Lismore and Ballyhale Shamrocks to do battle once more

The Agnes O’Farrelly Cup has received a fresh polish. New ribbons, green and white as well as black and amber each adoring the logo of AIB, hang on opposite handles of the trophy.

On Sunday, the Cup will make its way to Clonmel from its current location in time for a 2pm start in the replayed All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Club final. Somewhere between 75 and 95 minutes later we should know if the Cup will be turning right to Ballyhale or left to Lismore

Over a week ago, Ballyhale Shamrocks and Lismore fought out a terrific battle at GAA headquarters. Both sides battled hard to see which would become All-Ireland Champions for the first time. And now they will have to do it all over again.

Early in the last game it looked as though Lismore were going to be the first of the two sides to win an adult All-Ireland Final.

At the break they headed to the dressing rooms in a comfortable position, having a three point advantage on the score board.

However, we all know that regardless of what the score board tells you at any point in a game, no game is over till the final whistle is sounded.

The Kilkenny Club came out of the dressing rooms hitting 1-1 in the opening three minutes of the second half.

With two minutes to play the Kilkenny side had a two point advantage and no doubt there was many is the sparse attendance in Croke Park as well as those that were listing to the commentary back to the homes of those that could not make the trek to Croke Park, that the game was over.

Those watching games long enough will know that two points down with as many minutes to play means that there is still enough time for anything to happen.

Nicola Morrissey pointed to leave one between the sides and when Aoife Hannon put over a massive pressure shot from 50 metres soon afterwards, it was just rewards for the effort Lismore put in not just in this game, but over the past number of months.

Lismore began training for where they are now at on the third Sunday of March in 2013 and it would be remarkable if that work would come to a successful conclusion on the third Sunday in March 2014. Of course, for both sides whatever the outcome on Sunday, the work will soon begin all over again for the 2014 Championships, that is if it has not started already which some could say it has.

For Lismore, to win will not be easy. They went into the drawn game as the favourites in the eyes of many, but will possibly go into this weekends game as the underdogs, something that might be a good thing, as we all know the tag of favourites does not always sit well on the shoulders of teams sent out representing Waterford.

If the West Waterford side do go into the game as underdogs I doubt it would affect them. In fact it could be some sort of a blessing.

Ballyhale Shamrocks will once again be looking to the players that best served them last time out in Croke Park to inspire them this weekend.

That will of course include Kelly-Anne Cottrell as well as Keeva, Mags and Grace Fennelly. But should Lismore give too much attention to stopping these players it could result in other players playing a major roll on the day.

Regular readers of posts on here will be aware of Lismore’s strengths.

Aisling O’Brien between the posts is a top quality player. The backs always work well as a unit. Shona Curran and who ever the selectors opt to start beside her complement each other well and work hard as a link between defence and attack.

In attack the side work extremely hard. Aoife Hannon often proves to be the sides top score getter but the teenager is ably assisted by the likes of Nicola Morrissey, Ruth Geoghegan, Caithriona McGlone, Johnanna Houlihan, Laura Buckley, Sinead Walsh, Grainne Kenneally and Sinead Bennett etc.

Lismore this year celebrate 40 years together. They would have liked to celebrate the anniversary by winning an All-Ireland final at Croke Park but it was not to be.

However if they were to win on Sunday in Clonmel, the setting will not be important. An All-Ireland win is a win whether it comes at Croke Park, Clonmel or in a field where telephone polls are set into the ground as goalposts on opposite ends with a length of string tied between them to mark the crossbar height.

This Sunday’s game promises to be one that will go to the wire. Little is expected to separate the sides be it after 60 or 80 minutes of action.

Everyone that takes to the field on Sunday in what ever roll they fill are winners, but at the end of the say there can ultimately be one real winner.

Again I repeat myself, I see things on Sunday being close, but at the end of the game, I see the Agnes O’Farrelly Cup turn left on exiting the Car Park at Clonmel G.A.A. Grounds on the Western Road, heading over the Presentation Bridge into County Waterford and a short while later crossing Lismore Bridge, passing the shadow of Lismore Castle and the team lead through the town where they will be greeted no doubt by a huge local support.  

Elsewhere on what is a big weekend of Camogie in Waterford, the counties Intermediate team take on Meath in the first game under new manager Niall O’Donnell. The game will be played at Ballygunner and has a 1-30pm throw in. When the sides clashed at Ashbourne last year, the home side beat an understrength Waterford. Already there is some that have expressed this game is going ahead at the same time as the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final in Clonmel.

At 2pm in Dublin, the Counties minor team take on Dublin in Craobh Chiarain. Waterford in round one had a bye after Westmeath were unable to field a team.

And on Saturday afternoon, Presentation School Waterford take on Mercy School from Roscommon in the Junior ‘D’ All-Ireland Colleges Final at Nenagh. In the semi final a few weeks ago at the WIT Campus the Presentation beat St Patrick’s from Ballymena. The game in Nenagh has a 1-30pm throw in.