Second teams left in limbo as Cats get league fixtures

The intercounty camogie calendar will look a little different in 2025 with county second teams not permitted to enter either the junior or intermediate championships for the upcoming season.

This will come as a big blow to camogie enthusiasts on Noreside as Kilkenny made great use of the second team and only last August faced Cork in the All-Ireland Intermediate Final at Croke Park.

The likelihood is that an under-23 championship will be introduced as there is no league for this side.

Those games will be on opposite days later in the season once the All-Ireland series starts.

Prior to the Cats appearing in the All-Ireland final earlier this year, manager Seamus Kelly outlined why the intermediate grade is an important feeder squad in a county like Kilkenny.

“The intermediate (team) has been a feeder to the senior grade for years and it’s helped the girls grow and become better players,” he said.

“Some players need a few years to just get their bearings on what is required and what makes a difference at inter-county level can be little things.

“Some of the all-star players with Kilkenny started off at this grade and that experience is hugely important as it helps the younger players understand what it’s like to play at the highest level“.

Tommy Shefflin’s senior camogie side have also found out their opposition for the 2025 Division 1A campaign with the Cats having two games at home and three away.

Kilkenny will open up their league schedule at home to Galway. They will also have home advantage against Waterford while their away treks will see them meet Dublin in a repeat of this year’s All-Ireland quarter-final, a game in which they were beaten. They also have difficult looking visits to All-Ireland champions Cork and neighbours Tipperary.

The Cats will be looking to put a disappointing couple of seasons behind them and it is expected to be a much changed squad come that first outing against Galway with the likes of Grace Walsh and Miriam Walsh stepping away to add to various retirements over the last few years.

National Camogie League Division 1A
Saturday, February 22: Kilkenny v Galway (2pm)
Saturday, March 1: Tipperary v Kilkenny (2pm)
Saturday, March 8: Cork v Kilkenny (2pm)
Saturday, March 22: Kilkenny v Waterford (2pm)
Saturday, March 29: Dublin v Kilkenny (2pm)