Ladies preview: Dublin seek redemption amongst Ulster's elite

August 21, 2015

Half time action during the TG4 Ladies Championship finals ©LGFA

Only for Dublin's presence it would be an all Ulster affair as the two remaining quarter-finals in the TG4 Ladies Senior Championship take place on Saturday.

Armagh v Donegal, Clones, 12:30pm (S. Mulvihill), TG4 Senior Championship Quarter Final (Broadcast live on TG4)

These two sides are meeting for the first time since Armagh produced a perfect performance to defeat an unbeaten Donegal side in the National Football League Division 2 Final. Up until that match Donegal were undefeated and since then they have gone on to claim their first ever Ulster Senior title. Donegal football is certainly on a high as Termon are also the current All Ireland Club Champions. Yvonne McMonagle has recently returned from her travels and has been superb this season for Donegal. However, with Donegal's withdrawn style of play they need their talisman, Geraldine McLaughlin, to be on top form which she certainly has been to date but she picked up an injury in a recent club game so there are real worries over her fitness levels. McLaughlin is a player that can be compared in both talent and effect to the great Cora Staunton so her availability and fitness is vital to Donegal's chances.

Armagh have been progressing nicely throughout the championship despite their poor performace when losing to Monaghan in Ulster. In previous years there was a criticism that the Orchard were overly reliant on Caroline O'Hanlon but the emergence of Aimee Mackin has certainly eased that pressure. The young star announced herself when scoring 2-05 from play in their Division 2 final win over Donegal. There are worries also over the fitness of Sinead McCleary who limped off injured last time out against Westmeath, her position at centre half back is an extremely important one as she provides leadership and is a wonderful passer of the ball for the likes of Mackin, Fionnuala McKenna and Kelly Mallon.

This should be a tight and difficult match for both sides where scores will be at a premium. Armagh do hold the psychological boost of having defeated Donegal in a final but the Ulster Champions will have learned from that defeat and will have a plan for Mackin. The middfield battle will be intense but if Geraldine McLaughlin is not hampered by injury then Donegal will certainly fancy their chances and considering they are UIster champions they should be favourites for the win.

Dublin v Monaghan, Clones, 2:15pm (S. Joy), TG4 Senior Championship Quarter Finals (Broadcast live on TG4)

This match has so many fascinating facets that should make it a potential classic. Peter Clarke is a former Dublin manager whilst Gregory McGonigle is the former Monaghan manager. These two sides have been Cork's opposition in the last two All Ireland finals and both teams lost by a point in their respective appearances. Dublin will come into this match as the fancied side considering they are the Leinster Champions and were All Ireland finalists last year. However, this is not the same Dublin side that were so impressive in 2014. The side have been hit hard by emigration and retirements but Gregory McGonigle has been able to bring through some extremely talented young players. Gone are the likes of Sinead Aherne, Cliodhna O'Connor, Siobhan McGrath, Lindsey Peat and Denise Masterson but in their place are potential stars like Olwen Carey, Ciara Trant, Sarah McCaffrey and Amy Connolly. These are young stars that are used to winning at underage level so they will certainly not lack in confidence and their pace could be key.

In contrast to the young Dubs, Monaghan are packed full of experienced players who have been around to contest several All Ireland finals. Sharon Courtney leads the team from full back where she will pick up the Dublin dangerwoman, Lyndsey Davey. Fiona Lafferty is a welcome addition to the middle of the field as the Clare native partners Eileen McElroy. Ciara McAnespie and Catriona McConnell have been in good form up front and have benefitted from the industry and vision of Cora Courtney out the field. Caoimhe Mohan is a forward with devastating ability but she has not hit the heights of previous years yet, should that big performance come on Saturday it will be a massive boost to Monaghan.

This will be an intruing battle between a young Dublin side full of potential and an experienced Monaghan side capable of beating anyone on their day. Sinead Goldrick will be likely to pick up Caoimhe Mohan from the start and the winner of this battle will probably decide the winner of this match.

Kildare v Wexford, Crettyard GAA Club, 1:30pm (G. McMahon), TG4 Intermediate Championship Quarter Finals

Kildare and Wexford have already met this year in the Leinster Championship and that game went to Kildare who ran out easy winners in the end. Since then Wexford have progressed through the qualifiers by twice beating London and then comprehensively defeating Antrim in the previous round. Kildare have recently returned to the intermediate grade from senior football and they are prime candidates to make a swift return to the top level. Wexford have improved since their last meeting but having lost to Kildare already this year by 17 points the biq question is have they improved enough?

Fermanagh v Offaly, Mullahoran, 1:30pm (C. Dourneen), TG4 Intermediate Championship Quarter Finals

Fermanagh are the Ulster Intermediate champions and featured in last years All Ireland Final so you would be forgiven for thinking they are raging hot favourites going into this fixture. However, this is certainly not the case as they take on an Offaly side that have made great strides in recent years. Mairead Daly returned to the panel after a long injury and proved her worth with a 3 goal haul in the Division 4 final earlier this year and in Róisín Egan they have one of the countrys most talented young players in their ranks. Caroline Little is the Fermanagh star and she will carry the burden of expectation as normal for this match. The Ulster champions will be favourites but there is likely to be very little between these two sides at the final whistle.


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