The Waterford senior camogie championship semi-finals take centre stage this weekend, with a double-header at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Gailltír Face Cappoquin in the opening game at 1.30 pm, before reigning champions De La Salle take on St Anne’s at 3.30 pm.

Speaking ahead of the second semi-final, De La Salle player Keeley Corbett Barry says the month-long break since the last round of the championship has allowed players to recover, particularly with many also involved in football.

“The month off can be a great thing at this time of the year, especially with a lot of footballers on our camogie team as well.”

De La Salle already knows what St Anne’s can offer, having faced them in the group stages, but Corbett Barry is expecting a different challenge in a knockout game.

She highlighted the threat posed by the likes of Niamh Rockett, Róisín Kirwan and Bevin Bowdren, while also pointing to the younger players coming through at St Anne’s.

For Corbett Barry, the focus is on De La Salle producing their own performance.

The semi-final will also allow both teams to play at Azzurri Walsh Park, something Corbett Barry believes is important for the development of camogie in the county.

“Getting the opportunity to play in your county grounds, it’s not often that you have the chance,” she said.

“I think it’s brilliant for camogie that girls are getting to experience playing in a stadium like that, and it’s definitely brilliant for the development of the way the sport is going within Waterford.”

De La Salle and Gailltír have established themselves among the leading club sides in Waterford in recent years, with both also making their mark outside the county.

Corbett Barry says that recognition is a reflection of the growth of camogie across Waterford.

“We’ve come a long way in Waterford with the way that the sport has grown, and it’s something that we want to continue doing.”

Standing in De La Salle’s way on Saturday is a St Anne’s side which coach and selector Colm Bonner believes has been building steadily over the last number of years.

Bonner acknowledges the challenge facing his team against the reigning champions, but says Saint Anne’s are developing a young squad with plenty of potential.

He also pointed to the experience within the De La Salle ranks, including Beth Carton, Abby Flynn, Keeley Corbett Barry, and goalkeeper Brianna.

St Anne’s, however, have their own inter-county experience, with Niamh Rockett and Róisín Kirwan among the players capable of influencing the contest.

Bonner says several younger players are also gaining valuable experience at senior level, with St Anne’s looking to close the gap on the established leading teams.

“We’ve been building the last three or four years,” he said.

He believes the experience of playing against teams with ambitions of competing for All-Ireland honours can only benefit his young players.

The other semi-final sees Cappoquin take on Gailltír at 1.30 pm, before De La Salle and St Anne’s meet at 3.30 pm.

WLR will have live updates from both games at Azzurri Walsh Park throughout Saturday.

WLR will have live updates from both Games