Lidl NFL Division 3 semi-final team news from Wexford, Kildare, Down and Meath

Wexford v Kildare, 2.00pm, Stradbally GAA, Laois, (J Gallagher)

Former Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson guided the county’s ladies to the top of Division 3 following the group stages – and that form earned him the Lidl/Irish Daily Star Manager of the Month award for March.

Wexford were beaten Division 3 finalists last year, falling to Tipperary after a replay, and are determined to go one better this time.

But Kildare will take heart from the group meeting between the counties, when just a goal separated the sides.

And a gritty victory over Roscommon secured a semi-final place for the Lilywhites, who are finding their feet again after a difficult spell that followed TG4 All-Ireland intermediate glory in 2016.

Forwards like Róisín Byrne and Ellen Dowling have the ability to hurt any defence but Wexford have scoring power of their own, while former Kerry skipper Bernie Breen is at midfield.

Wexford team: 

1	Mary Rose Kelly	St.Fintans
2	Shauna Murphy	Shelmalier
3	Maria Byrne	Kilmore
4	Sarah Harding Kenny	Shelmalier
5	Niamh Moore	Kilmore
6	Niamh Mernagh	Horeswood
7	Niamh Butler	Clonard/Volunteers
8	Roisín Murphy	Shelmalier
9	Bernie Breen	Baile Dubh Tire
10	Clara Donnelly	Shelmalier
11	Fiona Rochford	St. Annes
12	Kellie Kearney	Shelmalier
13	Chloe Foxe	Clongeen
14	Aisling Murphy	Gusserane
15	Catriona Murray	Clonee

Kildare team: 

1	Aoife Wosser	Cappagh
2	Shauna Kendrick	Sarsfields
3	Amy Horan	Ballymore
4	Rachel Cribbin	Balyna
5	Louise Scully	Ellistown
6	Rachael Corrigan	Naas
7	Claire Sullivan	Carbury
8	Trina Duggan	Suncroft
9	Aisling Curley	Moorefield
10	Niamh Sinnott	Monasterevin
11	Siobhan O’Sullivan	Eadestown
12	Grace Clifford	Eadestown
13	Róisín Byrne	Sarsfields
14	Ellen Dowling	Suncroft
15	Mikaela McKenna	Na Fianna

Meath v Down, 1.00pm, Inniskeen Grattans, Monaghan, (J Murphy)

The green shoots of recovery are visible in Meath, who were big scorers throughout the group stages of the competition.

Vikki Wall is a forward who wouldn’t be out of place in any inter-county team in the country and she’s another player who recently pocketed a Gourmet Food Parlour O’Connor Cup medal.

It’s also encouraging to see Down in the semi-finals but they’ll have to come up a notch or two to compete with the Royals.

When the counties met at the start of the campaign, Meath ran out 4-13 to 2-2 winners but that was a wake-up for Down.

Granted, six of their group points came from Longford and Leitrim concessions but Down still managed to secure good wins against Offaly, Roscommon and Kildare on the field of play, and they were competitive against table-toppers Wexford.

Meath team: 

1	Monica McGuirk	Duleek Bellewstown
2	Katie Newe	Ratoath
3	Michelle Peel	Donaghmore Ashbourne
4	Sarah Powderly	Navan O’Mahonys
5	Emma Troy	Boardsmill
6	Shauna Ennis	Na Fianna
7	Niamh Gallogly	Royal Gaels
8	Maire O’Shaughnessy	Donaghmore Ashbourne
9	Kate Byrne	Duleek Bellewstown
10	Megan Thynne	Dunsany
11	Aoibhin Cleary	Donaghmore Ashbourne
12	Vikki Wall	Dunboyne
13	Niamh O’Sullivan	Royal Gaels
14	Stacey Grimes	Seneschalstown
15	Fiona O’Neill	Dunboyne

Down team: 

1	AISLING BURNS	CASTLEWELLAN
2	CARA CUNNINGHAM	CASTLEWELLAN
3	ORLA BOYLE	RGU DOWNPATRICK
4	LAURA MORGAN	KILCOO
5	CHARA LAVERTY	KILCOO
6	ROISIN TORNEY	RGU DOWNPATRICK
7	HANNAH MURRAY	BREDAGH
8	MEGHAN DOHERTY	CARRYDUFF
9	CLARA MULVENA	ROSTREVOR
10	LAOISE DUFFY	BREDAGH
11	JESSICA FOY	CARRYDUFF
12	AOIFE KEOWN	CASTLEWELLAN
13	GRAINNE MCCLEAN	BRYANSFORD
14	KATE MCKAY	CARRYDUFF
15	NATASHA FERRIS	BRYANSFORD