Ulster Camogie provincial series set for throw in

By Niall McCoy

THE 2024 Ulster Camogie season throws in this weekend with games at Junior A and Bridie McMenamin Shield level.

On Saturday afternoon in the Junior A, Kilrea will host Denn at Pearse Park for the right to face Antrim’s Ahoghill in the semi-finals.

Captained by Erin McGilligan, the Derry outfit were far too strong for Glenullin in the Derry Intermediate final with Kimberley Burke picking up the Player of the Match award.

Denn won the Senior title in Cavan, edging out Crosserlough in a hard-fought encounter.

The Breffni side have plenty of experience and in Shanise Fitzsimons they have a real scoring machine.

Centre-half back Erin Galligan is another big player for the side, while midfielder Emer Tierney is well fit to get forward and take a score or two.

In the Bridie McMenamin quarter-finals, Tyrone’s Éire Óg will welcome St Paul’s of Antirm on Sunday afternoon.

The Carrickmore outfit were far too strong for Brocagh in the Red Hand Junior decider having 20 points to spare in the end up – dual star Niamh McElduff racking up 2-3.

St Paul’s, meanwhile, were giving a much tougher examination before they defeated Ballycastle 2-8 to 0-7 in the Antrim Junior final.

It was a rich reward after last year’s final loss with Maeve Devlin’s two-goal salvo proving key.

South Armagh side Mullaghbawn will make the long trek to Derry to face Greenlough.

They are captained by 29-year-old Caitriona Byrne while it was Caitlin Byrne who picked up the Player of the Match award in the derby Armagh Junior final win against Culloville.

The Derry side won their Junior title with a 0-14 to 1-4 win over Drum and will be confident that home advantage may give them the edge against the visiting side.