TG4 Munster Championship Previews

We have so much to look forward to this weekend and nothing more than the 2017 TG4 Munster Championship finals. The novel pairing of Waterford and Kerry will meet in the Senior Final and that will be preceded by the mouth watering Intermediate clash between Tipperary and Clare.

Saturday, July 8^th

TG4 Munster Intermediate Championship Final

Clare v Tipperary, Mallow Gaa Complex, 1:15pm

In 2016 Clare and Tipperary produced one of the best games of the championship as the Banner Ladies produced a scintillating performance to deny the championship favourites in the All Ireland Semi Final. Hopes will be high in Clare that they can again produce a big performance to deny their rivals. Niamh O’Dea has been one of the marquee players for Clare in recent years but, with question marks over her availability for the final, it will put a serious dent in their title ambitions. Tipperay are favourites for both the Munster and All Ireland Intermediate championships, but they were favourites in 2016 too but watched on as Clare stepped out in Croke Park on All Ireland Final day. However, this Tipperary side have shown great mental toughness as can be seen in their comeback against Wexford in the Lidl NFL Division 3 final and they produced a similar performance in the replay of that fixture. Their forward axis of Aishling Moloney and Aisling McCarthy is a key component of this Tipperary side, if they produce big performances it could be the boost they need to avenge their All Ireland Semi Final defeat to Clare in 2016.

 

TG4 Munster Senior Championship Final

 

Kerry v Waterford, Mallow GAA Complex, 3:15pm *** Match will be streamed live on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h7mGWcYJrg****

 

 

There is a huge sense of anticipation ahead of the Munster Senior Championship Final as Kerry and Waterford provide a novel pairing in the absence of Cork who were handed a very tough draw versus Monaghan in the All Ireland Qualifiers last night. Kerry have been in Munster finals in recent years and have shown that they are more than capable of rising to the occasion whereas, for this Waterford group, Munster Senior Final day is a totally new occasion. Kerry will look to their experienced campaigners to provide the leadership in what will surely be a frenetic encounter. Aislinn Desmond will provide leadership from full back behind team captain and centre back, Caroline Kelly. Emma Sherwood and Lorraine Scanlon will expect to control the game from the middle of the field but their inside forward line of Louise Ní Muircheartaigh, Sarah Houlihan and Laura Rogers looks to be the most potent weapon in their armory. Watch out also for young star, Fiadhna Tangney, who has been their standout young player at underage level and has the potential to be one of the best in the game in the future. Waterford have continued their stunning development of recent years by recording victories over both Cork and Kerry in the Munster Championship. Their excellent performances to date have been based on a strong defence, good organisation and a ruthless counterattack. Their full back line of Dunford, Caoimhe and Kate McGrath have been outstanding with Karen McGrath provinding cover and leadership from centre back. Mairead Wall and Emma Murray will hope to break even in the middle of the field but their scoring threat will be carried by Karie Murray, Aileen Wall and Michelle Ryan. Any indiscipline will be punished by the unerring deadball accuracy of Maria Delahunty who has emerged as one of the real shining lights of Ladies Gaelic Football. There is little to choose between these two teams which makes for a fantastic encounter.