GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP
(all games Saturday)
Group 2, round three
Wexford v Carlow (Bellefield, 2pm)
Antrim v Derry (Glenariffe, 5pm)
DERRY are guaranteed a place in the knock-out stages. If they win or draw against Antrim, they will top Group 2. If Antrim were to beat Derry, they would need Carlow to beat Wexford in the other game for both Ulster teams to progress.
Those are the bare mathematical facts. The reality is that a Derry team that ran Antrim’s first-team to a point in the Ulster senior semi-final shouldn’t have much trouble against the Saffron reserves.
If the Oak Leaf continue to play as they did against Wexford and Carlow, they will win easily. Their defence is solid and has conceded just 13 points over the opening two group games. No goals, because Niamh Gribbin is well-shielded by the experienced part of the team.
Even when Carlow earned a penalty the last day Niamh, who had replaced the injured Niamh McQuillan prior to the Ulster championship, pulled off an excellent save.
In their games against Wexford and Carlow, this Antrim team have conceded 4-22. It is a less experienced defence than Derry’s and they have paid the price as Carlow came with a late burst to deny them a win they deserved in their home tie in Ahoghill.
Derry’s attack has shown a massive improvement since their league campaign that was less than impressive.
Áine McAllister and Máiréad McNicholl are the most experienced players up front and have been expected to deliver a steady run of scores.
However, Lavey’s Aoife Shaw has really been flying and is a huge threat in the inside line, with younger players also finding their feet.
Antrim also have a fair number of younger players; 11 of the team that started against Wexford last weekend are 21 or under, while another couple came off the bench.
They are making tremendous progress for a team that only came into existence at the start of last year, winning an All-Ireland junior title and Ulster intermediate title as well as reaching the Division 3B league final. That is super progress inside 16 months.
However, Derry are a team that has genuine aspirations of reaching Croke Park this season and should win.
The winner of the other game will make the quarter-finals, a draw would even see Wexford through. They were not impressive at all when they came to Owenbeg in round one, but last week at home in Bellefield they were a different proposition.
Carlow struggled in both their games, but managed to get a draw in Ahoghill.
Verdict Derry to win with a bit to spare, while home comforts will assist Wexford
Group 1
Dublin v Galway (Naomh Peregrine, 5pm)
KILKENNY have already secured top spot from this group. The race is on for the other one and it would look to be in Cork hands. Galway are the team most likely to prevent that. It is imperative that they secure a good win in their trip to the capital.
Dublin have had to re-build after losing half of last year’s team to the senior squad while others walked away. Their year began with two wins in the league, but they have lost every game since.
Verdict A win for Galway to leave the final game (Cork v Galway) as a winner-takes-all clash
Group 3, round three (5pm)
Westmeath v Meath (Raharney)
Laois v Kerry (Rathdowney)
THIS is the mayhem group. In the first week of games, Division 2A league champions Kerry came down to earth with a draw against Westmeath. Then last day out Meath skinned them at home in Causeway, reversing the league final result.
Meath are guaranteed one of the knock-out spots. If they draw in Ratharney they top the group. Kerry and Westmeath are vying for the other qualification spot with Laois the fall-guys.
So let’s get that game out of the way; Kerry will win in Rathdowney and win with something to spare. At the moment they have a plus-23 scoring difference, with Westmeath to close down.
Of course, if Westmeath draw with Meath or go one better, the Kerry v Laois result is irrelevant. But if, as expected, Meath beat Westmeath, then it all comes down to scoring difference.
Verdict Meath to beat Westmeath by a small margin (five or six points). Kerry will need to win by a margin of 18 points. I don’t think they will make that.
