Camogie Preview | Battle of the top teams as Championship heads into penultimate round of the group stage

The second round of the Neville Jewellers Senior Camogie Championship takes place this weekend.

The senior camogie sides will play their penultimate group games this weekend two weeks after the first round of fixtures.

Ahane and Crecora-Manister were the victors in group one while champions Newcastle West and Granagh Ballingarry took home the two points in the other group.

2020 champions Killeedy run the risk of missing out on a knockout place after their opening round loss and will be looking to make up points in this round.

Neville Jewellers Senior Camogie Championship – Round Two

Group 1

Killeedy v Cappamore

(Saturday 3rd September at 6:30pm in Killeedy)

Killeedy have been half of the dominant two in the SCC over the last couple of years alongside Newcastle West. However, the round one defeat against Ahane has been a setback in their hopes of qualifying and will be out to rectify the result this weekend. Another loss could signal the end of their chances.

Cappamore also lost their opening fixture to Granagh Ballingarry and sit bottom of the pile. A loss on Saturday will all but guarantee their Championship hopes coming to an end in their first year at the top tier after winning Intermediate and Killeedy will be a strong force to reckon with after their loss.

Crecora v Ahane

(Saturday 3rd September at 6:30pm in Crecora)

Two sides that will be buzzing with their opening round wins will go head-to-head this weekend. Crecora got the better of Cappamore with six points separating the sides two weeks ago and they’ll have the confidence to push for a first place finish after a difficult 2021.

However, 2018 SCC winners Ahane couldn’t have asked for a better start to life in the championship this season, defeating Killeedy in a cracking championship opener. The return of Niamh Mulcahy has bolstered their ranks considerably and a win on Saturday will put them in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals.

Group 2

Bruff v Na Piarsaigh

(Saturday 3rd September at 6:30pm in Bruff)

Bruff faced the toughest task of them all in their opening round when they fell to defeat against 2021 champions Newcastle West. The side were unable to make it out of their group last year and they’ll need a win on Saturday to prevent history from repeating itself.

They face the other team that fell to defeat in the opening round, Na Piarsaigh, who lost out to Granagh Ballingarry. The sides only played two games in the championship last season and they’ll be looking for a win to avoid another season of crashing out in the group stages again.

Granagh Ballingarry v Newcastle West

(Saturday 3rd September at 6:30pm in Granagh Ballingarry)

Granagh Ballingarry opened their season with a six point win over Na Piarsaigh two weeks ago to set up an intriguing contest with the kingpins this weekend. They have their eyes on another semi-final, as they were able to make it out of their group last year but failing to beat their Saturday opponents for a place in the final.

Champions Newcastle West got off to a flying start last weekend with a victory against Bruff as they held off a fine comeback from the 2020 intermediate champions. However, it will be no surprise to anyone if the side can make it out of their group unscathed. But in Granagh Ballingarry, they take on one of the perennial contenders in the championship.