Down, Limerick, Clare, Kildare, Dublin and Kerry aim for TG4 All-Ireland glory on historic Sunday

CAPTAINS from the six competing teams have gathered at Croke Park ahead of next Sunday’s (August 13) TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Finals.

With the countdown to Sunday continuing, the respective team captains; Meghan Doherty (Down), Róisín Ambrose (Limerick), Caoimhe Harvey (Clare), Grace Clifford (Kildare), Carla Rowe (Dublin) and Síofra O’Shea (Kerry) got a feel for Croke Park ahead of the big day.

The Senior decider, the 50^th in LGFA history, pits Dublin against 2022 runners-up Kerry, with the counties set to meet for the very first time in a Brendan Martin Cup decider.

That game throws in at 4pm and is preceded by the Intermediate Final between Clare and Kildare (1.45pm) and the Junior Final between Down and Limerick (11.45am).

Junior team captains Meghan Doherty (Down – left) and Róisín Ambrose (Limerick) pictured at Croke Park ahead of Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Final 

In the first game on the Croke Park triple-bill, Down will be aiming to gain promotion back to the Intermediate ranks at the first attempt, following relegation last year.

But the Mourne County won’t get anything easy from opponents Limerick, who were TG4 All-Ireland Junior Champions in 2010 and 2018.

Down return to Croke Park for just their second appearance in a Junior Final, with victory achieved in their previous outing in 2000.

Down won the All-Ireland Intermediate title at Croke Park in 2014, while next Sunday will mark a fourth Junior Final outing for Limerick in their history.

Intermediate team captains Grace Clifford (Kildare – left) and Caoimhe Harvey (Clare) pictured at Croke Park ahead of Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final 

Clare and Kildare, meanwhile, will renew rivalries in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final, after playing out two cracking games in Division 3 of the 2023 Lidl National League.

Kildare won narrowly on both occasions, including in the League decider that went to extra-time at Parnell Park.

Clare and Kildare last played in a TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final in 2016, when Kildare won at Croke Park against the Banner County.

This will be Clare’s fourth Intermediate Final appearance, following victory in 2009 and defeats in 2008 and 2016, as Kildare prepare for their third Final.

The Lilywhites lost to Waterford in 2015 but came back 12 months later to defeat Clare.

Senior team captains Carla Rowe (Dublin – left) and Síofra O’Shea (Kerry) pictured at Croke Park ahead of Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Final 

In the Senior Final, a win for Kerry, managed by Declan Quill and Darragh Long, would put the Kingdom out in front on the all-time Senior roll of honours list.

They’re currently on 11 All-Ireland Senior Championship wins – a haul matched by the great Cork teams that were dominant from 2005-2016.

Their opponents, Dublin, are going in search of a sixth title, following previous successes in 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Next Sunday will mark a 14^th All-Ireland Senior Final appearance for Kerry, who lost to Meath in the 2022 decider and against Cork in 2012.

Prior to that, Kerry won their first Senior title back in 1976 and enjoyed nine-in-a-row successes from 1982-1990.

Kerry’s last Final win was back in 1993, when they overcame Laois.

To whet the appetite of attendees and TV viewers ahead of Sunday’s Croke Park triple-header, TG4’s Ceiliúradh Peil na mBan, presented by Máire Ní Bhraonáin, will air from 8pm on Saturday evening.

The programme will visit all six counties playing in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior deciders.

This celebratory programme will feature music from each of the counties, with former players reflecting on the 2023 Championships so far and looking ahead to Sunday’s big games.

Spórt TG4 will also have exclusive behind the scenes action from the TG4 All-Ireland Finals Day in Croke Park across its social media channels.

All of TG4’s LGFA coverage will be available to audiences globally on the TG4 Player at www.tg4.ie/beo  and on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App.

Ticket information ahead of Sunday’s games is available at https://bit.ly/3OiiOd5 and you can also watch the games live on TG4 at the following link: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/watch-live/

Looking ahead, and reflecting on another outstanding season of partnership, TG4 Director General Alan Esslemont said: “This is a very special All-Ireland Final, the 50^th Senior Final in the history of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, an organisation which has played the most powerful pioneering role in the advancement of women’s sport in Ireland. The aim to achieve prominence and parity of esteem for women’s football is still very much a work in progress and I believe that this is a vision which is shared by everyone who is passionate about the conditions and health of female sport, especially Gaelic games.  At the same time, TG4 continues to work to seek parity of esteem and services for the Irish-speaking minority in Ireland and for Irish language broadcasting within Ireland’s media ecosystem and Irish society.  Change here also has taken far too long to achieve.

“In Los Angeles in March of this year, a TG4 feature film, “An Cailín Ciúin”, was nominated for an International Oscar, a first for Irish language cinema.  The film, with IFTA winner Catherine Clinch as its lead, was part of our Cine4 scheme, a scheme which especially sought to advance female participation in all areas of film.  With this same vision we are very proud that LGFA All-Ireland Day is the highlight of our sporting year. 

“I would like to pay especial and personal tribute to Helen O’ Rourke, the LGFA Chief Executive, for her role in standing steadfastly with TG4 for over two decades of immensely positive change and growth, and for enabling us to build a sports service around Ladies Gaelic Football of which we all at TG4 and at our main sports production supplier, Nemeton, are very proud.”

Mícheál Naughton, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, added: “Next Sunday will afford us the opportunity to draw breath and reflect on how far the Ladies Gaelic Football Association has come since 1974. It’s remarkable to think that the Dublin-Kerry game will mark the 50th All-Ireland Senior Final in the LGFA’s history – and what a tie we have in store to celebrate that milestone. I wish Dublin and Kerry the very best of luck as they aim for Brendan Martin Cup success, and we are also looking forward to welcoming former All-Ireland winning captains since 1974 to Croke Park to join us in a day of celebration.

“Prior to the Senior Final, we have two excellent games in store, with Down to play Limerick in the Junior Final, followed by the Intermediate Final pairing of Clare and Kildare. Best wishes to all teams competing on the day.  

“We are delighted that TG4 will broadcast all three Finals live from Croke Park next Sunday to viewers at home and all around the world. To launch the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Championships, we were delighted to announce a five-year extension of our partnership. Our current deal with TG4 will last until the conclusion of the 2027 season and I wish to put on the record my sincere thanks to TG4 Director General, Alan Esslemont, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, and the entire TG4 team for their outstanding commitment to our sport. The #ProperFan campaign continues to capture the imagination of Ladies Football fans and you can follow the hashtag online next Sunday to join in the conversation.”

Tickets for Sunday’s games are priced at €30 for adults and €15 for students, OAPs and U18s.

Group rates are available only from the LGFA Office (1 Adult @ €10 for every group of 10, U18’s at €5 per child – €60).

Email tickets@lgfa.ie or phone 01-8363156 for more details.

Tickets are also available at usual GAA outlets and online at https://bit.ly/43TASin

Sunday August 13

11.45am – TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Final – Down v Limerick
1.45pm – TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final – Clare v Kildare
4pm – TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Final – Dublin v Kerry

#ProperFan