Dublin Ladies Weekly Article

Dublin Ladies Weekly Article

Dublin ladies captain Denise Masterson has said that the Jackies do not need reminders of the Dublin men’s defeat at the hands of Tyrone last Saturday to motivate themselves as they face into their own TG4 Senior Championship quarter final meeting with the Red Hand County this Saturday.

 

However, the recent memory will no doubt add extra spice to the tie which will be played in front of television cameras at Hyde Park on Saturday following the other quarter final between Galway and All-Ireland Champions, Cork.

 

“I don’t know if we needed the men’s result to motivate us for this match but I certainly hope we don’t go the same way as them,” said Masterson. “We haven’t had our trip out in Croker this year and we’ll be looking to book it for September.

 

“Gemma Begley is always the player people talk about in reference to Tyrone and we’ll be keeping a close eye on her. Anything can happen on any given day in football. We’re really looking forward to the match and all we can do is stick to our game plan and keep focussed.”

 

While Tyrone are hoping to iron out a few minor injuries before the weekend, Dublin manager Gerry McGill will have a full squad of players to choose from, including Lucozade Sport/Irish Independent Player of the Month, forward Sinead Aherne.

 

The Leinster Champions have not had an outing since their Leinster final victory over favourites Laois, but Masterson does not believe the Championship system puts provincial winners at a disadvantage at this critical stage of the year.

 

“I’m sure the extra games will stand to Tyrone, but Galway regrouped after their bye to the second qualifying round and we’ve been training hard, so there’s no reason why it should make a difference to us.”

 

Galway drew a bye to the second round of the qualifiers after a shock exit from the Connacht Championship at the hands of Sligo. Their prize for going on to notch an impressive victory against Championship contenders Laois was a quarter final meeting against the Rebelettes, but manager Jason Tanniane denies it was a sore reward for such a come back.

 

“We’re looking forward to it. We’re meeting the All-Ireland Champions who are aiming for their fourth crown in a row so it will be tough, but at this time of year those are the kind of challenges you have to expect and we have to take it on,” he said.

 

Galway will be without Sarah Conneally and Maeve Maloney for the second fixture at Hyde Park, but Tanniane expects others carrying a few slight injuries to be available for Saturday evening. Cork will have a full compliment of players and will be hoping Valerie Mulcahy runs the field with a similar performance to the one she put in against Kerry in the Munster final, when she added 1-6 to the scoreboard.

 

Both quarter finals will be televised live on TG4 and the draw for the semi finals will take place after the second match, with the winners to play either Monaghan or Mayo.

 

 

Saturday, 23rd August, 2008

TG4 Senior Championship Quarter Final

Dublin v Tyrone, 4.15pm, Hyde Park, (L. McDonagh, Sligo)*

Cork v Galway, 6.00pm, Hyde Park, (E. O’Hare, Down)*

 

*To be televised live on TG4