Are Tipperary destined for another landmark Camogie title?
MORE TITLES TO COME?: Aoife McGrath (right) and sister Eimear with members of their family after Tipperary's victory in the Munster final earlier in the year. Credit Marty Ryan Sportsfocus
Carl McCormick and Martin Coulter were appointed as part of a new management team late in the season. Maeve Kelly has returned after two years absent due to cruciate injuries but is still regaining full fitness.
The current Ulster champions had a chance of a place in the Division 1B league final had they beaten Dublin in their last game. They got past Down, Kerry and Limerick along the way.
Some players not available - Laoise McKenna and Katie McKillop in Australia, and Niamh Cosgrove is retired. Three minors expected to line out in defence, which is a huge learning curve. Injury concerns to experienced players, including Colleen Patterson (cruciate).
Not much between them and Derry, while Limerick (June 29) will want to avenge a league defeat in Ballycastle.
Céat McEldowney, Megan Kerr-Donnelly, Bríd Rogers (married to Derry dual player Brendan Rogers) and Clíodhna Ní Mhianáin are available. The long-serving Aoife Ní Chaiside, their leading light and captain, is also there, while Áine Barton (née McAllister) remains their go-to player.
Reached the Ulster final, losing to Antrim by three points with Barton the chief scorer.
To step up from Intermediate is challenging. They lost the Division 2A league final to Westmeath. If they don't win this weekend, they will have to target the Limerick game (in Derry June 8).
Similar to Antrim, they can expect tough assignments when they come up against contenders Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford.
Former Kilkenny hurler Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere is in his first year as manager, he previously managed the Carlow Intermediate team.
Retained the Leinster senior championship, getting the better of Dublin, with POTM Aoife Prendergast shooting eight points. Her strength, along with cousins Miriam and Grace Walsh who return after injury, is a boost. Caoimhe Keher Murtagh (grand-daughter of legend Eddie Keher) is one to watch out for.
The great Denise Gaule and Michaela Kenneally are in Australia, while Claire Phelan and Emma Kavanagh have retired.
Write Kilkenny off at your peril. They’ve had plenty of time to regroup since their elimination last summer and will be determined to get back to an All-Ireland Final.
Joe Quaid has returned for a second stint as manager. He led the Intermediates to All-Ireland glory 10 years ago at the expense of Kilkenny.
Only narrowly missed a spot in the Division 1B league final. Caoimhe Costelloe and Caoimhe Lyons were to the fore when they were defeated by Waterford in the Munster quarter-final in April. Rebecca Delee is back from a cruciate injury. Sarah Carey adds strength after her absence of four years.
Kilkenny will be going all out to regain the O’Duffy Cup so it's a daunting opener.
This is a home game for the Shannonsiders, meaning no room for error.
The new Division 1A league champions won an epic decider in April against Galway, bridging a 20-year gap.
Seeing out tight matches will give Denis Kelly’s charges confidence. There was no Cáit Devane in the league, however the newly-wed could yet be seen in the Blue and Gold.
Captain and leader Karen Kennedy is back to her best, having been sidelined with injury.
Disappointed not to have reached the Munster championship final after Waterford edged a fantastic semi-final. Today’s mouth-watering rematch is the pick of day one.
It’s 20 years since Tipperary claimed their last All-Ireland senior title, beating Cork in Centenary Year. Could it be Tipp’s turn again as the Camogie Association celebrates its 120th birthday?
Cork native Jerry Wallace has taken over the reins from Seán Power after he guided them to their first All-Ireland final since 1945. That showdown did not go their way against Cork, but they possess some of the best players in the country.
Star attraction Beth Carton is the 2023 Player of the Year and captain Lorraine Bray is as influential as ever. Niamh Rockett is another of their standout performers. Encouraging to see Vikki Falconer back after her heart-breaking cruciate injury last August.
In the Munster final against Cork - their first appearance since 1968 - they demonstrated huge potential but Carton will need more support up front. Their backline is bolstered but getting the balance right will be key.
