Camogie: AIB All Ireland Club Semi Finals | Senior & Intermediate
Slaughtneil
Slaughtneil camogie. Going for three-in-a row and why not. Forged in the shadow of An Carn. The spine features the formidable trio that is the Ní Chasaide sisters, Aoife, Éilis and Bronagh, playing in the image of their late dad, the indomitable Thomas. Add in stylish defender, gaeilgeoir and co-captain Gráinne Ní Cathain, and rock solid sweeper Louise Dougan, they are an impressive outfit. And that’s before considering the attacking merits of Shannon Graham and former Offaly All Star camogie nominee Tina Hannon. Ni neart go cur le chéile, There is no strength without unity - the legend across the club jersey rings true. This is one united and unified group, and a hard one to break. The drive for three goes on.
Ardrahan
Ardrahan, they just love being written off and surprising folk? Why? Why is it a surprise? They have top class players. Galway senior and 2016 All Star Rebecca Hennelly has had star quality since she was a county minor while Siobhan Gardiner is a stylish operator in defence. Add in Caomhe Cahill, Shauna Healy, Ava Lynskey and crafty veteran Brenda Kerins Ardrahan have have craft and guile a plenty. Do they have enough pace through the the team to deal with the twin threat of Shannon Graham and Offaly All Star nominee Tina Hannon? Their match ups will be key to the outcome. Ardrahan have been down this road before at Intermediate and senior losing out narrowly on both occasions. Could 2019 be third time lucky?
St Martins
Sometimes when you ride your luck you get the breaks and catapult to greater things. Overcoming a 14 woman Thomastown side shorn of two Farrells might suggest a Leinster easily won, but not so. St Martin’s are Wexford and Leinster champs, reaping the benefit of a good coaching structure producing quality players and one of the best managers around in JJ Doyle. St Martins are anchored by Mags Darcy in goals behind a teak tough defensive unit, itself backboned by Noeleen Lambert and Ciara O'Connor. With Chloe Fox and Linda Bolger they have a scoring attack, the inside line will be looking to feature on the score sheet. Can St Martins march on?
Inniscarra
Sweet Inniscarra. They’ve been down the senior All Ireland club journey before. Losing out to Killimor. It’s long enough ago to not really matter. Play the game in front of you. At this stage they are seasoned campaigners, Winning three in a row in Cork. They know how to battle. Not to panic. If a late late show is required they can do it that way. The Niamhs - Dilworth and McCarthy a threat. Rebecca Sheehan solid. And of course Rena Buckley. Time for another chapter in Rena’s well chronicled career?
Sunday January 27th
AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Championships Semi-Finals
Ardrahan (Galway) v Slaughtneil (Derry)
Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA, Co. Meath
Throw-in: 2pm
Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)
Inniscarra (Cork) v St. Martin's (Wexford)
WIT Carriganore, Co. Waterford
Throw-in: 2pm
Referee: Owen Elliot (Antrim)
Clonduff
Featuring the smarts of Paula O’Hagan and Fionnuala Carr, the Yellas are a force to be reckoned with. Add the attacking threat of Sarah Louise Graffin and the Down outfit will pose more than their fair share of trouble to Craughwell. The team features a good mixture of youth and experience. Eight different players were on the scoresheet in the Ulster final. That’s a useful threat to have across a panel. Training like demons four times a week, Ulster camogie folks are wondering aloud, Clonduff for Croker?
Craughwell
Relatively inexperienced at this stage of the season, but bringing an unknown quantity to the All Ireland series. Drawing on the dead ball expertise of Leanne Freeney has paid dividends so far and a reliable free taker is an essential in winter championship camogie.The clubs website carries a great message for all players: "Somewhere behind the player you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you - is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her.” A good sentiment to bring to an All Ireland campaign.
Gailltír
The Waterford outfit must be favourites to lift the All Ireland title after clinching the tough Waterford championship in the narrowest fashion possible and moving on to win Munster in great end to the clubs 60th year in operation. The final score in the county final against De La Salle was 1-17 to 2-13 with Fitzgerald cousins Annie and Aoife firing in1-12 between them. That’ll give St Rynagh’s a few headaches.
St Rynagh’s
In 2017 St Rynagh’s of Offaly won their first ever senior title and in 2018 they added a Leinster intermediate in overcoming Kilkenny outfit Young Irelands. They were confirmed underdogs but pulled off a deserved six point victory. Siobhan Flannery and 16 year old Kate Kenny pose the main attacking threat, but they are ably assisted by Roisin Egan and Louise Mannion. Making tremendous progress in a short space of time since winning their first senior title, time is definitely on their side.
AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championships Semi-Finals
Clonduff (Down) v Craughwell (Galway)
Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA, Co. Westmeath
Throw-in: 2pm
Referee: Alan Doheny (Laois)
Gailltír (Waterford) v St. Rynagh's (Offaly)
Leahy Park, Cashel King Cormacs GAA, Co. Tipperary
Throw-in: 2pm
Referee: John McDonagh (Galway)