TG4 Junior All Ireland Football Final
Louth v Scotland, 11:45am
Louth return to Croke Park for the third time since 2010 and will do so in the hope of banishing the memories of those previous defeats. It is unfamiliar opposition this year as Scotland make the journey to Dublin for their first ever All-Ireland final which is a remarkable feat considering this is the first year that Scotland has had a county team. Louth will depend on the experience of players like captain Michelle McMahon and midfielder Grace Lynch but the focus of their attention will be on ace forward Kate Flood who was outstanding in their semi final victory as she scored five goals against Lancashire and she scored a whopping 4-06 when they played Scotland earlier this year.
Scotland are a side that is not lacking in experience despite it being their first year. Olive McCafferty has won an All-Ireland with Donegal and was a member of the All-Ireland club championship winning Termon team, Karen Feeney was a team mate of Olive’s on the 2010 championship winning Donegal side, Caoilfhionn Deeney was a vital member of the Wicklow team that won this title in 2011 whilst Sue O’Sullivan played for Meath since 2001. However, it is their captain, Rosanna Heeney who has the most relevant experience having played for Louth when last they were in Croke Park in 2012.
Louth have been knocking on the door for the last year so they will not lack in motivation to win the title this year. However, Scotland will be a very tough nut to crack with a core group of experienced players. When last these teams met there were 30 points between them, this time it will be much closer but it will be hard to see Scotland making up that kind of deficit.
TG4 Intermediate All Ireland Final
Kildare v Waterford, 1:45pm
These teams have not met in years as Kildare were in the senior grade until this year and Waterford have been the nearly team at intermediate level during that time. There is no head to head record to look at when picking a winner making this match all the more intriguing. Kildare made short work of their Leinster championship campaign and were in superb form in their semi-final as they again defeated Offaly with a hattrick of goals from talented young attacker Eadaoin Connolly. They last played in Croke Park in 2004 and only two players remain from that victory; captain Aisling Holton and ace attacker Maria Moolick. Aisling Savage has improved the defence immeasurably since her move to full back whilst Joanna Timmons and Holton are a potent midfield pairing.
Waterford have been here before and have had bad memories after losing out to Donegal in 2010 and Armagh in 2012. They return to Croke Park with a new squad including 13 players who weren’t on the panel in 2014. However there is a strong group of experienced players who are essential to their prospects for success - Karen McGrath, Linda Wall, Elaine Power, Mairead Wall and Louise Ryan have been the backbone of this team for many years. However, the headline generators have been Maria Delahunty whose long range free taking has set her apart with everything from the 45 yard line becoming scorable. The real bright spark for Waterford this year has been Aileen Wall, the diminutive attacker has been brilliant again this year as her direct running has proven to be a huge threat to opposition defences.
This match is going to be a titanic struggle between two well-matched teams. Promising young defender, Lydia Furey has been moved from the corner to wingback to keep close tabs on Aileen Wall and if she can win that battle it will be a huge boost to Kildare’s chances. However, experience and motivation should be on the side of Waterford which will make them the favourites but a draw is a real possibility.
TG4 Senior All Ireland Final
Cork v Dublin, 4:00pm
Who could ever forget the classic All-Ireland final of 12 months ago. A Dublin team playing superb football were 10 points clear going into the closing stages against the champions but Cork rallied and came back eventually clinching the game through a brilliant Geraldine O’Flynn point. These same two sides are back and there are plenty of scores to settle. Cork captain Ciara O’Sullivan has spoken about that comeback: "People said that it was a fluke and that we were lucky so we really want to put that right". On the other side Dublin are still hurting from that defeat but have introduced plenty of new, young talent to bolster their experienced core.
Dublin have lost eight of last year’s starting 15 through a combination of injury, retirement and emigration but they have compensated that loss by bringing in plenty of their Under 21 All-Ireland winning squad to revitalise the group. Captain Lyndsey Davey, is the focal point of this Dublin attack as she is often the player that wins the hard ball and whilst she is always good for a few scores her real talent is in setting up her team mates with her superb vision. Carla Rowe has been the player that has stepped up to become one of their heaviest scorers from wing forward so she will need to have a big day for the sky blues. Dublin’s defence have been outstanding throughout with U21 graduates Olwen Carey and Muireann Scanaill (a water girl in 2014) being particularly impressive in the full back line. Sorcha Furlong and Sinead Finnegan provide the leadership at the back with Molly Lamb and the excellent Sinead Goldrick driving the team forward from the centre of the field.
Cork will come into this game as the favourites, a position they are more than used to. However, there will be four Croke Park debutantes in their ranks including Marie Ambrose, Aisling Barrett, Áine O’Sullivan and Aisling Hutchings who herself was a watergirl in 2014. However, their experienced spine of players remain intact with Bríd Stack, Deirdre O’Reilly, Geraldine O’Flynn, Briege Corkery, Rena Buckley and Valerie Mulcahy all seeking an incredible 9th All Ireland title whilst Briege and Rena hope to make it a ‘double double’ after winning the camogie All-Ireland earlier this month making it an amazing 15th All-Ireland title each.
Vera Foley has been one of their star players throughout and her dual with Dublin star Noelle Healy will be a highlight of the match and in Ciara O’Sullivan Cork possess the form player in the championship and a player that has embraced the captaincy with the greatest of ease.
This match has the potential to be another classic but it would be a huge shock if either side ever trails by a margin of 10 points as both teams are based on solid defences. You never go against this Cork team when it comes to calling a winner but Dublin are a team that have been steadily improving since the beginning of the year and are ready to peak now. Experience and know how are on Cork’s side but if they are to win it will be by the closest of margins.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
