County-by-county guide: 2025 Very Camogie League - Division 1A
READY TO ROLL; Ashling Thompson of Cork during the Glen Dimplex Camogie All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final between Cork and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
: Ger Manley (second year).
: Dr. Wesley O’Brien, Adrian O’Sullivan, Gemma O’Connor, Seán Crowley, Brian Donovan and Kyle O’Shea.
: Méabh Cahalane, St Finbarr’s.
: 2024 victorious captain Molly Lynch, Niamh O’Callaghan (might return later in season), Hayley Ryan and Fiona Keating.
: Feb 22, Waterford (h); Mar 1, Dublin (a); Mar 8, Kilkenny (h); Mar 22, Tipperary (a); Mar 29, Galway (h).
: Ava Fitzgerald, Méabh Ring, Niamh O’Leary, Méabh De Burca and Lucy Kelly have come into the panel. Kelly picked up a cruciate injury and her availability will be reviewed.
: Cork chase three-in-a-row All-Ireland senior titles this summer. Such a feat hasn’t been achieved since Wexford in 2010-2012. For Cork, you have to go back to the early 70s four-in-a-row.
Backroom changes: S&C & coach Dr Wesley O’Brien, coaches Adrian O’Sullivan and Gemma O’Connor, selector Seán Crowley, GK coach Brian Donovan, assistant S&C Kyle O'Shea.
: As already mentioned, the three-in-a-row will be on the mind. Twins Pamela and Katrina Mackey who began their senior careers in 2009 as 17-year-olds and another of Cork's longest serving stars Ashling Thompson have long been the backbone of this Cork team, and they continue to be.
: Gerry McQuaid (third year) and Bill McCormack (second year).
: Michael McCullough, Mags D’Arcy, Jack Dunphy, John Sullivan, Seán Óg Grogan and Rachel Doolin.
: Niamh Gannon, St Judes.
: Sinéad Nolan and Elyse Jamieson-Murphy.
: Feb 22, Tipperary (a); Mar 1, Cork (h); Mar 8, Waterford (h); Mar 22, Galway (a); Mar 29, Kilkenny (h).
Katie McDonald and Hannah Leddy are new to the panel. Issy Davis returns from injury. Clare McNamara (Limerick), and Aoife Higgins and Eimear Hurley (both Cork) have transferred in.
: The same management team remains in place while Seán Óg Grogan and Rachel Doolin are added.
Last July’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Cork (4-17 to 0-9) must be put behind them, it was the Dubs first semi-final appearance in seven years. They have to keep building.
Dublin were Division 1B league champions last year. Tipperary Division 1A victors. This opening round clash away to the Premier County will give them a good indication of where they are at.
Cathal Murray (seventh full year).
John Connor, Shane Sweeney, Damien Finnerty and Philip Brennan.
Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge).
Niamh Hannify. Unlikely to see any of the McGrath sisters from All-Ireland club champions Sarsfields. Niamh McPeake is injured.
Feb 22, Kilkenny (a); Mar 1, Waterford (a); Mar 8, Tipperary (h); Mar 22, Dublin (h); Mar 29, Cork (a).
: Tegan Canning returns to the panel, so too Siobhán Gardiner who has recovered from a cruciate injury. Jennifer Hughes is there too, the Carnmore player is fresh from captaining UL to a second consecutive Ashbourne Cup 3-10 to 2-11 victory over UCC. The winning side also included Áine Keane who was named Electric Ireland Player of the Match.
: Boosted by the returning All-Ireland medalists Shauna Healy and Emma Helebert. Down native and 2024 All-Star Niamh Mallon will lead from the front in her second year with the Tribeswomen and her impact will be vital.
: Unlike in Leinster, Munster and Ulster, there is no provincial championship in Connacht. Therefore, it is imperative the maroon and white get as much as possible out of the league. That seems to be the approach, with Tipperary denying them three-in-a-row titles last year (1-13 to 0-15).
: In terms of competitiveness, they are never too far off the mark. Lost both national finals in 2024 by a mere single score.
:Tommy Shefflin (first year). Backroom: Jimmy Meagher, Pat O’Neill, Eamon Kennedy, Billy Cody and Stephen Murphy.
