Offaly aiming for victory over Limerick to maintain senior camogie status

OFFALY face a crucial final group game against Limerick on Saturday next as they bid to maintain their status in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship.

Both Offaly and Limerick are already out of the running for the knock out stages of the championship as they both lost to Waterford and Antrim, who meet on Saturday to see who finishes first and second the group.

Whoever wins on Saturday will be assured of finishing third in the group and staying in the senior championship for next season. Offaly have to win as if the game finishes in a draw, Limerick have a better scoring difference and would thus finish third. Whoever finishes bottom of the group goes into the relegation play offs with the teams who finish bottom of the other two groups.

We have been here before this season. In the final round of the Very Camogie League Offaly and Limerick also clashed with relegation at stake. Offaly went into that game with a slight advantage as they had one draw from their previous four games while Limerick had lost all their games. Offaly led late in that game but Limerick reeled off the final six points of the game to win by three and maintain their place in Division 1B for next season with Offaly dropping down to Division 2A for 2024.

One crucial difference on this occasion is that Offaly have home advantage for this game whereas they had to travel to Rathkeale for the league game. That could be a big difference and hopefully home supporters will come out in force to give the girls a lift for this big game.

After their heavy defeat to Waterford in their opening game, Offaly were much more competitive in their second round game against Antrim. They matched the home side for most of the first half before a late goal helped Antrim to a six point half time lead. It was point for point for almost the entire second half before an injury time goal sealed the win for Antrim.

Limerick also lost to Antrim when they travelled for their first round game. They trailed by seven points at half time but came back a bit in the second half before losing by four. They hosted Waterford in their second game and went down by a 14 point margin.

Limerick haven't managed to find the net in either of their two games so far and Offaly will be hoping that they can restrict them from finding the net in this game as well as it would put them in a strong position to get the all important win.

Offaly have shown a lot of spirit in adversity this season. They have a generally young team with a number of new players new to senior championship this season and it has been a baptism of fire for them. However they haven't let their heads drop and stuck gamely to their task throughout the season. They will hope that that spirit and effort will stand to them on Saturday and will be rewarded with the victory that would see them remain in the top flight with the chance to develop their young squad more next season.

Even in the opening round defeat to Waterford, despite being well behind, Offaly kept battling away and were rewarded with late scores. It is that kind of spirit that they will be looking for on Saturday to overcome Limerick.

Both sides have had difficult seasons but have the opportunity to redeem themselves on Saturday. Limerick got to the All-Ireland quarter finals last year before losing out to Waterford, but they have struggled this season and their only victory to date has been that win over Offaly in their final group game.

From being involved in the knock out stages last year to battling to avoid relegation this year is a step back for them and Offaly will look to exploit their lack of confidence at the moment.

Getting a good start will be important for Offaly and if they can get their noses in front from an early stage, it will give them the boost to kick on and put pressure on Limerick.

Both sides are in the same boat and will look on this as possibly their best chance to secure their top flight status for next season rather than going into a nerve wracking relegation play off with the bottom teams from the other groups.

It's all to play for and with home advantage Offaly will be hoping to secure the win that will ensure that they maintain their long time status in the senior ranks.