CAMOGIE: CAMOGIE association president Joan O'Flynn has hailed the pro-activity of Dublin GAA in facilitating the county's camogie team to have its first game of the National League as a curtain-raiser to the men's football league clash between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park on Saturday night.

While the hurlers provided the warm-up on a hugely successful opening to the imaginative Spring Series last weekend, it is the turn of the women to enter the spotlight this time, with Kilkenny providing the opposition.

With the game being televised live by Setanta, it offers camogie a chance to showcase itself.

“It’s fantastic” said O’Flynn yesterday. “From our point of view, it’s another opportunity to bring camogie to a wider audience.

“Last year we increased our attendances across the board at club and inter-county level and this is another step in the right direction.

“Right now, camogie is a participative sport more than a spectator one and this is a step towards making it a spectator sport as well as a participative one.

“Fair dues to Dublin GAA who worked closely with the Dublin Camogie Board to put the programme in place. There has always been good co-operation between the codes at club and county level in Dublin anyway and this is just another illustration of that.

“While Kilkenny will be favourites and are used to playing at Croke Park, Dublin haven’t been there since 2005 when they won the All-Ireland junior final so it’s a great chance for them under new management to put on a good show in front of their own fans.”