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Lyndsey Davey has been one of the stars for Dublin this year. Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Preview

Galway and Dublin set for LGFA final four

The final two quarter-finals take place today.

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC quarter-finals

Dublin v Kerry, Birr, 12.30pm

DUBLIN, MANAGED BY former Monaghan boss Gregory McGonigle, have had to cope with a six-week break after crushing Laois by 6-21 to 0-4 in the Leinster final.

Lyndsey Davey and Lyndsey Peat both scored two goals in that game and Davey’s form in particular has been outstanding in 2014.

Dublin under McGonigle are genuine All-Ireland contenders but at the quarter-final stage last year, they were nine points clear before Cork came back to win by four.

McGonigle, who took over from Paul Gilheaney, has retained Dublin’s attacking emphasis but also endeavours to ensure that they are tighter at the back.

Kerry will present stern opposition but the Kingdom, with manager William O’Sullivan preparing for a fifth successive quarter-final, stuttered past Donegal and had six goals put past them by Cork in the Munster final.

Too many doubts currently hang over the Kerry team and while there may be a big performance in them, Dublin have too much power and should do enough to advance.

Betting: Dublin 3/10, Draw 9/1, Kerry 3/1

Verdict: Dublin

Galway v Monaghan, Birr, 2.15pm

Monaghan are bidding for a third TG4 All-Ireland final appearance in four seasons and yet they’re rated as outsiders to get past Connacht champions Galway in this afternoon’s quarter-final.

The form line would suggest that there’s a reason for this as Galway beat Mayo to claim a third provincial title in July.

John Morrison’s Monaghan, meanwhile, failed in their bid to retain their Ulster crown when they were well beaten by an impressive Armagh in the Clones showpiece.

Niamh Kindlon and Caitriona McConnell were in excellent form as Monaghan recovered to beat Tyrone comfortably in the qualifiers and that game will improve the Farney girls.

The obvious concern for Galway is that it’s almost seven weeks since their last competitive game but the Westerners have successfully negotiated this particular hurdle for the last two seasons.

Galway also managed to successfully defend their All-Ireland minor A crown earlier this month and this has provided a massive boost to the county.

Betting: Galway 4/5, Draw 15/2, Monaghan 5/4

Verdict: Galway.

Information provided on behalf of the LGFA.

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