The remaining two All Ireland Quarter Finals take centre stage on another busy weekend of Ladies football as Cork continue their quest for a seventh consecutive Brendan Martin Cup success.

 

Saturday, August 19th

TG4 Senior All Ireland Quarter Finals

Cork v Galway, Cusack Park, Mullingar 12:30pm (N. McCormack) ***Televised Live on TG4***

Cork have already overcome one stiff challenge by defeating Monaghan in the Qualifiers. However, it doesn't get any easier for the champions as they get set to meet the Connacht Champions in Mullingar on Sunday. Jess O'Shea and Niamh Cotter are both named on the starting 15 but there are doubts that this will be the midfield pairing that will start the match. Eimear Scally and Orla Finn will hope to repeat their haul of 5 points each from either side of the impressive Áine O'Sullivan in the full forward line. Bríd Stack will anchor the defence from centre half back where she will hope to have a big influence on proceedings once again. Galway will be without the services of their injured star forward, Róisín Leonard, but hopes are high that Tracey Leonard can return to the form she had been showing prior to serious injury. Mairead Seoighe was their goal scoring hero from the Connacht Final and the Tribes will need her to have a similar return this weekend. Emer Flaherty and Sinead Burke are an experienced defensive duo for Galway and they must be at their best to limit the opportunities to the strong Cork attacking unit. Cork will feel that they can improve more from their performance against Monaghan whereas Galway will worry that they haven't had a significant test since their Connacht Final victory in early July.

Donegal v Mayo, Cusack Park, Mullingar 2:15pm (G. Chapman) ***Televised Live on TG4***

Donegal are amongst the favourites for this TG4 Senior All Ireland Championship but they will have a significant test of those credentials against Mayo in Mullingar. A strong spine of Ciara Hegarty, Katy Herron, Karen Guthrie and Niamh Hegarty should provide the platform from which they can launch the dangerous attacking duo of Geraldine McLaughlin and Yvonne McMonagle. McLaughlin and McMonagle are a pairing that will cause any defence problems so Sarah Tierney and Martha Carter will need to be performing at their best to deny this pair space. Mayo's midfield pairing of Aileen Gilroy and Fiona McHale will hope to at least break even with Guthrie and Herron and, should the Mayo duo get the upper hand, it will mean a steady supply of ball for Cora Staunton who will be determined to have a big game this weekend. There is little to separate these teams although the form guide may point to the Ulster Champions who were also extremely impressive throughout their Lidl NFL Division 1 campaign.

 

Sunday, August 20th

TG4 Intermediate All Ireland Quarter Finals

Sligo v Roscommon, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim 1:30pm (M. Kenny)

These Connacht neighbours will meet again after Roscommon gained the upper hand in their Connacht championship encounter earlier this Summer. Despite this loss Sligo went on to clinch the Connacht title and will hope to go one further than last season and reach the TG4 All Ireland Final. Roscommon have already scored an impressive victory over Down and will be full of determination against their Connacht neighbours this weekend. Jenny Higgins returns to the starting line up and, although named at corner forward, she will likely drift out the field and link with Joanne Cregg and Laura Fleming. Sligo are a strong and experienced unit and will feel that with players like Noelle Gormley, Jacqui Mulligan and Ethna Flanagan in their ranks that they have the know how to claim a victory. Their key player is Stephanie O'Reilly at centre forward, her performance will be a key deciding factor in the clash. There is little between these sides but Sligo's experience will be invaluable in this Quarter Final.

Tyrone v Leitrim, Páirc Seán MacDiarmada (G. Corrigan)

Tyrone enter this TG4 Intermediate Quarter Final without having had a significant test as they progressed through the Ulster championship with relative ease. There is a great mix of youth and experience in the Tyrone ranks as established stars like Neamh Woods and Gemma Begley are joined by emerging talents like Maria Canavan. Leitrim were given a serious scare in their Qualifier match versus Longford, emerging by only two points despite scoring 7 goals themselves. Áine Tighe carries much of the Leitrim threat and Tyrone will be sure to have planned to limit her effect on the match. Should Tyrone manage to curb Tighe's influence they will be confident of moving on to the Semi Finals.

TG4 Intermediate Championship Relegation Play Off

Longford v Louth, Mullahoran, Cavan 2:00pm (B. Rice)

(The loser of this match will be relegated)

The meeting of Longford and Louth is a very significant game as the loser will be relegated to the Junior Championship with the winner playing Limerick to decide who will be the other side relegated. Longford have shown better form this year and will feel that, if they continue to play to the best of their ability, that they will secure their status in the Intermediate ranks for 2017.

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