CAMOGIE ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINALS:THIS IS a competition between youth and experience, perhaps best exemplified by Ann Downey handing a starting slot to starlet Denise Gaule, who impressed in Kilkenny's All-Ireland minor win last weekend.

Galway appear to be a stronger outfit this season, with their attack, in particular, more potent.

Aisling Connolly’s return to the team this season and Jessica Gill regaining her place after missing most of the summer action is a big boost.

KILKENNY: C Ryan; L Fennelly, C Doherty, J Frisby; E Aylward, A Butler, L Lyng; C Dormer, A Dalton (capt); E Keane, D Gaule, K Power; M Quilty, T Muldowney, A Neary.

GALWAY: S Earner; R Glynn, A Kelly, T Manton; A M Hayes, S Cahalan (capt), N Kilkenny; S Tannion, L Ryan; B Hanney, T Maher, J Gill; V Curtin, O Kilkenny, A Connolly.

Tension rises in both camps

APPREHENSIVE BEST describes the mood in these camps.

Cork are the reigning champions and are unbeaten in the championship. There is strong competition for places down Leeside resulting in Emer O’Farrell denying captain Amanda O’Regan her place at full forward.

Catherine O’Loughlin lines out at full back for Wexford after missing most of the league, while Katrina Parrock hopes to celebrate on the double this week after receiving her Leaving Cert results.

CORK: A Murray; J O’Callaghan, C Foley, R Buckley; J Duffy, M O’Connor, S Hayes; B Corkery, O Cotter; E Dillon, G O’Connor, U O’Donoghue; S Burns, E O’Farrell, R Moloney.

WEXFORD: M D’Arcy; D Codd, C O’Loughlin, C O’Connor; Á Codd, M Leacy, A O’Connor (capt); C Murphy, M O’Leary; U Leacy, R M Breen, K Parrock; U Jacob, K Kelly, J Dwyer.