Kerry to meet Mayo and Cork take on Dublin in TG4 All-Ireland SFC semi-finals

TG4 All-Ireland Championships wrap

Compiled by John Fallon

Kerry, seeking their first TG4 All-Ireland senior crown in 30 years, are through to a semi-final showdown with Mayo, while Cork will meet Dublin in the other semi-final after a dramatic weekend of action in the four quarter-finals.

Kerry, joint record holders with eleven titles, ended Meath’s dream of a three-in-a-row, while Cork, also eleven-time champions, pipped Armagh. Mayo scored a last gasp winner against neighbours Galway, while Dublin defeated Donegal in the remaining quarter-final on Sunday by 3-12 to 0-6.

The scene is now set for a semi-final double-header at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, July 29. The games are fixed for 5pm and 7pm and both will be televised live by TG4.

Kerry laid the foundation for their 2-8 to 0-10 win over reigning champions Meath in the wind and rain at Austin Park in Tralee in the opening half when they had the elements behind them.

Goals from Siofra O’Shea and Niamh Carmody helped Lidl National League champions Kerry build up a 2-7 to 0-3 interval lead in a repeat of last year’s TG4 All-Ireland final.

The holders battled back after the restart with Emma Duggan leading the way and while they restricted Kerry to a point in the second half, Meath were unable to close the gap and bowed out.

Cork, seeking their first crown since 2016, defeated Armagh by 0-14 to 2-6 at the Box-It Athletic Grounds. The sides were deadlocked at 0-5 apiece at the break. Armagh, forced to start without injured forward Aimee Mackin, edged in front when Niamh Coleman got their first goal after the restart but Cork, with the O’Sullivan sisters Doireann and Ciara prominent, got back in front and when Blaithin Mackin got Armagh’s second goal, two late frees from Katie Quirke got Cork over the line.

Connacht champions Mayo defeated arch rivals Galway by 0-10 to 1-6 at Pearse Stadium in Salthill when substitute Shauna Howley pointed with just 20 seconds remaining on the clock.

A sixth minute goal from Lynsey Noone gave Galway a great start but Mayo rallied and led by 0-6 to 1-2 at the interval. The sides continued to trade scores in difficult conditions after the restart and extra-time seemed inevitable when they were level for the seventh time but Howley struck for her late winner after an intercept from deep by Ciara Needham set her up.

Dublin booked their semi-final date with Cork when they impressively defeated Donegal by 3-12 to 0-6 in another game played in difficult conditions.

Dublin led by 1-6 to 0-3 at the break in Ballybofey with a goal from Kate Sullivan after 17 minutes pushing the 2020 champions clear. Sullivan also found the net in the second half and Sinéad Aherne got their goal to set up a semi-final meeting with Cork.

Meanwhile, Tipperary and Laois preserved their senior championship status for 2024. Tipperary edged out Waterford in a free-taking competition, while Laois defeated Cavan by 0-10 to 1-5 in a game where five players were yellow-carded.

Laois, the reigning TG4 All-Ireland intermediate champions, extended their 0-4 to 0-3 interval advantage to lead by five points but while Ellyanna Madden responded with a goal, Cavan were unable to close the gap.

They will now face Waterford next weekend in a relegation showdown with the losers dropping to the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate championship for 2024.

Waterford finished level at 0-8 apiece against neighbours Tipperary after extra-time, forcing the tie to a free-taking competition which Tipperary won 6-5 with corner-back Emma Cronin converted the crucial free in sudden death to ensure Peter Creedon’s side will be in senior next year.

Meanwhile, Cork and Cavan played out a thrilling 0-12 to 1-9 draw in the All-Ireland U-16 A final, while Kerry captured the All-Ireland U-16 B title with a 4-10 to 2-13 win over Sligo, and Antrim won the All-Ireland U-16 C crown with a 3-12 to 1-6 triumph over Clare.

 

 

Results

 

Saturday July 15   

TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals

Mayo 0-10 Galway 1-6

Cork 0-14 Armagh 2-6

Kerry 2-8 Meath 0-10

 

TG4 All-Ireland SFC relegation play-offs

 

Tipperary 0-8 Waterford 0-8 (Tipperary win 6-5 in free-taking competition)

Laois 0-10 Cavan 1-5

 

Sunday July 16

 

TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final 

 

Dublin 3-12 Donegal 0-6

 

All-Ireland U16 A Final 

 

Cork 0-12 Cavan 1-9

All-Ireland U16 B Final

 

Kerry 4-10 Sligo 2-13

 

All-Ireland U16 C Final 

 

Antrim 3-12 Clare 1-6