Ladies prepare to take on Tipp

CLARE will travel to Bansha on Sunday in the knowledge that a win will keep them in contention for a semi-final spot.

Clare performed poorly when the sides last met in Round 1 of the TG4 Championship qualifiers at Birr last August. The last time the sides met in the league was at Meelick in February 2010 and on that occasion, the Premier side came out on top, 1-11 to 1-8. Later that year, Clare beat Tipperary twice in the championship, first in the Munster semi-final at Cooraclare and later in Claughaun in Round 2 of the qualifiers.
This is a game Clare are capable of winning. Last Sunday, the defence played much better as a unit, limiting Cavan’s options.  Emma O’Driscoll has played well to date in goals, while Clare Hester, Lorraine Kelly, Shauna Harvey, Louise Henchy and Eimear O’Connor have played in defence in all four games to date. 
Bernie Kelly has now recovered from a hand injury sustained before the opening round, while Susan McNamara did well at corner-back last Sunday. Deirdre Troy is also an option at corner-back but has played on the wing and midfield in previous rounds.
Clare could be without dual star, Fiona Lafferty, as the Clare camogie team are away to Kilkenny on Sunday. Marie Considine should start at midfield. Clare have a number of options in attack, where Niamh Keane, Ailish and Eimear Considine have been Clare’s top scorers to date. Maria Kelly, Róisín O’Looney, Anne Marie Callinan, Áine Kelly and Niamh O’Dea  are all contenders for places in the attack.
So far, Clare have beaten Waterford and Cavan and have lost to Mayo and Galway. Tipperary are three points below Clare on the league table and are tied with Waterford. To date, Tipperary defeated Fermanagh 4-12 to 2-10 in Round 3 but have lost to Kerry, Cavan and table toppers Mayo.
Sunday’s game in Bansha will throw in at 2pm.