Cork ready for a Tipp backlash in All-Ireland U23 camogie semi-final

Cork and Tipperary meet for the third time this season but the stakes are their highest in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland U23 semi-final at SETU Waterford on Sunday, 2pm.

In the Munster final, Tipperary edged it with two points to spare, 1-12 to 0-13, surviving a strong Cork fightback in the second half.

More recently, the sides met in the last group stage game where Cork had a resounding 2-19 to 0-7 victory. Tipp were totally overwhelmed by the full-strength Rebels. With the sides already though to the semis, Tipperary clearly weren't going flat out, especially when a win would have sent them into a game with last year's first All-Ireland U23 champions Galway. 

Tipp were down a lot of familiar faces who had been key in the campaign to date. Notable absentees included captain Eve O'Dwyer, Ciara Shelly, Lilly Fahie, Grace Moloney and Anna Fahie.

We expect to see a much stronger Premier this weekend as they go all-out for a place in the final.

In the group stages, Cork racked up high scores. They overcame a fancied Galway side 1-11 to 0-11 before going onto have big wins over Dublin, 5-19 to 0-9, and Waterford, 2-21 to 0-3. 

They lost to an impressive Kilkenny 3-13 to 2-9 before bouncing back to get the upper hand on Tipperary. 

With several senior panellists in the U23s squad, Cork's team has varied from game to game depending on availability due to senior league and provincial campaigns.

This weekend though, the priority is U23 and they have a strong panel available for selection. 

Millie Condon, Ava Fitzgerald, Meadbh Murphy and Niamh McNabola were very much to the fore against Tipperary and through the campaign Amy Sheppard has been in top form notching up excellent scores. 

As a unit, the Cork defence was superb holding Tipperary to one score in the second half in the last game. 

Meadbh De Burca, Aoife Barrett and Meadbh Murphy formed a solid full-back line while in front of them Ava Fitzgerald, Laura Dunlea and Orlaith Cremin were superb. 

Avril Cashman partners Condon at midfield and up front Ciara Golden, Ciara Morrison and Ava McAuliffe completed the forward division that helped not up an impressive 2-19.

IMPRESSIVE

In the group stages, Tipperary drew with Dublin 0-12 to 1-9 before defeating Waterford 1-19 to 0-6. 

They played out an exciting contest with Kilkenny where it finished level, 1-10 to 2-7, and went on to defeat Galway 2-14 to 2-13. This gives an indication of the quality they have. Cork were naturally be favourites, having reached last year's All-Ireland final, and with more familiar faces in their squad. 

Still, Cork know the Tipperary challenge will be a much stronger one than it was in the group game. 

They will no doubt prepare accordingly, especially after they lost the Munster decider earlier this season.