There is a big weekend of Camogie action this weekend with both the senior and minor teams hoping to qualify for finals. The senior team will hope to secure safe passage through to the National Camogie league semi final when they take on Tipperary in W.I.T. on Sunday. While on Saturday the minor side will hope to secure passage through to the All Ireland final when they take on Galway in Nenagh, while the under 16s will hope to continue there unbeaten run in Leinster when they take on Offaly in Crinkle.
Irish Daily Star National League Division 1 Semi Final
Kilkenny vs Tipperary
Venue: W.I.T. Carriganore 2pm Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare)
The Kilkenny senior team will hope to get back to the League final for the first time since 2014 when they take on Tipperary in Carriganore on Sunday.
The senior team bounced back brilliantly from there third round defeat to Cork when they defeated Limerick in a cracking encounter three weeks ago 2-12 to 0-14 points to qualify for Sunday’s semi final.
Tipperary similarly are after having a good league campaign finishing behind group leaders Galway on nine points. They bounced back from there opening round losses to the aforementioned Galway 3-07 to 0-05 and Wexford 0-13 points to 0-09 with victories over Clare 2-11 to 2-08, Offaly 2-09 to 1-09 and Dublin 2-12 to 1-06 to secure Sunday’s show down with Kilkenny.
The last time the sides met Kilkenny emerged easy victors, but Tipperary are after improving greatly since that clash in July last and will provide a stern test for Kilkenny on Sunday. They have a very talented forward division and Kilkenny will need to keep tabs on Jenny Grace,Ereena Fryday, Mairead Teehan, and Sarah Fryday who are in terrific form throughout the league campaign.
In saying this I feel Kilkenny will prove a bit too strong for the Premier on Sunday and should secure a league final berth against either Galway or Limerick in a fornights time.
All Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship Semi Final
Kilkenny vs Galway
Venue: MacDonagh Park, Nenagh 2pm Referee: Owen Elliott (Antrim)
The Kilkenny minor team will hope to secure an All Ireland Final date and keep the hopes of back to back titles alive when they take on Galway in Nenagh on Sunday.
The Cats are in good form this season and bounced back brilliantly from an opening round loss to Tipperary with victories over Clare, Offaly and Dublin to secure Saturday’s semi final date.
Similarly Galway are in great form and topped group 2 ahead of Cork. This game is going to be a real tussle on Saturday and one that could go right down to the wire. Both sides had to dig deep during the campaign so far and I feel this game could come down to who wants it more. I feel Kilkenny are building up great momentum and had to dig deep to overcome Dublin the last day and this fighting quality could prove the difference on Saturday that Kilkenny could be more battle hardened. This game is going to be a real cracker and one not to be missed.
Leinster U16A Championship
Kilkenny vs Offaly
Venue: Crinkle, Offaly 2pm Referee: TBC
The Kilkenny under 16 team will hope to make it three wins from three when they take on Offaly in Crinkle on Saturday.
The under 16 side continued there good opening round win over Dublin with a comprehensive victory over Wexford 5-14 to 1-04 in round 2 and a victory over the faithful county will ensure they top the group with a Leinster final place already secured after Wexford defeated Dublin.
Offaly are in a similar position a victory would secure a Leinster final place as they will move ahead of Dublin on four points a loss and the Leinster final place is Dublin’s.
Offaly are having a mixed campaign recording a win over Wexford 4-11 to 2-06 but suffered a big loss to Dublin the last day out 4-16 to 1-03. Offaly will provide a serious test for this young Kilkenny side but I feel Kilkenny will prove too strong for the faithful to continue there unbeaten run.
Leinster U16B Championship
Kilkenny vs Meath
Venue: Boardsmill 2pm Referee: TBC
The under 16b side are also in action on Sunday when they take on Meath in Boardsmill.
This is a must win game for both sides if they want to secure a semi final spot as they both suffered losses to Kildare in previous rounds. A Kilkenny victory will secure second place in the group on two points and will book the semi final spot.
By kristinagunn Fri 15th Apr
