Fermanagh, Louth, Leitrim, Tyrone, Galway and Kerry aim for 2024 TG4 All-Ireland glory

Fermanagh, Louth, Leitrim, Tyrone, Galway and Kerry aim for 2024 TG4 All-Ireland glory

CAPTAINS from the six competing teams have gathered at Croke Park ahead of next Sunday’s (August 4^th) TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Finals.

With the countdown to Sunday continuing, the respective team captains; Shannan McQuade (Fermanagh), Áine Breen (Louth), Michelle Guckian (Leitrim), Aoibhinn McHugh (Tyrone), Ailbhe Davoren (Galway) and Niamh Carmody (Kerry) got a feel for Croke Park ahead of the big day.

The Senior Final, the 51^st in LGFA history, and in the Association’s 50^th year, pits Galway against 2022 and 2023 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 4.15pm and is preceded by the Intermediate Final between Leitrim and Tyrone (1.45pm) and the Junior Final between Fermanagh and Louth (11.45am).

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

But the Wee County won’t get anything easy from opponents Fermanagh, who were TG4 All-Ireland Junior Champions in 2020 and 2017.

Louth themselves are previous champions, in 2019 (when they beat Fermanagh), 2015 and 1998.

Next Sunday will mark a fifth TG4 All-Ireland Junior Final appearance for Fermanagh, as Louth prepare for their seventh.

The winners of this Final will play Intermediate Championship football next year.

Leitrim and Tyrone, meanwhile, will renew rivalries in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final, after playing out a cracking game in the group stages.

Leitrim staged a remarkable recovery to win in early June, and now the sides will meet for the coveted silverware on offer, and the added prize of promotion to the Senior Championship ranks for 2025.

This will be a second TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final for Leitrim, who were victorious in 1997, as Tyrone gear up for their third Intermediate decider.

Tyrone lost out in 2017 but returned in 2018 to win the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup, named after the late Mary Quinn, a Leitrim legend.

In the Senior Final, a win for Kerry 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, Galway, are going in search of a second title, following their previous success in 2004.

Next Sunday will mark a 15^th All-Ireland Senior Final appearance for Kerry, who lost to Meath in the 2022 decider and against Dublin last year.

Kerry’s last Final win was back in 1993, when they overcame Laois, while Galway, who are looking ahead to a fifth Senior Final, last contested a Brendan Martin Cup decider in 2019.

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, August 3^rd.

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 2024 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 bit.ly/3xnhkbX 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: “TG4’s partnership with the LGFA is a remarkable achievement and has taken both of our organisations to a level of success which would have been very difficult to imagine when we began our relationship at the beginning of the century. 

“As Ireland’s Irish language Public Service Media, we have a very strong commitment to ‘cothrom na Féinne’ and to achieving diversity and equality through our actions as a broadcaster and through the high quality content we can provide to Irish audiences on a free-to-air basis.  

“The reaction worldwide to our broadcasts of Ladies Gaelic Football has been incredibly positive and, at a European level, public service broadcasters are using TG4 as a role model for themselves as they attempt to provide more coverage for women’s sports. 

“This year, the 50^th anniversary of the LGFA, TG4 will have broadcast the most live coverage of Ladies Gaelic Football in any year since the inception of our partnership in 2001. Together, the LGFA and TG4 have challenged the inequity and unfair imbalance of the status quo, both in sport and in broadcasting, and together we have grown and flourished.”

Mícheál Naughton, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, added: “As we gather at Croke Park next Sunday in front of a large attendance, we should never forget where we came from, those humble beginnings back in 1974. What a journey we’ve been on for the last half a century and recently, the sport of Ladies Gaelic Football was one of four practices granted formal State recognition as part of Ireland’s living cultural heritage, men’s Gaelic Football being another. This was yet another example of the huge cultural and social imprint of Ladies Gaelic Football across this country and beyond and next Sunday, we will acknowledge so many people central to that. We were also so pleased to gather at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles on Thursday July 18^th to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of our wonderful Association.

“It’s remarkable to think that the Galway-Kerry game will mark the 51^st All-Ireland Senior Final in the LGFA’s history – and what a tie we should have. I wish Galway and Kerry the very best of luck as they aim for Brendan Martin Cup success.  

“Prior to the Senior Final, we have two excellent games in store, with Fermanagh to play Louth in the Junior Final, followed by the Intermediate Final pairing of Leitrim and Tyrone. Best wishes to all teams competing on the day.  

“Our long-standing partnership with TG4 began in 2001 and was a ‘game changer’ for Ladies Gaelic Football. It continues to this very day 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, while our three Finals will be available to a global audience via linear TV and online.”

