LAST UPDATE | 13 Aug 2021
CORK BOSS EPHIE Fitzgerald has named his side for Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland senior championship semi-final showdown against Meath [throw-in 3.30pm, live on TG4].
The Royals, contesting the last-four battle in their first year back in the senior ranks, have also shown their hand.
Cork’s matchday squad of 30 confirms that Orla Finn misses out on the Croke Park clash; the Kinsale sharpshooter having struggled with injury through the championship to date.
One of the best forwards — and most accurate free-takers — in the game, Finn came off after just nine minutes in the Rebels’ quarter-final win over Waterford two weeks ago.
The two-time All-Star was also forced off in the second half of last month’s group clash with Meath, while she was absent for the victory over Tipperary. It’s understood to be a calf setback.
In Cork’s only change, rising star Katie Quirke starts at full-forward in her place.
Doireann O’Sullivan, continuing her return to full fitness, is named on a strong bench, with the Leesiders understood to be contending with other injury concerns.
Cork name their team @LadiesFootball All-Ireland semi-final against Meath on Sunday, but Orla Finn misses out due to a calf injury. Been an ever-present for Cork for so many seasons, but there's the chance here for someone else to step up and make themselves a hero. pic.twitter.com/vqNTuB7Ocu
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) August 13, 2021
Meath, meanwhile, have stuck to their guns with an unchanged starting 15 to that who stunned 2020 semi-finalists Armagh in the quarter-final.
Eyeing their first senior final appearance, Eamon Murray’s side will be hoping to continue their phenomenal story and rise through the ranks by reaching a first senior final, with Vikki Wall, Emma Duggan, Emma Troy, Máire O’Shaughnessy and Stacey Grimes among the many players worth keeping an eye on.
The progress the 2020 All-Ireland intermediate champions have made over the past few years, and in their first season back in the top-flight, is nothing short of remarkable.
Cork, on the other hand, are chasing their first All-Ireland crown since 2016 and a sixth decider appearance in eight years. The Rebels won by two when these sides met in the group stages.
In the other semi-final, Dublin’s quest for five-in-a-row continues against Mayo at HQ tomorrow. The teams are named here.
Cork
1. Martina O’Brien (captain)
2. Marie Ambrose, 3. Roisin Phelan, 4. Eimear Meaney
5. Erika O’Shea, 6. Maebh Cahalane, 7. Melissa Duggan
8. Aisling Hutchings, 9. Hannah Looney
10. Laura O’Mahony, 11. Ciara O’Sullivan, 12. Áine O’Sullivan
13. Sadhbh O’Leary, 14. Katie Quirke, 15. Eimear Scally
Cork Senior Management have announce their team to play @meathladiesMLGF in the @LadiesFootball Semi Final on Sunday
— Cork LGFA (@CorkLGFA) August 13, 2021
Best of Luck girls proudly sponsored by @SuperValuIRL pic.twitter.com/NXQkO1q2h1
Meath
1. Monika McGuirk
2. Emma Troy, 3. Mary Kate Lynch, 4. Katie Newe
5. Aoibheann Leahy, 6. Aoibhin Cleary, 7. Shauna Ennis (captain)
8. Orlagh Lally, 9. Maire O’Shaughnessy
10. Orla Byrne, 11. Stacey Grimes, 12. Niamh O’Sullivan
13. Vikki Wall, 14. Emma Duggan, 15. Bridgetta Lynch.
- Originally published at 11.16am as a Cork team news piece, updated when Meath side was announced.
