Will Galway’s former hurling goalkeeper Liam O’Donoghue help guide the county’s camogie stars to the All-Ireland final this year? That is the intriguing question behind Galway’s meeting with Wexford in the Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship semi-final at Nowlan Park (1.30pm) this coming Saturday.
The game is part of a terrific double header with Cork and Tipperary meeting in the other semi final at 3.15pm.
O’Donoghue - All-Ireland Under-21 and National league Medal winner - is part of the management of the Galway camogie team under Mike Kelly, and he has no illusions about the difficulty in facing a Wexford team which has been flying all season.
O’Donoghue said: ‘This has been a rebuilding year for Galway and the fact that we’ve reached the All Ireland semi final is fantastic.
‘We know how strong Wexford are, we know how tough the challenge is so we’re going to go out and give it 100% from the first whistle.’
Galway go into the semi final without two of their top stars; Niamh Kilkenny and Lourda Kavanagh - both of whom are injured.
Additionally Galway’s case is not helped by a number of high profile retirements, which contributed to what Kelly describes as a ‘disastrous League campaign this year’.
But the county’s current All-Star Veronica Curtin is in flying form and notched seven points in the game against Cork.
Kelly said: ‘Wexford are the best team in the country currently but our group of players is a strong one and we’re going to give it our best shot.’
Wexford beat Galway 3-13 to 0-11 just over a week ago and are firm favourites to make the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1994.
Wexford manager Stellah Sinnott said: ‘It’s what every camogie player dreams about, a chance to play in an All-Ireland final and everyone is looking forward to Saturday with confidence.’
Wexford will not underestimate Galway in what they see is a vital one-off game.
Sinnott said: ‘It’s going to be highly competitive but we are confident in the preparations we have taken and I’m looking forward to the girls showing everyone what they can do.’
Wexford’s hopes will be built around Kate Kelly, their All-Star midfielder and Ursula Jacob who scored 1-5 against Kilkenny.
Given that Wexford have not been in the All Ireland final since 1994 will that pose a psychological problem?
Sinnott believes not: ‘Not at all.
‘I’m confident we can do the business on Saturday.’
Wexford and Galway starts at 1.30pm and at 3.15 last years finalists Cork and Tipperary renew their fierce rivalry in the second semi final.
Cork will be going for three in a row after taking the O’Duffy Cup in 2005 and last year. Tipperary will be seeking their first All-Ireland since 2004.
Cork are favourites to go through to the final but they face a Tipperary team whose preparation has been designed to peak at this stage of the Championship.
Cork beat Tipperary by four points in the second round, however, according to Tipp manager Tony Delaney: ‘They were very lucky to beat us and we took great heart from our display.’
Cork and Tipperary have already met three times this season. Cork won the replay after the drawn Munster final and they beat Tipp also in the championship.
Cork’s All-Stars Rena Buckley and Jennifer O’Leary will have key roles on Saturday but Tipperary’s young star Clare Grogan is a prolific scorer with five points to her credit against Cork and another ten points against Wexford.
Delaney said: ‘Our training methods focused on us having plenty left in the tank for the latter stages of the Championship and we certainly feel with the form and shape we’re in that we are a match for anyone.’
Cork are cautious but confident about the game against Tipperary.
Cork manager John Cronin said: ‘We know that Tipperary are a top side but we are a top side too and there will be very little between the two sides.
‘I suppose we are the favourites but in my opinion we are only slight favourites as there has been very little - sometimes only the puck of a ball - between us, and this year has been no exception.’