Progress must continue, at least get back to the All-Ireland final.
Manager John Carmody brought in former All-Ireland winning Cork manager Paudie Murray during the league in an advisory role. The Banner are rebuilding having lost a number of players. With mostly a young squad, the step up is the test.
They’ve developed a panel, headed up by joint-captains Ciara Grogan and Áine O’Loughlin. Crowned All-Ireland Premier Junior champions in 2023 when they conquered fellow provincial representatives Tipperary. That winning mentality will help.
Relegated to Division 1B. Returning to the top tier as quickly as possible is vital. Rachel Minogue and Lorna McNamara are injury doubts.
Have targeted opening day fixture at home to Down as a must-win with their sights set on an All-Ireland quarter-final place.
Ger Manley is in the managerial hot seat, and has already secured a 60th provincial title. All-Ireland medallists Chloe Sigerson and Orla Cronin opted out at the start of the year.
The defending All-Ireland champions rotated during the league and consolidated most positions. Now appear to have a settled side going into the championship. The versatile Ashling Thompson’s return after ACL gives them options, so too Ciara O’Sullivan’s return. Aoife Healy. Saoirse McCarthy and Amy O’Connor, among others, are in form.
Libby Coppinger is injured having had surgery on her hamstring. Laura Treacy is recovering from a similar injury which effectively robs Cork of their defensive spine.
Cork will be looking to retain the title. There is no shortage of top-class players.
Struggled in senior last year and ended up in a relegation battle to beat Offaly. Have since lost important players - Niamh Mallon (transferred to Galway), Sara Louise Graffin and goalkeeper Catherine McGourty (retired), and one of their rising stars Lauren Clarke has gone to Australia.
Dearbhla Magee is captain and a quality player, Ciara Fitzsimons and Beth Fitzpatrick are others they can rely on, but they are inexperienced at this level.
Lost by 13 points to Derry in the Ulster semi-final, Derry in turn were seen off by Antrim. Will need big improvement in their scoring department.
Their first game, away to Clare, will test the strength of their squad.
Appear to have much better depth and coming within five points of Kilkenny in the Leinster final was encouraging. Vibes are good again in the county following their league success over Wexford.
Relived the glory days with a first senior title in 41 years in that thrilling Division 1B final win over Wexford, led by their captain Aisling Maher. The adaptable Maher can play in any position.
Galway bowed out at the semi-final stage 10 months ago, so Dublin won't expect anything easy from them in the opener.
: Mentally Dublin should be in a good place. With Galway one of the teams to beat, they will know more after hosting them.
Cruciate victim Siobhán Gardner is sidelined. Carrie Dolan and Mairead Dillion are carrying knocks, whilst the availability of one of their leading goal scorers Siobhán McGrath is uncertain.
Stalwarts Niamh Kilkenny and Ann Marie Starr return to the panel. Niamh Mallon has joined from Down and made her first appearance in the league final. Niamh Niland, sister of Evan and Aaron, stepped up to the senior panel.
Unlike the other three provinces, they have not seen any competitive senior championship action since the league. They do, however, have a good block of training under their belt.
It is the first time Cathal Murray will bring his charges to Parnell Park, so the visitors will be looking to hit the ground running. Their most recent All-Ireland title was in 2021.
Colin Sunderland has done good work with this group. In comparison to where they were a couple of years ago, they have genuine good players and have welcomed back a few more, including Joanne Dillon who was travelling.
Enjoyed some good moments during their Division 1B league campaign, albeit a huge disappointment to fall to Dublin on the big day. Sisters Ciara (captain) and Sarah O’Connor, Shelley Kehoe (Colin’s wife), Ciara Storey and Linda Bolger provide know-how. Chloe Foxe and Anais Curran are others they will look to.
Unlike the formidable team they are up against this afternoon, Wexford do not have the same conveyer belt of underage success. A big ask, but staying competitive will be crucial.
Exited the Leinster championship at the semi-final juncture, losing to Kilkenny by a mere three points. A knock-out spot is the aim.
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