National League Camogie Division Two Group Three

Antrim v Tipperary

Sunday, Ahoghill, 2pm

Antrim joint-manager Paul McKillen said that he has been delighted with the progress of the county team this year.

McKillen said that the players have proven that they are up to the task this season, after winning their first game against Dublin 4-9 to 0-4.

McKillen said that they learnt little from the result.

“We didn’t learn a big pile because they were so good. One to 15 were very, very good. They got some lovely scores.

“That was the first proper game that we played. The weather has not been good so we have only been doing ball work and drilling the girls.”

McKillen said that this year he has had a simple approach to how he wants them to play.

“When I was hurling for Antrim I liked to play fast. So that is the way I like to coach teams. I have been telling them that it is all about speed. I tell them to move the ball as quickly as they can.”

McKillen manages the team along with Elaine Dowds and Jim McKernan.

Both Antrim and Tipperary carry 100 percent records into this fixture with Antrim hoping to build on their opening round win over Dublin.

The Saffrons were always comfortable at Ahoghill with four goals in a wind-assisted first half helping them to a 4-9 to 0-4 victory.

They raised three early green flags through Roisin McCormack (2) and Maeve Kelly and McCormack completed her hat-trick just before the interval to leave it 4-5 to 0-2 in their favour heading into the second half.

Dublin, with the wind, made little headway after the break though with sweeper Katie Carey and defenders Chloe Drain, Laoise McKenna, Niamh Donnelly and Maeve Connolly all helping to repel the visitors.

Antrim will face a much stiffer examination on Sunday though against a Tipp side that started with a four-point win over Laois and followed it up with a 2-6 to 0-7 victory against Dublin.

McKillen said: “I don’t know an awful lot about Tipp. I know their defence is strong. We are just hoping that it is a good game.

“You can always improve on things, and we will be looking to improve. We want them to move the ball quicker.”

The only player missing this weekend for Antrim is Emma Laverty as she is away on holiday.

Verdict: Draw

Division Three Group One

Tyrone v Cavan

Sunday, Greencastle, 2pm

TYRONE’S first win of the season came in unusual fashion as they defeated Wicklow in a 12-a-side game last weekend.

The Garden county were severely understrength and while the Red Hands showed mercy in terms of player numbers, they showed little on the scoreboard as they recorded a 6-12 to 1-1 win. Roisin McErlean was the star as she helped herself to 3-4 while Kelley Cuddy, Grainne Rafferty and Aoife Morgan also scored goals.

That performance will give them real encouragement ahead of their Ulster clash with Cavan.

The Breffni county started the season with a comfortable 2-11 to 0-2 win over Roscommon before they fell to Limerick by five points last time out.

Cavan led by a point 15 minutes into the second half in Templeport but Limerick outscored them 1-4 to 0-1 from there on in.

Verdict: Tyrone

Division Three Group Two

Down v Carlow

Sunday, TBC

THE challenge facing Down’s second team this Sunday was made very clear by Carlow’s first result as they were 8-29 to 0-0 victors over Louth.

Whether that was more down to Carlow being very good or Louth being very poor should become clearer this weekend.

Like their opponents, Down started their league campaign with a win as they got the better of Armagh on a 2-8 to 0-6 scoreline. Given that their first team have won two from two in Division Two, it has been a great start to the year for the Mourne county.

Karen Haughey had a great day between the sticks as she denied Armagh on a number of occasions while Katie McGilligan and Lauren Clare grabbed the goals.

Verdict: Carlow