Match Previews

Match Previews

Saturday 6th September

 

TG4 Intermediate Championship Semi-final

Clare v Longford

O’Connor Park, Tullamore, Co. Offaly; 1.45pm (D Corcoran)

 

Clare topped their group to qualify for the semi-finals despite an early
loss to Roscommon they advanced in impressive fashion with victories
over Cavan Limerick and confirmed finalists Tipperary. Clare are a
young side but have the experience of Majella Griffin upfront to lead by
example.

 

Longford came through a closely fought play-off with Fermanagh to secure
their semi-final berth but have been in fine goal scoring form all
summer. Longford scored 15 goals in their four group matches so Clare’s
defence will be wary of the threat posed by Edel Quinn and Michelle
McElvany in-front of goal.

 

Clare won the National League Division 2 title earlier in the season, so
they know how to win big matches but this will be a close affair with
very little between the two sides.

 

CLARE: D Walsh, L Kelly, S Kelly, M Delaney, G Lynch, T Hehir, S
Eustace, S Malone, L Henchy, M Considine, M Kelly, N Keane, A Kelly, E
Considine, M Griffin

LONGFORD: M Kilkenny, A Brady, E Brady, A Melia, M Brady, S Treacy, D
Levy, S McGowan, A Smith, M Ross, E Quinn, J Brady, M Kiernan, D
Murtagh, M McElvany

 

VERDICT: Clare

 

 

TG4 Senior Championship Semi-final

Cork v Tyrone

O’Connor Park, Tullamore, Co. Offaly; 3.30pm (L McDonagh)

 

Cork are just one step away from their fourth consecutive All Ireland
final appearance and it is hard to see Tyrone having the firepower to
outscore the Rebelettes. Valerie Mulcahy is a handful in the full
forward line while the midfield partnership of Juliet Murphy and Briege
Corkery is formidable.

 

Tyrone have been knocking on the door for a number of years and have a
very talented 15 if not the strength in depth of Cork’s squad. The
Tyrone defence is sound but the question to be asked is whether their
attack will get any change out of Cork frugal defence. Gemma Begley
will lead the line for Tyrone with Eileen Gormley and Lynette Hughes
also expected to pose questions of Angela Walsh’s back three.

 

The key for Tyrone is disrupting Cork’s rhythm and preventing their
half-backs from flooding forward and supporting the attack. But knowing
what needs to be done and doing it effectively against a team of Cork’s
calibre is another matter altogether.

 

CORK: E Harte, C Walsh, A Walsh, L Barret, S O’Reilly, B Stack, G
O’Flynn, J Murphy, B Corkery, N Cleary, M O’Connor, A Murphy, V Mulcahy,
A O’Shea, D O’Reilly

TYRONE: S McVey, S McLaughlin, M Kelly, S Keenan, A Hagan, L Donnelly, C
Fox, N Woods, S Donnelly, C McAliskey, G Begley, C Donnelly, C McGahan,
E Gormley, L Hughes

 

VERDICT: Cork