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 U-18s at €5 per child – €60; Family: 2 adults and 2 U-18s – €70)

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/3Wyw3dX

Sunday August 4, 2024

11.45am – TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Final – Fermanagh v Louth
1.45pm – TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final – Leitrim v Tyrone
4.15pm – TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Final – Galway v Kerry

#ProperFan #FERvLOU #LEIvTYR #GALvKER

Fear Manach agus Lú, Liatroim agus Tír Eoghain, Gaillimh agus Ciarraí ag díriú ar Chraobh na hÉireann TG4 2024

Tháinig CAPTAEIN na sé cinn d’fhoirne a bheidh san iomaíocht le chéile Dé Domhnaigh seo chugainn (an 4 Lúnasa) i gCluichí Ceannais Chraobh Uile-Éireann TG4 i bPeil na mBan le chéile roimh ré i bPáirc an Chrócaigh.

Tá cluichí móra an Domhnaigh ag teannadh linn agus fuair captaein na bhfoirne, Shannan McQuade (Fear Manach), Áine Breen (Lú), Michelle Guckian (Liatroim), Aoibhinn McHugh (Tír Eoghain), Ailbhe Davoren (Gaillimh) agus Niamh Carmody (Ciarraí), blaiseadh ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh sula dtagann an lá mór.

I gCluiche Ceannais na Sinsear, an 51^ú ceann i stair 50 bliain Chumann Peil Gael na mBan, beidh Gaillimh in aghaidh Chiarraí. Seo an chéad uair ag an dá chontae seo a chéile a imirt i gcluiche na craoibhe ag féachaint le Corn Bhreandáin Uí Mháirtín a thabhairt leo, ach bhí Ciarraí sa chluiche ceannais le dhá bhliain anuas.

Ag 4.15 i.n. a chaithfear an liathróid isteach don chluiche sin, an tríú ceann Dé Domhnaigh. Beidh an Cluiche Ceannais Idirmheánach idir Liatroim agus Tír Eoghain (1.45 i.n.) agus Cluiche Ceannais na Sóisear idir Fear Manach agus Lú (11.45 r.n.) ar siúl roimhe.

Sa chéad chluiche de na trí cinn i bPáirc an Chrócaigh Dé Domhnaigh, beidh an Lú ag féachaint le hardú céime ar ais i measc na gcontaetha idirmheánacha a ghnóthachtáil ar an gcéad iarraidh.

Níl sé ach bliain ó bhí siad ag imirt sa ghrád Idirmheánach ach gheobhaidh siad neart le déanamh in aghaidh Fhear Manach, Seaimpíní Sóisir Chraobh Uile-Éireann TG4 cheana sna blianta 2020 agus 2017.

Bhí an Lú freisin ina seaimpíní cheana, sna blianta 2019 (nuair a bhuail siad Fear Manach), 2015 agus 1998.

Is é cluiche an Domhnaigh an cúigiú cluiche ceannais i ngrád na Sóisear ag Fear Manach i gCraobh Uile-Éireann TG4 agus an seachtú ceann ag Contae Lú.

Sa Chraobh Idirmheánach a bheidh buaiteoirí an Chluiche Ceannais ag iomaíocht an bhliain seo chugainn.

Liatroim agus Tír Eoghain a bheidh i gcluiche ceannais na craoibhe sin i mbliana. D’imir siad a chéile níos luaithe i mbliana i rith chluichí grúpa Chraobh Idirmheánach Uile-Éireann TG4.

B’iontach a d’éirigh le Liatroim an lá sin i dtús mí Meithimh agus an chuma ar an scéal gur ag Tír Eoghain a bheadh an bua. Beidh an dá fhoireann á fhéachaint lena chéile arís Dé Domhnaigh, an lá mór a bhfuil níos mó ná cluiche le buachan – ní hamháin an chraobh agus an corn, tá ardú céime freisin go mbíonn i gCraobh na Sinsear sa bhliain 2025.

Seo an dara uair ag Liatroim imirt i gCluiche Ceannais Chraobh Uile-Éireann Idirmheánach TG4. Thug siad an chraobh leo sa bhliain 1997. Is é an tríú uair é ag Tír Eoghain imirt sa Chluiche Ceannais Idirmheánach.

Chlis orthu sa bhliain 2017 ach bhí ar ais an bhliain dár gcionn gur rug leo Corn Cuimhneacháin Mary Quinn sa bhliain 2018, corn atá ainmnithe i gcuimhne ar laoch de chuid Chontae Liatroma.

Maidir le Cluiche Ceannais na Sinsear, má thugann Ciarraí an lá leo Dé Domhnaigh, tiocfaidh siad chun tosaigh ar chontaetha uile na hÉireann maidir le líon na gcraobhacha.

