Aoife Landers wary of Galway backlash
Waterford’s Aoife Landers is expecting to encounter a fired-up Galway when the two sides clash at the quarter-final stage of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship at Croke Park on Sunday (throw-in 1.30pm).
Whereas the Deise will come into this weekend’s game in GAA HQ on the back of a comfortable 3-15 to 0-6 Group One win over Derry last Saturday, the Tribeswomen fell to a 12-point reversal (2-16 to 1-7) in the final round of Group Two at the hands of Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on the same day.
Yet while there are some who might see Galway as being in a vulnerable position as a consequence of this defeat, Landers believes it could make Cathal Murray’s side even more a threat in their knockout showdown – which is part of a double bill with the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final meeting between Limerick and Cork on Sunday.
The Connacht outfit came away with a one-point victory (0-13 to 0-12) over Waterford when the two teams played each other in Division 1A of the National Camogie League back on March 23 and the Deise remain wary of what the four-time All-Ireland senior champions can offer.
“I think it actually strengthens them. They’ll want to rewrite the wrongs of last weekend, they’ll want to put last weekend to bed. I think it’ll bring a bit of fight out in Galway,” Landers said at a camogie championship quarter-final launch in Croke Park on Tuesday.
“We played them in the league and it was a close game, but Galway are a massive team and they’ve proven that over the last number of years. They’ve plenty of accolades to back that up. We’re under no illusions, there is a massive challenge before us on Sunday.”
It is set to be a big weekend for Waterford in general with the county’s ladies footballers also in All-Ireland senior championship quarter-final action against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday (throw-in 1.15pm).
Although their Leeside counterparts have a notable dual star in the shape of Hannah Looney, the Deise possess within their ranks four players that regularly combine both the small ball and the big ball codes.
Just 24 hours after featuring in a similar contest for the camogie side against Antrim, Mairead O’Brien, Clodagh Carroll, Alannah McNulty and Annie Fitzgerald all had significant parts to play in Waterford defeating Donegal in Group Two of the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship at Walsh Park on June 23.
This helped them to book a spot in the last-eight this weekend and suffice to say, Landers will be keeping a close eye on their progress in the Rebel County.
“Definitely a huge weekend for some of our own girls. We’ve four duals, so it’s a big weekend in their calendar as well,” the Kilkenny-based teacher added.
“It doesn’t matter what squad you are in Waterford. If there is another squad still there, you’re always going to row in behind them and support them. Obviously we wish them the very best of luck on Saturday with their game.”