2 massive games in Suzuki Ladies League to be played this weekend

Suzuki Ladies National Football league.
Two very attractive knock out games on Sunday. By fr.
Liam Kelleher

There are two games in the Division 1 of the Suzuki National
league fixed for Sunday and both should provide absorbing
contests. Waterford travel to Beaufort in Kerry to take
on the Kingdom girls at 1pm in the Quarter final of they
league. Meanwhile at Corofin, Galway and Cork battle it
out in the Semi Final with the game timed for 3pm.

Kerry by virtue of their very impressive form in the league
will start warm favourites to topple Waterford, the fact
that they have a home venue should be worth a few scores.
Waterford who defeated Tyrone in a play off last week to
get there, will be determined to make amends for their Muster
Final loss to Kerry last August. On that occasion Waterford
squandered an 8 point lead and were guilty of some terrible
misses. Kerry have gone on from there, Waterford appear
to have remained static, with very indifferent form in the
league. No doubt with Summer approaching Michael Ryan will
have his charges geared up for another tilt at the championship.
He will look on this game as will Kerry manager Robbie Griffin
as a championship encounter. Kerry have a very settled team,
there are strong down the middle and with All-Star keeper
Andrea O’Donoghue, minding the net they have a very solid
last line of defence. If they can curb the scoring threat
of Mary O’Rourke, their task will be a little easier, that
task should fall to Jackie Murnane, Munster player of the
year.

Waterford look to have the stronger pairing at midfield,
in elegant Mary O’Donnell and Deirdre Breatnach, only top
class displays from Sarah O Connor and Edel O’Connell will
curb them. Kerry’s attack if Kacey O’Driscoll is available
will, with fellow All Star Geraldine O’Shea cause major
headaches for the Waterford defence. If the Deise girls
are equal to the task it could be the springboard for a
Waterford victory.

Galway fancied.
The shadow boxing is over, the meeting of Cork and Galway
at Corofin will be a cracker. In difficult conditions at
Donoughmore 2 weeks ago Galway held off a determined Cork
by just 2 points. There was nothing at stake but pride,
a place in the league final is at stake on Sunday. Galway
will have the Pres Tuam girls back and will be fancied.

Meanwhile Cork under the Coaching skills of Eamonn Ryan,
former Cork Senior and Senior mens coach, have been making
steady progress since their first round hammering by Kerry.
They destroyed a fancied Meath side at Portarlington by
12 points and it they can maintain that form they will be
in with shout. Niamh Keohane returns to defence and with
her Minor colleagues from last years All-Ireland winning
team, Brid Stack, Rena Buckley, Angela Walsh, Briege Corkery,
Norita Kelly and Gedraldine O’ Flynn in Sparkling form they
have youth on their side. They also have a vast reservoir
of experience in the Donougmore trio of Hanora Kelleher,
Julie Murphy and hat-trick heroine from last week Mary O’Connor.

Galway are strong and balanced in every sector, but particularly
strong down the middle from keeper Johanna Connolly, to
fullback, Ruth Stpehens, Emer Flaherty who has been playing
brilliantly in her pivotal role. They are exceptionally
strong at midfield with AllStar Lisa Cohill and Annette
Clarke. Up front they play a running game with incisive
attacks from the wings. They have been racking up big scores
through Niamh Fahy, Geraldine Connealy, Phiolomena Flaherty
and Lorna Joyce. If Cork are to succeed they will have to
batten down the hatches, if they can they could cause a
surprise, but Galway who have been knocking at the door
for a few years should make their first major final.

Div 2 Quarters.
Also down for decision are the Division 2 Quarter Finals
and they should be very competitive. Louth who lost their
100% record to Clare in their last game, may have been in
charitable mood that day. They certainly will not be on
Sunday when they tackle an improving Leitrim. They meet
at Carrick-on Shannon at 3pm.

Donegal the All-Ireland junior champions should be too strong
for Sligo who, have enjoyed a good run in the league. Kildare
whose main aim this year will be to make up for the All-Ireland
loss to Donegal last term will be pushed by Clare, but should
edge through with home advantage at Newbridge at 2.30pm.

The clash between Northern rivals Cavan and Armagh should
be close with Armagh fancied. Cavan had to go to a playoff
to oust Corks 2nd string last Sunday and have a few players
nursing injuries. A home venue at Crossmaglen should swing
it for Armagh.

In the final game of Div 4 KilKenny will be in buoyant mood
after their first senior win over Westmeath last week-end.
They could well make it 2 on the trot against Wicklow.

Division 3 Draws. The draws have been made for the Div 3
quarter finals with games to be played 10/11 April.
Derry V Limerck
Monaghan B V Waterford B
Fermangh V Dublin B
Down v Kerry B. Venues to be announced.

Monaghan Surprise. St Louis Monaghan created a mild
surprise when they defeated Pres Tuam in the Senior schools
All-Ireland final at Longford this Thursday.
Final score: St Louis Monaghan 5-11 Pres Tuam 4-4