It’s the most hectic weekend of the year in Camogie across Kilkenny and Carlow with the Kilkenny Seniors and Carlow Juniors in action as well as the Kilkenny and Carlow Minors.
On Saturday, Seamus Kelly’s Kilkenny Minors are in action against Galway in the All-Ireland Semi-Final – that fixture set for McDonagh Park in Nenagh at 2pm, while the Carlow Minors play Westmeath in the All-Ireland C Semi-Final in Clane.
On Sunday, Kilkenny play Tipperary in the National League Division One Semi-Final while Carlow play Meath in the Division Two Semi-Final.
Kilkenny emerged victorious as Group winners having recorded a 2-12 to 0-14 victory in Bruff against Limerick with Anne Dalton grabbing both goals.
It was a double success for Kilkenny in a must win game.
Having lost to Cork and with Limerick winning all three games prior to that contest, Kilkenny needed to win and they achieved that aim.
Kilkenny also secured the added bonus of qualifying directly for the Semi-Finals as Group winners due to a better scoring difference over Cork and Limerick.
As a result, Kilkenny now have an easier semi-final against Tipperary who finished runners-up behind defending League Champions Galway.
Limerick and Cork battled it out in a play-off game to decide who was runner-up in the Group stages with the Shannonsiders defeating the Rebelletes for the second time in the competition as they won 1-11 to 0-7.
As mentioned previously, Limerick are the most improved team in the country along with Carlow and they will fancy their chances of defeating Galway in the League Semi-Final on Saturday.
Kilkenny’s match will be played at 2pm in WIT Sports Grounds on Sunday.
Carlow will fancy their chances of reaching the Division Two Final on the May Bank Holiday weekend also and they have been improving with each game.
Having lost narrowly to a experienced Laois Team, Carlow defeated Kilkenny, Kildare, Down and Wexford, and with the exception of Wexford, the other three teams have appeared on All-Ireland Final day the past few years.
Meath topped the Group as winners having won all 4 games but only having actually played two games, as they received walkovers from both Cork and Antrim.
Having much more competitive game time leaves Carlow at a hefty advantage, and that extra practice can see them through to a League Final.
Throw-in on Sunday is at 2pm in Clane
Meanwhile, Kilkenny Minors are in McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday to play Galway and having lost their opening game to Tipperary, Kilkenny bounced back with victories against Clare, Offaly and Dublin.
Carlow play Westmeath in the C All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final in Clane on Saturday, and it’s a busy weekend for 5 of the starting 15 as they are involved with the Junior squad on Sunday.
Carlow were well beaten by Armagh in their opening game 2-10 to 1-2, but they bounced back to finish runners-up in the group and they have been very impressive as they defeated Westmeath 3-7 to 1-6, before travelling up to Cavan to win 6-6 to 0-1.
Their final group game saw them easily defeat Kerry 4-9 to 1-2.
Ger Power’s charges are playing with superb confidence at the moment and having already defeated Westmeath, they will feel very confident of qualifying for the decider.
The All-Ireland Minor Finals are scheduled for Saturday April 23rd.
