THE NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Camogie Championship semi-finals will take place on Sunday, with reigning champions Derry taking on newly-crowned National League Division Three champions Armagh in Keady and Antrim facing neighbours Down in Loughgiel.
The Oak Leafers had a disappointing league campaign, but new manager Ciaran Cunningham saw it as a rebuilding period that allowed players the chance to gain experience at the top level.
“The league gave us a chance to look at a few players and to gain experience. Our preparation for the Ulster Championship has been going well, the girls are ready for the game, we understand the challenge that Armagh will bring, but we are definitely ready for the game," Cunningham said.
“On a sad note, one of our players, Dervla O’Kane, lost her father this week and that really puts the game into perspective - it is just a game. We are a close group and we are all thinking of Dervla and her family at this time."
Armagh have enjoyed success so far this season by capturing the Division Three title. Paddy McArdle and Jim McCormick’s side have approached the season by taking it one game at a time and Sunday will be no different.
Captains Ciara Donnelly and Andrea McAlinden have been key players for the Orchard county in the middle of the park, with Donnelly’s younger sisters Leanne and Michelle providing a real scoring threat. Derry will hope Megan Kerr, Maria Mooney and the Ní Chaiside sisters, Eilís and Aoife, can counteract their threat. At the back, Hannah McGeown and Grainne Kelly will have to be solid as they face Derry’s sharpshooting Katie McAnenly and Sinead Cassidy.
Armagh manager Paddy McArdle says his side are looking forward to testing themselves against the reigning champions: “Derry have been the best team in Ulster for quite some time now, so it will be good for the girls to line up against Ulster’s finest and see how much they have progressed.
"These are the type of games we want to play in and hopefully be competitive from start-to-finish. We are going into this game on the back of a league title and the girls' confidence is high at this stage, but they also know that, if they don't bring their A game, it could all change very quick against the best team in Ulster.
"Our girls have already shown us a serious amount of commitment this year, both on and off the field, and as long as they keep doing so then that's all we can ask for. Myself and Jim [McCormack] are just trying to point them in the right direction, but it's all been down to them over the last number of months.
“I suppose it's just down to belief with Armagh, we have a seriously talented bunch of girls, so now we just have to believe we can mix it with the best,” added McArdle.
The other semi-final sees neighbours Antrim and Down battling it out. The Saffrons are made-up primarily of the Loughgiel club, Orla O’Hara from Cushendall is the only other player on the panel.
This move could work in Antrim’s favour as Loughgiel defeated Down in a challenge match as part of their preparation for the AIB All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Championship semi-final against Killimor in January.
Down, who will be without Fionnuala and Sara Louise Carr, will look to the experience of Niamh Mallon, Dervla Magee and captain Paula Gribben as they aim to book a final spot.
FIXTURES
Sunday
NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Camogie Championship semi-finals: Armagh v Derry (Keady, 2pm); Antrim v Down (Loughgiel, 3pm)
