LISTEN: Sporting Limerick Previews County Senior Camogie semi-finals

This weekend’s action will decide who contests the 2017 Limerick Senior Camogie Championship with both semi-finals down for decision at 12 noon on Sunday.

Defending champions Granagh Ballingarry have been a dominant force in Limerick camogie over the past few years, on Sunday they take on Killeedy in Fenagh.

There was nothing to separate the sides in the round robin stages of the championship when they played out a 1-08 to 0-11 draw. Granagh Ballingarry manager Tomás Moloney says he hopes that his side can go one better this weekend.

“There was nothing between the two teams, it was an extremely bad night which didn’t help. We made a lot of errors on the night, so we’ll be hoping to rectify that and play our own style of game, and hopefully get over the line.”

“The big thing for us is to stay in tight in the game and not to give any soft scores or goals or anything like that away. Hopefully as the game progresses we can get into a winning position but it’s going to be difficult. I’m hoping that with the squad and the fitness levels that we have that we can push through.

Killeedy come into Sunday’s game with the chance to avenge final defeats to Granagh Balingarry in 2014 and 2015.

In the other semi-final Ahane take on Newcastle West, the West Limerick side are looking to make a breakthrough to the final while Ahane will be looking to go one better than last year’s final defeat to Granagh Balingarry, Ahane manager Phelim Mackem says he’s expecting a tight encounter against a side that they beat by just two points in the round robin stage.

“They have a nice sprinkling of intercounty players in the team as do we so it’s a case of how the match-ups go and who gets the breaks on the day, I don’t expect it to be a landslide victory for either team, I expect it to go down to the wire.”

Mackem also commented on Ahane’s Niamh Mulcahy, who was recognized for a great season at intercounty level with another all-star nomination.

“Niamh has been to the fore-front in the last number of years. It’s good recognition getting a nomination and it gives you a bit of a pep in your step but hopefully we’d like to see Niamh go a step further this year and get an all-star.

Newcastle West coach Tony O’Connor will be looking for a response from his side following defeats to Ahane in the league final and the championship, he hopes that his young side can come away with the all-important win.

“They’re (Ahane) are a hugely experienced team at this stage, they thought us a lesson in the league final but the championship meeting was more of a realistic view into where are two teams are. There’s usually only a puck of the ball between us over the past few years, maybe one or two points, I’ve no doubt that Sunday’s going to be the same and whatever team hits form is going to come out on top.”

“We’re a young side, average age is 21. We’re just trying to get the girls to go out and hurl with confidence and have no fear and see where it takes them. They’ve got plenty of skill and we’ve had plenty of underage success, if they can go out with that freeness and hurl to the best of their abilities on Sunday we’ll be there or there abouts come the final whistle.”

Killeedy coach Colm O’Brien wants his side to go out and reap the rewards of what has been a long hard season.

“Our girls will be quite confident in their own ability. We know what to expect from Granagh Ballingarry, good tough camogie. It is a long year to get to the semi final stage. The message will be to reap the rewards of the hard work they have done.”

 

Ahane v Newcastle West
in Croagh at 12pm

Granagh Ballingarry v Killeedy
in Feenagh at 12pm

Listen to Sporting Limerick’s full semi-final preview below.