Championship SF Previews
- Jul 02,2014
Dublin Club Championship Semi-Finals:
Senior Championship Preview
Foxrock Cabinteely v St Sylvester’s:
Venue: Kilboggett Park, 7.30pm
Sinead Aherne has scored an amazing 5-17 for Dublin in their Leinster campaign to date and her club manager Dave McEvoy will be very much hoping that the three times All Star will bring her scoring boots with her tonight for their semi-final trip to Kilboggett Park.
Foxrock Cabinteely will most likely be without the services of Sinead Goldrick who is still recovering from a knee injury but the 2012 champions can call upon the skills of their other Dublin panellists, Emma McDonagh and Niamh Collins as well as Westmeath’s speedy forward, Fiona Claffey.
Verdict: Foxrock Cabinteely
Na Fianna v St Brigids:
Venue: St Mobhi Road, 7.30pm
Last year’s runners up Na Fianna have been impressive throughout their 2014 campaign. The Mobhi Road side have a fantastic blend of experienced and youthful players amongst their panel.
The O’Donnell sisters Alma and Bronagh continue to give Na Fianna great service their experience combined with the enthusiasm of Leah Caffrey, Lucy Collins and Aoife Nolan may give Na Fianna a slight edge.
St Brigids under the stewardship of Ken Murphy came good in their last two round robin fixtures and booked their place in the semi-final following a win over the 2013 champions Fingallians.
Murphy will be looking for big performances from the likes of Sorcha Furlong, Noelle Healy and Colleen Barrett while the loss of goal keeper Ciara Trant to the states for the summer could be a crucial factor is deciding the outcome of this game.
Verdict: Na Fianna
Intermediate Championship Preview
Kilmacud Crokes v St Margaret’s:
Venue: Pairc de Burca, 7.30pm
Kilmacud Crokes have in recent years enjoyed an abundance of success at juvenile level this success should now start to bear fruit for their adult side with players such as Molly Lamb and Eabha Rutledge coming into their senior squad. Kilmacud Crokes where pip to the title last year by Thomas Davis and will be determined to go one step further this season. But first Crokes must overcome the challenge of a dogged but youthful St Margaret’s side.
The North County club have an array of talented players and will be looking for top performances tonight from the likes of Martha Dwyer, Lorna Colgan, Sarah Stritch and Muireann NÃ Scanaill all of whom have tasted success at Inter County level.
Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes
Parnell’s v Clontarf:
Venue: Chanel College, 7.30pm
Parnells have been one of the most consistent teams at this grade in recent years but have failed on a number of attempts to make the break through into the senior ranks. The experienced Lindsay Peat will play a major role for the Coolock club who will also need strong performances from the likes of Sinead Comerford and Liana Harte in order to see off the challenge from Clontarf.
Clontarf tasted defeat in Intermediate championship final back in 2011losing to Round Towers Clondalkin the club have a thriving juvenile section with an abundance of players moving through their ranks feeding into the senior panel.
The experienced trio of Martina Coen, Carrie O’Connor and Helen Cliff should combine will with Inter County footballers Sarah McCaffrey, Mags Mohan and Katie Murray. The all-important blend of experience and youth may just tip this semi-final in favour of the blooming Clontarf club but they must also be prepared for battle as Parnells will not kneel over lightly.
Verdict: Clontarf
Junior Championship Preview
Man O War v Clann Mhuire:
Venue: Man O War, 7.30pm
This local derby has all the ingredients to be explosive encounter as the two sides will be more than familiar with each other. Man O War knocked a hotly fancied Clann Mhuire out of the championship at the same stage last year but can they repeat that performance for a second year in a row?
Clann Mhuire will look once more to the inspirational Carla Rowe for another powerful display in the green and gold. Other players who could have a huge factor on the game for the Naul club are Niamh Keane, sisters Aisling and Grainne Barrett and former Dublin minor star Oonagh White. Overall Clann Mhuire looked to be too strong but home advantage could also be a key factor for the ladies of Man O War.
Verdict: Clann Mhuire
St Maurs v Lucan Sarsfields:
Venue: Rush, 7.30pm
Both sides have endured the pain of championship final defeats St Maurs lost out to St Sylvester’s in 2011 while Lucan Sarsfields tasted defeat at the hands of Thomas Davis in 2012. When the two sides meet in the league back in April it was the Rush club who took the points.
Championship is a whole new ball game and Lucan Sarsfields will travel to Rush fully intent on claiming a place in the 2014 final. St Maurs will be hoping for strong performances from Olivia Leonard, Naomi Clare and Niamh Carthy while Lucan will look to veteran footballer and ex County star Patricia Gordon, to lead their challenge.
Verdict: St Maurs