By Jackie Cahill Monaghan returned to the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies senior football final for the first time since 2002 after scoring a comfortable seven-point victory over Connacht champions Mayo at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday evening. The Ulster champions produced a fantastic attacking performance, particularly in the second half, to see off the challenge of the Westerners in Navan on a 2-16 to 1-12 scoreline. Player of the match Niamh Kindlon, full forward Edel Byrne and corner forward Ciara McAnespie were in brilliant form throughout for Monaghan, who will fancy their chances of securing a first All-Ireland title since 1997 when they meet Cork or Tyrone on September 28. Monaghan led by just a single point at half time, 1-8 to 0-10, but completely outclassed Mayo in the second half with a devastating display as last year's beaten finalists were restricted to just 1-2. With some brilliant point-taking from both sides in the opening 17 minutes of the game, they were level on no fewer than five occasions before Byrne, who missed a good goal chance after just three minutes, found the net nine minutes before the interval. After she was hauled down by Mayo full back Helena Lohan, Byrne dusted herself off and drilled the resultant penalty straight down the middle past Mayo goalkeeper Yvonne Byrne. Monaghan could have been further ahead at the break but for the attacking brilliance of Mayo's decorated forward Cora Staunton, who scored 0-8 of her 1-9 in the opening half. The pick of Staunton's first half points was a 14th-minute effort when she worked desperately hard to find space before pulling the trigger. Mayo remained in contention for the opening stages of the second half but Monaghan upped the tempo and after Catriona McConnell banged over a superb left-footed point midway through, the Farney girls never looked back. Leading by six points, 0-12 to 1-15, with eight minutes left, Monaghan killed the game stone dead when wing-forward Therese McNally cut in from the left wing and coolly slotted past Yvonne Byrne for a superb solo goal. As Monaghan supporters counted down the final seconds before the full-time hooter, Staunton stepped up and lashed a last-gasp penalty past Linda Martin for a consolation goal for Mayo. Meanwhile, Tipperary produced their best performance of the season to book a place in the final of the 2008 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies intermediate football championship. Edel Hanley scored five points as the Premier County upset last year's beaten finalists Wexford 0-13 to 1-6 to advance to a first All-Ireland final at any grade since 1980, when senior success was secured. Tipp raced into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead but with a run of four unanswered points, Wexford moved 0-4 to 0-3 clear midway through the first half. Hanley almost found the net ten minutes before half-time but her effort was pushed over the crossbar by back-pedalling Wexford goalkeeper Mary Rose Kelly. Tipp corner forward Edith Carroll kicked the point of the half with the outside of her boot seven minutes before the break to open up a 6-4 lead but Shelly Doyle and Sharon Kehoe ensured that the sides were level at the break, 0-6 apiece. However, Wexford would not score again until just seconds before the full-time hooter as Tipperary scored seven unanswered points in the second half. The Munster outfit always looked comfortable but goalkeeper Patricia Hickey, who was impressive throughout, produced a fine save with her outstretched leg 14 minutes after half-time to keep out dual star Kate Kelly's shot. The excellent Hanley blasted just over at the other end two minutes later before Tipp, inspired by a powerful performance from midfielder Mairéad Morrissey, added further scores from veteran captain Angie McDermott and Gillian O'Brien. Hanley struck the butt of the post with four minutes remaining and with just seconds left, Wexford ended their barren run in the second half as Leona Tector blasted a quickly-taken free to the net. Tipperary will meet Clare or Longford in the final. Meanwhile, the junior decider will be contested by London and Derry, who won their respective semi-finals over the weekend. London ran out 2-10 to 0-5 winners against Wicklow at St Peregrine's in Dublin on Saturday before Derry recorded a comprehensive 4-15 to 0-8 victory against Ulster rivals Antrim at Mullaghbawn on Sunday. ****** TG4 Ladies senior football championship semi-final result: From Páirc Tailteann, Navan Monaghan 2-16 Mayo 1-12 Monaghan scorers: Edel Byrne 1-4 (1-0 pen), Niamh Kindlon 0-7 (4f), Therese McNally 1-0, Ciara McAnespie 0-3, Catriona McConnell 0-2 (1f). Mayo scorers: Cora Staunton 1-9 (1-0 pen, 0-5f), Ciara McDermott, Fiona McHale & Lisa Cafferky 0-1 each. Tipperary scorers: Edel Hanley 0-5 (2f), Gillian O'Brien 0-3, Mairéad Morrissey & Edith Carroll 0-2 each, Angie McDermott 0-1. Wexford scorers: Leona Tector 1-0, Sharon Kehoe 0-2, Tara Moloney 0-2f, Deirdre Fox & Shelly Doyle 0-1 each. GAA - TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Junior football semi final result: London 2-10 Wicklow 0-5. GAA - TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Junior football semi final result: Derry 4-15 Antrim 0-8. Tweet

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