All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Championship Final

Drom & Inch (Tipperary) vs. O’Donovan Rossa (Antrim)

New ground will be broken on Sunday with Antrim outfit O’Donovan Rossa and Drom & Inch from Tipperary vying for their first All Ireland senior club camogie title. The Donghamore venue in Ashbourne, County Meath is sure to bring out the crowds (2pm) as these novel finalists battle for the Bill Carroll Cup.

The task facing both teams is monumental. However, Munster champions Drom & Inch have endured a tougher route to the final, having dramatically defeated last year’s runners-up Athenry by the narrowest of margins in the All Ireland semi-final, and they will be hoping they can emulate fellow club side, Cashel, who brought the trophy to the Premier County only 12 months ago. Captain Norma Harrington, a primary schoolteacher in her native county, lines out at midfield for Drom &Inch. She believes their overall balance could prove decisive. “We don’t depend on any one person,” she says. “Every number on our team is important, and the blend of youth and experience is working well for us. This is a huge achievement for our club. Even to come out of Tipperary with the history of club camogie so strong, especially with teams like Toomevara and Cashel. “We are thrilled to be representing our county and province. It is a question of each match at a time. This has worked very well for us all year. Despite losing some of our more senior players from 2007, we have plugged away. On Sunday, it will come down to which team wants the title the most.”

O’Donovan Rossa, based in Belfast, surprised many with their emphatic victory over Dublin’s Ballyboden St Endas in their All Ireland penultimate game. Skipper Jane Adams – who picked up Antrim’s first ever All Star award at the weekend – sent out an emphatic message with her scoring prowess, hitting a massive 2-11 in Casement Park. She has the greatest of respect for the Munster side. “Drom & Inch are an amazing side, and have players with lots of experience. Players who have played at the highest level for Tipperary, so we are well aware of how tough it is going to be. It is an old cliché, but really it is 50-50 on the day.” Speaking of her All Star award, she hopes this will have a positive impact on her club. “Getting an All Star is absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t believe I had won. It is a huge benefit for camogie in the county and I just hope it can lift the girls for the final.”

Drom and Inch: R Kennelly; C Kennedy, N Harkin, P McGrath; S O’Meara, M Shortt, T Butler; T Shortt, N Harrington: J Ryan, M Looby, G Kinane; C Shortt, E Shanahan, S McGrath

O’Donovan Rossa: T McGowan; T Adams, P Green, M Quinn; A McCall, N McGuinness, B Orchin; C Doherty, S Daykin; K O’ Neill, G Connolly, O McCall; M McGourty, J Adams, M Stewart

Meanwhile, Kilmaley will proudly fly the Clare flag in the All Ireland junior club final, also on Sunday, at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh (2.30pm) when they face The Harps of Laois, who are bidding for a third consecutive victory.

Kilmaley: D Killeen; L Kennedy, D Lynch, O Keane; E Considine, S Reidy, S O’ Halloran; S Maher, A Griffey; H McMahon, E O’ Driscoll, S Enright; M Hehir, C McMahon, K Cahill

The Harps: M Brophy; E Cuddy, A Donohue, C Phelan; D Quigley, M Fitzpatrick, C Walsh; C Phelan, L Mahony; J Prior, A Hanlon, L Mahony; B Hosey, A Phelan, L Saunders