Ulster Intermediate championship semi-final: Armagh v Cavan (Sunday, Granemore, 1.30pm)
THE rematch of last December’s All-Ireland Premier Junior final is a much anticipated fixture this weekend.
Armagh were able to collect the silverware before Christmas simply because they had the edge in experience on a Cavan side taking their first steps at adult level.
Cavan are unbeaten since that encounter, going on a run that saw them win Division Four a fortnight ago, the same weekend that Armagh lost the Division Three final to Wexford in Ashbourne.
Cavan lost their shape at times during the first half of that final with Roscommon, but once they found their scoring touch at the start of the second half, they pulled away for an impressive win.
Perhaps that will be Cavan’s Achilles heel in the sense that they have not had to battle to victory in any of their games. Yes, Tyrone set up to contain them in the final group game in the league, but Cavan never looked like losing the tie and eventually won by 0-12 to 0-8.
In all the other games they had plenty to spare and could afford to mess up chances at times.
By contrast, Armagh haven’t had an easy game to date. But they also were beaten twice by Wexford including in the league final when the Ulster side was in control during the opening half and squandered a number of scoring chances.
Then last week Down really put it up to them in Pearse Óg Park before a couple of late scores won the game for Armagh.
They are probably in better shape than they were for the All-Ireland campaign before Christmas, the return to the team of Michelle McArdle and Collette McSorley bringing more experienced heads.
Cavan though will really test them, especially since they believe they have a score to settle from that All-Ireland defeat. It will be very close, perhaps going to extra-time.
Ulster Junior championship semi-final: Monaghan v Donegal (Saturday, Clontibret, 6.30pm)
THREE counties have entered this junior championship with the addition of Monaghan and Donegal now meaning that Fermanagh is the only county in the province not competing at inter-county level. Both Monaghan and Donegal are dominated by football, but this is a great opportunity for their camogie players to dip their toe in the inter-county pool. Monaghan have had clubs competing at a good level in the club championship and they are probably better equipped to make it through to a final with Armagh.
Ulster Camogie Championship draw
Ulster Senior championship semi-final
(Saturday, July 3, Loughgiel, 2pm):
Antrim v Derry
Saturday, July 10
Final: Antrim/Derry v Down
Ulster Intermediate Championship semi-final
Sunday, July 4, Granemore (1.30pm): Armagh v Cavan
Saturday, July 10
Final: Armagh/Cavan v Antrim II
Ulster Junior championship semi-final
Saturday, July 3, Clontibret (6.30pm):
Monaghan v Donegal
Saturday, July 10
Final: Monaghan/Donegal v Armagh II
