Club Championship SF Previews
- Jul 29,2015
Preview of this evening Dublin Club Championship Semi-finals -
This evening is one of the most important nights in the Dublin club fixtures calendar with our championship semi-finals down for decision at senior, Intermediate, Junior A and B grades.
Dublin Senior Championship semi-final:
Foxrock Cabinteely v Kilmacud Crokes, Ref: Keith Tighe, Venue: Kilboggett Park, 19:30;
Last season’s beaten finalists Foxrock Cabinteely will be looking to book their place in this year’s decider at the expense of 2014 Intermediate champions Kilmacud Crokes.
The Kilboggett Park based club can call upon the services of County players Sinead Goldrick, Amy Connolly, Niamh Collins and Hannah Noonan while also having the benefit and expertise of additional Inter County stars amongst their ranks including Fiona Claffey (Westmeath) and Sinead Delahunty (Tipperary) to name but a few.
Kilmacud Crokes will look to Molly Lamb, Philippa Green and Aishling Whitley for inspiration while also calling upon the talents of their youngsters Holly Greer, Muireann O’Gorman and Julia Buckley.
On paper Foxrock appear to have too much strength in depth and should comfortably see off the challenge of a young emerging Kilmacud Crokes side.
Verdict: Foxrock Cabinteely
Dublin Senior Championship semi-final:
St Brigid’s v Ballyboden St Endas, Ref: Antoin Keating, Venue: Russell Park, 19:30;
St Brigid’s only senior final appearance came back in 1997 when the Russell Park club lost out to then reigning champions Portobello. The St Brigid’s side of 2015 have a strong panel of players including current All Star Noelle Healy and her fellow County team mates, Colleen Barrett, Ciara Trant and Sorcha Furlong.
While former County players Shona Barrett, Ailish McKenna and Elaine Kelly provide St Brigid’s with an abundance of experience which should get them across the finishing line this evening versus the former ten times champions Ballyboden St Endas.
Ballyboden St Endas are very much a team in transition and have done extremley well to qualify for the semi-final. The Firhouse club will look to the likes of Gemma Fay, Elaine McGrath, Aoife O’Brien and Grainne O’Malley to lead by example but tonight’s challenge on this occasion may be just a step to far.
Verdict: St Brigid’s
Dublin Intermediate Championship semi-final:
Parnell’s v St Margaret’s, Ref: Derek Greene, Venue: Chanel, 19:30;
Lindsay Peat and her fellow club mates have shown tremendous resolve this season to reach another semi-final having lost the 2010, 2012 and 2014 County finals. But back they come once again fully focused on qualifying for another County final. Parnells opposition are a youthful St Margaret’s side who last tasted championship success back in 2009 when they lifted the Junior Championship Cup.
When the two sides meet earlier in the group stages it was the Coolock club who came away with a 5-12 to 4-09 victory. Tonight will be a completely new ball game St Margaret’s will need Muireann Ni Scanaill, Sarah Stritch and Emma Colgan to be hit top form while Parnells will hope that the fore mentioned Peat along with Liana Harte, Katie Black and Sinead Cumiskey can provide the inspiration for Parnells to book their place in the 2015 decider.
Verdict: Parnells
Dublin Intermediate Championship semi-final:
Clann Mhuire v Clontarf, Ref: George McAllister, Venue: The Naul, 19:30;
Clann Mhuire won the junior championship last year and has shown tremendous form throughout their Intermediate championship campaign of 2015 with the exception of last week’s surprise defeat to Ballinteer St Johns. Having already qualified for the semi-finals Clann Mhuire appeared to have rested a number of their key players in preparation for tonight’s crunch clash with Clontarf.
Carla Rowe is central to the fortunes of the Naul club with the County star playing a key role for her club in the championship to date. If Clontarf are to be successful this evening they will have to try and curtail the influence of Rowe and her distribution of ball into the Naul forward line.
Clontarf are an experience crew and narrowly lost out on a final appearance in 2014 losing in the semi-final replay to Parnells. Martina Coen, Carrie O’Connor and Helen Cliffe are seasoned championship campaigners who will provide inspiration to the young Clontarf players around them.