: Katie Power (Piltown).
: Grace Walsh and Miriam Walsh, Roisin Phelan, Niamh Phelan, Emma Shortall, Grace Barcoe, Sarah Crowley, Emily McCarthy, Roisin O’Keeffe and Julianne Malone.
: Feb 22, Galway (h); Mar 1, Tipperary (a); Mar 8, Cork (a); Mar 22, Waterford (h); Mar 29, Dublin (a).
Mairead Kennedy, Lauren Ronan, Rachel Dowling, Niamh Crowley, Claire Doheny, Carlise Comerford, Emma Mulhall and Ali Kennedy step up from intermediate. Angela Carroll, Ciara Dunne, Anna Doheny from minor. Ava Brett, Amy Cody, Maria Brennan, Aobha O’Gorman and Sophie Holden are involved as well.
Mary O’Connell’s return after two years travelling is a shot in the arm. The talented attacker and All-Ireland winner will bolster confidence as they bid to make up for last year’s disappointing exit to Dublin in the All-Ireland championship quarter-final.
: Retirement of two greats in cousins Miriam and Grace Walsh - they featured on the Kilkenny team that bridged a 22-year gap in 2016. New Management are preparing for their first season also with a squad in transition following the departure of Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere due to work commitments after one year in charge.
: A victory at home this afternoon in UPMC Nowlan Park is a tall ask against Galway but it would provide the ideal start.
: Denis Kelly (third year). Backroom: Michael Ferncombe, Kevin Moran, Eamon Corcoran, Dinny Ferncombe, Kate Bannon, Trish Hickey, Ciaran Hackett, Ciaran Boyle, Kevin Tobin.
: Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields).
: Nicole Walsh, Cáit Devane, Mary Ryan, Tess Ryan and Ciardha Maher - these players depart having given so many years of outstanding service to the blue and gold. Eimear McGrath misses out with a cruciate injury.
: Feb 22, Dublin (h); Mar 1, Kilkenny (h); Mar 8, Galway (a); Mar 22, Cork (h); Mar 29, Waterford (a).
: From last year’s winning All-Ireland minor team Sarah Corcoran (captain and Electric Ireland POTY and midfielder on UL winning Ashbourne team), Caithlyn Treacy, Danielle Ryan and Lucy Purcell. Sophie Pembroke, Amy Quinlisk, Laura Leenane and Ciara Brennan from last year's All-Ireland winning premier junior team.
: Caoimhe Maher, Mairéad Eviston, Clodagh McIntyre and Róisín Howard are all set to go again.
Karen Kennedy and Karin Blair both had shoulder operations in the off season so aren't expected to feature in the league. Last year’s top scorer Eimear McGrath is a massive loss having picked up a cruciate injury in the club championship.
: Fresh from their medal presentation after a hugely successful 2024 in senior (league title), minor and premier junior (All-Ireland titles), the hope is that those wins will provide further momentum going forward.
: Jerry Wallace (second year).
: Mike Boland, Niall Collins, Dean Roche and Dr. Cathríona Foley, Captain: Lorraine Bray (Cappoquin).
: Vikki Falconer (due back for championship), Clodagh Carroll, Mairéad Power, Laoise Forrest, Róisín Kirwan, Niamh Curran and Sarah Lacey. Goalkeeper Brianna O’Regan is recovering from injury.
Feb 22, Cork (a); Mar 1, Galway (h); Mar 8, Dublin (a); Mar 22, Kilkenny (a); Mar 29, Tipperary (h).
Four of last year’s minor team that lost the All Ireland final to Tipperary are called up - goalkeeper Katelyn Gardner, defender Alex Healy and attackers Eimear O’Neill and Maggie Gostl.
: Niamh Rockett commits for a 17th season alongside other newcomers Noelle Murphy (goalkeeper), Niamh Ahern, Molly Comerford and Jordan Scholtz.
: Former Cork player and All-Ireland medalist Dr Cathríona Foley is the new Déise Sports Performance coach, while another Cork native Niall Collins (living in Dungarvan) has teamed up as coach.
: Waterford need a good run in the league to build confidence. A place in the final would be the initial aim.
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