Sars and Clonoulty tipped to set up final rematch
CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Semi-Finals Preview
By Joe Scully
THURLES SARSFIELDS
V
KNOCKAVILLA-DONASKEIGH KICKHAMS
County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg
Saturday, 11th October
Throw-in @ 11.30am (E.T.)
The first of the Tipperary Senior Camogie semi-finals on Saturday sees last year’s beaten finalists Thurles Sarsfields come up against Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams.
Thurles come into the game as favourites, and with a 100% record so far, and off the back of a comprehensive 22-point victory over Moneygall in the quarter-final. Kickhams come in off the back of a mixed year so far but got past Eire Og Annacarty after a classic quarter final which went all the way to extra time.
Kickhams are more than capable of getting a result as they have got some great quality in their side, but if they are to get the win, they will have to be at their very best right from the very first minute, against a Sarsfields side which is capable of been out of sight in no time if they are allowed.
The most impressive thing about Thurles so far this year has been how good they have played as a team. They have some very good individuals throughout the side, but they have played well as a unit, and there seems to be a real togetherness about them, as they look to make up for last year’s disappointment and win a first ever Senior championship.
Kickhams have been over reliant on Caoimhe McCarthy and Eimear Heffernan so far, with support from the likes of Ereena Fryday and Millie Kelly, but will need more from the rest of the side if they are to stop a Thurles side who have been free flowing so far this year. A key aspect could well be how well the Kickhams defence can contain the Thurles attack, who are all more than capable of racking up a big score, and will need to really be on top of their game. VERDICT: Thurles Sarsfields.
CLONOULTY ROSSMORE
V
DROM & INCH
County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg
Saturday, 11th October
Throw-in @ 1.45pm (E.T.)
In what is now a familiar and almost permanent fixture in the knockout stages of the Tipperary Senior Camogie Championship, Clonoulty Rossmore and Drom & Inch go head-to-head in the second semi-final on Saturday afternoon.
The main difference coming into this year’s fixture is that it is Clonoulty that are coming in as county champions, and if its anything like there meeting at the same stage last year, it will be an absolute classic.
After finally ending years of heartache last year, the West outfit come in as slight favourites but know they will be in for one hell of a battle, against a Drom & Inch side who will be thirsty for revenge and looking to reclaim their status of champions, which they had held for the previous five years.
This is the sides second meeting of the championship with Clonoulty running out victorious in the group stages by nine points. It is hard to see that game having much bearing on Saturday’s fixture and this is expected to be a lot closer and don’t be surprised if extra-time is required to separate the two rivals.
One massive plus for Drom is the return after a year out of star forward Eimear McGrath who played the full sixty minutes of her sides quarter final victory and looked to be back to her very best.
Clonoulty have shown the better form so far this year and have a 100% record coming into the game, but Drom showed in their quarter final win over Silvermines that they are starting to hit form at just the right time.
Both sides have quality throughout and huge experience of playing in big games like this, and the battle around the middle of the field could be crucial to determining the winners come the full-time whistle on Saturday.
VERDICT: Clonoulty/Rossmore.