Ladies Football weekend previews  

Compiled by Jackie Cahill

The first adult provincial silverware of the season will be handed out next Sunday, with big games in Connacht and Leinster down for decision.

In the TG4 Leinster Senior Final at Croke Park, with an 11.45am start, it’s holders Dublin, aiming for an 11th successive provincial title, up against Meath, who go in search of a first Leinster Senior crown since 2000. Tickets on sale here.

In Connacht, meanwhile, it’s Galway against champions Mayo in the Senior Final at St Brigid’s, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon, in a game that has a 2pm start.

At the same venue, at 4pm, Leitrim take on champions Roscommon in the Intermediate decider.

The Connacht and Leinster Senior Finals will be live-streamed via the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel, while Connacht LGFA will provide live-stream coverage of their Intermediate showpiece.

Sunday May 12

TG4 Leinster Senior Championship Final  

Dublin v Meath; Croke Park, 11.45am – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube https://bit.ly/3QypULd

THE 2024 TG4 Leinster Senior Final pits Dublin, aiming for an 11^th successive title, against Meath, going for their first since 2000.

The sides met in a dress rehearsal last weekend ahead of the final, to conclude the round-robin phase, with Dublin running out comfortable winners against an admittedly second-string Royal County outfit.

Leading scorer for Dublin last Sunday, the vastly-experienced Nicole Owens, is held in reserve for the final, an indication of the huge strength in depth in the Dublin set-up.

In total, manager Mick Bohan makes seven changes in personnel as the provincial and All-Ireland champions target more silverware.

Coming into the starting line-up are goalkeeper Abby Shiels, Leah Caffrey, Niamh Donlon, Olwen Carey, Grace Kós, Niamh Hetherton and Kate Sullivan.

Making way are netminder Rachael Fleming, Niamh Crowley, Hannah McGinnis, Aoife Kane, Kate Murray, Annabelle Timothy and Owens, all of whom are listed on the Dublin bench with the exception of Crowley, who picked up an ankle injury last Sunday.

Meath, meanwhile, make 13 changes in personnel as their big guns return.

Captain and goalkeeper Monica McGuirk returns in place of Robyn Murray, while there are also starts for Mary Kate Lynch, Nicole Troy, Niamh Gallogly, Lisa Young, Máire O’Shaughnessy, Aoibhín Cleary, Megan Thynne, Shelly Melia, Ciara Smyth, Ella Moyles, Marion Farrelly and Emma Duggan.

Ciara Lawlor and Katie Newe, who captained the team last time out against Dublin, are the only players who retain their starting positions as, along with Murray, Olivia Gore, Karla Kealy, Tori Foster, Isabel O’Connor, Aisling McCabe, Rachel Casserly, Meadhbh Byrne, Seona Lynch, Orlaith Mallon, Megan Collins, Kerrie Cole and Ailbhe Leahy drop out.

Dublin: A Shiels; M Byrne, L Caffrey, N Donlon; S Goldrick, O Carey, L Magee; J Dunne, G Kós; C O’Connor, O Nolan, C Rowe (capt.); H Tyrrell, N Hetherton, K Sullivan.

Meath: M McGuirk (capt.); C Lawlor, M.K. Lynch, N Troy; N Gallogly, L Young, K Newe; M O’Shaughnessy, A Cleary; M Thynne, S Melia, C Smyth; E Moyles, M Farrelly, E Duggan.

Photo Credit: Sportsfile