Knockout stages beckon for winners of Round 4 battle
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Glen Dimplex Senior Camogie Championship
Group 2, Round 4
Kilkenny vs Clare
UPMC Nowlan Park, Tomorrow 3:30pm
Tomorrow sees the meeting of the top two teams in Group 2 of the 2026 Glen Dimplex Senior Camogie Championship as Kilkenny welcomes Clare to UPMC Nowlan Park on ‘super Saturday’. Both sides have a perfect record so far, so something will have to give on Noreside this weekend. It’s just scoring difference that separates the teams; Jimmy Meagher’s ladies have the edge in that area, and he will hope that his charges can register the scores to maintain their unbeaten run in the group. There have been many changes to the panel since the O’Duffy Cup was last raised in 2022 with that superb 1-point victory over old foes Cork, and it’s certainly an exciting blend of youth and experience that carry the hopes of all within the county.
With maximum points secured wins over Limerick, Dublin and last time out Offaly, the visit of Clare will provide a stern test of the home sides credentials, but winning matches breeds confidence and helps continue the positive momentum that has been growing in this championship campaign. While both sides are in prime position to progress to the knockout stages, a win tomorrow could allow the Kilkenny management to make more changes in the final group game away to Wexford in a weeks’ time. This would help from a conditioning point of view and also allow some squad players to gain valuable minutes ahead of the business end of the season.
The player that keeps the scoreboard ticking over for the Stripeywomen is Aoife Prendergast. The Dicksboro star is vital for both club and County and her mentality and accuracy when standing over the placed ball is superb. Such has been her influence on this side, the loss of Windgap’s Denise Gaule, who had been such a constant presence in the most recent success of the Marble City side has been eased. Having an asset like this is vital to any side, but the ‘Boro clubwoman has many more strings to her bow than being the placed ball expert. Strong and good in the air, Aoife provides a real focal point for the attacking unit in black and amber. In the opening group game against Limerick, she finished her days’ work with a personal tally of 2-8. In rounds 2 and 3 Prendergast added 1-9 to her record, but plenty of others chipped in to help their teams cause.
One of her clubmates has also been in sparking form for the Noresiders during this campaign, registering scores and getting through a mountain of work, step forward Asha McHardy. The hard-working attacker has racked up 0-10 in the games to date and looks threatening every time she takes to the field. Another of the young brigade to catch the eye this season has been Sarah Barcoe. The Thomastown woman has all the qualities to carve out a great career in the game. The pacey forward has great movement and an eye for goal, and the raising of green flags is crucial in the pursuit of success. Barcoe has 4-4 to her name and will hope to increase this over the next week or so ahead of bigger tests.
In the round 3 win over Offaly, it was one of the most experienced members of the panel that really stepped up and delivered. Steffi Fitgerald caused the Faithful County many problems as she contributed greatly to her side securing the third win on the bounce for James Meagher’s outfit, notching 1-3 in a commanding display in UPMC Nowlan Park. Both Steffi and sister Tiffanie are vital cogs in the Stripeywomen’s panel and the vast experience that the Young Ireland pair bring is clearly helpful to the younger players around them. Alongside Sarah Barcoe, Emma Shortall is another young star that is trying to earn her stripes. The Clara player has hit 1-3 so far in the group stages but looks like she possesses the tools to succeed at intercounty level. The starting forwards know that if they aren’t performing, there are very viable options waiting in the wings. Conahy Shamrocks Emma Mulhall is one such player, while former All-Ireland winner Katie Nolan can strike fear into opposition defenders.
For me, the spine of this team is one of its main strengths. Aoife Norris is the undisputed netminder on Noreside while a fit Michelle Teehan minds the square. In front of the No.3 is another James Stephens woman, Niamh Deely who anchors things from centre back. O’Loughlin’s duo of Laura’s, Greene and Murphy provide great dynamism in the engine room and half forward line respectively. The OLG players like to get on the scoresheet but cover every blade of grass on the pitch they are plying their trade on.
Sunday’s opponents will roll into town in equally good form, hoping to lay down a marker against their more illustrious rivals. First up for the Banner women was a home encounter with Dublin in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis, the home side emerging 3-point winners. A Road trip to Chadwicks Wexford Park to take on the Slaneysiders was next on the agenda. A tough game saw Eugene Foudy’s outfit claim the win, just four points separating the sides at the long whistle. Round 3 saw Clare enjoy home comforts and a third win, this time it was The Treaty that were put to the sword by five points.
Clare suffered a huge blow to their season’s hopes when star player Lorna McNamara suffered the dreaded cruciate injury in the win over Wexford. The Feakle clubwoman is a hard act to follow, but in Roisin Begley, The Banner County has a player who is stepping up to the plate in McNamara’s absence. Indeed, the Truagh-Clonlara clubwoman showed her worth, notching 2-2 in the game that saw the injury occur. This Clare team are the The Division 1B league title winners are on an upward curve and as mentioned are in a good position to escape from Group 2. Co-Captain Claire Hehir is a real leader, and has carried her form of 2025 into this season, having been named Club Clare Senior Camogie Player of the Year and the Inagh-Kilnamona player has plenty of quality.
Tomorrow’s battle is a mouth-watering one, and one that both sides will want to win. Securing an automatic quarter final berth is the aim for both counties, and they are very aware that the ‘big dogs’ from Group 1 will be circling once the knockout stages are reached. For Kilkenny, its simple, just keep winning and see where we end up.
