Wexford will give Rebels the toughest test

THIS year’s first All-Ireland junior championship semi-final takes place tomorrow when Cork take on Wexford, while, on Sunday, Roscommon take the long road to Strangford to take on Down in the other semi-final.

This will undoubtedly be Cork’s stiffest test this season as they have already whitewashed both Tipperary and Limerick in the Munster championship, whereas Wexford had a stiffer test in the Leinster championship before thrashing the National League Division Two champions, Kildare, in the Leinster final.

Cork are building from their Minor All-Ireland success of the three-in-a-row team and will have Anna Geary and Elaine O’Riordan on duty tomorrow, both of whom have built up a lot of experience in inter-county and colleges camogie.

Wexford also have many experienced players, including the two Lacey sisters, Úna and Mary, who are daughters of Margaret O’Leary Leacy who was chosen on the National team of the century as well as the Leinster team of the century earlier this year.

Another player strengthening their hand is Evelyn Quigley, daughter of the former All-Ireland winning hurling captain, Dan, of 1968.

However, should Wexford defeat Cork tomorrow and should their seniors win their semi-final the following weekend it would pose a problem for the selectors as several players are eligible for both teams including Mary Lacey.

This match could go down to the wire, but with Wexford able to pick several players who have tasted both senior and junior championship competition, they may well make the final.

Sunday’s match sees Roscommon, who surprised many when they defeated Galway in the Connacht final, travel to Strangford to take on Down in the second semi-final.

When these two sides met in the League earlier this year, Down scored a massive victory, but since then Roscommon have improved dramatically.

Prior to the Connacht final they were without a manager, but since then they have had the services of Michael Concar.

He will be hoping to lead them to their first All-Ireland final appearance since 1996 when they fell to Cork in the final.

Meanwhile, the Annual Poc Fada competition played in the Cooley mountains will have a dash of flair to it this year when camogie will be included for the very first time.

One player from each Province and one from London will take part.

Denise Lynch (Kilmaley) will represent Munster; Stephanie Gannon will represent Connacht; Elaine Dermody will be Leinster’s representative; Joan Murphy will be there for Ulster; while Sinead Everard will travel from London.