PREVIEW: Leinster LGFA Junior and Intermediate Club Finals
PREVIEW: Leinster LGFA Junior and Intermediate Club Finals
November 11, 2022
After over a month of competitive provincial club action, the curtain falls this weekend on the Leinster LGFA Club Championships. However, before the final curtain call, there are two hotly contested finals to be played. On Saturday, the focus is on Baltinglass GAA at 1pm as O’Dwyers of Dublin and Muckalee of Kilkenny meet in the Junior decider. On Sunday then also at 1pm, last year’s IFC finalists Longford Slashers will take on Meath champions, Skryne, for the Intermediate title in Coralstown Kinnegad.
A reminder that admission is by ticket only. Ticket information available here.
Leinster LGFA Junior Club Championship Final: O’Dwyer’s (Dublin) v Muckalee (Kilkenny), Baltinglass GAA, Sat 12th November at 1pm, Ref: Barry Redmond (Wexford)
On route to the final, Muckalee recorded wins against Sarsfields of Laois and Grattans of Longford before facing a skilful St Joseph’s side from Westmeath in the semi-final. Although the Cats looked beaten at half-time, they came right back into the game with excellent performances from Kate Purcell and Katie Nolan ensuring the game went all the way to extra time. Nolan found the net in extra time alongside goals from Rebecca Roche and Eadaoin Coady to ensure Muckalee booked their place in the final. It is the first time a Kilkenny team has been in the Junior Final since Railyard’s win in the 2004 final where they accounted for Leixlip.
Hoping the Dave McCabe Trophy stays in the Capital for another winter after St. Jude’s victory in 2021 will be Muckalee’s opponets, O’Dwyers. The Balbriggan outfit have had one less game than their opposition, but their resilience is just as remarkable. After accounting for St Martin’s of Wexford in the quarter-final, they faced Kildare champions Raheens in the semi-final. In what turned out to be a ten-goal thriller, O’Dwyers earned just a single point win. Shannon Richardson was in inspiring form for Michael Blount’s team and they will need her to be at her very best again on Saturday.
For those that can’t attend this game in person, Jerome Quinn will be joined on commentary by Dublin All Ireland winner and netminder Ciara Trant. This is available on our InPlayer: https://page.inplayer.com/leinsterlgfa/index.html
O’Dwyers: N Kirby, C Munson, L Marry, A Curran (C), E Kearney, H O’Rourke, J Kehoe, A Kelly, K McCabe, I McLean, C Johnston, N Weakliam, A Breathnach, S Richardson, A Blount.
Muckalee: N McDowell, R Coady, E Coady, R Hanlon, A Dunne, E Coonan (C), C Hanlon, E Lawlor, K Comerford, K Purcell, R Roche, H Moore, S Brennan, L McDowell, K Nolan.
Leinster LGFA Intermediate Club Championship Final: Longford Slashers (Longford) v Skryne (Meath), Coralstown Kinnegad GAA, Sun 13th November at 1pm, Ref: Kevin Phelan (Laois).
Hoping history does not repeat itself, Longford Slashers will return to Coralstown Kinnegad on Sunday aiming for provincial glory having been defeated by eventual All Ireland Champions, St Sylvesters last season. Meath champions Skryne stand in their way and a thrilling final in front of a big crowd is expected if previous games are any measure of the terrific support behind these two clubs.
While both sides earned a bye into the quarter-finals, Longford Slashers eased past Carlow champions Old Leighlin, while Skryne were pushed all the way by a talented Kilcullen outfit from Kildare.
Their first victory meant Slashers headed to the sunny south east and old foes and pals Shelmalier waited in the semi-final. While the sides were level at the break, the Longford champions found the net on three occasions with Jessica Barry (penalty), Kate Shannon and Orla Nevin all getting their names on the scoresheet. While Shelmalier were defiant and refused to throw in the proverbial towel, the Aisling Cosgrave captained side worked diligently and ensured their progress to the final for a second successive year.
Skryne ensured there would be a Meath team in this year’s club finals when they overcame a plucky Cooley Kickham’s side. Ciara Smyth was outstanding for Mick O’Dowd’s side, hitting 2-08 in total and looking threatening every time she took the ball to hand. Ellie Murphy hit 1-03 for the eventual winners with captain Nicola O’Reilly and wing forward Fiona O’Rourke all playing starring roles in a victory where Skryne were also reduced to fourteen at one point owing to the sin bin.
Both Longford Slashers and Skryne would dearly love the man in a red suit to arrive early and deliver some provincial silverware this Sunday, it will be an intriguing battle from the get go.
If you cannot make the game live and in person, Jason Keelan and Mary Kiernan will be on commentary duties in a repeat of the 2021 Intermediate Final! This is available on our InPlayer: https://page.inplayer.com/leinsterlgfa/index.html
Longford Slashers: E Casey, L Kenny, E Reilly, G Kenny, O Nevin, E O’Brien, C Farrell, A O’Brien, A Cosgrove (C), L Nolan, G Shannon, K Lee, Kate Shannon, J Barry, Kara Shannon.
Skryne: R Whelan, C Cowley, A Lenehan, A Cooney, N O’Reilly (C), L Browne, N O’Brien, C Keogan, E Morland, S Clarke, A O’Dowd, F O’Rourke, E Murphy, C Smyth, R McManus.
Photo Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile