Home advantage could be decisive for Dunloy as they do battle with Davitts

KILKENNY champions St Lachtain’s, Freshford meet Granagh/Ballingarry of Limerick in the semi-final of the All-Ireland senior camogie club championship in Freshford tomorrow, (2pm).

The last time these two teams met the Limerick champions escaped with a one-point win. That same year '99 they went on to record their second All-Ireland title. So, all things being equal, there should be very little between the sides. However, with a few injury doubts, the Munster side have a difficult task.

Regular keeper Breda O'Brien is their biggest concern, having picked up a broken finger in the provincial decider against Drom-and-Inch.

If she fails to recover in time, the position will go to her sister Bernie Molloy who only rejoined the panel in the last few weeks. Vera Sheehan and Marie Collins have both recovered from injury and are expected to start.

Freshford boast a reputable side wiht Esther and Imelda Kennedy, Mairéad and Sinead Costelloe and Gillian Dillon/Maher all having intercounty experience.

It may not be enough, though, against the Munster champions. Pearse Park, Dunloy hosts the other semi-final meeting between Dunloy Cúchullains, Antrim and Davitts of Galway at 1pm.

Davitts have already taken a major scalp in dethroning All-Ireland club champions of the last three years Pearses in the Galway county final.

However, they now find themselves in a precarious situation heading today for the Glens of Antrim. Despite fielding two of their All-Ireland winning junior team, Caroline Kelly and Lizzie Flynn, they will have to be on their guard.

Captained by Rita Broderick, they have other senior inter-county players in Lourda Kavanagh, Ailbhe Kelly, Ann Marie Broderick and Fiona Pierce.

New signing this season is outstanding Clare player Deirdre Murphy and her posting at centre-forward adds much weight to their attack. On the other hand, her opposite number, Edel Mason recently won an All-Ireland intermediate medal and was also selected as player-of-the-match.

Her clash with Ann Broderick will make for an interesting duel. The Northerners are trained by former player Brenda Kearns and will wish to show the way to their hurlers who are also Antrim senior county champions. Home advantage could be decisive.