TG4 Championship Previews

This weekend the action in the TG4 Championship will take place in Munster and Connacht as both provinces host their Senior and Intermediate Championships. In Munster there is a highly anticipated meeting of the old rivals, Cork and Kerry whilst the rivalry will be as intense as Galway and Mayo meet on Sunday in Connacht.

TG4 Ladies Football Championship Previews

 

11^th, July 2015

 

TG4 Munster Intermediate Championship Final

 

Waterford v Clare, Mallow, 4:00pm

 

Waterford are attempting to make it an incredible 7 Munster Intermediate championship wins in a row this weekend but they face a real battle when the meet Clare in Saturday’s final. Clare have been a senior championship team in recent years and have regularly crossed swords with Kerry and Cork meaning that they will have huge experience on their side. The two teams have recently met in the Round Robin series and it was Waterford that emerged victorious. However, this time Clare will welcome back Ailish Considine and Eimear Hillary who will both make an impact on the scoreboard. However, Waterford have responded well to their surprise League Final defeat to Sligo and welcome back Hannah Landers to full fitness. In Aileen Wall and Sinead Ryan they also possess match winning performers which might just tip the scales in favour of the Deise but only just.

 

TG4 Munster Senior Championship Final

 

Cork v Kerry, Mallow, 6:00pm

 

Cork and Mayo will be the highlight of the action in Mallow today. These two old rivals will go into battle with much at stake. Kerry have changed their manager this season with Alan O’Neill taking the reigns and he has introduced plenty of changes to the set up. However, the bulk of the scoring expectation still rests with Sarah Houlihan and Louise Ní Muircheartaigh who will both need to perform well to give the Kingdom a chance.

 

Cork have faced Kerry enough times to know not to take anything for granted. Since their All Ireland win in 2014 they have lost the services of Angela Walsh and Nollaig Clery along with the absence of Doireann O’Sullivan through injury. However, they always seem to be able to unearth new talent as Marie Ambrose and Aisling Hutchings to fill the void. Valerie Mulcahy remains the star turn for Cork and she should be able to point the way to victory for the defending champions.

 

 

12^th July 2015

 

TG4 Connacht Intermediate Championship Final

 

Sligo v Leitrim, Elvery’s McHale Park, 2:00pm

 

Leitrim are the defending champions but they will go into this match under pressure as they have lost the last two matches they have played against Sligo. The Yeat’s county now own League and championship victories over their great rivals and will be determined to maintain their advantage. Katie Walsh has lead the way for Sligo from full forward and with question marks over the availability of international soccer star, Emma Hansberry, she may have to shoulder even more responsibility. Leitrim will look to their star forward, Áine Tighe for inspiration. The tall forward can be unmarkable on her day but she will be a marked woman on Sunday. Form suggests that Sligo will win this Connacht title but there is nothing between these sides.

 

TG4 Connacht Senior Championship Final

 

Galway v Mayo, Elvery’s McHale Park, 4:00pm

 

Galway are looking for a 4^th Connacht title in a row when they meet their old enemy Mayo in the final. All the form is on Galway’s side who are coming into this match after pushing Cork to a replay in the League Final in May. Mayo on the other hand haven’t had a competitive match since their last league match in mid April. However, the word from inside the Mayo camp is that they are more than ready to face this challenge and have been making significant strides. Of course Mayo will have a great chance whilst they have Cora Staunton in their side but she will be closely marked by Emer Flaherty. Sarah Rowe will be an important figure as the attention attracted by her captain may leave more space for Rowe whilst Fiona McHale will be expected to chip in with a few scores.

 

Galway have a super attacking unit lead by Tracey Leonard who has been one of the stars of Ladies Gaelic Football this year to date. Geraldine Conneally and Annette Clarke are a superb midfield pairing whist the Ward sisters, Nicole and Louise are key to their chances. Mayo will be under pressure to put a stop to Galway’s recent supremacy by it is hard to see past this well drilled and well balanced Galway side.