Updated at 16.51
AIB All Ireland Senior Camogie Club Final Sunday 2 March Croke Park
Milford v Ardrahan, 3.15pm, Ref: Alan Lagrue (Kildare)
Milford is looking to put titles back-to-back, having secured their first Senior All Ireland club last March, at the expense of Killimor. The Cork outfit overcame Granagh-Ballingarry in the Munster final by four points followed by an extremely hard-fought win over Derry outfit Eoghan Rua in the semi-final. Their back-line, spearheaded by Maria Walsh, has been in superb form, while Ashling Thompson at midfield is a formidable operator. Up-front Deirdre O’Reilly and Maria Watson have been the chief scoring threats. Add in the experience of Anna Geary and Captain Elaine O’Riordan, and Milford are a tough prospect.
Ardrahan contested the 2012 All Ireland Intermediate Club final and have ten changes from the side that lost to Eoghan Rua that afternoon. They have come through a tough Galway County Championship, accounting for Killimor and rivals Mullagh before proceeding to a semi-final with Mullinavat, whom they overcame with a brilliant second half-display. Centre-forward Rebecca Hennelly and Keelin O’Shaughnessy are key in attack while Aoife Lynskey has also been central to their success to date. Milford, though, may prove a step too far — expect the Cork side to edge it.
Verdict: Milford
Ballyhale Shamrocks v Lismore, 1.15pm, Ref: Cathal Egan (Cork)
Backboned by the Fennelly clan with seven starring in the Leinster final win over Camross, Ballyhale Shamrocks come to Croke Park quietly confident after a tough path to the final. Aside from the Fennelly clan, Ballyhale can call on Kilkenny stalwart Jacqui Frisby and they boast experience in their ranks. Kellyanne Cottrell is one of their chief scoring threats and free-taker, and was central to Ballyhale overcoming Portumna in their semi-final.
Lismore defeated Liatroim Fontenoys in their All-Ireland semi-final, and it marked a major breakthrough, having lost at that juncture on two previous occasions. Attackers Aoife Hannon, Shona Curran and Nicola Morrissey will present a serious threat to Ballyhale’s title aspirations, and Ballyhale will need to put in a super defensive display to halt a powerful Waterford club outfit.
Verdict: Lismore
Follow updates on the AIB Camogie Club Finals on twitter.com/officialcamogie & facebook.com/officialCamogieAssociation
