Experience or momentum the question in Clare camogie finals

Eoin Brennan takes a look at the Clare camogie finals taking place this weekend

Senior Camogie
Championship Final
Truagh-Clonlara
v Scariff-Ogonnelloe
at Clarecastle,
Saturday 2pm
(Andy McMahon, Cratloe)

Being only the third final since the turn of the Millennium that Newmarket-on-Fergus or Inagh-Kilnamona (Kilnamona) are not competing in, the sheer magnitude of what Truagh-Clonlara and Scariff-Ogonnelloe have achieved just to even tee up this unique final pairing is not lost on Clare Camogie supporters.

Both have rebuilt their flagship sides from the bottom up and have concentrated on developing clear pathways from underage level as central to their revolutionary ways.

Indeed, both cubs have had a similar trajectory, becoming almost ever-present in the last four line-up over the past few years.
However, while Truagh-Clonlara found it difficult to break their semi-final hood against Newmarket that including back-to-back extra-time heartbreak in 2018 and ’19, Scariff-Ogonnelloe did famously make the breakthrough in 2019 to conquer Clare and Munster in one historic fell swoop.

In a fascinatingly evenly-matched decider, that wining know-how should give Scariff-Ogonnelloe the slight edge albeit that there has been a large injection of youth to offset their experienced core.

Truagh-Clonlara meanwhile have momentum propulsion in their corner after their pent-up frustration was unleashed by hitting four goals past Kilkishen/Bodyke last time out but they’ll need more assistance for Eimear Kelly, Aine O’Loughlin and Becky Foley if they are to swap their Senior B crown for a prestigious A title.
Verdict: Scariff-Ogonnelloe

It’s a similar story in the Intermediate Final which opens proceedings in Clarecastle on Saturday morning at 11am.

Clooney-Quin’s vast senior experience pales in comparison to a rejuvenated Whitegate who are currently on the crest of a wave but following a two year stint in the second tier, the former’s appetite should be sharpened to make amends for last year’s final reverse.

Much like Inagh-Kilnamona, who are still awaiting their 2020 Munster Senior decider, last year’s Intermediate champions Feakle-Killanena have a provincial final to come at the end of the month.

They can further evaluate their progress at senior level with a second win over Sixmilebridge in the Senior B Final in Shannon Camogie Field at high noon on Saturday.

The intermediate Shield between Clarecastle/Ballyea and Tulla in Feakle at the same time really depends on which side is motivated more as the sides played out an opening round draw in the championship in September.

Broadford are contesting two Junior Finals in Fr. McNamara Park on Saturday with their second string taking on flagship side Cratloe for the C honours at 11.30am while at 2.30pm, Broadford’s first team look to redress the balance of last year’s Junior A Final reverse to Corofin when facing new amalgamation Ruan/Crusheen.