A hectic weekend of league camogie beckons

By Brian Barry

Division 1A (all games at 2pm Saturday 21st March)

Tipperary vs Waterford, The Ragg

Galway vs Cork, Kenny Park (Live on The Camogie Association’s YouTube channel)

Kilkenny vs Antrim, UPMC Nowlan Park

It’s that time of year – permutations on top of permutations in Gaelic games as we wrap our heads around who can be promoted or relegated across different codes and tiers.

But for sheer complexity, Division 1A of the Centra Camogie League is out on its own.

Waterford are safely through to their first ever top-tier final. Michael Boland’s charges have hit the ground running in 2026, and four consecutive wins see them flying high – Beth Carton et al overwhelming the field to make a real statement of intent ahead of the summer.

So the Déise look forward to the Division 1A final on April 12th in UPMC Nowlan Park.

After that? That’s when the fun starts.

Running the numbers, four of the other five counties in the six-team division could join Waterford in the showpiece, while all five remain in danger of relegation to the second tier for 2027.

The script was supposed to be far more straightforward. So how did we end up here?

Opening-day losses for 2025 All-Ireland finalists Cork and Galway threw the cat amongst the pigeons early on. The Rebels falling to Waterford. The Westerners succumbing to Tipperary.

Round two didn’t bring any improved fortunes for the pair.

The Lee-siders were expected to make amends when Antrim took the long trip to MTU, but the newly-promoted Saffrons had other ideas, causing a seismic shock.

Back to the future for Greenan and Monaghan

Hampered by a blizzard which delayed their flight home from the team holiday in New York, Galway eventually touched down on terra firma only to be met by a red-hot Déise.

Rooted to the bottom of the table after two rounds, the ‘big two’ found themselves in a hole.

Since then, they have gone unbeaten. Cathal Murray’s outfit recorded away victories over Tipperary and Antrim. Ger Manley’s side had too much for Kilkenny, before surrendering an eight-point half-time lead to draw with the Premier County in round four.

Mixed results for the Blue-and-Gold and Black-and-Amber leave the two counties still in the mix at both ends of the table.

Antrim exceeded expectations, but have been unable to add to their sole victory thus far.

Scoring difference is the primary tiebreaker should two or more teams finish level on points, opening up a myriad of possibilities.

To sum up the potential chaos: any team across Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork and Antrim could be relegated, yet all except the Ulster outfit could also end Round Five with a final spot secured.

Galway and Kilkenny are in the driving seat – victory for either and besting the other’s scoring difference will lock in a date with the Déise. Should both fail to win on Saturday, it would open it up for the chasing pack.

The mantra for every team this weekend? Take care of your own business. Worry about results elsewhere after that.

Division 1B (all games at 2pm)

Dublin vs Limerick, Abbotstown

Down vs Wexford, Liatroim

Clare vs Offaly, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg

Things are more straightforward in the second tier.

Clare are already into the Division 1B final, playing their final game against Offaly.

Dublin host Limerick in Abbotstown in a de facto semi-final.

Down entertain Wexford, with the winner guaranteed survival. The two are locked on three points alongside the Faithful County. Relegation could quite possibly be decided on scoring difference here.

Division 2A (all games at 1pm)

Derry vs Kerry, Ballinascreen

Meath vs Carlow, Donaghmore Ashbourne

Laois v Westmeath, Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Kerry and Meath are both in control of their own destiny, and face win-and-in scenarios as they bid to reach the final.

Should either lose, that could open the door for Laois to sneak into the decider with victory over Westmeath.

Derry also have a mathematical chance of making it.

Carlow would need to upset the Royals if they are to reel in Westmeath and avoid the drop.

Division 3A (all games at 2pm)

Kildare vs Tyrone, Manguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence

Armagh vs Wicklow, Granemore St Mary’s

With Armagh already through to the final, regardless of how they fare against basement-side Wicklow, it remains to be seen who will join them.

Roscommon have a bye in the final round, and will be hoping for Kildare to do them a favour when Tyrone visit Hawkfield. If the Red Hands draw or win, they will join the Orchard County in the final.

A Kildare win could send the Rossies into the final, but if the Lilywhites win by 10 points, they would sneak into the final themselves.