Cork camogie: Ballincollig and St Finbarr's ready for All-Ireland semi-final challenge

Today and tomorrow two Cork camogie clubs will be hoping to reach their respective All-Ireland finals.

St Finbarr’s are in Meath to take on Loughgiel Shamrocks from Antrim, in the senior semi-final on Saturday at 2pm.

Tomorrow Ballincollig are in Tullamore to take on Eglish from Tyrone in the intermediate championship at 1pm, in what hopefully will be a good weekend for the two Cork clubs.

Just a week ago, both clubs won their respective Munster titles and have a fast turnaround.

One of the players who was key in the Barrs' success was Sorcha McCartan, who is familiar with the style and physicality of camogie in Ulster. She has come up against some of their opponents' players when she played for Down and they would have lined out for Antrim.

Reflecting on their Munster win and Satirday's game she said: “I can't believe it, to be honest. We really dug deep and I think players stood up when they needed to, like they had to in the Newcastle West game,” said Sorcha.

“Every day it's different players who are standing up. Look at Kate Wall last weekend, she was completely on the money and she stood up like a leader, everyone stood up.

“I'm absolutely delighted for Kate, she deserved the player of game award and stood up when the team really needed her.”

Sorcha also played her part in the win and let De La Salle know the Barrs weren’t going to be beaten easily as she moved out around the middle of the pitch.

“They were very physical and they were tenacious. So, I think just bringing me out maybe added a bit more of a physical presence in the middle, it broke up a bit of their play and helped get the ball in then to the likes of Orlaith (Cahalane) and let them do the business then up there.”

Turning her attentions to today’s game Sorcha is expecting another battle.

“I played against a few of them with Down against Antrim so I know what they are like. 

They're really fit, fast players and you know they can hurl as well as being physical.

“So we expect nothing but a battle today, they've been there before, and they've been in All-Ireland club finals. They won't be just letting us come up and walk all over them. But we're more than ready.

“I think we've got a bit of momentum going now and everyone's got a bit of confidence in themselves. We need to try and get a good start.

“I think that's what we're lacking every game this year, we behind and then we've had to put on the burners, but I think you know we need to start from start if we want to get lucky and come through."

MOMENTUM

Ballincollig will also be hoping to carry the momentum from their win last weekend into Sunday's tie.

They will be hoping that Leah Hannigan continues her good form from last week, where she hit 2-2, and at the other end Ana Hartnett was outstanding in goal.

Two tough games but with a little luck both will qualify for the AIB All-Ireland finals on December 14.