Echo paper wins regional camogie award for best coverage of the sport

Firstly, a word from the Sports Editor John McHale on the great achievement and recognition for this paper after it was the selected as the best regional paper in the country for camogie coverage.

"Congratulations to Rory and Mary on this recognition.  Their coverage of camogie in Cork and both club and inter-county level is exceptional and easily the best, most comprehensive service in the country.

"I am delighted for both Rory and Mary and of course not forgetting Linda Mellerick, who all have done great work over the past year and many years before this promoting the game and covering every Cork team both locally and nationally."

Meanwhile, it’s all systems go for the Cork U16A camogie team.

Fresh from their Munster championship success, they facing straight into All-Ireland championship action as they open their Eir Championship campaign against Galway at 2pm in Castle Road, tomorrow, Sunday.

It's a much earlier than normal start to the U16 season.

Unlike in previous years when the U16 championship got underway after the state exams.

There are just six teams in the one group.

Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and with the top four progressing to the semi-finals, every game is vital. 

Round two is on the weekend of Sat /Sun 22nd February when Cork will travel to play Kilkenny. 

Galway are the reigning All-Ireland champions having defeated Cork in last year's final.

Just two players remain from the side that took the counties first title at the grade since 2018.  Cara Giblin and Ciara Mullins are the sole survivors from an historic Galway triumph.

First round games at this age level are hard to predict.

Galway are always tough opponents and their manager Brian Griffin and his back room team will be as determined to get their campaign off to winning start.

Cork have the advantage of having had two games under their belts with the Munster campaign already completed, and whilst their was disappointment for Cork as they lost out to Tipperary in the final, Brendan Foley and his management team will no doubt have learned a lot from both games and they will be focused and ready for the challenge Galway will pose.

Cork will look to Alannah Murphy, Isabelle O'Callaghan, Eabha Lynch, Lauren McAuliffe and Kayleigh Murphy to rally the troops and get their All-Ireland campaign off to a winning start.