Oran aiming to topple reigning champions

Oran lie just 60 minutes of camogie away from an All Ireland final spot as they face Granemore in the All Ireland junior club semi-final in Ballyshannon this Saturday (throw in 1,30pm).

The Armagh outfit should be familiar to Roscommon camogie followers. They defeated Athleague 3-9 to 2-5 in last year’s All Ireland final as they aim to move a step closer towards regaining their crown.

Oran came up short in their Connacht intermediate decider against Ahascragh/Caltra but that was something of a free shot with both sides guaranteed their semi final spots regardless of the result in that affair.

Colm Kelly’s side will be aiming to extend an excellent season as they claimed their first county title since 2002 when overcoming St. Dominic’s in a memorable county final.

Oran’s defence has paved the way for them to reach this stage as even in defeat to Ahasragh/Caltra, they shipped just two points from open play. They conceded eight scores from frees which will be something the mid Roscommon outfit will need to work on if they are to have any chance of conquering last year’s All Ireland champions.

Captain Marie Carty provides a steadying presence in the full back line for Oran with Michaela Fallon a reliable shot-stopper, who produced two crucial saves including a penalty stop from Susan Spillane in the county final.

Shauna McDermott is dependable at full back while centre back Orla Connolly is a highly influential figure with her long range freetaking a key part of Oran’s arsenal. Taylor Kelly and Ciara Owens are reliable performers either side while young guns Anna Hussey and Hazel Kelly are central to Oran’s attacking play.

Erin McDermott was also highly influential from wing forward throughout the Connacht final. On the inside line, Jenny Kenny is a threat while Claire Curley bagged a crucial goal during the county final. Andrea Fallon was the only Oran player to score from play in the Connacht decider.

Fallon also bagged two huge points late on in her side’s win over St. Dominic’s and has the potential to swing the pendulum her side’s way if she catches fire early.

This is an extremely tricky assignment for Oran. Armagh forward Rachael Merry, who scored five points in her side’s All Ireland quarter final win over Roscommon earlier this year, will be a primary focus with Carty potentially asked to complete a difficult marking assignment.

Merry bagged nine points when Granemore claimed a three in a row of county titles while Armagh’s star player registered 0-7 in her side’s Ulster final triumph. Corrina Doyle produced a Player of the Match display in her outfit’s 11 point win over Ahoghill (Antrim) in the provincial decider while Kate Smith is another danger up front.

Oran have the youth and pace to trouble Granemore but the reigning champions get the nod to inflict another defeat on Roscommon opposition.

Verdict: Granemore.

Meanwhile, county Junior A champions Pádraig Pearses will aim to rebound from their heavy defeat to Westport in the Rose Nixon Cup semi final when they face Glasgow outfit Ceann Creige at TU Blanchardstown this Saturday at 1.30 p.m..