Saint Anne's and Lismore meet in what could be a cracker

There are so many big games on this weekend; it’s hard to get to them all.

One game I would love to get to see but wont get to see it is the County Senior Camogie Final between the holders Saint Anne’s and the current league champions Lismore.

These two sides have met in the last two league finals where the honours have gone to the Western side and in the county final last year which was played at Ardmore.

There can be no disputing that the two best sides in the county are involved in this game.

They have become fierce rivals over the past few years, and some great games have been fought out by the two and this one is expected to be no different.

The last big game between the two was the league final back in May.

That game was expected to be close and the players on both sides did not fail to deliver.

It was Saint Anne’s on that day that had the best of starts, going three points up with under ten minutes played.

Lismore however came roaring back into the game when Sinead Bennett got onto the end of a huge Aisling O’Brien delivery and shot to the net.

The measure of a good side is how they recover after leaving in a goal and in this game Saint Anne’s did so by goal of their own from the industrious Zoe O’Donoghue to restore a three point lead, one that went to six with time in the first half running down.

Lismore however finished the half the stronger of the two sides but went in trailing at the break, thanks to a second goal which came from Laura Buckley.

St Anne’s began the second half by hitting four points to ease themselves into a seven point lead, but with Shona Curran in outstanding form playing at centre back for the Heritage town side, Lismore came storming back.

Aoife Hannon too was in outstanding form. She hit eight points for the side in black and amber hoops over the course of the hour.

With the game all square with time almost up, it looked as though extra time or a replay was going to be needed to see where the Denny Buckley Cup would find a home, but in stoppage time, Caitriona McGlone while in control of the ball noticed that Marie Russell was in a better position to her. She laid off the ball to her and the inter county player made no mistake in sending the ball high over the crossbar to secure a win for Lismore.

Lismore will go into this game fresh from a good win over Galltir in the semi finals.

In that game Aisling O’Brien put in a player of the match performance between the posts and they will be looking to her again for inspiration again in this game.

Others that will be needed to produce big performances from will include Marie Russell, Shona Curran, Nicola Morrissey, Ruth Geoghegan, Aoife Hannon, Caitriona McGlone and Johanna Houlihan. There could also be some good news for Lismore if Gráinne Kennelly is available for selection, while it remains to be seen if Laura Buckley will play any part.

Champions do not like loosing and Saint Anne’s will not want to in this game. They have some quality players, who have played a part with different Waterford teams in recent years.

Ciara Keogh, Charlotte Raher, Claire Whyte, Jennie Simpson, Mairead Murphy, Karen Kelly, Bronwyn Grace, Pauline Cunningham, Niamh Rockett and the deadly Zoe O’Donoghue will be amongst their most crucial players.

This is a game that is too close to call. Saint Anne’s will go into the game as the favourites, but favourites do not always win, even in a two horse race.

Battles between the two sides have become a bit of a must see in recent times. This one with so much resting in it could be the best battle yet between the two and is likely to attract a sizeable support for both sides to the Lemybrien venue, before some supporters of both sides make the mad dash to Waterford to support Dunhill in the Intermediate Hurling County final against Ardmore or to Fraher Field to support Ballysaggart against Colligan in the Western Junior Hurling Final.