Derry camogs aim to go one better than last year in Division 2A final

Very Camogie League

Division 2A final

Offaly v Derry

(Sunday, FBD Semple Stadium, 12.15pm, live on RTÉ2)

WHILE Derry were probably not quite as weak as things appeared at the start of the league campaign in February, it has nevertheless been a remarkable journey for them to reach a second successive Division 2A league final.

Only seven of the starting team against Westmeath in Croke Park have played in this year’s league. Two of the subs used that day are also in the team now, while five others non-playing subs bench were still available to Eamon Melaugh and his management team.

Yes, more than half of the first choices from last year were unavailable. But there was still almost a full team of those who had trained alongside them and got some game-time through the year.

Some of those players were youngsters chomping at the bit to get into the team and they have now taken their chance – players such as Eimear Doherty, Orlaith Hull, Aimee Lennon.

Melaugh has also found new talent. Teenager Éabha McElhinney has excelled in the game-time she has got, initially coming off the bench to run at defences and then, when she earned a starting jersey in the last two games, she has delivered 1-4 and 1-1.

Those last two games, against Meath and Kerry, have really galvanised the group and brought them on. Up until then the defence, some of them with a lot of experience behind them, was holding the team together and getting them results by narrow margins.

However, the hesitancy the front six showed in earlier rounds seems to have disappeared. The forwards are now playing with confidence and not wasting anywhere near as much possession.

That was their big problem against Offaly in the round-two game in Owenbeg. A review of the recording of that game suggested that they had as much possession as their opponents, but didn’t make use of it. Eventually they lost by 2-10 to 0-8, but they were much closer in terms of actual play.

Since that game, Derry have improved and are playing with confidence. But it remains to be seen whether or not they can bridge the gap on the scoreboard.

Derry came into last year’s final as hot favourites and lost their way in the first half. Westmeath took advantage to put them into a position where they were chasing the game.

It’s role-reversal this time. Offaly will be favourites and Derry have to show that they have come on a lot since their first meeting. They have to take the game to Offaly in the same manner Antrim took their league final to Clare a fortnight ago.

Will it be the same outcome?

Verdict: Offaly have more experience than Derry and are unbeaten this term. They deserve to be favourites, but might struggle to live up to that billing. If Derry get the lead and play as they did against Meath, there could be a shock outcome.

Division 1A final

Cork v Galway

(Sunday, FBD Semple Stadium, 2.15pm, live on RTÉ2)

GALWAY needed to win their final group game in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh to reach the Division 1A final. Cork could afford to lose and still be their opponents this Sunday. Galway won by 0-19 to 0-13.

The Cork management had brought in a couple of experienced players for their first game of the season, but it was obvious that these were a little off match pace yet and they paid the price in the first half, trailing by 0-11 to 0-4 at the interval.

While Ger Manley perhaps didn’t get the reaction he wanted from his bench, at least he knows what his best line-out for Thurles will be. It will certainly look a little more like the team that played in the earlier league games.

Galway are through to a final, but they may have paid a price by showing their hand to Cork. They have a player or two that didn’t play in Cork who may start in Thurles, but their element of surprise is gone.

This was the pairing in the All-Ireland final last year and they were the two most impressive teams in the league so far. It’s obvious that the pair are a little ahead of the chasing pack.

However, it is a dozen years since Cork won the last of their 16 titles. Galway have won four in the interim. But Cork have taken six championship titles to three from Galway in that period.

I still think that Cork are a little ahead of Galway despite the result a fortnight ago. Either way it will be a first Division One league medal for either of the former Down players Sorcha McCartan or Niamh Mallon.

Verdict Cork to win by a narrow margin.

Division 3A final

Laois v Roscommon (tomorrow, Kinnegad, 1pm)

LAOIS have been the stand-out team in 3A this season. They were the dominant team in last year’s group stages as well but were caught out by Armagh in the final.

I can’t see Roscommon being strong enough to beat them. When they met in Mountmellick three weeks ago, Laois came out on top by 2-10 to 0-7 and Roscommon struggled in their games with Tyrone, Kildare and Wicklow.

Verdict Laois to win comfortably and move up a grade.