and ironically, Wexford are faced by another team with a similar goal in sight.
Both teams emerged from a very competitive group in the round-robin series. Wexford were held to a draw by Galway but had seven points in hand when crossing swords with Sunday’s opposition in July. Crucially though, Antrim were able to shock Galway to the tune of eight points in Ballinasloe and earned a semi-final place as a result.
Limerick, who were playing senior camogie two years ago, provided the opposition for the Ulster outfit in the last four. Having topped their group, they were tipped to advance but in a game that ebbed and flowed, 17-year-old substitute Orlagh O’Hara struck for a dramatic injury time goal for Antrim to defy the odds once again.
Wexford justified favouritism against Derry but were pushed all the way and in the end, it took some outstanding saves by goalkeeper Helena Jacob to confirm their place in Croker.
Ciara O’Connor remains Wexford’s chief score-getter, while -ine Codd and Frances Doran were performers whose contributions were vital to them ousting Derry.
Antrim are captained by Jane Adams, a player who won an All Star despite plying her trade at premier junior level. A sensational operator, she will need to be at her best if her team is to upset the apple cart once again.
“
