Camogie Zone

Munster Junior Championship

Tipperary v Clare at The Ragg Camogie Grounds on Sunday 24th April @ 12.00pm.

Having secured their division 2 status with a win over Kildare two weeks ago in the relegation final, focus now turns to the Munster Championship for the Tipperary Junior panel and management.

Captained by Boherlahan-Dualla’s Clodagh Horgan, this is a new look second Tipperary team with a new management and lots of new faces. The group had a tough league campaign with defeats to Kilkenny and Waterford but had a good draw against Westmeath. They bounced back from defeat against Laois in the relegation semi-final to record a great win against Kildare and will go into Sunday’s game with an extra pep in their step. Goals were key to their success against Kildare with Sinead Meagher finding the net twice while also turning provider for Claire Stakelum’s goal.

The management team look to have settled on a defence with Toomevara’s Mags Quigley at centre back with Nenagh’s Rachel Maher at full back. Former Ireland’s fittest family winner and Thurles Sarsfields player Ciara Cummins has been very influential in midfield while up front Aoife McLoughney has impressed from play and frees.

Clare had plenty of positives to take from their division 3 league campaign. In the opening game they suffered a three-point loss to Wexford before recording comprehensive victories over Down and Limerick. Like Tipperary they will look at the Munster championship as a real opportunity to win some valued silverware and great preparation for a Junior championship that they will hope to have a big say in. Tipperary will have home advantage on Sunday and will look forward to their first competitive game in the county grounds this year.

Munster Minor Championship

Limerick v Tipperary in Fedamore on Saturday 23rd April @ 2.00pm

Two weeks ago, Tipperary lost to Cork in the opening round of the Munster Minor Championship after extra time. This put Cork straight through to the Munster final. In the other round 1 game Waterford defeated Clare, meaning Clare played Limerick this weekend. Clare emerged winners in that contest 1-11 to 0-12.

Like Tipperary, Limerick will get a second opportunity to reach the semi-finals. Both sides meet this Saturday with Cork awaiting the winners. Tipperary met Limerick in the opening round of the All-Ireland series back in February with Tipperary enjoying a comfortable win. No doubt Limerick will have improved since then but having reached the All-Ireland semi-final where they loss by a single point to the eventual winners Cork Tipperary will be disappointed if they are unable to overcome the Limerick outfit on Saturday.

Munster Under 16 ‘A’ semi-final

Waterford v Tipperary at Waterford IT on Sunday 24th April @ 2.00pm

Sunday’s Munster semi-final has been a long time coming around for John Ryan’s team having won their opening round game against Clare five weeks ago.

In the same week where many of the team had won All-Ireland schools finals with Presentation Thurles or the Ursuline Convent, they proved to be too strong for a travelling Clare side winning 3-10 to 0-4.

Clare then had to take on Waterford who ran out huge winners 9-11 to 1-12. Waterford had lost their opening two games to Cork and Limerick. The scoreline against Clare however would indicate that this Waterford team are a very good outfit with a serious eye for goals.

Tipperary have been preparing well for Sunday’s clash with lots of training sessions in the last five weeks while players will also have been playing U16 championship with their clubs. Waterford will have home advantage on while the extra games will also stand to them.

A place in the Munster final is the prize for the winners on Sunday with Cork and Limerick contesting the other semi-final.

Hurling, Camogie and Fun for kids with additional needs: Last month Ballybacon/Grange GAA & Camogie club started a fantastic new initiative in their club. Camogie Club PRO Niamh Carrigan reports on what has been a huge success for all involved.

Together as a mighty club in Ballybacon/Grange have organised a fantastic programme each Saturday for kids with additional needs, entitled. “Hurling, Camogie and fun”.

The club saw the need for inclusion of all members in our community. This includes fun, laughter, smiles, hurling, camogie, water play and lots more games but most importantly making new friendships.

We are now into our fourth Saturday and each weekend just gets better and better. We have the most amazing children and families coming along. Each Saturday nobody wants to leave (including the adults) and when we do, we all walk out that gate with the biggest smile on our faces and look forward to the next Saturday.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers especially all the younger volunteers who are fantastic.

We continue every Saturday in Goatenbridge. We are truly honoured to have such engagement in this programme. Thank you to all the children involved for making it so special for us all.