Two championship debuts for Dubs
- Jun 28,2013
Dublin Ladies senior boss Paul Gilheaney has announced his Dublin team to face Kildare in this Saturdays TG4 Leinster senior semi-final.
Remarkably Dublin is facing into the defence of their provincial title without 16 of last year's Leinster winning squad. While Gilheaney has handed senior championship debuts to Deirdre Murphy of St Brigids and Martha Byrne of Cuala he has also named a starting 15 which contains no fewer than eight All Stars.
The new look Dubs have a solid back bone to their line out with Cliodhna O'Connor, Siobhan McGrath, Sinead Goldrick, Denise Masterson, Lyndsay Peat and Sinead Aherne providing invaluable championship experience which is sure to steady the nerves of the sky blue championship debutants.
Kildare under new coach John Divilly, (former Galway footballer from the Kilkerrin-Clonberne club who won an All-Ireland in 1998) have shown an improved work rate, along with increased fitness levels with many insiders crediting Divilly with bringing a more professional set up to the lily white camp. In a recent challenge game Kildare overcame the stern test from reigning All Ireland champions Cork, this win although not in a competitive game is sure to buoy the Kildare girls spirits on as they travel to the capital for this championship encounter.
Naomh Mearnog GAA club once more will play host to this eagerly awaited clash of these two great Leinster rivals. Throw in time in Portmarnock is 2pm
Declan Drake of fm104 will provide LIVE updates from the game plus updates will be available on Twitter @dublinladiesg
Dublin Ladies Senior Team v Kildare:
1. Cliodhna O'Connor - Naomh Mearnog
2. Rachel Ruddy - Ballyboden St Endas
3. Siobhan McGrath - Thomas Davis
4. Deirdre Murphy - St Brigids
5. Martha Byrne - Cuala
6. Sinead Goldrick - Foxrock Cabinteely (Captain)
7. Sinead Finnegan - Fingallians
8. Denise Masterson - Naomh Mearnog
9. Amy McGuinness - Fingallians
10. Natalia Hyland - Ballyboden St Endas
11. Niamh McEvoy - St Sylvester's
12. Noelle Healy - St Brigids
13. Lyndsay Peat - Parnells
14. Sinead Aherne - St Sylvester's
15. Lyndsay Davey - Skerries Harps
16. Emma Merrigan - Parnells
17. Rachel Byrne - Clanna Gael Fontenoy
18. Laura McGahan- Fingallians
19. Leah Caffrey - Na Fianna
20. Sarah Quinn - Na Fianna
21. Elaine Kelly - St Brigids
22. Orlagh Egan - Na Fianna
23. Siobhan Woods - Raheny
24. Ciara Ruddy - Ballyboden St Endas
25. Kim Flood - Clanna Gael Fontenoy
26. Emma McDonagh - Foxrock Cabinteely
27. Sarah O'Brien - Ballyboden St Endas
28. Denise McKenna - Fingallians
Management:
Paul Gilheaney (St Vincent's)
Mark Fitzpatrick (Parnells)
Anne O'Mahony (Clontarf)
Vincent Rooney (St Vincent's)
Frankie Byrne (Clontarf)
Kathleen Colreavy (Naomh Mearnog)
Joanne McCabe (Physio)