THERE is a great buzz throughout camogie circles in Clare this week as preparations are finalised for Saturday’s Division 1B Very national league final.
Clare take on Antrim at 2p.m. on Saturday in the final in Abbotstown, seven days after the counties clashed at Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog in Ennis in the final round of the league series, both having already qualified for the final.
It’s difficult to know what bearing, if any, last Saturday’s game which Antrim won comfortably, will have this week as both sides availed of the opportunity last week to give game time to their extended panels.
Team captain Áine O’Loughlin who watched last week’s game from the comfort of the stand believes Clare “learned a lot from the game. It was a great opportunity for the management to give game time to panel members and Antrim did the same. Antrim are a good side and they won’t give us anything easy”.
“It’s a great place to be and we are really looking forward to Saturday’s final. Last year’s league was tough and being in Division 1B has given the players a chance to progress and gain valuable experience. We are going well, the camp is very positive, loads of players are getting the opportunity to play and things have been building with every match”, the Truagh/Clonlara forward said.
Clare’s under 23 team got their championship off to a winning start last Sunday when they defeated Limerick. “Eight or nine of the girls involved in that team are part of the senior panel and their involvement in the under 23 game will have helped them gain more experience and confidence”, Áine believed.
“The winners on Saturday will go back to Division 1A and that’s where we want to be”, the captain added.
In three weeks time Clare will begin their challenge for championship glory when they take on Cork in Ennis in the Munster semi-final. The game will be played as a curtain raiser to the eagerly awaited Munster senior hurling championship first round tie between the same counties.
“There should be a great atmosphere at that game but for now our whole focus is on this Saturday’s league final. We want to bring some silverware back to Clare”, she said. O’Loughlin was one of five players from the Truagh/Clonlara club honoured with inclusion in the camogie club team of 2024 who were presented with their awards in Croke Park on Friday night last.
“It was great to have the year we had with the club and it was great to get the recognition on Friday night last and the aim now is to build on last year’s success. The club leagues will be starting soon with the championship to follow. As I said the focus now is on Saturday’s league final and hopefully we will have a big following in Abbotstown to cheer us on”, the team skipper concluded.
Clare have recorded wins over Westmeath (3-14 to 0-4), Wexford (0-14 to 2-9), Down (1-10 to 0-11) and Limerick (3-13 to 1-10|) on their way to Saturday’s final while Antrim defeated the same four teams. The indications are that Saturday’s contest will be a close affair.
