Fr Liams predictions for the weekend!

Suzuki Ladies Football National League Div 2 and 3 Semis-Finals.
Exciting games in prospect By Fr. Liam Kelleher.

Its semi finals time, for the Suzuki div 2 and 3 National Ladies Football league and the 4 semi-finals have thrown up some very interesting games. In division 2 unbeaten Cork make the long journey to Leixlip to take on Kildare at 3.30pm on Sunday This is make or break game for the rebels, after being relegated from division 1 last year, after a playoff, with Meath, the one thing on everybodys mind was a quick return to the top flight. At this stage of the competition things have evened out quite a lot and as Armagh proved on Sunday last the results of previous games count for little.

Kildare have beaten Armagh in the league and going on that form they must have chance against Cork, who struggled to overcome Armagh by 3 points. Indeed if Armagh had taken their chances they could well have won the game. Home advantage should be worth a few points to Kildare, but Cork having survived last Sundays scare, will be much more focussed. Verdict Cork.

Cliff-hanger.

The 2nd Semi Final between Louth and Roscommon should be a real cliff-hanger, both are strong physical teams and have been making steady progress with the past couple of years. Roscommon have tasted success in the Junior Championships but Louth have been showing very good form in all their games and their only loss was a narrow one to Cork, where they made a huge comeback in the 2nd half and were just edged out. Again both counties will know how important it is to them to be playing at a higher level next season. This has the makings of a thrilling game with Louth getting, a slight nod to advance to the final.

The game is fixed for Kiltoon at 2.30pm

Division 3

Again 2 exciting games are in prospect.

Galway B have been the form team of the division with emphatic wins in all their games. Derry have also been very impressive and will be well motivated for Sundays game. Galway have a huge depth of talent and this is reflected in every team they field at underage and adult level. They should emerge from what should be a very close encounter. The game is fixed for Grange at 3pm on Sunday

Cork B on the other hand have suffered just one loss and that to Galway, they were missing a few players for that game and will also be missing 2 key players on Sunday. Their top scorer Kareina Richards will be in the US playing soccer for Ireland and Ciara O’Sullivan sustained a serious leg injury on Sunday last and that rules her out. On the other hand they have a big panel and competition for places has been fierce. Limerick have an ace in their pack with free scoring Dymphna O’Brien and she certainly holds the key to Limericks hopes. If she can be contained Limerick will be in trouble. If she can’t, it will be curtains for Cork. Cork scored a point win over their neighbours in a preliminary round and last season in the Junior Championship, Cork narrowly defeated Limerick in the Munster final after Limerick had hammered them in an earlier round. The game is fixed for Donoughmore in Cork on Sunday at 2pm A difficult game to call, but home advantage should sway it for Cork.

The final of the Suzuki National league will take place at Ennis on Sunday week the 26th between Kerry and Laois and will be televised live by TG4

Fr. Liam Kelleher PRO 087-8516984 021-4886128