Tá Craobh Uile-Éireann i ngrád na Sinsear buaite aon uair déag acu cheana féin – agus Corcaigh ar chomhchéim leo tar éis tréimhse idir na blianta 2005-2016 nuair a bhí siadsan dosháraithe.

Is é an dara craobh a bheadh á bhuachan ag a gcéilí comhraic, Gaillimh, má éiríonn leo Dé Domhnaigh. Sa bhliain 2004 a bhuaigh siad an chéad chraobh.

Is é seo an cúigiú uair déag ag Ciarraí imirt i gCluiche Ceannais Chraobh Uile-Éireann na Sinsear. Fuair Contae na Mí an ceann is fearr orthu sa bhliain 2022 agus bhuail Baile Átha Cliath iad anuraidh.

Ní raibh an lá le Ciarraí sa chluiche ceannais ón mbliain 1993 i leith – bhuail siad Laois an lá sin. Seo é an cúigiú uair ag Gaillimh imirt i gCluiche Ceannais na Sinsear agus an chéad uair ón mbliain 2019.

Beidh Ceiliúradh Peil na mBan, arna chur i láthair ag Máire Ní Bhraonáin, á chraoladh ag TG4 ag 8 i.n., tráthnóna Dé Sathairn, an 3 Lúnasa, d’fhonn an goile a ghéarú, roimh lá mór na dtrí cinn de Chluichí Ceannais i bPáirc an Chrócaigh Dé Domhnaigh, don lucht féachana ar an láthair agus ar an teilifís.

Tugtar cuairt sa chlár sin ar gach ceann de na sé chontae a bheidh ag imirt sna cluichí ceannais.

Mar chuid den cheiliúradh, beidh ceol ar an gclár as gach ceann de na contaetha freisin agus iar-imreoirí ag caint ar Chraobh na bliana 2024 go dtí seo agus ar a gcuid tuairimí faoina dtarlóidh sna cluichí móra Dé Domhnaigh.

Beidh ábhar faoi leith as Páirc an Chrócaigh lá Chluichí Craoibhe TG4 ar na meáin shóisialta ag Spórt TG4 nach mbeidh le feiceáil in aon áit eile.

Beidh ábhar uile TG4 faoi chluichí Chumann Peil Gael na mBan ar fáil ag an lucht féachana ar fud an domhain ar Sheinnteoir TG4  www.tg4.ie/beo agus ar Aip TG4 don fón póca agus Aip TG4 don Teilifíseán Cliste.

Tá eolas faoi thicéid do chluichí an Domhnaigh ar fáil ar bit.ly/3xnhkbX agus is féidir na cluichí a fheiceáil beo ar TG4 ag an nasc seo a leanas: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/watch-live/

Ag féachaint chun cinn dó, agus ag smaoineamh siar ar shéasúr iontach eile den chomhpháirtíocht, deir Alan Esslemont, Ard-Stiúrthóir TG4: “Tá dlúthpháirtíocht idir TG4 agus Cumann Peil Gael na mBan ar díol suntais é do gach aon cheann de na heagraíochtaí. Tá a bhfuil tugtha i gcrích leis an gcomhar páirtíochta eadrainn ar chéim níos airde ná a d’fhéadfaí a shamhlú tráth ar nascadh an ceangal den chéad uair i dtús na mílaoise. 

“Tá tuiscint faoi leith, agus aird dá réir, mar chraoltóir Seirbhíse Poiblí Gaeilge na hÉireann, ag TG4 ar ‘Chothrom na Féinne’ agus ar iléagsúlacht agus cothromaíocht a thabhairt i gcrích trí bheartaíocht an chraoltóra agus tríd an ábhar ar ardchaighdeán is féidir linn a chur ar fáil saor ó tháille don lucht féachana in Éirinn.  

“Is iontach an moladh atá ar fud an domhain ar chraoladh Pheil na mBan agus, ar leibhéal na hEorpa, tá TG4 ina cheap eiseamláire ag craoltóirí seirbhíse poiblí le fonn aithris a dhéanamh orainn agus iad ag féachaint le níos mó de spórt na mban a chraoladh. 

“I mbliana, an 50^ú bliain ar an bhfód ag Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, beidh níos mó cluichí beo de Pheil na mBan craolta ag TG4 ná mar a craoladh aon bhliain ó ceanglaíodh an chomhpháirtíocht eadrainn sa bhliain 2001. Thug Cumann Peil Gael na mBan agus TG4 in éineacht faoin éagothroime agus faoin éagóir sa status quo, i réimse an spóirt agus i réimse na craoltóireachta araon agus, trí chur le chéile mar a rinneadh agus a dhéantar, tá forás déanta ag an dá eagraíocht agus iad tagtha faoi bhláth.”

