Tipp look to make a statement against the All-Ireland champions

CAMOGIE: Centra National Senior League Preview

By Joe Scully

TIPPERARY v GALWAY

Camogie Grounds, The Ragg

Saturday, 7th March

Throw-in @ 2.00pm

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)

Tipperary welcome the All-Ireland champions Galway to The Ragg next Saturday for round 3 fixture in the Centra National Camogie League Division 1A.

Both sides come into the game off the back of a defeat, Tipp suffering a five-point defeat against Kilkenny two weeks ago, while Galway suffered a second successive loss at the hands of Waterford last Saturday. Tipp had begun their campaign with an emphatic win over Antrim in their opening round fixture.

In what is a rematch of the last two All-Ireland semi-finals, Tipp will be looking for a small bit of revenge having suffered defeat in both encounters.

It is a brand-new setup for the Premier Ladies this year, with a new management lead by James Heffernan, who still in the early days of his term will be looking for a statement win over the reigning All-Ireland champions, and in doing so keeping their chances of reaching the league final alive.

The home side will be boosted by the return of their Thurles Sarsfields players after they missed the defeat against Kilkenny due to a team holiday.

While it has just been two games into the Heffernan reign, there have been some positive signs, including the huge win over Antrim away, and even though they suffered defeat against Kilkenny the second-half performance was something to build on, and also the fact a number of players were giving game time, giving the management a chance to see what they could offer going forward.

While it will take a while for the new ideas to be properly implemented, you can see signs of what James Heffernan is looking for from his charges, as they look to get quick ball into the full-forward line and runners off the shoulder to try and break down opposition defences.

One worrying aspect from the opening two fixtures and is a problem that goes back to last year, is Tipperary’s shooting accuracy. On several occasions against Kilkenny, poor finishing and missed opportunities, lead to an apparent drop of confidence in the side and has cost them.

Saturday’s game will be a big test for Tipp, as they come up against a Galway side who will be reeling from two defeats so far in the league and will be going all out to get their first victory, and who know another defeat could leave them in serious relegation trouble.

In recent years, the meetings between these two sides have for the most part been extremely close with just a point or two in the sides, the exception being last year’s All-Ireland semi-final where Galway won by a seven point margin, but it was another game where Tipperary had chances but failed to take them, and then the confidence drained out of the team and Galway ended up comfortable winners.

With a full strength squad available to Tipp for Saturday’s game, expect another close game, and if the home side can bring their ‘A’ game and are more clinical in their finishing, they will have a great chance of ending their recent losing streak against their near neighbours.