Team news: Cavan and Waterford starting 15s for Birr Lidl NFL Division 2 semi-final

Waterford v Cavan, 1.00pm, St Brendan’s Park, Birr, Offaly, (G McMahon)

Waterford ended up topping the Division 2 standings after seeing off Tipperary in their final group outing, to finish at the summit on the head-to-head rule.

That’s pitched the Déise into a last-four clash with Cavan, who secured their spot in the semi-finals with an impressive victory over Tyrone last time out.

Waterford were Division 3 champions two years ago while Cavan fell at the final hurdle against Westmeath last year in their quest to secure top-flight football.

It’s arguably a more competitive Division 2 this year as Armagh dropped from the top tier, while Tipperary have been going great guns since coming up from Division 3.

But Waterford would consider progression to a Division 2 decider as real progress, following a 2017 championship campaign that saw them beat Cork and Kerry in Munster, before they beat Cavan in the qualifiers.

When the sides met in the group stages, Waterford ran out 4-9 to 1-6 winners and Cavan will hope to close the gap.

They’ve had the Sheridans, Bronagh and Aishling, in superb form and Aishling captured a Gourmet Food Parlour O’Connor Cup medal with DCU recently.

Aisling Doonan is another marquee forward for the Breffni girls while Waterford will look to the sharpshooting skills of Maria Delahunty and Aileen Wall.

Waterford team: 

1	Grainne Kenneally	Eadestown
2	Kate McGrath	Kilrossanty Brickeys
3	Michelle McGrath	Ballymacarbry
4	Rebecca Casey	Stradbally
5	Mairead Wall	Ballymacarbry
6	Emma Murray	Comeragh Rangers
7	Megan Dunford	Abbeyside
8	Karen McGrath	Ballymacarbry
9	Katie Murray	Comeragh Rangers
10	Aoife Murray	Comeragh Rangers
11	Geraldine Power	Comeragh Rangers
12	Lauren McGregor	Dungarvan
13	Maria Delahunty	Abbeyside
14	Eimear Fennell	Abbeyside
15	Aileen Wall	Ballymacarbry

Cavan team: 

1	Evelyn Baugh	Lurgan
2	Rachel Doonan	Templeport
3	Laura Fitzpatrick	St Finbars
4	Joanne Moore	Lacken
5	Sinead Greene	Templeport
6	Mona Sheridan	Mullahoran
7	Neasa Byrd	Crosserlough
8	Catherine Dolan	Lurgan
9	Donna English	Arva
10	Gráinne McGlade	Arva
11	Bronagh Sheridan	Drumlane
12	Aisling Sheridan	Mullahoran
13	Roisín O Keefe	Lacken
14	Aisling Doonan	Templeport
15	Ciara Finnegan	Crosserlough