This weekend’s camogie games at a glance

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1
Antrim v Kilkenny, Corrigan Park, 2pm
Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare)
Live on Official Camogie YouTube
Antrim began their campaign with defeat to Ulster rivals Derry and it doesn’t get any easier as they greet Kilkenny to Corrigan Park. The Cats, who are without Denise Gaule (travelling) and Claire Phelan (retired), got under way with an 18-point away triumph against Limerick and after a solid League campaign under new manager Peter Cleere, have been strengthened by the return from injury of the Walsh cousins, Miriam and Grace.

The hosts do boast a strong attack, with Maeve Kelly gradually rediscovering her form after her two-year injury hell and Róisín McCormick a brilliant sharpshooter. They have other injuries though and will need to step up to get off the mark.

Waterford v Limerick, Walsh Park, 2pm
Referee: Andy Larkin (Cork)
Limerick must be reeling after their 18-point hammering by Kilkenny in Rathkeale. They need a response but travelling to Walsh Park to face last year’s All-Ireland finalists Waterford, is a very tough engagement.

The Déise girls were involved in a thriller last weekend but fell short by three points, despite a couple of goals from Mairéad O’Brien. Beth Carton remains their chief scoring threat and while Limerick will be looking to Caoimhe Costelloe and Caoimhe Lyons to keep the scoreboard ticking, it is their defensive structure that must stand up for the Shannonsiders to have a chance.

Derry v Tipperary, Derry GAA Centre of Excellence, 2pm
Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin)
Both sides had a tremendous start with victories last Saturday. Newly promoted Derry would have targeted the Antrim tie as a key one in terms of getting points on the board and achieving that thanks to a brace of goals by Aoife Shaw is a big step towards retaining senior status. Making the last six remains a prospect too.

Tipperary are the form team in the land at present and followed up their Very League Division 1A success with a fantastic win over Waterford last Saturday. That was a humdinger, with the Premiers having three points to spare at the final whistle. Goalscorer Clodagh McIntyre produced a player-of-the-match display while Cáit Devane returned to the fold having missed the League.

GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2

Down v Cork, Páirc Esler, 1pm
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Wexford)
Down lost to Clare in the first round. They started well and led by four points after Ciara Fitzsimmons goaled but trailed by two at the interval and lost by nine in the end. They have been shorn of a generational talent in Niamh Mallon, who transferred to Galway in the Spring.

All-Ireland champions Cork made light work of Wexford, Katrina Mackey and Amy O’Connor among the primary contributors. Sorcha McCartan, who won an All-Ireland intermediate championship with her native county before adding a senior memento with the Rebels last year, will be returning to familiar surroundings.

Dublin v Clare, Naomh Peregrines GAA, 4pm
Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare)

This is a big game in the group. The perceived wisdom would be that Cork and Galway are the likeliest to claim two of the qualifying positions. Victory here would put Dublin and Clare in contention to join them.

Clare responded well to falling four points behind early on against Down last weekend and pulled away in the second half to win by nine, Áine O’Loughlin continuing her goal-scoring heroics from the League.

Dublin are coming into the game off a defeat but the Division 1B Very League champions pushed Galway all the way, falling short by just three points at Parnell Park. Aisling O’Neill and Aisling Maher were very influential and make the Metropolitans a real threat.

Wexford v Galway, McCauley Park Bellefield, 2pm
Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)
Siobhán McGrath’s withdrawal from the Galway panel after the Very League final defeat to Tipperary is a blow, as the prospect of her dovetailing with Niamh Mallon, newly arrived from Down, was a mouth-watering one. Mallon illustrated her gifts in her first start for her adopted county, against Dublin, combining with McGrath’s sister Orlaith and Niamh Niland, though the westerners had to hit the last five points to chisel out a three-point win.

Wexford never landed a glove on Cork but they have made good progress and did well to reach the Very League Division 1B final. Ciara O’Connor remains their main scoring threat, with sister Sarah and Shelley Kehoe other experienced operators the Yellowbellies will need to shine.

GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1
Galway v Wexford, Carnmore GAA, 2pm

Both Galway and Wexford’s second teams take to the field in Carnmore GAA at 2pm in what promises to be a tightly contested game. There is never much between these two sides when they meet, and this clash promises to be a thrilling one. This is both teams’ first outing of the Intermediate Championship season, and both will be looking to start off on the right foot with a win.

Offaly v Clare, St Rynagh’s GAA, 12.30pm
Offaly and Clare will commence their Intermediate Championship season this weekend in St Rynagh’s GAA. Offaly will be looking to bounce back after relegation from the senior ranks last year but will meet the newly promoted Clare side who will also be looking to make an impression in their new grade.

Westmeath v Cork, TEG Cusack Park, 12.30pm
Westmeath will be aiming to continue their run of success in this year’s Intermediate Championship following their recent success in the 2A league, and an impressive 2023 Championship season where they reached the semi-final stage. Cork have also collected silverware of late, having scooped the 2024 2B league title. This will be an exciting contest between the two sides.

GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1
Meath v Carlow, Rathmolyon GAA, 1pm
Meath will look to continue their winning ways after a comprehensive win against Kildare last weekend. Carlow will be looking to bounce back and mark their first win of the campaign after a heavy defeat to Kilkenny last weekend.

Antrim v Kildare, Lámh Dhearg GAA, 2pm

Antrim and Kildare will both be looking to pick up a win in their second round of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship after defeats by Kerry and Meath respectively last weekend.

Dublin v Kerry, St Peregrine’s, 2pm

Kerry will be looking to continue their winning ways this weekend after their comprehensive win against Antrim last weekend. Dublin will commence their campaign this weekend and will be looking to build on their recent success in the Division 3B league by coming home with a win on Saturday afternoon. The game is at 2pm in Naomh Peregrines GAA as part of a double header ahead of the senior fixture between Dublin and Clare at 4pm.

GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1
Tyrone v Tipperary, Garvaghey, 2pm

This year’s Division 4 league winners Tyrone will face 2023 Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship finalists Tipperary at 2pm in Tyrone GAA Garvaghey Centre. Tipperary picked up a win last weekend in their first round of the competition against Down, whereas Tyrone were faced with a defeat against Armagh and will be looking to improve upon their performance this weekend.

Down v Wicklow, Páirc Esler, 3pm

Down will face Wicklow in Páirc Esler as part of a double header with their senior counterparts, who take on Cork before them at 1pm. Down will need to dig deep to pick up a win this weekend following their heavy defeat against Tipperary. They will face 2023 Nancy Murray Cup winners Wicklow, who will be looking to make an impression in their first game of the 2024 Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship.

GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1
Mayo v Cavan, Hastings Insurance McHale Park, 2pm

This promises to be an exciting and tightly fought contest in Hastings Insurance McHale Park. Whenever Mayo and Cavan meet, there is never much between them at the final whistle, and both will be looking to bounce back from heavy defeats last weekend.

Limerick v Roscommon, Cappamore GAA, 2pm

Another clash that is expected to be a competitive and exciting game. There is often a very close scoreline between these two with even match-ups across the pitch. This will be Roscommon’s opening game of their 2024 Glen Dimplex Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship campaign, whereas Limerick will be aiming to continue their winning streak after their win against Mayo last weekend.