Very Ireland Camogie League Division 1B
Antrim v Wexford (Sunday, Portglenone, 2pm)
THIS game was due to take place last weekend, but was postponed due to a bereavement.
Although the other two final-round games went ahead as planned, nothing has changed in terms of the importance of this game.
One of these teams will play Waterford next weekend in the final.
Wexford need just a draw to make it a south-east derby final, while Antrim need to win to reach a first decider with the Deise since they beat them in a replay in Ashbourne after the 2010 All-Ireland junior final had finished in a draw.
They have encountered Wexford in more recent times – in a Croke Park final as well. That was last year’s Division Two league final when the Slaneysiders’ forwards exposed defensive frailties in the first half.
The second half was more evenly contested – but Wexford were too far ahead of Antrim at the break to lose the game.
There have been a few strange results through this year’s league. Offaly are relegated and the only point they took was against Antrim. Wexford struggled to a three-point home win over Limerick, while Antrim beat them by nine points in Rathkeale without the talismanic Róisín McCormick in their attack.
McCormick has since returned to fitness and her presence should have an impact on how Antrim perform in front of goals. In her absence club-mate Catrin Dobbin has taken a lot of responsibility and against a team like Wexford Antrim need to have different attacking options.
With last year’s regular midfielders Amy Boyle and Lucia McNaughton already stationed at the back, Antrim’s rebuilt defence looks to be under further pressure following an injury to Niamh Cosgrove. The experienced Ballycastle defender damaged her knee in the Waterford game.
The visitors have to be favourites to make it into the final. Antrim need something special from their forwards.
