Tipp look to end 20-year league drought

All roads lead to Croke Park this Sunday as Tipperary take on Galway in the National Camogie League Division 1A Final.

CAMOGIE: VERY Ireland National League Division 1A Final Preview

By Geraldine Kinane

TIPPERARY v GALWAY

Croke Park

Sunday, 14th April

Throw-in @ 2.30pm

Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clare)

It is fifteen years since Tipperary last contested a division 1 league final when losing to Wexford in 2009 in Parnell Park, while it is even longer since they won it, way back in 2004. Galway on the other hand are hoping to make their own history by winning their third league title in a row.

A really close and exciting game is expected with Tipp having beaten Galway in the group stages earlier this year by three points. Tipperary won’t fear Galway having also beaten them last year in the group stages also.

However, Galway have had the edge over Tipperary in championship encounters although it has been a number of years since the sides last met there.

Having lost to Waterford in the opening round of the league in a poor display, Tipperary have really improved since then with impressive wins over Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Clare.

The team and panel has also gotten stronger as the league progressed with experienced players such as captain Karen Kennedy, Grace O’Brien, Julieanne Bourke and Aoife McGrath all returning at different stages from injury, although Kennedy remains a doubt for this final having picked up a shoulder injury against Clare.

In her appearances to date she has operated around the half forward line where she has been tough for any defender to handle but it remains to be seen if she returns to the number 6 spot in Croke Park to help curtail the Galway attack.

Galway have also improved as the league progressed with a crucial one-point win over Waterford in their second last group game before beating Cork 0-14 to 0-9 to book their place in the final.

Eimear McGrath has been Tipperary’s scoring chief to date and all would be delighted if she could repeat her player of the match display from the group game where shit hit a hat-trick of goals.

Grace O’Brien has looked sharp since returning from injury with 2-2 against Clare. The wide opening space of Croke Park will suit her as she looks to win her first ever league title.

With Clodagh McIntyre and Caoimhe McCarthy operating at wing back in recent games, Tipp have adopted a real running game style with support play and will hope this will again pay dividends.

The Galway team that started in their win over Cork included captain Roisin Black at fullback. UL star Aine Keane has been settling into the centre back spot while up front Cathal Murray has been able to call upon all the experience and talent of Aoife Donohue, Ailish O’Reilly, Carrie Dolan and the Sarsfields and McGrath duo of Siobhan and Orlaith.

It all lends itself to a really intriguing battle and hopefully a large crowd will travel from both counties to witness it.