TG4 Munster Finals Preview

TG4 Munster Finals Pairc Ui Rinn Cork—
Monday August 4th 2003

Peil Caillini OGa Kerry V Tipperary 1pm.

TG4 Munster Junior Final Limerick v Tipperary 2pm.

TG4 Munster Senior Final Waterford v Kerry 3.45pm.

TG4 Munster Finals Preview.

Waterford fancied for another title.

On form displayed in the championship to date, this game
should be a formality for Waterford, to add to their impressive
haul of Provincial titles. Form and favouritism can be fickle
and should never be taken for granted when teams line up
for a Provincial decider. Waterford under the eagle eye
of Michael Ryan the most successful and enduring manager
in the modern era, have left no stone unturned in their
bid to retain their crown and go on to take another National
title. They lay pretty dormant during the Suzuki National
league, but now the Deise girls have awakened from their
winter slumberland and are poised to prevail. Kerry on the
other hand, stung into retaliation after 10 years without
a Munster Championship win, have had a winter of content.
Still smarting a bit from last years Munster semi-final
defeat when a late penalty denied them the draw they deserved,
Kerry will be hoping that their impressive League campaign
form, will return, when they need it most. In their first
match of the round robin series they were soundly beaten
after travelling to Waterford, indeed their 9 point reverse,
was even glossed over by the fact that they scored 2 late
goals, must be a serious concern for manger Robbie Griffin.
He has a talented but very inexperienced panel at his disposal.
Their hard winter workload, which saw them unluckily lose
to Laois in the league final by a point, could have taken
its toll. Young players can be very resilient and with the
free scoring Geraldine O’Shea to lead them. they can be
hopeful. They were impressive in stages against Cork in
the winner take all battle and while they opened up a 7
point gap early in the 2nd half they were fortunate to survive
by a point. The 2nd half performance against Cork is another
cause for concern and if Kerry are to make a meaningful
challenge they will have to tighten up in defence, because
Waterford contain a sextet of forwards that can be all match
winners on any given day. Linda Wall, Martina O’Ryan, Rebecca
Hallahan, Aoife Murphy, Mary O’Rourke, Aine Wall. They have
a powerful midfield partnership of Mary O’Donnell and Julie
Torpey with attacking half backs who love to come forward.

Strong points

Kerry too have their strong points, but have they as many
as Waterford? that is the burning question, but what they
appear to lack in quality compared to Waterford, will have
to compensated by intensity. It will take all out non stop
action for the hour if they are to be in with a shout. They
will also be without one of their most skilful forwards
Kacey O’ Driscoll, who is currently starring for the Irish
soccer team in the Youth Olympics. Apart from Geraldine
O’Shea they do have lively forwards in Patrice Dennehy Noreen
Fealy . Much will depend on the form of Sarah O’Connor their
star defender in the league but struggling with injury ,
she has been selected at corner forward, but if fully fit,
no doubt will be utilised in a pivotal role in defence.
The fact that the losers progress to the quarter finals
through the new backdoor system will lessen the pressure,
but one thing in certain both teams will be giving it everything
and while Waterford will be overwhelming favourites it all
depends on who performs on the day. Hopefully it will be
a cracking final one worth of such an occasion.

TG4 Junior final.

Tipp and Limerick to be close.

This is a game that has the makings of a thriller. Both
Limerick and Tipperary have been working hard for the past
number of years to, reach the higher echelons. In the early
days of the Association Tipperary were a match for the best,
but have fell on o lean times in latter years. Limerick
have been making steady progress but have been thwarted
by Cork on a number of occasions. In their final league
game they played exceptionally well to score a fine win
over the rebels. Tipperary also had their closest cal apart
form Limerick form the Cork girls who reached the Div 3
final of the Suzuki National League. Going on that line
of form there should be little between the sides. Tipperary
are strong physically, but Limerick with the free scoring
Dymphna O’Brien in attack and a very committed Meabh Nash,
to marshal their defence, will be hard to stop.

Under 16 All-Ireland semi-finals Saturday August 2nd.

Cork V Galway at Mungret Limerick 3pm

Dublin v Cavan at Navan 3pm

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