WEXFORD -V- TIPPERARY

Intermediate semi-final Preview WEXFORD -V- TIPPERARY

For the second year in succession Wexford and Tipperary will battle it out for a place in this years TG4 intermediate all Ireland final. Both sides have been booked into Páirc Táilteann, Navan on Saturday next the 30th of August with a throw in time of 5.30pm.
In last years epic encounter Wexford survived missing two second half penalties plus a number of other chances to run out eventual winners 2-15 to 2-12 and to deny the premier county a place in the TG4 All-Ireland IFC final,
However the Model county never really sparkled in the 2007 all Ireland final, conceding defeat to Leitrim on a score line of 0-17 to1-10.
So, what can we expect from Wexford and Tipp on Saturday next, well, there is no doubt that both teams should be fired up for this rematch. The girls wearing the purple and gold will remember the deafening sound of silence that echoed around their Croke Park dressing room after their defeat to Leitrim in last years final, and they will not want a repeat of that this time round, this Wexford team are more than capable of finishing off what they started last year and lift the Mary Quinn memorial cup for the first time.
Tipperary will probably have something to say about that, as I’m sure that their calendar will have Sept 28th circled to remind them of an important appointment with either Clare or Longford in the All Ireland final.
Looking back on the recent history of these two counties in the Suzuki NFL, they both displayed similar form, as they finished bottom of their respective divisions in the NFL, and may drop down to a lower division next season.
Wexford competed in division 1A, losing five out of five, while Tipperary finished down in the basement of division 2B, winning one game out of five, against Longford 3-6 to 1-6.
But league performances and results go out the window with the bath water once the curtain goes up on the TG4 championship campaign, Players, mentors and managers from all divisions and counties involved become more focused on what lies ahead and what is required if they are to reach their respective finals and march out on the plush green baize of Croke Park on September the 28th next.
In this years Intermediate championship The Premier county competed in group ‘A’ winning three games out of four overcoming Limerick, Roscommon and Cavan, their only defeat was at the hands of table toppers Clare 1-10 to 2-12.
While in group ‘B’ the Model county also registered a hat trick of wins against Westmeath, Longford and Kilkenny, and their only defeat was at home to Fermanagh 3-7 to 3-11. So the stage is set for what should be an epic encounter between these two sides, the question is will the Model county have the same hunger to repeat last years win or will the Premier county turn the tables on this occasion, ? Watch this space….

(Mick Forde. Leinster Pro Ladies Gaelic Football 087-6422658)