SATURDAY, MARCH 29
Division 1B final
Antrim v Clare, NGDC Abbotstown main pitch (Live on Camogie Association YouTube)
This is a quick reunion, of sorts, with the teams having met in the final round of group games last Saturday.
With both qualified by virtue of 100% records from four previous ties, and the decider to come seven days later, nobody was anxious to give too much away and a lot of players sat it out. For statistical purposes, Antrim won by 5-12 to 1-10 in Ennis but it is impossible to use it as a gauge for what might occur at the NGDC.
Clare are looking to make an immediate return to Division 1A and are skippered by Áine O'Loughlin, a real goal threat who was nominated for AIB club player of the year after her heroics with Truagh-Clonlara last season. ZiYan Spillane and Ellen Casey are others to watch in John Carmody’s squad.
It said much for Carl McCormick and Martin Coulter’s Antrim that they overcame the absence of injured forwards Róisín McCormick, Caitrin Dobbin and Maeve Kelly to get over Wexford in the first round – reeling in a seven-point deficit to win by one. McCormick was the last to make a return, getting 20 minutes as the most significant element of last weekend’s outing.
It is hard to see anything but a close affair.
Division 1A Round 5
Cork v Galway, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Live on Camogie Association YouTube)
Cork are already assured of a place in the final, with Galway needing to win to be sure to join them. This is a repeat of last year's All-Ireland final, in which the Rebels prevailed by just three points and perhaps that memory might provide a touch more motivation for the Tribeswomen.
A draw would leave Galway vulnerable, with Tipperary hot on their tails.
Dublin v Kilkenny, O'Toole Park
This is a relegation battle that Kilkenny can afford to draw. If Dublin win, however, they will catapult over the Cats to safety and then it could go down to score difference between the Noresiders and Waterford, depending on their result against Tipperary.
Right now, Kilkenny are 12 points worse off in that regard. The Dubs have been competitive in all bar the Cork game, but only have a draw from their opener against Tipp to show for their efforts and defeat would see them make a quick return to Division 1B.
Waterford v Tipperary, Walsh Park
Tipperary waited 20 years to win a national title so they will be desperate to record the victory that would give them a chance of retaining their Division 1A title. They would need Galway to fail to win in Cork.
In the meantime, Waterford will hope that Kilkenny account for Dublin, which would ensure their survival in the top tier. Should the Dubs prevail and the Déise lose, however, it would come down to score difference and in that respect, they have 12 points in hand. A draw would make survival certain.
