All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship Previews: Dublin And Kerry Look To Continue Winning Form

Group 2, Round 2  

Monaghan v Tipperary – Parnell Park, Dublin, Friday, 7.30pm

In recent years, Tipperary’s trips to the capital have produced some indelible memories.

Back in September 2017, the Premier County were crowned All-Ireland intermediate champions with a superb 1-13 to 1-10 final win over Tyrone at Croke Park. The following May, Aishling Moloney and Aisling McCarthy hit a combined 15 points as Tipperary saw off the challenge of Cavan in a Division Two league final at Parnell Park by the slenderest of margins (0-21 to 3-11).

Having lost their senior championship status at the hands of the same opposition three months later, the Premier immediately got back on the horse – claiming another national intermediate crown at GAA HQ in 2019.

Moving into this year, the superb Moloney kicked a late point to earn a draw against the all-conquering Dublin in the opening round of National Football League at Ballyboden St Enda’s on January 26. Following last week’s one-point defeat to 2019 finalists Galway in Limerick, Shane Ronayne’s side will once again hope its a successful trip to Dublin tomorrow evening.

In front of the TG4 cameras, the Munster side face Monaghan in their second and final game of Group Two. Despite being put to the pin of their collar in their one game to date, Galway undoubtedly have the upper hand in this section.

It is all of nine years since Tipperary won a game in the senior championship, but their encouraging performance last weekend against one of the country’s best provided sufficient evidence that they are ready to take a giant leap forward. The continued excellence of Moloney gives them a chance of success against virtually any team in the competition and her 1-10 tally in the Galway game was arguably the standout display in a weekend that was stacked full of individual showcases.

Fresh from sealing a move to the West Coast Eagles for the forthcoming Women’s AFL season – having previously featured for the Western Bulldogs – Aisling McCarthy adds considerable guile to the Tipperary midfield.

Back-to-back All-Ireland champions in 1996 and 1997, Monaghan have also been runners-up in this competition on no fewer than nine occasions. Since their last final appearance in 2013, the Farney County have struggled for the same level of consistency.

Heavy defeats to Waterford and Dublin forced them into a relegation play-off with Westmeath at the tail end of last year’s championship. However, they left their best performance of the year until last – recording a 3-18 to 1-10 victory over Westmeath in Dunleer.

Buoyed by this success, Monaghan had been displaying encouraging form in Division Two of the NFL before the competition was declared null and void with five rounds played. There was disappointment in the form of losses to Kerry and Meath, but wins against Wexford, Clare and Cavan did put a significant spring in their step.

The likes of Cora Courtney, Muireann Atkinson and Ciara McAnespie continue to lead the way for Monaghan but given they’re facing a side that have had the benefit of two Division One campaigns, it will require a concerted team effort rather than individual class for the Ulster women to get through this test.

Group 3, Round 2 

Waterford v Dublin – Baltinglass, Saturday, 1pm

Defending champions Dublin are aiming to become the first team to reach the semi-final stage of the All-Ireland senior ladies football championship when they face Waterford in Baltinglass on Saturday afternoon at 1pm.

Having come through a tough encounter against Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park last weekend with a 2-13 to 2-10 triumph, another win will guarantee Mick Bohan’s Sky Blues top spot in Group Three. Due to the short window in which the LGFA are able to complete their fixture calendar, there are no quarter-finals in this year’s championship.

That means only the pace-setters in each section will progress to the last-four of the championship.  Donegal will be hoping the Deise can do them a favour and keep the race for first place alive for at least another week.

However if last year’s group clash between Dublin and Waterford is anything to go by, the latter will be rank outsiders for their journey up to the Wicklow club venue.

Thanks in large part to the scoring exploits of Niamh McEvoy (2-4), Lyndsey Davey (2-3) and Nicole Owens (1-3), the Jackies emerged with an emphatic 5-15 to 2-6 success over the Munster outfit at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise in July of last year. The fact this margin of victory was accrued in the absence of team captain Sinead Aherne speaks volumes for the talent at Bohan’s disposal.

In aftermath of last week’s win, he acknowledged Donegal were somewhat unfortunate not to come away with something out of the game. Dublin gradually improve with each passing championship tie and will aim to do so again this Saturday.

Waterford’s last competitive outing was also against Dublin, in Division One of the National Football League back on March 8. With 40 minutes gone on the clock at Fraher Field in Dungarvan, they led the Metropolitans by four points (0-12 to 2-2).

Dublin eventually powered over the line for a 4-5 to 0-13, but having matched them for a large portion of the contest, Waterford will believe they can test the mettle of the holders. Ciaran Curran’s side also claimed the scalp of Galway in the opening round of the league and while they enter battle without the services of the now-retired Michelle Ryan, there are a number of players who are capable of posing problems for the four in-a-row chasing Dublin.

Kellyann Hogan was a reliable free-taker for Waterford in the spring time, with 12 of her 13 points in the league coming from placed balls. Katie Murray was also in terrific form, contributing 2-2 in the win over Galway and 1-3 in a narrow reversal to Donegal.

