In-form Athenry ready to deliver

Date Published: 26-Nov-2009

OLD foes will meet at a familiar stage when Galway title holders Athenry and 2007 All Ireland Club champions Cashel lock horns in what promises to be an explosive senior camogie showdown on Sunday at St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge (2pm).

The two strongest club teams in the land haven’t clashed since that November day in 2007 when the underdogs from Cashel quite simply played the favourites from Athenry of the pitch in an unforgiving display of pace, power and precision. The result was nothing beyond a shock and Sunday’s encounter provides the Athenry women with a shot at revenge, but more importantly a chance to right the wrongs of the 2007 decider.

Midge Glynn and her backroom team of PJ Molloy, Eugene Cloonan, Dermot Monaghan and Frank O’Shea will again have to plan without the services of former All Star winner Jessica Gill – out with cruciate ligament problems – while successful Galway Intermediate goalkeeper Deirdre Ward is ruled out with a cruciate injury also.

On the better news front, corner forward Mary Keogh has returned to the fold following a bout of tonsillitis which kept her out of the semifinal win over Loughgiel. Athenry, who are chasing their first All Ireland Club title since 1977 having reached the final on six other occasions, are in the decider on merit.

Despite a group stage defeat to Mullagh, they advanced to the county semi-final where they staggered past Pearses by a narrow two point margin (0-14 to 2-5). This set up a county final meeting with Killimor and while many fancied the young pretenders from East Galway to put end to Athenry’s reign, the county champions displayed a steely resolve to take their fourth consecutive title and 16th in total.

Certainly, the Galway club championship has fostered a ruthless mentality which was very much evident in their semi-final triumph. They were fully deserving of their 15 point winning margin, clocking up 1-12 in the first-half as all six forwards scored from play.

Given the nature of Athenry’s sublime display against Loughgiel Shamrocks in the All Ireland club semi-final, the management team will be reluctant to change the dynamic of a winning team heading into Sunday’s final.

Consequently, Stephanie Gannon will continue to man the posts, while the tigerish Darelle Coen, the improving Alice Poniard and the ever dependable Katherine Glynn will stand sentry in the full back line.

In the wing back berths, Ciara Cunniffe and Krystle Ruddy will again be deployed. Ruddy was so impressive in the County final, but faces the ultimate test on Sunday as she will be responsible for curtailing the threat of the imperious Claire Grogan.

The tenacious Regina Glynn will anchor the defence from centre-half back. Laura Linnane, whose flawless free taking will prove so vital on Sunday, and Sarah Donoghue will start at midfield while the half forward line should comprise of Katie O’Dwyer, Noreen Coen and Therese Maher.

Maher has regularly started on the edge of the square before being pulled out to the forty. This Sunday may prove different though as the ace forward might be required to play the full hour at full forward in an effort to stamp out the authority of Cashel captain and full back Una Dwyer.

Mary Keogh and Brenda Keirns will start in the corner forward positions. Keogh was a delight to watch in the County final shooting (2-2), while Keirns ran riot in the semi-final grabbing four wonderful points. If the supply lines are kept open to the dynamic duo then Athenry, without a doubt, will run up a match winning score. Nicola Nally will more than likely occupy the sixth attacking position.

Athenry will be somewhat buoyed by the fact that when these two sides met in 2007, Athenry entered the contest as favourites. The tag proved too much for the Galway girls as they wilted under the intense pressure applied by the Tipperary outfit. This time around, however, the tables have turned and it is Cashel who assume the role of favourites.