Clonoulty put title on the line against strong chasing pack

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Preview

By Geraldine Kinane, Tipperary PRO

The 2025 Tipperary Senior Camogie Championship gets underway this weekend and promises to be an exciting battle as ten clubs vie for county honours across two competitive groups.

Clonoulty/Rossmore enter as reigning champions, having ended Drom & Inch’s five year reign last season. Their semi-final win over the former champions and a hard-fought victory against Thurles Sarsfields in the final cemented their place at the summit. King Cormacs, Drom & Inch, and Thurles Sarsfields again look set to be the main contenders, but a strong chasing pack means every game counts.

Group 1: Drom & Inch, Moneygall, Shannon Rovers, Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams, Clonoulty/Rossmore

Group 2: Thurles Sarsfields, Cashel King Cormacs, Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill, Burgess/Duharra, Silvermines

Round 1’s headline fixture pits Thurles Sarsfields against Cashel King Cormacs in a repeat of last year’s epic semi-final that went to extra time.

Thurles, with their potent forward line featuring Lucy Purcell, Caoimhe Stakelum, Karen Kennedy, and Aoife Dwyer, have been on an upward trajectory, reaching last year’s final for the first time, and are determined to go one better.

Cashel King Cormacs, who came agonisingly close to the final themselves, will be hoping for the return of Karin Blair, who got injured in Tipperary’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway. They also can rely on the twin threats of the Fahie sisters, Anna & Lily and the experience of Philly Fogarty, who impressed in key moments last year.

Elsewhere in Group 2, Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill face Burgess/Duharra in a clash of two well-balanced, experienced teams. Annacarty boast talents like Jean Kelly, while Burgess/Duharra look to their Tipperary senior leader Caoimhe Maher for inspiration.

Silvermines, who retained their senior status after winning the relegation final win against Borris-Ileigh last season, complete the group and will aim to build on last year backed by Tipp senior panellists Ellen & Niamh Cunneen, and Sarah Madden among their growing talent pool.

In Group 1, Drom & Inch open their campaign against Moneygall, who are newly promoted from intermediate level, and hungry to make their mark. Their squad includes seasoned campaigners Julie Kelly and Mary Ryan, alongside promising youngsters Caitlyn Tracey and recent Offaly All-Ireland Intermediate winners Mairead Teehan and Ciara Maher.

Drom will have the added motivation of being beaten in last year’s semi-final but with Eimear McGrath still recovering from a cruciate injury they will need big performances form Mary Burke and Miriam Campion up front this year to challenge again for the top honours.

Shannon Rovers and Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams also face off, with the Rovers unique situation seeing both Tipperary’s top goalkeepers Laura Leenane (senior) and Aine Slattery (U23) playing outfield, while the experienced Rita Burke guards the posts. The large and talented Shannon Rovers squad, featuring Celine Guinan, will test Knockavilla, who have experience in Eimear Heffernan and Caoimhe McCarthy, plus former Tipp senior Ereena Fryday and U23 player Caoimhe McCormack.

Holders Clonoulty/Rossmore will look to defend their crown despite the early-year injury blow of Clodagh Quirke. Key players Lorna Ryan, Eimear Loughman, Eimear Burke, and Cait Devane will be crucial if they are to complete back to back titles. They have set an early marker to date winning both the senior and junior b league title with impressive performances throughout both campaigns.

With a perfect blend of experienced campaigners, exciting young talent, and fierce rivalries, the 2025 FBD Insurance Senior Camogie Championship is shaping up to be a season full of intensity, skill, and drama. Supporters can expect a compelling journey from group stages to the knockout rounds, all in the quest for the coveted Bernie O’Dowd Cup.

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Championship Preview

The 2025 Tipperary Intermediate Camogie Championship is shaping up to be another fiercely competitive and exciting competition as nine clubs battle across two groups for county honours and the chance to push for senior status.

Group 1: Moycarkey-Borris, Kilruane MacDonaghs, Borris-Ileigh, Nenagh Éire Óg, Boherlahan-Dualla.

Group 2: Newport-Ballinahinch, Holycross-Ballycahill, Toomevara, Cahir.

Having fallen just short in last year’s county final, Moycarkey/Borris enter 2025 as strong favourites to go one better. Their squad boasts players of genuine calibre, including the formidable Sarah Corcoran, the dynamic Kate Ralph, and goalkeeper Molly O’Dwyer.

However, their championship journey begins with a tough test against Kilruane MacDonaghs, who bring experience and youth in equal measure. Kilruane’s defence will be marshalled by the seasoned Lisa Cahill, while senior player Amy Quinlisk anchors the midfield. Up front, the youthful energy of Ali O’Kelly and Clodagh Shinners will be looking to make their mark.

In the other first round Group 1 encounter, Borris-Ileigh face Nenagh Éire Óg in what promises to be a hard-fought battle. After relegation from senior level, Borris will be without their top player Nicole Walsh but still have the experience of senior star Julieanne Burke to rely on, alongside emerging talents like Ava Bevans and Grace Stapleton, who add youthful energy and skill.

Nenagh Éire Óg, buoyed by their recent minor championship success, will be eager to carry that momentum forward. Their attack will be spearheaded by the formidable Grace O’Brien, who will look to make a significant impact on the game.

Boherlahan-Dualla have a bye in the opening round, but have enjoyed significant success at underage levels in recent years. There is great hope that this strong foundation will translate into adult-level success in 2025. Their defensive unit will rely on the skill and composure of Sarah McLoughlin and Paula Quirke, while their attacking options continue to develop with promising talent emerging.

