Mayo fancied in big Connacht Clash

Ladies Football. TG4 Connaught Finals
Mayo still fancied.

If one were to make a line of comparison on the 2 Provincial
Finals played to date, you could make a strong case for
another upset in the Connaught final at McHale Park in Castlebar
on Sunday. Mayo the All-Ireland Champions take on the new
pretenders Galway in a final that promises much. Mayo will
enter the contest buoyed by the fact that they have defeated
their opponents in their 2 previous encounters in the league
and in the round robin Connaught series. While it will be
a factor it will certainly not intimidate Galway. They know
that they have nothing to lose and the hunger for the title
should be a hugely influencing factor in their approach
to the game. The fact that the losers still advance to the
quarter final will not enter the equation too much, but
it is a nice cushion to have if things do not go right for
any reason for either of the teams on the day

Tried and trusted.

Mayo have a tied and trusted line-up and with the return
of Claire Egan, the end of the Cora Staunton injury scare,
the sad loss of Aisling McGing will be another factor in
unifying and bonding. their already close knit squad even
more. Everybody with even a passing interest know that Galways
time is nigh, they have a very successful underage set-up.
They won last years Minor title and added the Junior crown
and were runners-up to Cork in the under 14 and 16 All-Ireland
finals. On Saturday last they looked hugely impressive in
handing out a sound beating to a fancied Cork team in the
under 16 All-Ireland Semi-final. They may have to wait a
little while longer for the big one. One must remember as
well that this is their first year at Senior level and perhaps
the expectations of the public may be too great. There is
little doubt that the expectations of the management are
high and they know the team will not be present on Sunday
to make up numbers. They have a very strong core to their
team and are very speedy and effective on the wings. The
spine of the team is made up of Lisa Cohill, Anette Clarke
and Patricia Gleeson. Mayo are balanced right throughout
the field from keeper Denise Horan to the corner forward
and it will be another major surprise if the do not hold
on the their crown.

Junior Final.

It is great to see counties like Sligo and Leitrim contest
the Junior final timed for the same venue at 2pm. For too
long they have lived in the shadows of Roscommon and Galway
at Junior level. Leitrim have been going great guns and
their stint in div 2 of the Suzuki National league will
have done wonders for Sligo.

Under 14 Final.

The under All-Ireland final takes place at Ennis on Saturday
at 2.30pm. Old rival Cork and Mayo who met in the 2,000
decider cross swords again. Cork are going for 4 in a row
and an injury doubt about their inspirational playmaker
Amanda Murphy casts a shadow on their prospects. Amanda
has played in the last 3 All-Ireland finals and scored 3-6
against Dublin in the Semi, retired injured after 5 minutes
of the under 16 All-Ireland Semi-Final. Underage games can
change very quickly and on the day the outcome will depend
on who adopts better to the huge occasion. Cork will want
to make it 4 in a row, Mayo will want to win one.

Fr. Liam Kelleher Pro 087-8516984

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