A huge game for Clare

The senior camogie players from Clare and Cork are getting to know each other well. Last year, Clare won the Munster senior crown at the expense of Cork, who turned the tables a short time later when the sides met in the All-Ireland series.

The first of two bit clashes between the teams in 2013 will take place this Sunday at Kilmallock (throw-in at 2.30pm) when they will meet in the semi-final of the Division 1 National League. Early next month, Clare will travel to Cork to play the Leesiders in the semi-final of the Munster championship and, on that occasion, Clare will be the defending champions.

This will be the first appearance of Clare at this stage of the competition and they are making no secret of their determination to mark the occasion with a win.

That said, Cork, the current league champions and runners-up in the All-Ireland last year, will carry the favourites’ tag into the game.

Clare defender Carol O’Leary is battling to be fit for Sunday’s contest. She suffered a broken finger in the last round against Wexford. Clare fans are keeping their fingers crossed that she will be ready in time to take her place at corner-back.

Clare manager John Carmody agrees, “the teams are quite familiar with each other at this stage. We met three times last year and the score is 2-1 to them. We would hope to even things up on Sunday.”

The Kilmaley clubman is “happy with the progress we have made. We were disappointed to lose in Wexford but hopefully that experience will stand to this team. Oft times one can learn more in defeat than in victory.”

He accepts that Cork will be seen as favourites for Sunday’s game, given their successes over recent years but he is satisfied that his charges “have prepared well this season”.

For their game in Wexford Park a few weeks back, Clare were without theservices of dual players, Fiona Lafferty, Niamh O’Dea and the Considine sisters, Ailish and Eimear, due to their ladies football commitments. All four are available for Sunday’s game, which will lead to some changes in the Clare starting line-up for this tie.
In addition, Susan Fahy and Laura McMahon are pressing strongly for inclusion in the starting line-up.

Deirdre Murphy, Denis Lynch, Chloe Morey, Maire McGrath and Naomi Carroll are all key members of a Clare side that is expected to make things really difficult for Cork.

“We would be hoping to see a big Clare following at the game. Its only an hour down the road and I would appeal to Clare GAA followers to come out and support this team. They deserve the support, which could make the difference on Sunday,” team boss Carmody told The Clare Champion.

It’s a big test for Clare but this team has made great strides over the past year and it will be a surprise if they don’t make the favourites fight all the way for victory. Cork will carry the favourites’ tag but they will have to battle all the way to justify that rating.