Whether they’ll have enough firepower to give themselves a realistic chance of success remains to be seen. But it won’t be for the want of trying.

Group 4, Round 2

Mayo v Tyrone – Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, Saturday, 1pm

Tyrone will be seeking to get their Group 4 campaign back on track when they lock horns with Mayo in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday.

This will be the green and red’s first championship outing since their narrow semi-final defeat to neighbours Galway at Croke Park in August of last year. Despite this heartbreak, it was a positive season overall for Peter Leahy’s side following the turmoil of their 2018 campaign.

The withdrawal of 12 players – including a large contingent from county champions Carnacon – from the squad was the subject of much discussion, but Westmeath native Leahy pushed forward with the players available to him and ensured they remained one of the most competitive outfits in the land. Tyrone overcame the challenge of both Tyrone and Armagh on their way to the final-four in 2019 and with both teams in their group this term, it could be a strong omen for what lies ahead.

When the two sides clashed 16 months ago, they produced a thrilling encounter at Healy Park, Omagh that Mayo managed to edge with just three point to spare (3-14 to 3-11). Full-forward Rachel Kearns was eventually rewarded with an All Star award and her 2-3 haul in the contest went a long way towards securing this individual honour.

Grace Kelly (1-3) and Sarah Rowe (0-4) also delivered strong showings in this game. Both players have spent time in the Women’s Australian Football League alongside Kelly’s sister Grace and Aileen Gilroy.

Grace sustained a knee ligament injury while playing for West Coast Eagles, but is hoping to see some action before the championship is out. Given their last competitive appearance was back on March 8 – and there is likely to be some significant changes to their starting line-up – it is hard to gauge where Mayo are at heading into this game.

Tyrone, on the other hand, began their campaign last Friday with a 6-16 to 3-13 reversal against Armagh. Though the Orchard County ruled the roost in the end, it certainly wasn’t all plain sailing.

Thanks to Chloe McCaffrey and Niamh O’Neill goals, Gerry Mone’s outfit were 2-7 to 3-3 in front at an advanced stage of the first half. However, Armagh’s devastating firepower saw them leading 5-7 to 2-9 during the interval.

A second O’Neill goal gave her a final haul of 2-4 and this was complimented by a 1-4 tally for McCaffrey. Whilst there are defensive issues to iron out, the Red Hand will continue to commit to attack – which served them well in their march to an All-Ireland intermediate title in 2018.

Even in defeat to Cork in last year’s senior quarter-final, Tyrone registered three goals – the third game in succession they managed to do so.

They maintained this impressive sequence against Armagh and this will keep the Mayo defence on high alert.

Group 1, Round 2 

Cork v Kerry – Austin Stack Park, Tralee, Saturday, 3pm

Just over 25 hours before their male counterparts do battle in the Munster championship, Cork and Kerry will face off in a tantalising Group 1 affair at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

Like Dublin, the Kingdom already have one win under their belt and will go into their latest group game with considerable confidence. Yet the recent history of the two counties in this competition suggests they will go into this fixture as underdogs.

Between 2005 and 2016, Cork registered an astounding haul of 11 All-Ireland senior titles. Brendan Martin Cup glory may have evaded them in the past three championships, but the Leesiders have very much remained in the shake-up.

Either side of an All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin in 2018, they reached the penultimate rounds of the competition. Following their loss to the Sky Blues in last year’s semi-final, Ephie Fitzgerald tendered his resignation as Cork manager.

However, the Nemo Rangers club man subsequently changed his mind after the squad expressed a desire for him to remain in charge. Their league form remained strong – aside from a round five defeat to Donegal – and after an ultra competitive club football championship that saw All-Ireland champions Mourneabbey relinquishing their county crown, they will be ready to make a big statement on their return to competitive fare.

Despite losing out to West Cork in the local decider, Mourneabbey continue to have a strong representation in the Leeside set-up. Doireann O’Sullivan captains the side once again and will be joined in attack by her sister Ciara.

Elmear Meaney will provide steel in defence as the Rebelettes seek a return to the top table. Elsewhere, Saoirse Noonan remains in the ranks despite her continued commitments with Cork City in the Women’s National League.

Orla Finn continues to be one of the most efficient attackers in the country and finished the NFL with 0-29 in just five appearances.

Kerry previously reached an All-Ireland semi-final in 2017, when a Sinead Aherne-inspired Dublin were 5-10 to 0-11 victors at Semple Stadium, Thurles. Last Sunday’s 5-14 to 0-13 triumph over Cavan at St Brendan’s Park, Birr has offered them a realistic chance of returning there once again.

The twin forces of Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Siofra O’Shea spearheaded their attack, contributing a combined haul of 4-6. Substitute Andrea Murphy boosted her selection prospects with 1-2 during a dominant second half from the Kingdom and Hannah O’Donoghue was a livewire presence at right corner-forward.

Due to the unavailability of the LIT Gaelic Grounds as a neutral venue, a coin toss took place to see who would play host for this game. Kerry won this particular battle and will hope it can be a catalyst for greater success on the field of play.