By Jackie Cahill

Sunday will see the cream of ladies football in action at Croke Park with All-Ireland deciders at three grades.

Cork v Dublin, TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC final, Croke Park, 4.00pm.

Eamonn Ryan's Cork are within touching distance of a ninth TG4 All-Ireland ladies senior football championship crown in ten seasons.

In that time, they have lost just one game in the All-Ireland series, against Tyrone in 2010.

With Cork out of the equation, Dublin lifted the Brendan Martin Cup four years ago.

Dublin have rattled Cork in the 2011 and 2013 championships, spurning good opportunities to win both games after finding themselves in winning positions.

Last year's clash was particularly galling for Dublin as they led by nine points in the second half before Cork hit 1-10 without reply down the home stretch.

Dublin know they have what it takes to trouble the Rebelettes and manager Gregory McGonigle has previous final experience against them, having managed Monaghan in the 2011 and 2013 deciders.

Cork won this year's Tesco Homegrown Division 1 final clash between the sides and yet again, Dublin threw away a lead and failed to score in a 21-minute spell.

If Dublin can play for the full hour and find real consistency, they have a chance but Cork were awesome in their semi-final demolition of Armagh, with McGonigle's charges doing just about enough against Galway.

It's set up for another titanic tussle between the big city rivals but Cork have eight players in their ranks with eight All-Ireland medals and that experience gives them edge.

Verdict: Cork

Betting: Cork 1/2 Draw 9/1 Dublin 15/8

Down v Fermanagh, TG4 All-Ireland Ladies IFC final, Croke Park, 1.45pm.

Having lost to Down on three previous occasions this year, Fermanagh will hope that their luck is about to change on the biggest day of all.

Down have beaten the Erne County in two championship encounters, including the Ulster final, and in Division 2 of the Tesco Homegrown League.

Down had to work hard for their three-point semi-final victory over Leitrim, with Kyla Trainor's extra-time goal settling the tie.

In the second semi-final, Fermanagh made light work of Roscommon, rattling seven goals past the Westerners, with the Little sisters, Caroline and Sharon, helping themselves to a combined haul of 5-8.

Fermanagh have improved as the season has progressed and they are light years removed from the side that lost by 3-5 to 7-13 against Down in the League.

The big question is whether or not Fermanagh have closed the gap enough to lift the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup.

Six points separated the sides in the Ulster decider and while the margin could come down once again, Down are well placed to claim All-Ireland glory for the first time since their junior success 14 years ago.

Verdict: Down

Betting: Down 4/5 Draw 8/1 Fermanagh 6/5

 

New York v Wexford, TG4 All-Ireland Ladies JFC final, Croke Park, 11.45am.

An early start for New York and Wexford in the TG4 All-Ireland ladies junior football championship final at GAA HQ.

This fixture pits New York, beaten junior finalists after a 2011 replay against Wicklow, against Wexford, who were runners-up in 2013.

New York enjoyed an emphatic 5-12 to 1-5 semi-final victory over Derry, as Wexford defeated Leinster rivals Louth by five points.

There are a number of top quality performers on both sides, including Wexford's dual star Fiona Rochford, who will operate at full-forward, and New York's dangerous Cavan native Emma Clarke at corner forward.

Wexford failed to make an impact in Division 3 of the Tesco Homegrown League this year but their championship form is impressive and they are fuelled by a burning desire to atone for last year's final defeat to Offaly.

But New York are a formidable outfit and the bookies are finding it difficult to split the finalists, installing Wexford as narrow favourites.

This one could go right down to the wire - and extra-time wouldn't come as any great surprise - but New York are our tip for West County Hotel Cup glory.

Verdict: New York

Betting: Wexford 10/11 Draw 8/1 New York evens

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