Saturday, August 29th
TG4 Intermediate All Ireland Semi Final
Leitrim v Waterford, Gaelic Grounds Limerick, 4:15pm
This is the meeting of the two nearly sides in Intermediate football. Waterford and Leitrim have both been there or thereabouts for several years only to suffer disappointment. Waterford have been playing at the top of the division for the last decade and have competed in two of the last five TG4 All Ireland Intermediate Finals, losing both. However, Waterford have developed further this year overcoming the setback of losing the Division 3 final to Sligo by defeating the same opposition with ease in their quarter final. As always the Walls will be at the heart of everything they do with Linda Wall captaining the side, Mairead leading from the centre of the field and livewire Aileen being the main creator at wing forward. Watch out for Marie Delahunty at centre-forward who converted a 47 yard free off the ground in their victory over Sligo.
Leitrim are another side that have been amongst the favourites to clinch the division regularly but have faltered with the finish line in sight. The Connacht champions had a hard fought victory over Clare last time out but they needed a hattrick of goals from their star player, Áine Tighe. The tall forward is in superb form this year and has been drawing favourable comparisons to Cora Staunton again this year. Karen McGrath has been named as the Waterford full back and she will have a big job on her hands to keep the attacker quiet. However, Leitrim are far from a one player team with Niamh Tighe, sister to Áine, also a potent attacking threat along with Carla LeGuen.
TG4 Senior All Ireland Semi Final
Cork v Kerry, Gaelic Grounds Limerick, 6.00pm
Cork and Kerry will need no introduction to each other. Cork are chasing a fifth TG4 Senior All Ireland title in a row but during that time they have been beaten twice, both times by Kerry. The Kingdom already own a victory over Cork this year having defeated them in this year’s Munster final and they have been equally as impressive since when producing a blistering second half performance to knock Mayo out in the TG4 Quarter Finals.
This is a Kerry side that is brimming with talent. Aislinn Desmond and Cáit Lynch are both superb defenders and the captain is flanked by Caroline Kelly and Maria Quirke in one of the best half back lines in the business. Bernie Breen is often the one that sets the tempo for Kerry from the middle of the field where she is joined by Lorraine Scanlon. Sarah Houlihan is always good for a few scores and Megan O’Connell has emerged as a real goal threat along with Denise Hallissey. However, in the past when these two sides have met the concentration has been on Louise Ní Muicheartaigh, the Corcha Duibhne player can dictate play and when she is on form it is always a good sign for Kerry.
Cork will know what to expect from Kerry and had ideal preparation for this tough game when defeating Galway last time out in an epic encounter. Ciara O’Sullivan is their captain and has this year been their star player carrying much of the scoring threat. Cork have an embarrassment of riches and were able to change five of their staring six forwards against Galway without losing any potency. Rhona Ní Bhuachalla is down to start but indications are that Doireann O’Sullivan will take the corner forward position after making a huge impact off the bench against the Tribes. As has been the case many times in the past, the Cork half-back line will be key to their success as Geraldine O’Flynn and Vera Foley have license to attack with Deirdre O’Reilly anchoring from the centre. The midfield battle will be key to deciding this match but Rena Buckley and Briege Corkery will be more than capable of tipping things Cork’s way.
Cork and Kerry have never been as closely matches as they are this year as the Kingdom look to have a well balanced side with plenty of strength on the bench. If Cork are to make it 5 in a row they will certainly do so the hard way.
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