Previews: ladies national league finals

May 08, 2015

Rival captains. Waterford captain Linda Wall, Sligo captain Stephanie O'Reilly, Cork's Doireann O'Sullivan, Galway captain Geraldine Conneally, Caroline O'Hanlon of Armagh and Donegal captain Katy Herron. INPHO

It is set to be a cracking weekend of ladies football action with three national league finals on Saturday.

TESCO NFL Division 1 Final
Cork v Galway, Parnell Park. 3:45pm (Gavin Corrigan)

Cork are the standard bearers in the game. The Rebellettes are going for their third Division 1 title in a row and 8th since 2005. Galway are returning to the Division 1 Final for the first time since 2010, a final they lost to Cork whilst Galway have never won this title having lost 4 finals, 2 to Cork. The omens are with Cork but this is a Galway team that is high on confidence.

Cork are a much different team than in previous years as they are without star performers like Angela Walsh, Elaine Harte, Juliet Murphy, Nollaig Cleary and Deirdre O'Reilly who got married last week but is named on the bench. However, they are not without some heavy hitters like Rena Buckley, Briege Corkery, Geraldine O'Flynn, Bríd Stack, Annie Walsh and Valerie Mulcahy. What is most notable is the emergence of young stars that are now established as leaders on this team, Roisin Phelan has made the full back spot her own with All Star wingback Vera Foley facilitating the move of Corkery to midfield. Aisling Hutchings starts at centre forward alongside captain Ciara O'Sullivan. However, there is still a reliance on Valerie Mulcahy to produce the necessary scores for the Rebellettes but she is joined by talented youngsters Orla Finn and Doireann O'Sullivan in the full forward line. The real strength of Cork is in their ability to introduce match winning performers from the bench and with players like Rhona Ní Bhuachalla, Emma Farmer and the superb Emer Scally available it makes this a daunting task for Galway.

Galway finished top of the group after Cork slipped up against Dublin in the final round and were devastating against the Dubs when they met in the semi final as they ran riot over last year's beaten finalists. This Galway team is much like their opponents on Saturday as they have a great blend of youth and experience. Established stars like Emer Flaherty, Sinead Burke, Annette Clarke, Ger Conneally and Edel Concannon are joined by the outstanding young talents that are the Ward twins, 18 year old Nicole and Louise. In Tracey Leonard Galway possess the most consistent performer in the league, the outstanding full forward netted twice against Dublin in the semi final. Edel Concannon has returned to the starting line up after an injury hampered 2014 and she has made up for lost time with 7 goals to her name so far in the league. The return of Patricia Gleeson to the starting line up has also given Galway a solid looking line through the spine of the team whilst there is talent available from the sideline in the form of all Ireland winners Lorna Joyce and Aoibheann Daly.

The key battle is that between Valerie Mulcahy and Emer Flaherty who has been particularly outstanding for Galway. If Mulcahy edges this it will certainly help Cork's cause and she does tend to save her best for the national stage. Midfield will be a great battle between two very well established sets of players but up front Galway might actually hold an edge where their pacey forwards will cause Cork trouble. Galway are more than capable of defeating this Cork side but, as Cork have shown time and time again, you don't bet against them in the big games.

TESCO NFL Division 2 Final
Armagh v Donegal, Parnell Park, 2:00pm (G. Corrigan)

This is a mouth watering clash of two counties that are more than capable of operating at a higher level. Armagh's progress in recent years has been stunning. The 2012 Intermediate All Ireland champions were promoted as Division 3 Champions last year when they also shocked Monaghan to claim the Ulster Championship. Donegal were relegated from Division 1 only last year but, buoyed by Termon's All Ireland Club Championship win, they really have reawoken to become a real force in the game.

Armagh have long relied on their star performer, Caroline O'Hanlon. The three time All Star and current Player's Player of the Year is a Rolls Royce in the middle of the field but, significantly, other players have really stepped up to the mark this year. Mairead Tennyson is an All Star cornerback who will surely be detailed the job of matching Donegal's Geraldine McLaughlin. Sinead McCleary is an experienced and strong performer at centre back with Kelly Mallon doing well at centre forward. However, it is in their full forward line that most excitement is being generated where Fionnuala McKenna is delivering on her rich promise. Lauren McConville is a dangerous performer in the corner but the emergence of Aimee Mackin in the other corner is giving Armagh supporters most reason for optimism, the 18 year old oozes class and was a scorer of 1-08 in their semi final victory over Cavan, all of which came from play.

Donegal have been the form team in the division from the very first round of the league and have topped the table ever since, scoring an incredible 38 goals during their campaign. Most notably much of those scores have come in the absence of their injured star, Geraldine McLaughlin. Geraldine has now returned to action to strengthen Donegal's hand and if she hits her incredible best form then it will be a huge boost for Donegal. 2010 All Star, Yvonne McMonagle has been a star for Donegal at full forward all season along with their centre forward Niamh Hegarty. Their midfield duo will work hard to match Armagh's strong pairing but as a defensive unit lead by Ciara Hegarty they have been hugely impressive.

This match is very close to call. Donegal carry form into this match but Armagh trump them on experience as they play on league final day for the third year in a row. If Tennyson can get the better of McLaughlin it could sway the match in Armagh's favour but should Guthrie and Herron get the better of Armagh's midfield duo then Donegal will be favourites.

TESCO NFL Division 3 Final
Sligo v Waterford, Parnell Park, 12:15pm (J.Murphy)

Sligo and Waterford lock horns in the Division 3 final in a match that the Deise will be strong favourites to win. Waterford came through the League with a 100% record scoring an incredible 26 goals along the way. Sligo had a more difficult path to the final as they had to wait until the final round to confirm their place in the knock out stages, being underdogs will more than suit Sligo who have improved immeasurably since their rout at the hands of Waterford on a scoreline of 5-13 to 1-06 in Round 2. Sligo will need a big performance from captain and key player Stephanie O'Reilly if they are to claim victory over Waterford, Emma Hansberry is named as a substitute and if she is available to come into the action the young international soccer star could be a match winning performer. Waterford have a  very strong looking team named as they hope to make up for last year's defeat at this same stage. Elaine Power and Mairead Wall should compete well at midfield where they will be aided by livewire forward Aileen Wall. Sinead Ryan and Michelle Ryan are both match winners in the forward line where they are joined by the young talent that is Aoife Murray. Sligo are the underdogs which will very much suit them but they will find the going very tough against Waterford.


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