Camogie round-up

March 04, 2010
Cork senior camogie star Jennifer O'Leary will swap the sand and surf of Bondi Beach for the grassy terrain of Kilkenny on Saturday afternoon when she makes her return to senior inter-county action after a break of almost two years.

The 26 year-old wing-forward left Leeside in 2008 opting for some time out from a game which has seen her amass three All-Ireland titles and four consecutive All-Star awards. A teacher by profession, she settled in Sydney after spending time backpacking in New Zealand. Missing out on Cork's double winning feats in the intervening years was chief amongst the reasons for her return.

"I saw highlights of the '08 final and I missed the '09 final as I was playing in a camogie and football tournament on that weekend. It was strange being away from the team but I felt that I really wanted a break and that I had been playing for quite a while. It was great to see them doing so well and I must say that it's an exciting time to come back into the panel. I have to say I feel pretty nervous considering I have been out of the game for a while but I am also looking forward to the new challenge and of getting back to the pace of the game."

O'Leary will have a busy weekend as school's side Colaiste Colm, Ballincollig, whom she coaches face Borris Vocational School, Carlow in the Senior B Colleges Final while she togs out with Cork.

Manager Denise Cronin will have a number of selection headaches for the tie against Kilkenny planning without the services of Briege Corkery, as well as recently retired duo Una O'Donoghue and Emer Dillion. Kilkenny fresh from a five goal feast against Tipperary, with Aoife Neary bagging three, will fancy their chances at home against last year's All-Ireland champions.

Dublin manger John Hunt hopes that injuries to Amy Murphy, Shauna Duff and Laura Twomey will have cleared in time for their game against Clare. Both sides lost last weekend and will be looking for their first league points. Galway travel to Wexford in the remaining Division One match and a high scoring game is in order as both sides possess a potent set of forwards. Galway's attacking trio of Emma Kilkelly, Niamh McGrath and Veronica Curtin were on song last weekend while Una Leacy and Lenny Holohan were to the fore for the Leinster side.

In Division Two action Wexford face Galway, who had a three-point victory over last year's Junior All-Ireland finalists Waterford. Limerick, boosted by the return of Vera Sheahan to inter-county action could go top this weekend if they hold off the challenge of Wateford at Kilmallock on Saturday afternoon. Joachim Kelly's Offaly will be looking to make it three league wins in a row when they face Tipperary at home. The 2009 Junior All-Ireland champions racked up fifteen points against Derry last weekend and will hope that attacking trio Karen Nugent, Elaine Dermody and Michelle Davis are on song again. In the remaining fixtures, Kilkenny face Cork while Ulster rivals Antrim and Derry come head to head.

Division Three league leaders Laois travel to Armagh; Kildare face Meath while Roscommon take on Dublin in Athleague with Siobhan Coyle making a return to inter-county action with the westerners after a break of twelve months.

London, who suffered a narrow defeat to Westmeath last weekend entertain Tyrone while Westmeath face Carlow in the final Division four fixture.

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