In Group 2, Newport-Ballinahinch enter the championship brimming with confidence after securing back-to-back league titles. Their squad boasts some real talent, including former minor All-Ireland winner Aoife Mellerick, whose experience and skill will be invaluable. Alongside her, Emma Flanagan, Grace O’Toole, and Abbie Lenihan provide a strong and balanced lineup capable of challenging any team in the competition.

Holycross/Ballycahill are a club on the rise after winning the Junior ‘A’ title last year and earning promotion to Intermediate ranks. They also captured the Minor ‘A’ title recently, giving them a strong and deep panel to call upon for the challenges ahead. Key players such as Claire Stakelum, Izzy Carr, Lauren McCormack, and Elana McGrath will be central to their ambitions and are ones to watch this season.

Toomevara will be without some key players this year, but with plenty of underage talent coming through and the experience of Gemma McCarthy and Laoise Cummins, they remain a tough opponent for any team.

Their first challenge is a clash against Cahir who bring experience to the field with senior stars Niamh Costigan and Roisin Howard, alongside the dependable goalkeeper Orla McEniry, making them a formidable side.

The Intermediate Championship is always an exciting and fiercely competitive affair, with very little separating the teams each year — making it incredibly hard to call. With such balance and talent across the board, 2025 promises to be another thrilling championship from start to finish.

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior Championship Previews

Junior A

The Junior A Championship will feature seven teams battling across two groups, promising a competitive and exciting contest for county honours.

Group 1: Cashel King Cormacs, Lorrha, Kiladangan, Templemore

Group 2: Gortnahoe/Glengoole, St. Rita’s Fethard, Brian Borus

The Championship throws in this weekend with several intriguing clashes across both groups.

In Group 1, Cashel King Cormacs take on Lorrha in what should be a lively opener. Cashel will be buoyed by their Junior ‘B’ title victory last year, while Lorrha will be eager to go one step further than 2024, when they fell to Holycross/Ballycahill in the county final. Lorrha will look to Tipp senior star Clodagh McIntyre to lead their bid for glory.

Kiladangan, led by the influential Sinéad Meagher, will also begin their campaign this weekend against Templemore. After a strong run last year that ended in a semi-final defeat to Holycross-Ballycahill, they will be determined to push on. Templemore will go into the championship with plenty of confidence as they boast lots of talent in their side including Tipperary Under-23 player Shona McBride, whose presence could prove decisive.

In Group 2, Gortnahoe-/Glengoole, who reached last year’s semi-finals and having just come up from Junior ‘B’, face St. Rita’s Fethard in the opening game. Fethard are consistently competitive at this level and are rarely far from the knockout stages.

The other team in the group, Brian Borus, have been working tirelessly in recent years to capture the Junior A crown and will be hopeful that 2025 is finally their year.

With strong squads, ambitious newcomers, and several sides still chasing that elusive breakthrough, the Junior A Championship promises excitement and unpredictability right from the start.

Junior ‘B’ Championship

Group 1: Ballybacon/Grange, Silvermines, Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill, Slieve Felim Rapparees, Moyle Rovers

Group 2: Holycross/Ballycahill, Ballingarry, Drom & Inch, Roscrea

Group 3: Ballina, Clonoulty/Rossmore, Carrick Swan, Portroe

Moyle Rovers will be many peoples favourites to capture the Junior ‘A’ crown having been beaten in the last two finals. They had a bye in the first round but play Ballybacon/Grange this weekend who had a good start to their campaign with a win over Eire Og Annacarty.

Having won the Junior ‘B2’ and Junior ‘C’ finals respectively, last year Holycross/Ballycahill and Slieve Felim Rapparees will both look to give this competition a right rattle.

Slieve Felim lost their opening round to an impressive Silvermines outfit while Holycross recorded a good win over Ballingarry.

Goals were the difference between Carrick Swan and Ballina in their round 1 clash with the South side getting the better of the visitors. Drom & Inch, down from Junior A this year, also made goals count with their win over a good Roscrea outfit. Clonoulty/Rossmore begin their campaign this weekend, as league champions they will surely also have a big say on the eventual winners of what should be a great championship.

Junior ‘C’ Championship

Group 1: Burgess/Duharra, Rockwell Rovers, St Patrick’s, Borris-Ileigh, Cahir

Group 2 Toomevara, Slieve Felim Rapparees, Kiladangan, Brian Borus, Newport/Ballinahinch

Group 3 Moneygall, Shannon Rovers, Boherlahan-Dualla, Moycarkey/Borris

One round of games has already been played in the Junior ‘C’ Championship and already its gearing up to be a tight and close affair with little between many of the teams.

St Patricks put down an early marker with and impressive 2-18 in their win against Cahir. Along with Rockwell Rovers they are the only clubs first teams in the competition. Rockwell suffered defeat in their opening game against Borris-Ileigh. There were also wins for Toomevara and Newport/Ballinahinch who have entered a second adult team for the first time in this years championship. Toomevara, having lost the last two county finals, will be hoping 2025 will be their year but they know they will have plenty of competition, including from Shannon Rovers who they beat in last year’s semi-final. The Rovers had a big win over Moycarkey/Borris in round 1.

Admission Fees, Programmes and Live Streaming

This year for the first time ever as voted upon at the county board meeting there will a charge for all senior and intermediate championship group games with home clubs receiving 50% of the gate. Entry is via card only (tap and go) at the gate.

Senior/ Intermediate Group Games

Adults €10

Students/OAP €5

U16s Free

Junior A / Junior B / Junior C Group Games

Free of Charge

There will also be a programme on sale this weekend for €3 that will cover all the Senior and Intermediate group games. Tipperary Camogie also plans to live stream one championship match each weekend from either the Senior or Intermediate Championship.