Loughgiel and Clann Eireann aim for All-Ireland final spots in camogie and ladies football
- Published
Caitrin Dobbin will hope to celebrate a Loughgiel victory against Dicksboro in the All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie semi-final at Ashbourne
Loughgiel's camogs and Clann Eireann's ladies footballers are both involved in All-Ireland Senior Club semi-finals action over the weekend.
Kilkenny side Dicksboro are Loughgiel's opposition in Saturday's camogie semi-final at Ashbourne in county Meath.
Clann Eireann have home advantage for their contest against Waterford club Ballymacarbry on Sunday.
Loughgiel reached last year's camogie decider and both they and Clann Eireann have good chances this weekend.
Dicksboro have been a force down through the decades in Kilkenny hurling but this is the first time their camogs have clinched the Leinster senior title.
Granted that was an impressive and gutsy triumph as they fought back from four points down early in the second half to earn a 0-12 to 1-7 victory over holders St Vincent's.
Six Aoife Prendergast frees and 0-3 from Rachel Dowling help down the Dublin side with Amy Clifford also starring for the Kilkenny outfit.
Loughgiel edged out Slaughtneil
In contrast, Loughgiel romped to a 0-20 to 0-3 provincial final win over Liatroim after edging out their old rivals and former All-Ireland champions Slaughtneil 0-9 to 0-5 in the semi-final when Roisin McCormick (0-5) and Caitrin Dobbin (0-4) supplied all their scores.
The experience gleaned during last year's campaign, when they were heartbreakingly edged out 2-14 to 1-14 by Sarsfield's of Galway in the All-Ireland decider, should stand to Benny Dillon's side.
If Loughgiel do win, a rematch with the Galway club is highly likely with Sarsfield's strong favourites to stay on course for a third successive title by beating their namesake outfit Sarsfield's of Cork later on Saturday in Mallow.
Clann Eireann go into the senior football semi-final fresh from winning a first Ulster Senior Club title as Niamh Coleman's goal helped them overcome Bredagh 1-10 to 0-8 but their ambitions now extend beyond that provincial success as they face 10-time champions Ballymacarbry.
The Waterford club are the competition's record holders with their haul of titles four more than the next most successful club Carnacon of Mayo.
However, all Ballymacarbry's titles came during a remarkable 12-year period between 1987 and 1998 and they have not reached an All-Ireland Final since then.
Niamh Henderson is among the Clann Eireann players with Armagh inter-county experience who will line out in Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Club Football semi-final on their home pitch
However, the Waterford club did secure a second Munster title a couple of weeks ago by beating Clare side Banner Ladies and won't lack for motivation against Clann Eireann after their thumping 2-10 to 0-2 semi-final defeat by eventual champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne 12 months ago.
In addition to Niamh Coleman and skipper Niamh Henderson, Clann Eireann include several other players with inter-county experience from Armagh including All-Star nominee Clodagh McCambridge and Cait Towe.
Tipperary goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick starred for Ballymac in the Munster final while their other influential players include captain Aileen Wall, midfielder Kellyann Hogan and Michelle Ryan, who is likely to be used in an impact sub role following recent injury problems.
In addition to the senior semi-finals, Ulster clubs will also be involved in intermediate and junior semi-finals in both camogie and ladies football over the weekend.
Tyrone club Eglish face Na Fianna of Meath in the intermediate camogie semi-finals with Armagh sides Granemore and Crossmaglen involved in junior and junior B semi-finals as they take on Knockananna of Wicklow and Roscommon Gaels respectively.
Steelstown of Derry must travel to Ballinamore in Leitrim to take on the host club in Saturday's intermediate football semi-final with another Oak Leaf county club Lavey heading even further west as Claremorris have home advantage for Sunday's junior semi-final.
AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie semi-finals
Dicksboro v Loughgiel, Saturday, Ashbourne, 14:00 GMT
Sarsfields (Cork) v Sarsfields (Galway), Mallow, 16:00
currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Senior Ladies Club Football semi-finals
Clann Eireann v Ballymacarbry, Sunday, Clann Eireann, 13:30
Kilmacud Crokes v Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Sunday, Parnell Park, 14:00