Permutations galore as camogie groups go to the wire

Group 2 takes centre stage on Saturday, with Group 1 decided on Sunday.

Tipperary's Aoife Dwyer battles with Laura Hayes of Cork. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy

It's D-Day for several counties as the group stages of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship come to a head.

Group 2 takes centre stage on Saturday, with Clare, Offaly and Limerick all vying to join Kilkenny in the top two and take their place in Monday morning’s quarter-final draw on Morning Ireland. Offaly must beat Clare by at least six in Birr, while Limerick will hope to capitalise on a Clare win by beating Dublin, who need a win to lift themselves out of the bottom two, and thus avoid a relegation play-off against Wexford.

Group 1 sees counties aiming to avoid quarter-final weekend with the top two spots resulting in an automatic semi-final berth. Nothing is decided just yet, with all four counties in the mix on Sunday.

Cork play Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn Sunday (3:30pm – live on the Camogie Association’s YouTube channel), with Ger Manley's side just needing a draw to be sure of a semi, having already coming through away assignments against Galway and Tipperary.  

With Saoirse McCarthy, Amy O'Connor and Sorcha McCartan on song, the Leesiders' current form suggests they are frontrunners in the O'Duffy Cup conversation. Waterford come to town, ruing missed opportunities at home to Galway, but also have qualification in their hands.

Reigning All-Ireland champs Galway know they did not do themselves justice at home to Cork, but they recorded a valuable away victory over the Déise to get back on track. Now Cathal Murray's team welcome Tipperary to Athenry (3:30pm). Injury to Niamh Mallon is a concern, and it remains to be seen if the All-Star forward will return in time.

Nonetheless, Niamh McPeake's contribution of 0-5 from play in Azzurri Walsh Park showed that the Tribeswomen are not reliant on any one player.

For the Munster champions, the return of Eimear McGrath bolstered the Premier attack against Cork, while Caoimhe Stakelum - one of the standout players of 2026 so far - is likely to feature having sat the Leaving Cert in recent weeks.

Tipp would need victory, combined with a Cork win over Waterford, to bring the top two race down to score difference.

Saturday's three games also throw-in at 3:30pm. In Birr, Offaly play Clare (live on the Camogie Association’s YouTube channel). The Banner pitched up in Kilkenny last weekend with a pep in their step, but a heavy defeat leaves them with work to do. 

With star forward Lorna McNamara ruled out for the summer, Clare will need Róisín Begley to continue her scoring form and others to also contribute.

The 2025 intermediate champions Offaly have surpassed all expectations, and to be in the mix for a quarter-final berth is a testament to their progress. The hosts will need to win by six points if they are to nab second place in the group, having already scored upset home wins over Wexford and Dublin so far.

Limerick will need a favour from their Munster neighbours in Birr, to be in with a shout of claiming a quarter-final berth when they play Dublin in Cappamore.

David Deady's outfit delivered an impressive victory in Chadwicks Wexford Park in round four but they host a Dublin team eager to avoid a relegation play-off. Any victory - regardless of scoring difference - would achieve that goal for the visitors.

The Cats travel to Wexford with both teams already assured of their next step. Wexford will look to finish on a high, but will have one eye on their upcoming relegation play-off. Kilkenny will learn their quarter-final opponents in Monday morning's draw.