PREVIEW: Laois Camogie chasing third win as All-Ireland campaign rolls on
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Aimee Collier's scoring exploits have helped Laois to the top of the standings ahead of Saturday's showdown
The Laois Camogie team will be looking to make it a clean sweep in Group 2 of the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship when they travel to Kinnegad on Saturday to take on Westmeath.
The O'Moore County come into the game in excellent form after recording impressive victories over Carlow and Meath in their opening two group matches. Those results leave them sitting at the top of the table on six points and on the brink of securing a place in the quarter-finals.
Saturday's encounter is a repeat of this year's Leinster Intermediate final, where Laois edged Westmeath by two points to finally claim the provincial title after suffering heartbreak in the previous two finals. That result should ensure another closely contested affair between two evenly matched sides.
Laois opened their championship campaign with a convincing 3-15 to 2-9 victory over neighbours Carlow before being pushed all the way by Meath last weekend. Despite a spirited Meath comeback, Laois held on for a 2-11 to 2-9 win to maintain their unbeaten record.
Camross’ Aimee Collier has been the standout scorer for Laois so far, amassing an impressive 3-11 across the opening two games. She struck 2-5 against Carlow before following it up with 1-6 against Meath and will again be a key player for the visitors.
While Laois are all but assured of a quarter-final place, there is still work to be done to guarantee a qualification spot. They currently lead the group on six points, with Westmeath and Carlow both on three points and Meath yet to register a point.
Should Laois suffer a heavy defeat and Carlow record a comprehensive victory over Meath, all three teams could finish level on six points, leaving scoring difference to decide the final standings. Laois currently hold a healthy +11 scoring difference, compared to Westmeath's +7 and Carlow's -6.
Westmeath began their campaign with an impressive 4-13 to 1-12 win over Meath but were beaten by Carlow last weekend, losing 3-12 to 4-6 to leave their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
With recent history suggesting little separates the two counties, another competitive contest is expected when the ball is thrown-in at 3.30pm in Kinnegad on Saturday afternoon.