Dúirt Mícheál Naughton, Uachtarán Chumann Peil GaelDúior na mBan: “Ag teacht le chéile dúinn i bPáirc an Chrócaigh Dé Domhnaigh seo chugainn le slua mór i láthair, níor cheart dúinn an chaoi ar thosaíomar sa bhliain 1974 a ligean i ndearmad. Is iontach an dul chun cinn atá déanta againn le leathchéad bliain anuas agus, le gairid, bhí Peil Ghaelach na mBan ar cheann de cheithre cinn de bhearta spóirt, Peil Ghaelach na bhFear ar cheann eile, ar thug an Stát aitheantas foirmeálta dóibh mar ghné d’oidhreacht cultúir bheo na hÉireann. Ba shampla eile fós seo den chaoi a dtéann Peil na mBan i gcion ó thaobh cúrsaí cultúir agus cúrsaí sóisialta ar fud na tíre seo agus níos faide ó bhaile. Dé Domhnaigh seo chugainn, beidh an tábhacht mhór atá le cuid mhór daoine ina leith sin á thréaslú againn leo. Is cúis mhór ríméid dúinn freisin teacht le chéile i Stáid Semple FBD i nDurlas Éile, Déardaoin, an 18 Iúil chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar chothrom 50 bliain ó bunaíodh an Cumann iontach seo againne.

“Is suntasach le rá go mbeidh an cluiche idir Gaillimh agus Ciarraí ar an 51^ú Cluiche Ceannais Uile-Éireann i gCraobh na Sinsear ó cuireadh Cumann Peil Gael na mBan ar bun. Tá an uile dhuine ag tnúth le cluiche iontach. Guím gach rath ar Ghaillimh agus ar Chiarraí agus iad ag féachaint le Corn Bhreandáin Uí Mháirtín a bhuachan. 

“Sula n-imrítear Cluiche Ceannais na Sinsear, beidh dhá shárchluiche eile ar siúl. Beidh Fear Manach le Contae Lú i gCluiche Ceannais na Sóisear ar dtús agus imreofar an Cluiche Ceannais Idirmheánach idir Liatroim agus Tír Eoghain ina dhiaidh sin. Guím gach rath ar na foirne ar fad a bheidh ag imirt Dé Domhnaigh. 

“Sa bhliain 2001 a nascadh an ceangal comhpháirtíochta le TG4 ar dtús. Is mór an cor a chuir sin i stair Pheil Gael na mBan. Maireann an ceangal dlúth anuas go dtí an lá inniu agus is mian liom buíochas ó chroí a chur in iúl d’Alan Esslemont, Ard-Stiúrthóir TG4, do Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, an Ceannasaí Spóirt agus d’fhoireann uile TG4. Is fada cion tairbhe á dhéanamh go dúthrachtach acu don Chumann agus don spórt. Spreagann an feachtas #ProperFan samhlaíocht lucht leanúna Pheil na mBan i gcónaí agus is féidir an haischlib sin a thapú ar líne Dé Domhnaigh seo chugainn, coinneáil ar an eolas agus do thuairim féin a chur in iúl. Beidh gach ceann de na trí chluiche ceannais ar fáil ag an lucht féachana ar an teilifís in Éirinn agus ar líne ar fud an domhain.”

Tá ticéad do chluichí an Domhnaigh ar fáil ar €30 ag duine fásta nó €15 ag mac léinn, pinsinéir nó duine faoi bhun 18 mbliana d’aois.

Tá rátaí do ghrúpaí ar fáil (Duine fásta amháin @ €10 le gach deichniúr ógánach faoi 18 @ €5 an t-ógánach – €60; Teaghlach: beirt dhuine fásta agus beirt ógánach faoi 18 – €70).

Is ó Oifig Chumann Peil Gael na mBan amháin atá ticéid ar na rátaí sin ar fáil. Seoltar teachtaireacht ríomhphoist chuig tickets@lgfa.ie nó glaoigh ar 01-8363156 chun breis eolais a fháil.

Tá gnáth-thicéid ar fáil ó freisin mar a mbíonn ticéid CLG ar fáil go hiondúil agus ar líne ag https://bit.ly/3Wyw3dX

Dé Domhnaigh, an 4 Lúnasa 2024

– Cluiche Ceannais, Craobh Uile-Éireann TG4 na Sóisear – Fear Manach v Lú
1.45 i.n. – Cluiche Ceannais, Craobh Uile-Éireann Idirmheánach TG4 – Liatroim v Tír Eoghain
4.15 i.n. – Cluiche Ceannais, Craobh Uile-Éireann TG4 na Sinsear – Gaillimh v Ciarraí

#ProperFan #FERvLOU #LEIvTYR #GALvKER