Disrupted preparation not ideal for Kilkenny minor camogie team

The Kilkenny minor camogie side will open the defence of their All-Ireland title when they meet Waterford in Thomastown on Sunday afternoon (throw-in, 2pm)

Kilkenny’s victory over Cork last September was their first at the grade since 2015. With half of the panel still underage, hopes will be high for more success in 2022.

The return of the minor championship to its usual early season slot has caused a number of problems with Kilkenny’s preparations heavily disrupted as a result of players on college and club duty in recent weeks.

“It’s been through no fault of the players but the build up has been difficult as a result of the Pres and Loreto Leinster schools final while there has also been girls involved with Callan and Johnstown,” said Kilkenny minor manager Mike Wall.

“There were also seven players with Dicksboro during their Leinster club campaign so we haven’t had everyone available to us as of yet but that’s not an excuse.

“The week just gone we only had 16 or 17 players at training due to school and club activity but historically this is when the minor championship is usually played so we just have to roll with it,” he added.

“We aren’t looking past Waterford on Sunday.”

Team captain Amy Clifford was one of the Dicksboro players involved in the Leinster final defeat to Oulart-The Ballagh last weekend so having a player of her calibre available will be a huge boost.

Mike Wall will still have an anxious Saturday though as he has a huge number of players involved in Loreto’s All-Ireland semi-final which arrives less than 24 hours before the championship opener with Waterford.

“We have 11 or 12 players involved with the Loreto team and it’s madness really with the scheduling of the All-Ireland semi-final.

“The girls will only have 24 hours between the games and I don’t think it’s right or fair on a player welfare point of view,” he added.

“I understand this is the first year of a split season but there needs to be changes as there is just too much fixture congestion as things stand”.

The Cats will follow up Sunday’s game against the Deise with an away trip to Clare a week later and the Kilkenny boss is just looking forward to getting the girls back on the field.

“We know how good Waterford are and Clare won the Munster Minor Shield last year so both teams will be big challenges.

“It’s great for us having a bit of Munster opposition in the group as it will be different to what the girls are used to playing with their schools.

“We would have liked an extra bit of time between the games but no matter what happens, come Sunday week at the end of the Clare game we will have a fair idea of where our interest in the championship lies and it will be just good to get up and running,” Wall said.