Mountain to climb for girls from the Mournes
August 03, 2010Camogie All Ireland Premier Junior Championship Semi Final - Down v Antrim - Saturday 7 August 2010, 3.00pm, Casement Park
"Antrim is going to be a tough challenge for us" says Down Senior Team Camogie boss, Brian Murphy, ahead of the forthcoming All Ireland Series Match scheduled for Casement Park next Saturday, 7 August, at 3.00pm. He continued "following on from their comprehensive victory over us in the Ulster Championship they are major favourites going into this game but, that said, the underdog tag suits us down to the ground and we fully intend to give it a good go - the reality is we have to be at our best to stand any chance.
While he has a lot of respect for Antrim given their strong showing last time out, Brian says the girls do not fear the return game. "After our win against Dublin", he went on, "it maybe gave us a little bit of a laid back approach but the game against Waterford brought us back to reality with a bang. Championship is championship and there is no room for complacency." He feels Club commitments coupled with County commitments has taken its toll on the girls this year and is hopeful that mutual accommodation can be found next year in an effort to improve camogie in Down to the mutual benefit of both the Clubs and the County.
"The team are eagerly looking forward to the game all things considered" he concluded, "and with the response to training having been immense and a few positional reshuffles having been made we feel in good shape physically and mentally to take on Antrim."
Antrim will be full of confidence going into this game but maybe with an eye on the next round they may be taken off guard by the girls from the Mournes.
Down Panel: Joanne Fitzpatrick (Atticall), Aoibhne ONeill, Fiona O'Neil (Ballela), Catherine McGourty (Ballycran), Karen Tinnelly (Ballyholland), Alannah Savage (Ballygalget), Martina Doyle (Bredagh), Lisa McPolin, Moya McGinn, Fionnuala Carr, Paula Gribben, Sara-Louise Carr, Orla Maginn, (Clonduff), Cáitríona McCrickard, Lisa McCrickard (Capt), Ciara McGovern, Karen McMullan, Emma McCormick, Clare Malone, Kelly O'Higgins (Liatroim), Maria McNally, Niamh Mallon (Portaferry). Manager: Brian Murphy Tweet
