TG4 All-Ireland Quarter finals Venues and times

1.30 p.m.O’Connor Park, Tullamore Cork v Mayo

3.30 p.m. O’Connor Park, Tullamore Kerry v Monaghan

1.30 p.m. Pearse Park, Longford Galway v Laois

3.30 p.m. Pearse Park, Longford Dublin v Donegal

After recording their first ever Munster Championship
success in Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday evening, Cork’s
joy was somewhat dampened by drawing reigning All-Ireland
champions Mayo in the quarterfinals. Mayo narrowly
defeated Cork earlier on this year in the final
of the Suzuki Ladies National Football League, but
Cork are the hottest property in Ladies Football
after successive victories over Waterford and Kerry
saw them claim the Munster title.

Nobody really knows what to expect from Mayo, who
still possess one of the finest teams ever assembled
in Ladies Football, but who have looked stale and
tired in their two defeats to Galway. The Cork-Mayo
game is fixed for 1.30pm in Tullamore on Saturday,
August 28th.

The other outstanding tie sees 11-time All-Ireland
champions Kerry take on a rejuvenated Monaghan in
Tullamore on the same day at 3.30pm. Kerry may have
been well beaten by Cork in the provincial decider
but will still be ranked as one of the favourites
for All-Ireland glory. However, with Jenny Greenan,
Niamh Kindon and Edel Byrne back on form, and veteran
Brenda McAnespie a scoring threat, Monaghan could
yet sustain a charge to October’s final.

In the other two ties fixed for Pearse Park, Longford
for Saturday, August 28th, Galway will be expected
to overcome Laois, while John O’Leary’s Leinster
champions Dublin will be confident of beating Donegal,
although these games may not be as straightforward
as people expect.

Donegal proved plucky opposition in the Ulster final,
while Laois have improved since Gerry McGill took
over mid season and have tradition on their side.
This season has been characterised by the emergence
of teams like Cork and Galway as new provincial
champions, and is by far the most competitive and
open championship to date, with just about every
team left believing they have realistic ambitions.