It's a novel pairing this weekend in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship Final as two Munster neighbours in Waterford and Tipperary clash for the ultimate prize.
Ahead of the game, we spoke to Antrim Camogie legend Jane Adams on her thoughts as the countdown continues to this All-Ireland Final.
History to be made for both teams. I know Waterford, this is their second time in an All-Ireland Final, two years in a row so.
I think it will be an absolute cracker of a game.
I know that Tip had a really hard game out the last time against Kilkenny going to extra time. I've spoken to a few of the Tip players, and also a few of the Waterford players that say that these young girls coming up are right on clipping the heels of the senior players.
It's great that both teams are in the final and will really make a great showcase.
For both Waterford and Tipperary, this success at juvenile level will only supplement the incredible breakthroughs that both of their respective senior sides have made in the last two years.
Jane Adams looks ahead to All-Ireland Minor A final
21 April 2024; Waterford players, from left, Aisling Bonnar, Hannah McGrath and Abbie Burrows celebrate after the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Camogie Minor A semi-final match between Cork and Waterford at Kilcommon in Tipperary. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Waterford made history last year as they got to their first All-Ireland Camogie Final since 1945, while Tipperary recently made their own piece of history by winning the Division 1 Camogie League Title for the first time since 2004 after beating Galway in a dramatic clash in Croke Park.
Adams spoke on the importance of the juvenile structures backing up progress made by the senior teams in each county, and also of how important it is to have these competitions for the minor players themselves.
I always talk about the Under 14 campaign that we have for clubs in the Féile and that's just the starting point for all these girls. I also always speak about the fact that there's a drop off in young girls playing any sports, particularly in Camogie.
To have these Electric Ireland campaigns for the minors is absolutely brilliant. I think it's very important that they have something to look forward to, not all girls and not all kids will go past minor level, due to different circumstances.
But also in the male sports as well it's the exact same. This may be the pinnacle of their careers, or it also may be their launch pad into seniors.
I feel it's important for development of all youngsters that they have something to look forward to and that they have games like this and minor finals like this and even campaigns like this that shows them that it opens doors and opens opportunities. It also invites your family in to be able to join and watch the games and be proud of you so it's something to look forward to which, for me, is very very important.
Adams also stressed to us her disappointment in the recent rejection by Congress for the Camogie players to adapt from skorts in their games. With the integration of the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie set to be complete by 2027, hopefully this is an example of an issue which will be easier to solve when the amalgamation is completed.
They want to be comfortable in their own skin.
There's nothing as bad as playing or training all the time in your shorts, and then having to change into a skort to play the game.
The way I see it is if you're training as a boxer, you're not gonna be training in a long pair of track bottoms and then into your shorts to actually go into the game.
For me it's a no-brainer, the research is done. The girls want to wear the shorts. I feel it's a bit disappointing now that it won't be talked about again, or won't be voted on again until 2027. So it's a long time for the girls to continue wear the skorts which they're unhappy wearing.
For me, comfortable in what way they're playing, doing all their training in their shorts and then having to change is for me, just a bit disappointing for the girls.
There was also one more message Jane had for two special teams before our interview was concluded...
To all the teams playing at the weekend, yous have one more step to go and yous can either be All-Ireland Champions, but not all will be lost if yous are on the losing side.
It's all about the dreams that you've dreamt of and here we are this weekend. Give it your all, fight like dogs, and hopefully yous can all come out with a smile on your faces at the end of it.
Coming from an All-Star and one of the greatest Camogie players of her generation, it is powerful advice for the players who will take the field on Saturday.
Jane Adams will be among the many people paying eager attention to this weekend's Electric-Ireland All-Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship Final to see which of Waterford or Tipperary will take that final step towards All-Ireland glory and make history.
Friday, 26th April 2024: Pictured is former Antrim Camogie player, Jane Adams, as she looks ahead to the Electric Ireland Camogie All-Ireland Minor Championship finals, which take place this weekend. Electric Ireland will be livestreaming the Electric Ireland Camogie All-Ireland Championships Minor finals on their YouTube page, with live clips being shared across Electric Ireland’s Twitter channel @ElectricIreland over the weekend.
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