TG4 Championship Round 2 Predictions from Jackie Cahill

 

 

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC fixtures and verdicts

 

Compiled by Jackie Cahill

 

Saturday, August 9

 

Mayo v Westmeath – Pearse Park, Longford (2.15pm)

 

MAYO are still smarting from another TG4 Connacht final defeat to Galway but have the chance to get their campaign back on track against Westmeath on Saturday afternoon.

Mayo, spearheaded by one of finest players in the history of the game, Cora Staunton, suffered a third successive provincial final defeat to Galway last month.

But the Westerners will be confident of getting past a Westmeath side that bounced back from a heavy defeat to Dublin in Leinster with an impressive qualifier victory over Clare last time out.

Mayo should be wary of Westmeath, however, as the Midlanders have been making steady progress in recent seasons and earlier this year, they contested a Division 2 final against Kerry.

But with the calibre of player available to Mayo, they will always be annual dark horses for Brendan Martin Cup glory.

And while Westmeath, managed by former county star Martin Flanagan, will provide stiff opposition on Saturday, Mayo get the nod to advance to the TG4 All-Ireland quarter-finals.

 

Betting: Mayo 1/10 Draw 16/1 Westmeath 5/1

 

Verdict: Mayo

 

 

Cavan v Laois – St Peregrine’s, Dublin (3.45pm)

 

LAOIS may have been operating in Division 1 this year, with Cavan a tier below, but the Breffni girls have been installed as favourites for Saturday’s qualifier at St Peregrine’s.

They have been given that billing on the basis of an impressive victory over Meath last month, a game that saw Claragh O’Reilly score 0-7 on her way to the player of the match award.

Caron Fay was also in stellar form between the sticks, saving a penalty from Katie O’Brien, and while Cavan had to battle for the win, they were worthy five-point winners.

Laois, in contrast, were demolished by Dublin in the Leinster final and already brittle confidence will have taken another massive dent.

Transitional Laois still have plenty of class in their ranks, with goalkeeper Ciamh Dollard, Tracey Lawlor and Martina Dunne all top class operators.

But Cavan, last year’s All-Ireland intermediate champions, are well placed to claim another big scalp.

 

Betting: Cavan 8/13 Draw 10/1 Laois 11/8

 

Verdict: Cavan

 

 

Monaghan v Tyrone – Pearse Park, Longford (4.00 pm)

 

SATURDAY’S Ulster derby in Longford could well turn out to be the tie of the round.

Tyrone have regressed since contesting the 2010 TG4 All-Ireland senior final against Dublin but they remain a force to be reckoned with.

The Red Hands lost heavily to provincial champions Armagh in Ulster but they revived their campaign with a comfortable ten-point victory over Kildare in the first round of qualifiers.

Captain Gemma Begley is Tyrone’s leading light in attack but despite losing to Armagh in the Ulster final, Monaghan still harbour hopes of a strong championship run.

Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists possess a shrewd manager in John Morrison and he will have analysed the Armagh defeat in detail.

Monaghan still a host of experienced big game players to call upon, including the McAnespie twins Aoife and Ciara, along with Sharon Courtney and Angela Casey, and the Farney ladies should do enough to edge through to the quarter-finals.

 

Betting: Monaghan 1/5 Draw 12/1 Tyrone 7/2

 

Verdict: Monaghan