Dublin ladies to face Cork in crunch All-Ireland showdown
By Daire Walsh
FOR THE fifth time in just seven years, Dublin and Cork will face each other in the All-Ireland senior ladies football championship decider at Croke Park on Sunday week (December 20).
This follows the Leesiders’ emphatic 2-17 to 0-13 triumph against Galway last Sunday. Dublin had already advanced into the Christmas time showpiece courtesy of a hard-earned 3-13 to 3-8 victory at the expense of Armagh in Kingspan Breffni eight days earlier.
Cork’s semi-final encounter with the Tribeswomen was mired in controversy due to a succession of venue changes in the days leading up to the contest. Originally set to take place at Semple Stadium, Thurles on November 28, the game was switched to the LIT Gaelic Grounds and later Parnell Park.
However, when the Donnycarney pitch was deemed unplayable on Sunday morning, it was transferred to nearby Croke Park and given an earlier throw-in time. This meant rights holders TG4 were not in a position to broadcast the game and Galway (who travelled up on the day) were only afforded a seven minute warm-up.
While it’s unclear how badly this may have affected the Connacht side – Cork had stayed overnight in the capital – there is no doubt Dublin will be facing a formidable outfit in the Brendan Martin Cup decider.
Winners of 11 All-Ireland crowns between 2005 and 2016, the Rebelettes possess considerable class in every line of the pitch. Their attack is particularly potent with the O’Sullivan sisters – Ciara and Doireann – ably-supported by the likes of Orla Finn and Saoirse Noonan.
Before capturing their second national title in 2017, Dublin lost three finals on the bounce to the Munster giants by a combined total of four points. There has been a massive sea change since then, with the Jackies now being the hunted rather than the hunters.
Having overcome Cork in the 2018 All-Ireland final with five points to spare (3-11 to 1-12), they also got the better of their southern counterparts at the semi-final stage 12 months later.
Thomas Davis’ Siobhan McGrath finished 2019 as Football of the Year and remains a valued member of Mick Bohan’s team.
The versatile McGrath is joined on the panel by her Kiltipper Road colleague Ciara McGuigan, while Orlagh Nolan, Niamh Sweeney (both Ballinteer St John’s) and Abby Shiels (Lucan Sarsfields) complete the local interest in this four in-a-row chasing Dublin squad.