Glamour rematches open camogie league

ALL players have been handed their worksheets by now and sights have been set for 2004.

However, it is not just any old year in the camogie calendar next weekend's Centenary Banquet at the City West hotel will herald a momentous playing season. Henceforward every meeting is special.

As a result there is more hunger for success. Usually the league makes for a sluggish start, but already there is talk about this weekend's first round National League games. Limerick, like their hurlers, are using the magnificent facilities in UL.

Reports from Wexford indicate that up to 40 players are turning out for training. Three weeks ago they beat Kilkenny by four goals.

The two games in Division One this Sunday are a repeat of the 2003 All-Ireland semi-finals - Galway face Cork and Tipperary against Limerick. There is also change on the managerial front. Pa Finn finished with Cork, with John Considine taking over. The former Allstar hurler, Cork minor hurling selector and corner back from the double year of 1990, was previously involved in a few of UCC's Ashbourne wins.

"There is a lot of talent on the way up," says Considine. "We want to come out of the league with potential for the summer. We are hoping for tight games we can learn from. We want to be in a situation come the closing stages to have a strong panel fighting for places.

"When Tipperary won the All-Ireland in September they had the majority of the side that won their first title in 1999. Cork have many players on the go for the last few years. We will have to get the most from them and will be looking at a few new players some older players who are more physical but have not made it up to now."

The Tribeswomen and the Shannonsiders know they have a lot of catching up to do. But, there is promise. Galway served up two brilliant displays to capture the junior All-Ireland title last autumn and, consequently, Noel Finn has stepped up to manage the senior team. Limerick improved tenfold but need as much again.

So, all eyes will focus on the two main clashes this weekend, especially since Galway players rose to the top in the Ashbourne and Purcell Cups the acclaimed Therese Maher with Athlone IT, NUIG's talented Lourda Kavanagh and Orla Kilkenny's dazzling performance with UL.

UL's other Ashbourne win was in 1995 the following year Galway won their first and only All-Ireland senior title. What are the chances of lightning striking twice?