Croke Park is the setting for the RTÉ Sport All-Ireland Camogie finals, with Wexford bidding for back to back wins in the senior decider.
Senior Final - Galway v Wexford, 4.00pm (Live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie)
This is their fourth meeting this year and for two teams so accustomed to one another, Sunday’s encounter will be decided by whoever wins out in the tactical battle.
Galway have made a number of positional switches since last year, moving Therese Maher to centre back. Her match up with Una Leacy, will be one of the crucial points of the game, while the duel between Galway captain Brenda Hanney and Catherine O’Loughlin in the full back line, is another vital match-up.
Wexford’s forwards are a devastating unit - when in full flow - and how the Galway defence fare against the talents of Leacy, Katrina Parrock, Kate Kelly and Co. will very well decide the fate of the 80th senior championship title.
Galway should shade it at midfield, but whether their forwards can utilize possession, against a teak tough defence is the question. Stalwarts such as Veronica Curtin and Aislinn Connolly, along with Tara Ruttledge will need to maximize all opportunities. A difficult tie to call but Wexford’s greater overall balance should see them collect their second in a row.
Galway: Susan Earner; Therese Manton; Sinead Cahalan; Lorraine Ryan; Ann Marie Hayes Therese Maher; Heather Cooney; Niamh Kilkenny; Ann Marie Starr; Noreen Coen, Martina Conroy; Aislinn Connolly; Tara Ruttledge; Brenda Hanney (Capt) Veronica Curtin
Wexford: Mags D'Arcy; Claire O'Connor; Catherine O'Loughlin; Karen Atkinson; Noeleen Lambert; Mary Leacy; Aoife O'Connor; Deirdre Codd; Josie Dwyer; Kate Kelly; Una Leacy; Michelle O'Leary; Lenny Holohan; Ursula Jacob; (capt) Katrina Parrock
Intermediate Final - Antrim v Wexford, 2.00pm ((Live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie)
Antrim appear in their fourth All Ireland final in less than twelve months. They captured the Premier Junior title last year after a dramatic replay, while they lost the Irish Daily Star League Two final, by the slimmest of margins in April.
The Joe Baldwin trained team has become accustomed to pressure Finals, and the Ulster side will relish Sunday’s encounter. They edged through after a dramatic semi-final with teenage star Orlagh O’Hara bagging the crucial scores.
However, they face an entirely different proposition in Wexford; who are seasoned campaigners and driven by the pain of last year’s defeat. The performance of the mercurial Jane Adams is crucial to Antrim, in addition to midfielders Rhona Torney and Colleen Doherty.
Wexford will rely upon score-getter Ciara O’Connor and the lighting pace of Linda Bolger, while Áine Codd is a vital cog at the heart of the defence. Spurred on by last year, Wexford should prove too strong.
Antrim: Mairéad Graham; Cathy Carey: Aileen Martin: Ashling Mc Call; Bronagh Orchin; Emma Connolly; Ashling Jackson; Colleen Doherty; Rhona Torney; Michaela Convery; Natalie Mc Guinness; Charlene Hamill; Katie Mc Aleese,; Jane Adams (Capt); Louise Mc Aleese
Wexford: Helena Jacob; Colleen Atkinson (Capt); Bernie Holohan; Frances Doran; Louise O'Leary; Aine Codd; Lisa Bolger; Shelly Kehoe; Siona Nolan; Louise Codd; Bridget Curran; Stacey Redmond; Ciara O'Connor; Fiona Rochford; Linda Bolger
Premier Junior Final - Down v Waterford, 12.00pm (Live on RTÉ.ie only)
Waterford head to GAA HQ for their third year in a row, determined to capture a title which has so far eluded them, suffering heartbreaking defeats in ’10 and ’09. Down, on the other hand, make their first appearance since 2004.
Little separates the teams, and whichever side displays the greater mental resilience will collect the All Ireland crown. Can Waterford shake off the shackles of previous defeats or will Down’s youthful exuberance carry them through?
Waterford’s Patricia Jackman, a stalwart of the side and a three times Poc Fada Champion is a crucial cog, while up front Karen Kelly and captain Nicola Morrissey have huge roles to play.
Down, on the other hand will be relying on Captain Lisa McCrickard at centre forward while Fionnuala Carr at centre back, is the lynchpin of a teak-tough defence.
Waterford defeated the Ulster side in the round robin championship stages; but it will matter little on Sunday with the stakes pushed higher. Down to win out - but by a tiny margin.
Down: Kitty Fegan; Orla Maginn; Ciara McGovern; Emma McCormick; Paula Gribbin; Fionnuala Carr; Karen Tinnelly; Lisa McPolin; Karen McMullan; Catherine McGourty; Lisa McCrickard(Capt); Kelly O’Higgins; Karen Gribbin; Sarah-Louise Carr; Niamh Mallon.
Waterford: Ashling O'Brien; Emma Hannon; Jennie Simspon; Kate-Marie Hearn; Shauna Kiernan; Charlotte Raher; Gráinne Kenneally; Patricia Jackman; Deirdre Fahey; Niamh Rockett Nicola Morrissey (Capt) Aoife Hannon; Ruth Geoghegan; Karen Kelly; Zoe O'Donoghue.
