Ciara Grogan, Doireann Murphy and Susan Daly. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
In a historic double-header, Clare’s senior camogie team travel to FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday to face Tipperary in the semi-final of the Munster championship.
This will be the first of two meetings of the teams in the coming weeks as they will also meet in the All-Ireland series.
Sunday’s fixture is one that team joint manager Conor Dolan is eagerly looking forward to. “While we are preparing and building for the All-Ireland campaign, we want to give Munster a good rattle. We will know more about where we are at after Sunday”, he told The Clare Echo
Last weekend, the Clare Junior side which are under the same management progressed in their provincial championship recording a 0-13 0-09 win over Tipperary at The Ragg.
He was hopeful Clare supporters would arrive on time to support the camogie team this weekend. “It’s great for the girls to be playing in Semple Stadium. This is where we want to be. Hopefully there will be a big Clare following and that those travelling to Thurles for the Clare v Cork senior hurling game will arrive at the stadium in time to support the camogie team”.
In camogie the Provincial and All-Ireland championships are separate competitions. “Our All-Ireland campaign will begin in a few weeks time and the opening game will also be against Tipperary. A week after that we will be away to Cork and we will then have three home games against Wexford, Dublin and Waterford”, explained the Clare mentor.
Defender Alannah Ryan is doubtful for Sunday’s game but there is good news for Clare in that Niamh O’Dea has recovered from the injury which saw her miss most of the early season activity. The joint team captain played part of challenge game against Kilkenny last week and it is expected that she will lead the attack this week.
Sunday’s game is a tough challenge for us. Tipperary have contested the last four All-Ireland semi-finals and recently they provided stiff opposition for league champions Galway in the league semi-final.
Clare will be looking to goalkeeper Doireann Murphy, defenders Clare Hehir, Chloe Morey, Aoife Keane and further afield they are expected to include the Daly sisters, Linda and Susan, Niamh O’Dea, Eimear Kelly and Aine O’Loughlin to give them an edge.
