Call goes out to turn Thurles Blue & Gold for Camogie semi-final

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary supporters can play their part in helping the county’s senior camogie team reach the All-Ireland Final this Saturday evening in Thurles.

Off the back of semi-final defeats in the Gaelic Grounds, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Croke Park, and Nowlan Park over the past eight years, this year’s semi-finals take place in FBD Semple Stadium, and how fitting would it be for Tipp to break their semi-final hoodoo by doing so on home soil, and manager James Heffernan has called on the blue & gold following to turn the occasion into a real home advantage when they take on Cork (6.00pm)

“We are probably the only Tipperary team left in the inter-county championship so I think it is really important people row in behind these girls who are putting in everything for the blue & gold jersey and deserve the support and I have no doubt we’ll get a big following,” said Tipperary manager James Heffernan.

Tipperary have plenty of experience of the big occasion this year playing in no fewer than four double-headers with senior hurling games, including the Munster quarter final v Cork at Semple Stadium which was one before the Munster Championship opener between the counties on April 19th last.

“I felt we got a big bounce off those home crowds,” Heffernan added.

“Even being on the opposite side of it when we played Limerick down in Cork ahead of a Limerick senior match and playing Clare in Dublin ahead of a Clare senior match, which was a great advantage to the opposition.

“I’d be hoping that Semple Stadium will be a good plus for us and having that home crowd, we should have the majority of the support on Saturday.

“When you get a score, or win a big free, or win a turnover, naturally that roar from the crowd gives you a boost of energy and I’d be hoping that is the case on Saturday.”

Tipperary haven’t won an All-Ireland senior semi-final since 2006, having lost nine semi-finals in succession, including seven in the last eight years, as they look to get back to Croke Park for All-Ireland Final day for the first time in twenty years.

The Munster derby will form the second part of a double-header with defending All-Ireland champions Galway taking on Kilkenny in the first semi-final at 4.00pm.