14 July 2006 This weekends TG4 Championship Previews Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! This weekends TG4 Championship Previews MEATH are aiming to dish out some capital punishment on Saturday when they face reigning champions Dublin in the TG4 Leinster Ladies SFC semi-final at Ratoath. The Royals, who have never reached an All Ireland Final let alone won the Brendan Martin Cup, are widely tipped to break Dublins provincial dominance this year and Geraldine Sheridans side will enter Saturdays clash as favourites having already beaten their neighbours during the round robin section. If the likes of Mary Sheridan, Gillian Bennett and All-Star Geraldine Doherty can click in attack, then the Royals should advance to a Leinster decider. Dublin, who struggled in the early half of the year and were relegated from Division One in the National League, seem to have rediscovered their form in recent weeks but they remain weakened by the decision of over half a dozen of last years players to opt off the panel this season. Dublins All Star Captain, Mary Nevin is upbeat going into the match despite being rated as underdogs. We were bitterly disappointed to lose to Meath three weeks ago but we have put in a lot of work this week and we have watched the video of the Meath game several times and we are really confident of putting in a strong performance at the weekend. The minors coming in have helped to strengthen the squad also and they were really unlucky to lose to Cork last week so Im sure they will add to the team. SUNDAY, July 16th, 2006 TG4 Leinster Senior Championship semi-final, Laois v Kildare; Stradbally; 2.00pm In the second Leinster semi-final, Laois will face Kildare in a repeat of the Suzuki Division Two National League final from earlier this year which was won by the OMoore County. Laois have home advantage in their favour this Sunday and after an impressive win over Meath recently, they should have too much firepower for Kildare. Laois will be hoping that Mary Kirwan continues her hot streak in front of goal as she scored 2-8 in the demolition of Meath and 1-8 in last weeks defeat of Kildare. Saturday, July 15th TG4 Munster Senior Championship semi-final, Waterford v Kerry; Fraher Field, Waterford; 6.00pm Down south, Michael Ryans Waterford face Kerry in the Munster semi-final at Fraher Field on Saturday evening with All-Ireland champions Cork awaiting the victors in the decider. Waterford, five time All-Ireland Champions, will look to the experienced Mary ODonnell for inspiration. The sides met in the round robin section with the Kingdom emerging victorious by the minimum. Sunday, July 16th Armagh v Tyrone; Mullaghabawn; 3.00pm Armagh, who comfortably beat Donegal in the quarter-finals, face rivals Tyrone on Sunday afternoon in what should be a gripping encounter. Armagh have been in superb form since winning the Junior title last October and are many peoples tips to follow in the footsteps of Joe Kernans men and to go and claim the Ulster title. Armagh captain Bronagh ODonnell said, Were really looking forward to the match, this will be our third championship game so we feel like were on a bit of a run especially having played so well against Donegal. Weve improved a lot since we last played Tyrone in January but Im sure they have too as they are always there or thereabouts when it comes to the Championship. This will be our first home game of the Championship so hopefully we will have a large home crowd to support us. Sunday, July 16th, 2006 Down v Monaghan; Downpatrick; 3.00pm Monaghan, who last reached the All Ireland final in 2002 when they lost to Mayo, will be favourites to beat Down in the second semi-final, which takes place in Downpatrick at 3.00 on Sunday. Monaghan will be without Christina Reilly, Catriona McConnell, Isobel Kiernans and Catriona Brady who have all been lost to injury while Down have a full squad to pick from with former Antrim camogie representative, Kerrie ONeill expected to make her debut. SATURDAY TG4 Leinster Senior Championship semi-final Meath v Dublin; Ratoath; 2.00pm TG4 Munster Senior Championship semi-final Waterford v Kerry; Fraher Field, Waterford; 6.00pm SUNDAY TG4 Leinster Senior Championship semi-final Laois v Kildare; Stradbally; 2.00pm TG4 Ulster Senior Championship semi-finals Armagh v Tyrone; Mullaghabawn; 3.00pm Down v Monaghan; Downpatrick; 3.00pm TG4 Ulster Junior Championship Cavan v Antrim; Breffni Park; 3.00pm Fermanagh v Monaghan; Lisnaskea; 2.00pm Ulster Under-16 Championship Down v Derry Downpatrick 1.30pm Share this Article 0 0