Busy year lies ahead for Camogie in the Déise

What could potentially be a long and hopefully successful year for Waterford Camogie begins on February 24 when the County’s Intermediate side play their first league game of the year away to Meath.

Two weeks will pass before the side will be back in competitive action with another away game this time against Galway who were beaten in last years All-Ireland Intermediate final against Derry who needed two attempts to beat the Tribes Ladies.

On March 16 Waterford play their only home game in their five games when Wexford travel to play the Déise Ladies and on March 31, Waterford are away to Limerick.

Waterford round off the league with a game against Antrim, who beat Waterford to win the Junior Premier All-Ireland final in 2012. Because of the distance between the two sides, this game will be played at a half way venue, most possibly in the Dublin or Meath area.

Any play off needed to determine who will contest the semi finals is pencilled in for April 14 with the semi finals fixed for the following week.

Should Waterford reach the final and if Waterford Senior Hurlers were also to reach the final of the National League, some Waterford Supporters will have to make their mind up as to where they will travel to as both the hurling and Camogie finals are scheduled to take place on May 5 with a replay in the Camogie if needed pencilled in for a week later.

In the championship, Waterford reached the semi finals of the championship last year in their first year playing at this grade, loosing to Galway by four points.

With the experience amassed by the team in the last few years, reaching three junior All-Ireland finals in a row and the semi finals of Intermediate last year, if Waterford can add to their panel this year creating extra competition for places, then Waterford could well find themselves playing in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final Day.

Waterford have been drawn in a group of five along with Cork and Kilkenny’s second string teams as well as Limerick and Antrim, with Galway, Tipperary, Meath and Wexford playing in the opposite group.

In the first round of games, Waterford has a bye, meaning that their first game will be an away game with Cork on June 29.

Once the games do start in the championship they come thick and fast. Kilkenny cross the Suir for a game on July 6 and a week later Waterford are on the road for a game with Limerick and on July 20 Waterford are scheduled to play their last game in the league stages of the championship when they take on Antrim at a half way venue to both.

The semi finals of the championship are pencilled in for August 24 with any replay due to be played a week later.

This years All-Ireland finals are fixed for Croke Park on September 15 with any replayed if required pencilled in for October 6.

In Minor, the All-Ireland Championship is pencilled into take place between late March and late April.

Waterford’s first game at this grade is a home game against Dublin and their second group game is an away game in the mid-lands against Offaly.

In under 16, the championship is pencilled in to take place between late June and late August.

Waterford’s first game is a home game against Westmeath which is followed with a game away to Cork in the second series of games.

Next up is two games against Ulster opposition. Games against Armagh and then Derry are pencilled in for a venue considered to be half way between the two counties.

 

Waterford Camogie Fixtures for 2013:

 

National League:

24 February     V Meath (A)

10 March        V Galway (A)

16 March        V Wexford (H)

31 March        V Limerick (A)

7 April             V Antrim (Half way venue)

14 April           League Play off

21 April           Semi Finals

5 May              League Final

12 May            League Final Replay

 

Intermediate Championship

29 June            V Cork (A)

6 July               V Kilkenny (H)

13 July             V Limerick (A)

20 July             V Antrim (Half way venue)

24 August        All-Ireland Semi Finals

31 August        All-Ireland Semi Final Replay

15 September All-Ireland Final

6 October        All-Ireland Final Replay

 

Minor Championship

24 March        V Dublin (H)

30 March        V Offaly (A)

6 April             Play offs

13 April           All-Ireland Semi Finals

27 April           All-Ireland Final

11 May            All-Ireland Final Replay

 

Under 16 Championship

23 June            V Westmeath (H)

30 June            V Cork (A)

7 July               V Armagh (Half way venue)

14 July             V Derry (Half way venue)

28 July             Play offs

10 August        Semi Finals

18 August        Semi Final Replay

25 August        All-Ireland Final

1 September   All-Ireland Final Replay

 

Fixtures may experience slight changes.