Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Div.3 Quarter final

Wicklow’s senior Ladies are sixty minutes away from a semi final place when they play host to Louth in the quarter finals of the Bord Gais Energy, National Football League on Sunday next, the venue is the GAA grounds in Hollywood ,with a throw in time of 2pm, they would really appreciate as much support as possible from all Gaa supporters in the Garden County.
The Louth girls were checking their passports when the heard that they were on their way to play Wicklow in Hollywood, unfortunately for the Wee county, their final destination will be Hollywood in West Wicklow, and hopefully it will be the Wicklow ladies who will be collecting their passports to the semi-finals of the NFL with a win on Sunday next .
Both sides are no strangers to each other, they last met in July of last year in the final of the TG4 Leinster Junior Championship in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow, when Wicklow were crowned Leinster Junior Champs on a score line of 5-8 to 0-16, scorers for the Garden County were, Laurie Ahern with two goals and a points, Ahern has been troubled with injuries over the last number of games, but the Eire Og player is slowly regaining her form. Also on target in last years final was Monica Lynch with a point, Lynch is an energetic attacking player that can turn a game when needed.
Aisling O’hAnnaidh was also on target with a goal, O’hAnnaidh lifted the NFL trophy in 2005 and will be a driving force against Louth on Sunday. An Tochars Aimie Byrne raised the white flag twice in the final, Byrne has a great turn of speed and can step up to the mark when required.
While Geraldine Norton was Wicklow’s top scorer, notching up 2-4, Norton, who plays her club football with Baltinglass was voted player of the final, for her excellent performance on the day.
As in last years TG4 Leinster championship final, Wicklow, will once again go into this game as the under dogs, with just one win out of three games played in division 3B, and to be fair to the Wicklow girls, they did not get the rub of the green in a couple of this years NFL encounters, which were all away fixtures against Antrim, Kilkenny and Derry.
Louth are competing in division 3A of the Bord Gais Energy NFL, and have collected nine points out of a possible twelve. The Reds, forward duo of Roseanna Heaney and Orlaith Kirk have been the Wee Counties top sharp shooters this season.
A glance at this years Bord Gais Energy NFL stats show that in three games played, Wicklow have scored five goals and fifteen points, whereas Louth who have four games under their belts have amassed thirteen goals and thirty eight points this season.
Barring injuries the probable starting line up for Sunday will see, Emer Miley taking her place between the sticks with Lorna Fuiscardi, Jill Heatley and Aoife Heffernan forming a strong back line. Louth are usually quick out of the blocks, so it is important, and I have no doubt that Miley will have her defenders fully charged from the off.
At half back there are a number of places yet to be confirmed, but a fit Caitriona Mc Keon, Lisa Brady and Niamh Kelly are sure to get the nod and as Louth are happy to pick off points the Wicklow half back line will have to be quick to close down Louths attacking half forward line.

Midfield will be a crucial area for the Home side, and experience will be the key, Eadaoine Lenihan has just returned to the squad after a bout of the mumps, however the most likely duo to pull on the number eight and nine jerseys will be Caitriona Byrne and Caoilfhionn Deeney.
The half and full forward line will take some thought, and getting the combination right will be very important if the Wicklow side are to progress. Lining up for selection will be, Chrissie Shortt , Jill Heatley, Niamh Carroll, Aisling O’hAnnaidh, Laurie Ahern, and Lizzie Brophy, among others.
So, its all to play for on Sunday next for the Wicklow ladies as they look to progress to the semi-final stage of the Bord Gais Energy Ladies NFL.