WITH LADIES FOOTBALL county championship campaigns wrapped up for another year and the focus firmly on the provincial stage of late, champions will be crowned in Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht this weekend as the All-Ireland series looms.
Across all four provinces, fierce rivalries will be renewed with four national semi-final spots on the line. Each senior provincial final takes place on Sunday afternoon.
Reigning All-Ireland champions Mourneabbey are eyeing their sixth consecutive Munster title, with 38-in-a-row Waterford champions Ballymacarbry standing in their way in Sunday’s decider at Cahir GAA Grounds [throw-in 3pm].
Shane Ronayne’s holders are fresh off the back of winning their sixth Cork crown on the bounce, while Ballymac beat first-time senior Clare champions Kilmihil in the Munster Senior B final last weekend.
The meeting of the two heavyweights comes as a repeat of the 2015, 2017 and 2018 A deciders, with Ballymac last winning it out in 2000 (12 A final defeats have followed since.)
The O’Sullivan sister double act of Ciara and Doireann will be one to keep an eye on in the black and amber, while Sinéad and Michelle Ryan will pose a similar threat for Ballymac. Dublin star Noelle Healy is another to look out for in her first Munster final.
In Leinster, 2018 All-Ireland finalists and five-in-a-row Dublin champions Foxrock-Cabinteely face Laois’ Sarsfields, with a fifth consecutive provincial crown on the cards for the south Dublin outfit. The latter last triumphed in 2014 with decider defeats to Fox-Cab ensuing in 2015 and 2018.
Monaghan kingpins Donaghmoyne are defending their Ulster crown against Donegal’s Termon. This decade, Donaghmoyne have won it six times while Termon reigned supreme twice; in 2010 and 2014.
This showdown comes as a reunion of sorts, the sides having clashed in the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 deciders — but Termon, inspired by Donegal scoring star Geraldine McLaughlin, haven’t reached the final since.
And in Connacht on Sunday, Galway kingpins Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Kilbride of Roscommon battle it out for provincial honours. After ending Carnacon’s season for the second consecutive year, the Tribeswomen are seeking back-to-back provincial titles.
There are also junior and intermediate finals down for decision in Munster and Ulster, with All-Ireland intermediate and junior quarter finals against cross-channel opposition also taking place in Ruislip and Manchester.
This weekend’s ladies football fixtures, in full, are as follows…
Connacht
Sunday October 27
SFC Final
- Kilbride (Roscommon) v Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway); St. Croans, Enfield, Co. Roscommon; 2pm
Leinster
Sunday October 27
SFC Final
- Foxrock-Cabinteely (Dublin) v Sarsfields (Laois); Kinnegad, 3pm
Munster
Saturday October 26
JFC Final
- Donoughmore (Cork) v Galtee Rovers (Tipperary); Mallow, 2.30pm
IFC Final
- Inch Rovers (Cork) v Templemore (Tipperary); Mallow, 4pm
Sunday October 27
SFC Final
- Ballymacarbry (Waterford) v Mourneabbey (Cork); Cahir GAA Grounds, 3pm
Ulster
Saturday October 26
IFC Final
- Kinawley (Fermanagh) v St Paul’s (Antrim); Emyvale, 2pm
Sunday October 27
JFC Final
- Edendork (Tyrone) v Naomh Muire (Donegal); Killyclogher, 1pm
SFC Final
- Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) v Termon (Donegal); Killyclogher, 3pm
All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship
Saturday October 26
Quarter-Final
- Parnells (London) v St Nathy’s (Sligo); Ruislip, 1pm
All-Ireland Junior Club Championship
Sunday October 27
Quarter-Final
- Oisín (Manchester) v CL McHales, Crossmolina (Mayo); Old Bedian, Milgate, Didsbury, Manchester, 2pm
Eoin Toolan and Murray Kinsella dial up Gavan Casey on the therapy couch to provide the post-mortem to Ireland’s World Cup implosion at the hands of New Zealand
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