Champions Killimor braced for a tough semi-final battle

Date Published: {J}

Eoghan Cormican

‘TO win one is the sign of a good team, but to win two is mark of a truly great team’ or so the saying goes in sporting circles.

Having bagged a second county title with relative ease last October, Killimor will attempt to move one step closer to securing a second successive All Ireland Club championship when they meet Drom & Inch in the penultimate round at McDonagh Park, Nenagh on Sunday (2pm).

While many camogie enthusiasts are anticipating a Croke Park showdown between Killimor and Oulart the Ballagh, one need only cast their eye back to Drom & Inch’s last club semi-final appearance to realise the danger they pose to Killimor’s two-in-a-row bid.

On that occasion in the winter of 2008, the Tipperary club caused a major upset when claiming a 1-8 to 0-10 win over Athenry to advance to the decider, only to come unstuck against a Jane Adams inspired O’Donovan Rossa.

Nevertheless, Drom & Inch returned to the summit of club camogie in the Premier County with a two point win over Cashel, before the Munster Crown was added in superb style, fending off a highly fancied Douglas outfit by 5-8 to 2-13. As a result, they will enter this weekend’s semi-final brimming with confidence.

None more so than ace markswoman Geraldine Kinnane, The wing forward tallied 1-5 in the Munster final, all of which came from play. Other capable score getters include Captain Mary Looby, Niamh Harkin and Catriona Shortt.

As for Killimor, their line out should be a replica of their County final starting XV. Helen Campbell will line out between the sticks, with Niamh Hanney, Nicola Lawless and Julie Brien forming the full backline. Karen Brien, Ann Marie Hayes and Marie Duane make up the half-back line, while Emer Haverty and Ann Marie Starr renew a midfield partnership that is unrivalled at club level.

As crucial as the performances of the defence and midfield will be to victory on Sunday, it may ultimately boil down to the collective display of the attack.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.