The 2023 Windows and Rooflights LTD Senior A Camogie final will see a repeat of the 2021 and 2022 finals with the current All Ireland and county champions, Sarsfields, taking on the runners-up from the county final for the last two years, Oranmore Maree.
Sarsfields will be looking to make it six titles in seven years against familiar rivals in Oranmore Maree in their eight consecutive final.
Sarsfields overcame Craughwell and Oranmore Maree in the opening stages of the group stages, but suffered a defeat to Athenry in the third round of the group games. However, they bounced back to overcome Ardrahan, top the group and set up a quarter-final showdown with St Thomas’, who finished leaders of Senior B.
St Thomas’ put up a strong first-half showing, but Sarsfields turned up a gear in the second half to overcome them comfortably and set up a semi-final against Mullagh.
Mullagh, a strong team on paper with county stars Aoife Donohue and Sarah Dervan in their panel, were no match for Sarsfields in the second half.
Keeping Mullagh scoreless from play throughout the contest, Sarsfields now will be keen to add another county title to their roll of honour and keep their dreams alive of a hat-trick of All Ireland titles in a row.
Oranmore Maree, having overcome Davitts in their opening game of the campaign, had suffered a defeat to their rivals in the second round. However, they had bounced back and showed their determination by overcoming Mullagh and Carnmore in the final stages of the group. As a result, Oranmore Maree finished second in their group to set up a quarter final pairing with Ardrahan.
Ardrahan started the brightest, but Oranmore’s experience shone through to help them in getting over the line to set up semi-final contest against Athenry, who were seven points ahead at half time. However, Oranmore’s determination to book their place in the 2023 Windows and Rooflights LTD Senior A county final was evident as they ran out five-point victors on the day.
Oranmore Maree, having suffered two county final defeats against Sarsfields, came so close last year and they will be hoping that it will be a case of third time lucky.
Sarsfields are without their captain for the last few years, Niamh McGrath, while they are also missing sharpshooter Cora Kenny due to an injury. However, Orlaith McGrath is back in the forwards, having recovered from her ACL injury.
Without some of these key Sarsfields players, Oranmore Maree will see this an opportunity to put the hurt of the last two years behind them and claim the Catherine Donnellan Cup. They will be worried about the fitness of county star Niamh Hanniffy after her knee was heavily strapped in the second half of the semi-final due to an injury she picked up in the first half. The last two years have proven to be close, and this year will be no different.
Senior B
The 2023 Windows and Rooflights LTD Senior B Camogie Championship final sees 2022 finalists St Thomas’ take on 2020 Intermediate champions Clarinbrige.
When the sides met early in the year, there was little between the sides, so this weekend promises to be a very intriguing encounter.
Clarinbridge is the only unbeaten side in the Senior B competition to date, and boast key figures such a Galway sharp shooter Carrie Dolan, along with other big names such as Niamh Niland, and Siobhán and Aoibhe Carr.
Clarinbridge overcame Eyrecourt comfortably in their opening game, took on St Thomas' in their second round game and prevailed by two points.
Salthill Knocknacarra tried to launch a late come back against Clarinbridge, but they held out to make it three wins from three in their group games, with the reward for topping the group a chance to enter into the Senior A competition.
Unfortunately for Clarinbridge, they were unlucky to lose out to Athenry by the slimmest of margins after a gallant effort in dreadful conditions. However, they were forced pick themselves up a week later for a Senior B Semi final against Castlegar. It was not easy and extra time was required, but Clarinbridge prevailing by three-point winners.
St Thomas' will be hoping to make up for the disappointment of last year's loss to Davitts. They have plenty of experience throughout the side with seasoned campaigners such as Lorraine Coen, Aine Keane, Heather Cooney and Sarah Healy.
They have had some very close encounters throughout the contest to date. A goal from Coen was the difference between the sides when they overcame Castlegar in their opening game. They enjoyed the perfect start against Clarinbridge, scoring 1-2 without reply in the opening 12 minutes, but fell short, and dusted off their disappointment quickly to comfortably overcome Kinvara in their final group game.
St Thomas' topped their group, to secure a spot in the Senior A quarter-finals against All Ireland Champions Sarsfields, and although they held their own in the opening half, the experience of the All Ireland champions was too much in the second.
Like Clarinbridge, St Thomas’ needed extra time to overcome Salthill Knocknacarra with their experienced players helping them over the line for back-to-back Senior B Countyfinals.When the sides met earlier in the year the game could have gone either way. Both sides have leaders in their teams, and with only a puck of a ball between the sides the last day, goals will prove pivotal to whoever prevails today.
Intermediate
The 2023 Duanes Hardware Intermediate Championship final sees a new pairing of Shamrocks and Mountbellew Moylough battling it out for the intermediate crown.
Shamrocks have been knocking on the door for a place in the final for the past two years, but Salthill Knocknacarra stood in their way on both occasions
There is plenty of talent throughout the team with players such as Katie Gilchrist, Niamh McInerny, Katie Donohue, Ciara McClern and Ally Hesnan all part of adult and underage squads with Galway, and Shamrocks is the only unbeaten side left in the competition. They enjoyed convincing wins over Abbeyknockmoy, Killimor, St Colmans, and today's opponents Mountbellew Moylough during the group stages.
In topping the group, they faced Pearses in the quarter-final pairing and won comfortably, holding Pearses to just two points in the contest. They then overame a seasoned Ahascragh, who were undefeated heading into the contest, but Shamrock's disappointment of the last two years helped deliver a strong second-half showing with three goals from Donohue.
While Mountbellew Moylough suffered a defeat to Shamrocks in the group stages, it promises to be a much different affair today. Mountbellew Moylough have plenty of experience throughout their side with players such as Maresa Howley, Molly Mannion, Catherine Finnerty, Sarah Keaveny and Leah Murphy togging out for Galway with various teams over the past few years.
It is the first time since 2017 Mountbellew Moylough have appeared in the intermediate final and they will be looking to make up for that disappointment, having out to Athenry by three points.
Mountbellew have had a mixed campaign to date. Victories over Cappataggle and Pearses were followed by losses to Shamrocks and Ahascragh Caltra in the group stages. They had to overcome a tough test against Abbeyknockmoy, while a strong second-half showing helped them get over the line against St Colmans.
Both sides have plenty of experienced and talented players throughout their squads. Shamrocks have been so close at the semi-final stages in the last two years and will be hoping their previous disappointment will spur them over the line. Many players were playing for Mountbellew Moylough when they lost out to Athenry in 2017, and they will be hoping that they can turn the tide today.
