Cappoquin and Lismore do battle in this years County Senior Camogie League Final

As a past pupil of Saint Anne’s Post Primary School in Cappoquin, at times I think back to my five years spent there. Even though it is nearly 30 years since I first entered the school, sometimes it feels only like yesterday.

At times memories of pupils and teachers in the school for the five years I spent there often come flooding back to me.

I was not the world greatest student, and while often on the grounds, sometimes in the classroom I might have gone into a world of my own.

I remember one occasion, an English and Geography teacher in the school P.J. Dolan came to me after noticing I was not paying much attention to what was happening in class and he said to me that time flies when you are enjoying yourself.

While what was said to me at the time was said a little sarcastically, the statement is often a very true one.

When I learned that it was time once more for the playing of the Waterford senior Camogie League Final for the Denny Buckley Cup this weekend, I could not believe that a full year had passed since I previewed the 2014 final between Saint Annes (the holders) and Lismore at Lemybrien.

This is the fourth year that the Denny Buckley Club will be played for. Put up by his daughter Laura in memory of a man that did tremendous work to promote Camogie in Lismore and in general, if this years final is to prove to be as exciting as the three previous finals, those that make their way to the Tallow G.A.A. Club Grounds for a 6pm throw in on Sunday evening will be in for an exciting affair.

In 2012 and 2013, Lismore emerged as victors at Fraher Field both against Saint Anne’s by a very small margin. In 2014 the final was played at Lemybrien and this time Saint Anne’s made it third time lucky as they emerged winners by a small margin.

Camogie on the adult scene in Waterford has been dominated by two clubs Lismore and Saint Annes in the last four or five years, but thanks to the tremendous work done in the other clubs in the county, the gap is closing each year, something that is borne out by the fact that Cappoquin are in this year’s final just eight months after they were crowned County Intermediate Champions last September when they beat An Rinn at Fraher Field.

It is no fluke that Cappoquin are in this year’s final in their first year playing Senior.

Some tremendous work is going on in the Cappoquin Club in recent years.

Supporters of Camogie in the county will be only two well aware of the standard of player that they have to choose from. The abilities of the likes of Lorraine Bray and Jenny McCarthy who both have been involved in the County Junior and Intermediate teams in recent years are well known. Aisling Power who captained the Waterford Under 16 team to All-Ireland glory last year is also a player of note. Her abilities were recognised by the County Intermediate selectors who have her involved in the Inter County set up this year and she recently add a National League medal to her collection of medals.

Cappoquin are not just about these three players. Tracey Kiely has played for the Counties Intermediate team in the not too distant past.

Lauren McGregor, Roisin Cahillane, Jessica and Clodagh Glavin, Roisin Uniacke and Linda Foley are also very good players and will serve up a great battle to Lismore.

Camogie supporters within the county and even outside it will not need telling about Lismore.

Over the past few years they have achieved a great deal and if they were to add to the titles that they have won then I for one would not be surprised.

The names they have to pick from in the last few years roll off the tongue, Tanya Morrissey, Aisling O’Brien, Sarah Coughlan, Shauna Prendergast, Niamh Molumphy, Shauna Kiernan, Aoife and Johanna Houlihan, Ruth Geoghegan, Laura Buckley, Shona Curran, Marie Russell, Nicola Morrissey, Aoife Hannon and Grainne Kenneally will spring to mind for many straight away.

Last year Sharon Williams broke into the team and this year if more back up players last year like Alice Russell, Ellen Curran, Sarah Geoghegan and Kate Heneghan were to stake a place in the team ahead of the more established players, don’t be too surprised.

Previewing games on here, I sometimes say that something tells me that ‘this game’ could be close. Ahead of this years county league final, again there is something telling me that it could be close, maybe too close for comfort for some of the players and mentors.

Lismore will go into the game as favourites, but favourites don’t always win.

The stats ahead of this game are interesting and may give an indication as to what way this game could pan out.

One thing that can be expected is goals, maybe lots of them. In their three games in the league section of the competition, Lismore raised eight green flags. Cappoquin in their three games went one better.

In their three games Lismore conceded six goals, Cappoquin faired better. They left three past them in their three games.

Lismore head into the final an unbeaten side. They beat 2014 champions Saint Anne’s in their first game on a 3-12 to 3-3 score line. They followed it up with a 3-6 to 3-6 draw with Gailltir and last weekend they beat Cappoquin in a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s final 2-7 to 0-11.

Cappoquin head to Lismore with two wins from there three games. Last time out they lost to Lismore by two points in the above mentioned game. Previous to that they beat the 2014 champions Saint Anne’s 4-6 to 0-5 and in their first game they had another excellent win, beating Gailltir 5-4 to 1-6.

Saturday evening’s game between Cappoquin and Lismore is the first of two big games between the two side just four miles apart this weekend.

When the draws for this year’s senior hurling championship were made some months back, when Cappoquin and Lismore were drawn together in the one group and in what was to be the opening round of games, there were many who were rubbing their hands with anticipation.

Because of Waterford’s involvement in the National League Final against Cork two weeks ago, the opening round of games in this years championship were deferred to this weekend.

The hurling game in Ballyduff on Sunday evening is likely to attract a big gathering.

However, hopefully in a build up to that game, it would be great to see many from the two clubs take the time to visit Tallow on Saturday evening, to see the female players from both clubs do battle.

As already said, something is telling me that this final could well prove to be a great game, fought out by two close sides.

I know that when it comes to support in both clubs, hurling will win out if supporters are only to go to one of the games. If supporters were to go to just one of the games between Cappoquin and Lismore this weekend, then maybe they could do worse than head to Tallow. Something tells me that the Camogie clash could prove to be the better of the games. Those that do make their way to Tallow wont be disappointed with the standard of player that they will see on both sides.

Last year in previewing the game when it came to a prediction I sat on the fence. I felt it was too close to call. Heading into this year’s final, as already pointed out, both sides have some excellent players.

While expecting a close game, Lismore for me will go in as favourites and should emerge winners for the third time in four years in the final. Their greater experience has to count for something. However, I for one would not be over surprised if Lismore’s record after this final would be played four, won two, lost two. Neither would I be over surprised if for the first time a second attempt was needed to find a winner of the competition.