TG4 Senior Semi Final: Team Line Out and Preview

 

 

The first of the TG4 Senior Championship Semi Finals between Laois and Cork will get under way this Saturday at 6pm in Cashel.

There will be big questions asked of both sides at the weekend, with many people looking at Cork’s one week turn around as a window of opportunity for Laois.

The two sides met in the final of the BGE Division 1 league earlier in the year. On that occasion Cork prevailed. The two sides were relatively evenly matched for approximately 45 minutes of the league final but Cork’s bench and an opportunistic goal ensured their victory.

Will Laois have learnt anything from the League Final? Have they strengthened their panel?

Laois showed great self belief in their quarter final against Tyrone. Tyrone were ahead for long periods of the game but a determined Laois kept fighting to edge pass them at the end. There was a similar story for Cork however. Trailing Dublin for long periods in their quarter final the rebels hit 7 unanswered points in the last ten minutes to book their place in the semi.

Both teams have a huge amount of extremely talented players, so it is hard to see where one of them will get the edge. Will it be self belief, will it be fitness or will it be luck??

Key Areas:

1. Will the Laois defence be able to cope with the Cork forwards? Cork score goals, there is no doubt. The pressure will be on Ciamh Dollard and her defence to keep the goals to a minimum… a tough ask.

2. Who on the Cork team will step up to Tracey Lawlor. Lawlor is the engine and lynch pin of the Laois side. If she is not marked tightly she can cause a huge amount a damage.

3. Will the Laois half forward line stop the Cork half backs attacking? Cork will be looking to drive from their defence. Their half back line is central to their attack, will the Laois defenders have the fitness to track them.

4. Sinead Doogue has been the key forward for Laois. Lining out at full forward, if she stays there Angela Walsh will have her hands full.

 If everyone performs this game could go right to the wire….