Camogie double on the cards for Dubs

Dublin's camogie stars are eyeing up promotion to the senior ranks of the All-Ireland championship.

The capital girls' success in last year's All-Ireland Junior final was tinged with disappointment in that they did not move up to the senior competition.

Back again in this season's Junior final - they take on Derry in next Saturday's decider in Tullamore (throw-in 4.30pm) - Peter Lucey's panel are doubly determined to hold onto their title.

They beat Clare in a replay in Birr last October to claim the county's first All-Ireland championship for 30 years.

Captaining the Dubs this weekend will be Ann McCloskey, and the Erin's Isle half-back is confident of another success.

She said: "After winning the final last year, our ambition was to go on to play in the Senior Championship but we are playing Junior again, so we definitely want to maintain the level we achieved last year.

"We feel we can up it a notch and maybe get into the Senior championship."

Helped by their close ties to the Dublin senior hurlers - corner back Elaine O'Meara is sister to hurling star Ger - Lucey's charges will complete their preparations for the final with training sessions in DCU tonight and on Thursday.

McCloskey added: "It’s every player's dream to captain their county in a final. Hopefully we will be able to go on and win the title and I can lift the New Ireland Cup on Saturday."