Offaly bid for junior glory as camogie championships get ready for lift off

The 2009 Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championships were launched earlier this week in Croke Park by President Joan O"Flynn, Denise Lord, Customer Service Manager of Gala, and the captains of the 27 counties competing in this year"s Championships at senior, intermediate and junior level. The Gala All Ireland Senior Championship will be the most hotly contested in recent years with eight teams now competing for the O"Duffy Cup. Clare have joined the senior ranks this year following success in the Gala All Ireland Junior Final in 2008 when they beat Offaly in a thrilling final in Croke Park. Recognising the awesome contributions of the players involved, Gala has introduced an award for the Senior Camogie player who delivers the most outstanding performance of the season, as voted for by the public - the Gala Performance Award. The player will win the Gala Performance Award trophy and a 5* luxury weekend break. Newly-appointed President of the Camogie Association, Joan O"Flynn, said at the launch: 'This year"s Championships have been ten years in the making as 2009 marks the transition from a 12-a-side to a 15-a-side game. In the last decade there is no doubt the inter-county game has been transformed and the standard has increased to new levels. I welcome too the Gala award which is an excellent addition to our senior championships as it recognises the individual and is not based on an entire team"s performance.' 'Attending matches is one of the most important ways of giving recognition to our players and increasing attendances is something we can improve on. 'Our relationship with the GAA is also crucial. This year we look forward to staging a number of our championship games in county grounds around the country and, of course, to All Ireland finals day on September 13th in Croke Park.' The Gala All-Ireland championship action begins on Saturday, June 20. At senior level All Ireland champions Cork entertaining Dublin, while Wexford travel to play Limerick. On the same day 12 teams will compete in the junior championship of which Offaly and Antrim are vying to get back to centre stage. Details on how to vote for the player who you think should win the Gala Performance Award will be posted on www.gala.ie and www.camogie.ie by June 20. Gala All-Ireland Championships Senior (O"Duffy Cup) Participating Counties: Cork, Clare, Dublin Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Wexford. Intermediate (Jack McGrath Cup) Participating Counties: Cork, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford, Clare. Junior A (New Ireland Cup) Participating Counties: Antrim, Down, Dublin, Laois, Waterford, Meath, Offaly. Junior B (Nancy Murray Cup) Participating Counties: Roscommon, Carlow, Kildare, Armagh, Tyrone, Westmeath. Junior C (Máire Ní Chinnéide Cup) Participating Counties: Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Louth, Cavan, Wicklow.