Controversy overshadows camogie final

There are some interesting games down for decision this weekend once more.

None more so than the meeting of Clare and Tipperary in the Munster Hurling Championship; it’s effectively a knockout match as with just 1 point each, the losers ambitions’ will to all intents and purposes be over with 1 game to go for both.

Munster Senior Championship Camogie Final

Cork v Waterford on Saturday at The Ragg, Tipperary at 1pm

The big question here is will this match actually take place given the controversy in relation to the skorts/shorts issue that was highlighted by Kilkenny, Dublin and Laois over the weekend.

Cork captain Meabh Cahalane said: “We intend wearing shorts on Saturday as we feel it is something that needs to be highlighted; we would much rather be focussing on the game but this is an area that is causing concern for players and it needs resolving.”

The captain added: “We are prepared for whatever the consequences but let’s hope it won’t come to that.”

As for the match itself, Meabh is paying due respect to Waterford. “Everyone thought it would be Tipperary but Waterford are a very good team and they won a great semi-final so we are expecting a tough battle.”

The Munster Championship was important to Cork last year as Meabh explained. “It was after a disappointing league (that) we got going in Munster and went onto win it and it gave us great momentum for the All-Ireland series, and hopefully we will get the same this year.”

Manager Ger Manley is fully supportive of his players. “I can fully understand their concerns and it’s time for leadership from the top in the Camogie Association to bring this matter to an end.”

Ger like Meabh is very respectful of a good Waterford team with Mick Boland doing a good job after Jerry Wallis stepped away.

“They are a good team as they showed when beating Tipperary, so even with all that is going on, we are well prepared for what we expect will be a tough game.”

Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton are among their best but Eimear O’Neill, Lorraine Bray, Abbie Flynn and Annie Fitzgerald all made important contributions in the win over Tipperary.

Injuries for Cork are beginning to clear up according to Ger. “Nearly there now Katriona (Mackey), Laura (Hayes) could be available - a few little niggles but nothing to worry about.”

Ger was adamant that the Munster campaign is very important. “It is because you get games ahead of the All-Ireland series; look at Galway - no match for nearly 9 weeks, challenge games are hard to get as well, so on that basis it’s a big game for us and we want to win it.”

The recent training camp to Portugal was also very beneficial. “We got a lot of work done with great facilities and a bit of down time as well which was very good.”

This game was originally billed as curtain-raiser to Clare and Tipperary in Ennis, but now goes ahead at ground of Tipperary camogie, and Ger has no issues with the venue. “None really; we won there recently in the league and are back there again in the championship in a few weeks so that’s okay.”

Cork have a very good and well balanced team and will be warm favourites to win and they should.

It has emerged as I pen this article that moves are afoot to try and resolve the current issue and hopefully something will have emerged that the game will actually go ahead.

Munster Ladies Football Championship

Cork v Waterford on Sunday in Dungarvan at 2pm

This is effectively a semi-final as both are on 2 points following wins over Tipperary and defeats to Kerry who await the winners in the final.

Waterford - who competed very comfortably in Division 1 of the league - really tested Kerry last Sunday and will be confident that they can get the better of Joe Carroll’s side especially with home advantage.

In the end Kerry got over the line by a single point, where as they were 6 point winners over Cork so another indication that this will be a tough test for the visitors.

Lauren McGregor who has an eye for goals, Katie Murray, Kellyann Hogan, Clare Walsh and Brid McMaugh have brought their impressive league form into the championship and will fancy their chances of reaching the final.

Cork after a slow start eventually got over the challenge presented by a resolute Tipperary side.

As she always seems to do, Katie Quirke top scored with 2-6, while Laura O’Mahony got the 3rd goal.

Aine Terry O’Sullivan also made her first start and the Beara girl’s vast experience will be a valuable asset as the season evolves.

Throw in Melissa Duggan, Erika O’Shea, Emma Cleary, Sarah Murphy, Libby Coppinger and Hannah Looney and there is a nice balanced look to the team.

There appears though to be an over dependence on Katie Quirke for scores and if they improve on that, they could be hard to beat.

Sunday will tell them a bit more about where they are in terms of the seeding for the All-Ireland Championship; a win and they are guaranteed at the very least a 2nd seed, lose and it’s 3rd which will make the group all that bit tougher.

Munster Minor Football Championship Semi-final

Cork v Tipperary on Monday in Thurles at 7pm

“Disappointed with the result of course but not the overall performance especially with it being our 1st Cchampionship outing of the year,” said Cork manager Keith Ricken in the aftermath of the loss to Kerry, who were also playing their 1st championship game on Monday night last.

“The focus now switches to Tipperary; we will review, regroup and go again and if we get the win at the very least we are guaranteed two more games and one of them might be against Kerry, so still a lot to play for.”

Cork actually started well could have had a 1st minute goal and at times easily breached the Kerry defence. Cork were level at half-time, but on the resumption, the game swung the way of the Kingdom youngsters.

“It did and we conceded a few soft scores and while we kept plugging away, we could never bridge that gap, but as I said pleased with the effort from a very committed group.”

Keith also made an interesting observation about the format of the championship. “We (Munster) appear to be the only one with no round-robin - well not for Cork and Kerry anyway - and we must travel to Tipperary who will be playing their 5th game and the same for Kerry going to play Clare - strange and I think it needs adjusting.”

Tipperary emerged from phase 1 with a couple of big wins and they displayed that again in the final of that phase beating Clare in a cracking game that went to extra-time.

A week earlier they were 11 points down to the same opposition and turned that game around so there will be a resolve and a determination in the side and playing on familiar ground, they will see this as a great opportunity to reach the Munster Final.

Central to their current good form has been Ned O’Meara (0-7) in the win last Monday night, Killian Smith, Dara Maher, Sean Burke, Killian Fitzgerald and Darragh Bresnan.

Can Cork turnaround a 10 point loss at home and get to the final?

Scoring only 2-8 would be a concern as would having your goalkeeper as a main free taker, a couple of misses would undermine any player’s confidence let alone a 16/17 year old, so that might be looked at.

Cork though do have some good players; captain Cathal McCarthy impressed and for long periods defensively they contained Kerry and had a number of good turnovers with Ben Coffey and Brian Cronin impressive.

In attack Donagh Flynn, Paddy Murphy, Niall O’Callaghan and Ben Corkery Delaney looked dangerous but missed chances which proved costly, 9 wides to Kerry’s 1.

Interestingly Tom Whooley and Joe Miskella were effective when introduced and could start this time round.

In many respects the Kerry game was a free hit, a no jeopardy encounter as both were going to the semi-final; well there is jeopardy in this game.

Will Cork have learned from it and can they show enough improvement required to extend their season?

You would certainly hope so, if not their championship will be over and done with in just 7 days.

Sam Maguire Cup draw

Well 3 of the 4 teams in the group are now known; the 4th will be the losers of the Meath v Louth Leinster final next Sunday.

It will begin with an away trip to one of the above, then it’s Kerry at home in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Cork conclude against Roscommon at a neutral venue.

As in previous years, one win will almost assure you of advancing but as John Cleary remarked: “It could have been easier and it could have been harder”.

Having beaten Louth and Meath in the league and played very well against Kerry, Cork will feel confident as they prepare for the qualifiers having already played Galway and Sligo in challenge games.

One of their more poorer displays came against Roscommon, who they did beat the last time they met in the championship. They will look to rectify that league result and it will be an interesting few weeks!