Liberty Insurance Intermediate Camogie Championship Group One:
Down v Meath (Saturday, Clonduff, 2.30pm)
DOWN will be hoping that they can continue their winning ways when they take on Meath at Clonduff on Saturday in Group One of the Liberty Insurance Intermediate Camogie Championship.
The reigning Premier Junior champions were in impressive form last week as they saw off Wexford by nine points and Fionnuala Carr says her side are hoping to build on that victory.
“Last week’s game was the start to the Championship that we wanted and needed. A lot of the younger players made their debuts and showed that they are more than capable of playing at this level,” Carr said.
“Carrie Killen was excellent in her first senior Championship start and new members to the panel - Lizzie Wilson, Cassie Fitzpatrick, Deirde McCabe, Cliona Murtagh and Joanna Sloan - all played well.
"We were satisfied with the start and hopefully it will have given us a platform to push on as we take on the next challenge of Meath. It will be a different style of game, we expect it to be more physical and a step up from the Wexford game, but we will have a few players back from injury, including Sara Louise [Carr], who is one of the best forwards in the country. Sara Louise will be able to support Niamh [Mallon], who was outstanding against Wexford.
“It is going to be tough and we are aware of the task that faces us, but it is a challenge that we are relishing.”
In Group Two, Antrim will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s defeat at the hands of Waterford. The Saffrons will take on Kildare at 2pm in St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge.
Armagh are back in action in the Liberty Insurance Premier Junior Camogie Championship on Sunday. The Orchard girls were unlucky to be on the end of a five-point defeat last week.
Captain Ciara Donnelly, Rachel Merry, Ciara Hill, Eimear Hayes, Gráinne Kelly and Siodhna Woods will, once again, be key players for Armagh as they aim to put in a similar performance against Limerick. Manager Jim McCormick says that, although his side are going through a period of rebuilding, he was pleased with the fight they showed last week.
“The girls gave a great performance last week. As I said before, we are rebuilding and the players that have come in have shown great spirit,” McCormick said.
“To be honest, I don’t know much about Limerick and I will be hoping for a similar performance. We are taking this campaign game by game.”