Verdict: Clann Mhuire
Dublin Junior Championship semi-final:
Garda/Westmanstown Gaels v Skerries Harps, Ref: Reg Harbron, Venue: Westmanstown, 19:30;
Both clubs played last season in the Intermediate championship their regrading to the junior ranks appears to have given both sides a boost in both confidence and in turn results.
Dublin captain Lyndsey Davey is a central figure for Skerries Harps she is ably assisted by former County players Sinead O’Mahony, Sinead Cullen, Lizzie Hughes and Rebecca Davey.
Garda / Westmanstown Gaels are a somewhat unknown side but have powered their way through the championship registering victories over Naomh Mearnog, Lucan Sarsfields, Cuala, Portobello and Kilmacud Crokes B. In total they registered in five group games a total of 15-84 while only conceding 7-23. Skerries Harps have experience and Lyndsey Davey both factors combined might prove too strong for Garda / Westmanstown Gaels players to contain.
Verdict: Skerries Harps
Dublin Junior a Championship semi-final:
St Maurs v Lucan Sarsfields, Ref: Paul Flanagan, Venue: Rush, 19:30;
St Maurs have been one of the most consistent sides in Dublin club football for the last year or two the Rush club reached last year’s decider only to lose out to neighbours Clann Mhuire. Lucan Sarsfields last contested the junior final back in 2012 losing out to a strong Thomas Davis side who went on to the lift the club All Ireland title the same year.
St Maurs appear to be a well settled outfit with Sinead Moran, Olivia Leonard, Niamh Carty and Shauna McGuinness all key experienced, seasoned championship players Maurs therefore should have the strength in depth to see off the challenge of a young up and coming Lucan side.
Verdict: St Maurs
Dublin Junior B Championship semi-final:
O Tooles v Scoil Ui Chonaill, Ref: John Doherty, Venue: Pairc Ui Thuathaill, 19:30;
O’Tooles have experienced double heart ache the last two seasons having lost both the 2013 and 2014 championship finals by the narrowest of margins. Standing in their way of reaching a third consecutive final is a well drilled Scoil Ui Chonaill side.
O’Tooles are hardened seasoned championship campaigners players like Sandra Maloney, Rachel Doughlas, Aisling Kane and Kate Fitzgibbon possess the experience and know how to book their teams place in the 2015 decider. However Scoil Ui Chonaill won’t go down without a battle with Captain Nicole Rock leading by example.
Verdict: O’Tooles
Dublin Junior B Championship semi-final:
Ballyboden St Endas B v Naomh Barrog, Ref: David Murphy, Venue: Pairc Ui Mhurchu, 19:30;
Experience is a key factor to possess when it comes to winning championship semi-finals and Ballyboden St Endas B contain an abundance of experience. Seasoned footballers Sorcha Farrelly, Aisling Farrelly and Danielle Aylmer are key players for the Ballyboden St Endas junior team and bring a wealth of knowledge to the playing field.
Naomh Barrog on the other hand is a developing side with a youthful look about them. Laura McGinley, Kate Pepper and Clarece Burke have gelled well with the experienced Mary Theresa Fields and Linda Smart.
The Kilbarrack club will battle hard in this evening contest with Ballyboden however this semi-final challenge might be a step just too far for the Ladies of Naomh Barrog.
Verdict: Ballyboden St Endas B
Note: Championship Regulations as ratified by County Committee – Feb 10th 2015
In the event of a drawn game in semi-finals or finals the following shall apply:
Extra time shall be played [10mins each half] *A further period of extra time 20mins [10 mins each half] is to be played if the game is still drawn. In the event of a draw after the second period of extra time 5 free kicks for points [not goals] are to be taken by each side from the 21m line each player may take one attempt only.
Should the player overstep the line before taking the kick that kick shall be void, any score will not count and that player may not re-take her kick, if teams are still level after 5 kicks per team then sudden death shall apply.
*Finals played in Parnell Park under lights will go to a replay