CAMOGIE: Tipperary have real chance of Munster final showdown ahead of Deise clash

The 2023 Munster Championship gets underway for Tipperary this Saturday as they take on Waterford in Pairc Ui Chaoimh with a place in the Munster final against Clare up for grabs.

Waterford cemented their progress as a top senior side by beating Cork for the very first time in a competitive fixture since gaining promotion in 2015 on a final scoreline of 1-18 to 1-15 on Sunday last.

Having run Cork close in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final and Munster semi-final, on Sunday with the aid of 10 points from player of the match Beth Carton they made sure to get the job done and were full value for the win.

They will no doubt go into Saturday’s game with huge confidence having put in a highly impressive performance against Cork and also having beaten Tipperary last year in the group stage of the All-Ireland championship.

Waterford will have the advantage of a game under their belt while it's been over a month since Tipperary’s last competitive game (a defeat to Kilkenny in the last game of the league). Tipperary though will have the benefit of what is expected to be a big support with our senior hurlers playing Cork at 7pm.

A greater support could prove to be vital in the closing stages of what is expected to be a tight game. Denis Kelly’s charges should be in good shape going into Saturday’s encounter with recent challenge games over Offaly, Limerick and Clare allowing management to look at all their options within the panel.

The return from injury of joint captains Clodagh Quirke and Karen Kennedy have strengthened the spine of the team while Teresa Ryan’s influence in the middle of the field has also been a welcomed addition. Up front Caoimhe Maher’s tally of 2-08 made her Tipp’s top scorer from play in the league while Grace O’Brien, Eimear McGrath and Cait Devane have also impressed.

Eimear Loughman and Julieanne Bourke have been in excellent form in the fullback line and will no doubt be 2 of the first names on the team sheet come Saturday.

The Tipperary defence will need to be at their best to hold the aforementioned Carton along with Abby Flynn and Niamh Rockett.

Lorraine Bray is a huge player for them in the field while in defence Vikki Falconer, Iona Heffernan and keeper Brianna O’Regan are key players.

Having defeated Limerick at the weekend Clare await the winners in the following weekend’s Munster Final.