Division 1A of the Very Camogie League gets going on Saturday, with some intriguing match-ups down for decision.
With a new format this year, there's plenty at stake. Each of the six teams play one another with the top two progressing to the final. The bottom team will be relegated to Division 1B.
WEATHER
It'll be a largely dry start in the east but rain will spread countrywide through the morning and early afternoon. Quite breezy with moderate to fresh southerly winds, stronger near coasts. The rain will turn heavy in places but will ease off from the west later in the day as winds moderate. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees. For more visit met.ie.
SATURDAY
Division 1A (all games 2pm)
Clare v Galway, Cusack Park, John Dermody (Westmeath)
More, perhaps, than any manager, Galway boss Cathal Murray has utilised the Very Leagues astutely in the past, paying far more than lip service to the notion that form illustrated in the spring will be rewarded with a starting place come the championship.
What's more, he has done this while being competitive, the Tribeswomen reaching the last four finals [2020 falling foul to Covid] and winning three of them, including the last two.
Clare started last year's campaign with a bang when they overcame subsequent All-Ireland semi-finalists Tipperary in the opening round.
They didn't manage to build on that however and will want to be more consistent this term.
Tipperary v Waterford, Tipperary Camogie Grounds (The Ragg), Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)
This is a repeat of last year's pulsating All-Ireland semi-final, in which the Déise reeled in a six-point deficit after Tipp's lightning start to progress to the final for the first time in 78 years.
It is also a precursor to an impending group championship tie later in the year. Waterford return to the top tier of League camogie having won Division 1B last year but do so with a new manager, following Seán Power's decision to resign after just one year at the helm.
Jerry Wallace is a high-class appointment however, having served at the highest level in hurling, with Cork, Antrim and Limerick, and steered the Rebels minors to four All-Ireland camogie victories on the spin.
This is a big game in the context of the League itself but Denis Kelly will be looking to unearth some new talent in his second season as Tipp boss, as the Premier look to put last year's disappointment behind them and continue the progress they have made in the past six or seven seasons.
Kilkenny v Cork, UPMC Nowlan Park, Gavin Donegan (Dublin), Live on the Offficial Camogie YouTube page
This is a duel that never needs the big PR treatment and with the Rebels coming as All-Ireland champions, the heat might be dialled up just a little bit more.
Both teams are under new management, with their coach, the former Cork hurler Ger Manley stepping into the vacancy left by Matthew Twomey but it is a familiar set-up to the players.
In contrast, Peter Cleere was unknown to the Kilkenny panel in a coaching sense at least. The two-time All-Ireland winner with the Cats takes over from Brian Dowling having cut his teeth with Carlow.
