By TJ Mills
11th September 2016
Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Final
Kilkenny vs Cork
Venue: Croke Park 4pm Referee: Eamon Cassidy
The Kilkenny senior camogie team will hope to regain the O’Duffy Cup for the first time since 1994 when they take on the three in a row chasing Cork in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
Cork showed great determination in the semi-final where they overcame Wexford after a thrilling extra-time period 0-19 points to 0-15.
They topped their All Ireland group campaign on score difference on twelve points over Wexford and Offaly. They began their campaign with a 2-16 to 0-09 point victory away to Waterford.
They followed this up with a comprehensive victory over Clare 5-19 to 0-10 points. In their third clash they recorded a 3-14 to 1-05 victory over Offaly. They suffered their first defeat of the campaign to Wexford 1-09 to 0-09 points, but bounced back in their final group game with a good 3-17 to 1-09 victory over Limerick.
This victory secured a semi-final spot as outlined above where they show where determination to edge Wexford after extra time 0-19 points to 0-15.
Kilkenny similarly required extra time to secure Sunday’s showdown. They showed great grit in overcoming Galway in the semi-final after extra time 3-15 to 1-19, with an Ann Dalton goal in the first period of extra time proving the difference.
Kilkenny are fully aware of the test that awaits them on Sunday. Paudie Murray has really developed a really strong side and are full value to the favourite tag.
They have some exceptionally talented player among their ranks with Orla Cotter and Ashling Thompson making up a very strong midfield and have a very formidable forward division with Amy O’Connor, Breige Corkery and Katriona Mackey making up a very clinical forward division.
The last time the sides met was in this year’s league where the Rebelettes edged Kilkenny by a point 1-09 to 0-11 points and previous to this defeated Kilkenny in last year’s championship semi-final 4-10 to 1-10.
I expect a real tough encounter on Sunday and feel this could be a game that could go right down to the wire. This tie was decided on goals in previous encounters and Sunday could very well be the same.
Both sides have motivating factors heading into the clash with Cork going for three in a row and Kilkenny hoping to bridge a 22-year gap. It has all the ingredients to be a classic encounter and one not to be missed.
11th September 2016
Liberty Insurance Intermediate Camogie Championship Final
Kilkenny vs Cork
Venue: Croke Park 2pm Referee: John McDonagh
The Kilkenny Intermediate team will hope to secure the Jack McGrath cup for the first time since 2008 when they take on Cork in Croke Park on Sunday.
Cork secured Sunday’s showdown after overcoming Laois in the All-Ireland semi-final 0-19 points to 2-06. They top their group by recording three wins on the spin and were awarded their last game after Down conceded.
They began the campaign with a 0-12 points to 0-06 victory over Kildare. They backed this up with wins over Meath 2-09 to 1-10, Galway 0-16 points to 0-09 and were awarded their last tie over Down after the Mourne county conceded.
Kilkenny similarly ran through the group campaign undefeated and secured Sundays’ clash with a 1-15 to 0-07 victory over Kildare.
The Cork Intermediate team are also under the stewardship of Paudie Murray and showed impressive form in the build up to Sunday’s encounter with the forward division of Rachel O’Shea, Sarah Fahy, Linda Collins and Caroline Sugrue making up a strong forward division that has being putting up impressive score lines and will keep the Kilkenny defence on their toes.
This game has all the hallmarks of being a cracking encounter and I don’t expect much between the sides at the final whistle.
This game could boil down to whichever defence can keep the opposing forward line quiet. It is a game that’s not to be missed and I expect no more than a few points to be in it in the end.
We Will Have Full Live Commentary Of Both Games On Sunday With Thanks To Affidea Of Kilkenny
