Camogie National League Division Two group one

Derry v Antrim

Saturday, TBC

LAST year’s beaten Ulster finalists Antrim will be favoured to earn their second win in the league when they play Derry this weekend. The Saffrons began the league with a 1-13 to 0-13 win over Down, while Derry lost to Down last weekend by 3-16 to 0-19.

Antrim’s opening round win over Down emphasises that the Saffrons are a team on the rise. Earlier this year, Derry camog Karen Kielt said that Down and Antrim are the teams moving forward in Ulster, but the latter side have the younger squad. The win over Down doesn’t decide which team is best in Ulster, but it certainly sets down a marker that Antrim are a team that want to make an impact this year.

Antrim had a small spread of scorers, but the quality of their attack was very good. Nicole O’Neill scored seven points, five from frees. Caitrín Dobbin hit 1-2, while Maeve Kelly and Róisín McCormick got 0-2 apiece.

Perhaps Antrim management Jim McKernan Paul McKillen and Elaine Dowds will expect a greater return from their forward unit. The reality is that they were up against a very good Down team, who know how to marshal their defence, so for Antrim to get the return that they did deserves great credit.

The other takeaway that Antrim will have from the game was how they performed in the final third of the match. McKernan told Saffron Gael that they had been frustrated at how they had performed in that period in the All-Ireland final last year, but in the game against Down in round one they were more decisive and determined.

They will be formidable opponents for Derry who look like they are going to be up against a very difficult test this weekend as they have a big improvement to make from their game against Down.

Derry lost by 3-16 to 0-19 last weekend but the Oak Leafers may have more to be positive about than the six-point margin of defeat would suggest. For long periods in the first half, Derry were able to stick with the All-Ireland Intermediate champions. Niamh Mallon was able to get in for a goal just before half time and that knocked Derry’s confidence. They gave up a goal to Sara-Louise Graffin in the early stages of the second half and that put them on the back foot again, and chasing a 3-11 to 0-14 game. They still added a further five points to their tally which was good. Tightening up their defence and limiting the goals will be a priority for Ciaran Cunningham’s team.

Expect a big performance from Derry, and perhaps they can run Antrim closer than we might expect, but the Saffrons are in fine form and confident, and will have a game-plan in place to beat the Oak Leafers.

Verdict: Antrim

Camogie National League Division Three group one

Wexford v Armagh

Saturday, TBC

Armagh’s camogs got their season off to a good start with a 5-9 to 1-1 win over Down’s second string.

But that’s not to diminish their performance, as Down’s junior team train with the seniors so the standard they are operating at remains very high.

The notable statistic from that first game was that Armagh were able to manage five goals in their match. Four of those came from the stick of Ciara Donelly. She scored a total of 4-4.

Armagh they may not get so many chances on goal against Wexford who limited Down to just 1-5 in their game last weekend.

Yet the All-Ireland Junior champions from last year will still fancy their chances to beat Wexford. Having Donnelly in their number should lift their confidence as she is the sort of player who can change games.

She’s not the only scoring threat and last time out Leanne Donnelly, Sinead Kiernan, Rachael Merry, Eimear Smyth and Orlagh Murray were able to get scores.

This game should be a fascinating battle, but Armagh should edge it.

Verdict: Armagh

Camogie National League Division Four group one

Wicklow v Antrim

Saturday, TBC

For the purposes of lifting their confidence, a win is important to Antrim this weekend.

They have played two and lost two so far this year, and both came against Ulster opposition.

The Antrim team lost to Tyrone by a point in round one, 1-11 to 0-13. Then in round two Cavan beat them by 5-22 to 3-4.

That’s a frustrating result, but Cavan are strong this year. Wicklow lost to both Cavan and Tyrone as well, but Antrim should edge this one.

Verdict: Antrim.

Camogie National League Division Four group one

Tyrone v Cavan

Saturday, TBC

This is the tie of the division as the two unbeaten teams clash in what should be an exciting affair.

Cavan beat Wicklow by 5-28 to 0-2, and Antrim by 5-22 to 3-4. Tyrone beat Antrim by a point, and Wicklow by 11.

Among the notable Tyrone players in the win over Wicklow were Roisin McErlean who scored 1-3. Cathy Jordan and Ciara McGready were very good in defence for the Red Hands.

Cavan will yet again look to the scoring threat of key forwards Roisin O’Keeffe and Shanise Fitzsimons.

It should be close but the Breffni’s form looks better.

Verdict: Cavan

KELLY’S HEROES… Antrim’s Maeve Kelly is one of a number of forwards  that Derry have to watch

IN FORM…Armagh’s Ciara Donnelly has been playing well this year