AIB All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Championship semi-final: Killimor (Galway) v Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) (tomorrow, Clones, 2pm)
ANTRIM and Ulster champions Loughgiel end a frustrating wait when they take on Killimor of Galway in tomorrow’s All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Championship semi-final in St Tiernach’s Park Clones.
The Shamrocks booked their place in the last four when they retained their Ulster senior title with victory over Derry champions Slaughtneil in the final in October.
“It has been a long spell of waiting but when you are still training at this stage, it means there is something big to be played for and there is a massive prize there for the taking if we were to get through Sunday’s game,” said McKeown.
“The attitude and dedication of the girls in training has been first class and they have put in the hard work and are well prepared for the game.
“We had a few good challenge games which helped us work on a few things and keep us sharp but now it is all about Sunday. Hopefully we can make the breakthrough this year.”
It was at this stage that Loughgiel fell last season when they lost out to eventual champions Oulart-The-Ballagh but captain Uná McNaughton says that her side have learnt from last year and that they are ready for Sunday’s clash.
“Getting to the All-Ireland semi-final is massive for the club. Loughgiel is a proud hurling and camogie club so to be representing them at the top level is a great honour for all the girls involved,” said McNaughton.
“The buzz around the parish in recent weeks has been brilliant and it’s great having everyone behind us.
“I think we’ve learnt a lot from last year, particularly around believing in ourselves and each other.
“We’ve no doubt the game on Sunday is going to be immensely tough, and we know it’s going to come down to work-rate and hunger on the day.
“We’ve taken some heavy defeats from southern teams in recent years so it’ll be a mental battle as well as a physical one.
“All the hard work is done so now it’s just about going out and performing on the day.”
Killimor are no strangers to the All-Ireland series. They are the last Galway side to claim the title in 2011.They also reached the final in 2013 and there is no doubt they will once again have the Bill Carroll Cup in their sights.
Ann Marie Starr will be the key player for the Galway side. The captain has been in inspirational form in the middle of the park throughout the season and former county star Ann Marie Hayes leads the defence well, but they will find themselves tested by Caitrin Dobbin and Raquel McCarry both of whom have an eye for a goal.
The Loughgiel defence have been solid so far this season but Martina Conroy, Susan Keane and Brenda Hanney will test the resolve of Shamrocks captain Úna McNaughton, Emma Connolly and Bernie McGarry.
The game promises to be a tight affair with little to separate the sides and as McNaughton says it will come down to “work-rate and hunger on the day.”
The other semi-final will be a mouth-watering clash between reigning champions Oulart-The-Ballagh, who will be hoping to reach their third All-Ireland final in five seasons, and two-time champions Milford who will be aiming to get back to the top of club camogie.
Neither side are short of star quality with Mary Leacy, Ursula Jacob, Karen Atkinson and the Kehoe twins, Stacey and Shelley amongst the Oulart ranks.
Milford can call on Ashling Thompson, who gave a captain’s display as Cork lifted the O’Duffy Cup in September.
Former Rebels captain Anna Geary is an influential player for Milford and her presence in the backline have been vital as the north Cork side made it four-in-a-row on Leeside and in Munster.
With two of club camogie’s big hitters going head-to-head, it is a tough game to call.