Tipperary and Waterford both in good form ahead of Munster senior camogie final
HUNTING SILVERWARE: Tipperary’s Clodagh McIntyre. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Tracey.
FBD Semple Stadium
Saturday, 4.45pm
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clare)
When these sides last met it was in the final round of the Centra National League in March and it ended with an emphatic 19-point victory for hosts Tipperary.
However, we hasten to add that Waterford were already qualified for the final and Tipp were keen to avoid relegation territory so one shouldn’t read too much into that result.
This will be a much closer contest between rival teams that are eager to push on, especially when it comes to the All-Ireland series.
The Premier County under new manager James Heffernan are building nicely. Their provincial quarter-final win over Cork in Thurles set the tone. When the Rebels came back at them in the second half, they had the ability and belief to pull clear and emerged with six points to spare.
A nine-point win over Limerick at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh followed in the semi-final. This was against a resurgent Treaty side and it enabled management to ensure girls got valuable minutes on the field.
Both of these matches were played as double-headers in front of big crowds. So Tipperary are well used to the routine and dealing with near-full stadiums.
The final was originally fixed for either FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday or the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday ahead of SHC Limerick v Waterford.
Waterford manager Mick Boland said this week he had no problem travelling, viewing the Thurles venue as one of the best in Munster.
The Déise were Division 1A league finalists but a slow start didn’t allow them make the most of the elements against All-Ireland champions Galway No doubt the two-point loss will stand to them in the long run.
Their high-scoring provincial quarter-final win over Clare after extra-time in Ennis produced one of the highlights of the championship.
Following a one-point triumph they were off to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney where they met debutants Kerry and due to the obvious gulf in class the visitors ran out easy winners.
Lots of stars and standout names will feature this weekend, and playing this attractive showdown as a double-header allows people the perfect opportunity to see the massive amount of talent on view.
Given the current form of the two counties, both will fancy their chances. And rightly so.
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