A look ahead to the weekend’s camogie action as Westmeath return to the top table, Kilkenny target five All-Ireland finals in a row, and Galway look to create history.
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 2
Limerick v Westmeath, Bruff GAA, 2pm (J. Heffernan, Wexford)
The Munster side always have strong intentions of reaching the latter stages of the Senior Championship and this year will be no different.
Getting their campaign underway at home to the newly-promoted Intermediate champions will bring its own challenges, so Limerick will need to respect their opponents to the fullest this weekend.
It will be a momentous day for Westmeath Camogie as they take to the Senior Championship just three years after lining out in the Premier Junior Championship grade.
Under the management team of the Greville brothers, they continue to improve year-on-year, and many people will be excited to see what last year’s Intermediate champions will bring to the table!
Verdict: Limerick
Waterford v Kilkenny, Walsh Park, 2pm (A. Larkin, Cork)
This is another Munster v Leinster clash in the Senior Championship as Beth Carton’s Waterford take on Denise Gaule’s Kilkenny.
The Munster outfit have yet to pose any real challenge in this stage over their opponents so they will be hoping they can take that scalp on their journey this weekend.
Kilkenny will need to regroup and go again, as has become the familiar opening phrase to describe the Cats season ahead.
If they are to make their fifth consecutive All-Ireland Senior Final appearance, they will need to prove to themselves first and foremost that they can produce that title winning confidence all the way to the December, starting from this weekend’s opening round fixture.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 1
Wexford v Galway, Bellefield, Enniscorthy, 2pm (O. Elliot, Antrim)
The Yellowbellies have the toughest opening round fixture on paper as they welcome reigning champions Galway to their home turf.
It will be an opportunity for the Leinster side to test their ability against the champions, and in the opening match of the Championship campaign anything can happen, so they will have no fear when they take to their patch this weekend.
Galway claimed the 2019 League and Championship crowns, along with their Senior Club champions Sarsfields winning the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship title in March.
In defence, they are solid and defensively sound, the midfield duo are dynamic and diverse, while their forward line is lethal at every opportunity.
They are looking to retain their Senior Championship crown for the first time in their history.
Verdict: Galway
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 3
Tipperary v Clare, The Ragg, 2pm (R. Kelly, Kildare)
After a blistering start to the 2020 season, only to be halted on their good run by COVID-19, Tipperary will be looking to produce that form again as they welcome their Munster rivals Clare this weekend.
After consecutive Semi-Final appearances in the Championship they will want to prove once again that they deserve to be at the latter end this campaign with a tricky encounter to open with.
Clare will have no fear taking on Tipperary this weekend and will be determined to stamp their authority in the group from an early stage.
With all teams on a similar playing field in terms of preparation the Banner county have the perfect opportunity to upset the odds on their travels.
The defence will require optimum focus with a lethal finisher like Cáit Devane on the opposition.
Verdict: Tipperary
Fixtures:
Saturday October 17
All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 1
Offaly v Cork – Cancelled – Cork awarded walkover.
All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 2
Limerick v Westmeath, Bruff GAA, Limerick, 2pm, Justin Heffernan (Wexford)
Waterford v Kilkenny, Walsh Park, Waterford, 2pm, Andy Larkin (Cork)
All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship, Group 1
Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 2pm, Barry Nea (Limerick)
All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship, Group 1
Clare v Offaly, Fr. McNamara Park, Ennis, 2pm, Kevin O’Brien (Limerick)
Sunday October 18
All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 1
Wexford v Galway, Bellefield, Enniscorthy, 2pm, Owen Elliott (Antrim)
All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Group 3
Tipperary v Clare, The Ragg, 2pm, Ray Kelly (Kildare)
