Compiled by Jackie Cahill
IT’S two from three in Division 1 of the Lidl National League as Mayo, Tyrone and Kildare all fight to avoid relegation on Saturday.
The picture will become clear over the course of two pivotal games which will be live-streamed on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel, with Kildare at home to Tyrone, as Mayo make the trip to Waterford. https://www.youtube.com/@SportTG4/streams
All of Saturday’s top flight games get underway at 2.30pm, with finalists Kerry at home to Dublin, as holders and finalists Armagh take on Meath.
The Kerry v Dublin and Armagh v Meath ties are available to view via live-streams at https://www.247.tv/live/svmstreaming
On Sunday, attention switches to Divisions 2, 3 and 4.
There are four teams in danger of relegation from Division 2, while a cluster of counties are looking to join Cavan in the Division 3 Final.
In Sunday’s Division 4 semi-finals, Antrim take on Leitrim, as Fermanagh tackle Sligo. The winners of both games will be promoted and contest a Division 4 Final on Sunday April 13.
The Antrim-Leitrim tie is also available to watch live at: https://www.247.tv/live/svmstreaming
Saturday March 29
Lidl National Football League – Division 1
Kerry v Dublin; Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 2.30pm – Live at: https://www.247.tv/live/svmstreaming
With progress to the final on Saturday April 12 already secured, Kerry boss Mark Bourke is taking the chance to run the rule over his panel.
He’s made nine changes to the team that lined out against Meath last time out, with captain Anna Galvin among those held in reserve.
Fay O’Donoghue, Katie Sugrue, Kayla O’Connor, Niamh Broderick, Niamh Quinn, Leah Boyle, Jess Gill, Melanie Higgins and Julia Curtin all get the chance to impress, with the top flight decider against Armagh looming.
Dropping out of the team are Deirdre Kearney, Roisin Rahilly, Kayleigh Cronin, Aoife Dillane, Galvin, Caoimhe Evans, Niamh Carmody, Jaydn Lucey and Síofra O’Shea.
Dublin’s thoughts are now turning firmly towards the defence of their Leinster title but the Sky Blues have made just one change to the team that defeated Tyrone in their previous outing.
Newly-crowned AIG Ladies HEC All Star Niamh Donlon returns to the starting line-up, with Grace Kós named among the subs.
Kerry: ME Bolger; F O’Donoghue, E Lynch, K Sugrue; A O’Connell, K O’Connor, N Broderick; N Quinn, M O’Connell; L Boyle, N Ní Chonchúir, J Gill; M Higgins, J Curtin, D O’Leary.
Dublin: A Shiels; J Tobin, L Caffrey (capt.), A Kane; A Curran, M Byrne, N Donlon; É O’Dowd, H McGinnis; C O’Connor, C Darby, K Sullivan; H Tyrrell, N Hetherton, S McIntyre.
Waterford v Mayo; Kilmacthomas; 2.30pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube
Waterford were absolutely magnificent against Armagh in Round 6.
The Déise produced a superb display to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on the Orchard County, while collecting a third win of their own this season in the process
Waterford could have been forgiven for some rotation ahead of the Munster championship but there’s competition integrity at stake as opponents Mayo fight to avoid the drop.
Despite finally their first points of the season last weekend, when they earned a one-point victory over Kildare, the green and red are still deep in relegation trouble.
Mayo need to win, and win well, and also hope that Tyrone get the better of Kildare.
Those results would leave Kildare, Tyrone and Mayo all locked together on six points, with two teams to go down.
In that case, scoring difference would come into play and before a ball is thrown in on Saturday, Kildare are best off in this regard (-16), with Tyrone on -59 and Mayo on -29.
There’s one change to the Mayo team that beat Kildare, with Nicola O’Malley coming in for Ciara Durkan in defence.
Waterford: K Gardiner; C Murray, R Casey, M Ryan; Á O’Neill, E Power, K McGrath; E Murray (capt.), H Power; C McCarthy, B McMaugh, K Hogan; K Murray, C Walsh, L McGregor.
Mayo: J Gawalkiewicz; L Wallace, N O’Malley, S El Massry; D Caldwell (capt.), J Mortimer, S Lally; H Reape, A Geraghty; C Doherty, E Murray, B Hession; A Gough, C Keane, S Walsh.
Kildare v Tyrone; Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 2.30pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube
Kildare know what they have to do as they welcome Tyrone to Cedral St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.
Last year, both of these teams were promoted from Division 2 and contesting a second tier final at Croke Park but now they’re scrapping for top flight survival.
Even a draw would be enough for Kildare to guarantee survival and condemn Tyrone and Mayo to Division 2.
A win for Tyrone would put the cat among the pigeons, however.
If the Red Hands take maximum points on their travels, they’ll hope that Waterford can defeat Mayo.
If that’s the case, Tyrone and Kildare would be level on six points, with Mayo on three, but Tyrone would stay up ahead of Kildare on the head to head rule.
Tyrone will hope to avoid a case where three relegation candidates are level on six points as they have the worst scoring difference.
Kildare: M Hulgraine; R Sargent, L Lenehan (capt.), E Wheeler; M Doherty, L Dunlea, M Aspel; C Sullivan, G Wheeler; C Moran, L Shaw, N Dooley; A Rattigan, E Dowling, R Byrne.
Tyrone: A Coyle; J Lyons, C Campbell, E Quinn; T McElroy, M Corrigan, A Strain; M Mallon, A McHugh (capt.); E McNamee, E McCanny, A Quinn; N O’Neill, A McGahan, A Horisk.
Armagh v Meath; BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 2.30pm – Live at: https://www.247.tv/live/svmstreaming
Despite losing to Waterford last time out, results elsewhere ensured that Armagh were still through to a second successive Lidl NFL Division 1 Final.
But even though this fixture with Meath has a ‘dead rubber’ feel about it, Armagh will still want a big response after losing by 10 points to Waterford, and with the prospect of Kerry at Croke Park on Saturday April 12 looming large on the horizon.
There are two changes on the Armagh side stunned by the Déise, with Brianna Mathers coming in to replace Anna Carr in goal, while Kelly Mallon gets the nod in attack ahead of Niamh Reel.
Meath’s hopes of making the final ended against Kerry in Round 6 but the Royal County played well and lost by just two points.
It’s been an encouraging season for Meath, who’ll be quietly confident ahead of the summer, and they’d like to end their League campaign on a high.
There are four changes to the Meath starting line-up, with Monica McGuirk coming in to replace Robyn Murray in goal, with outfield starts for Karla Kealy, Katie Bermingham and Marion Farrelly.
Clodagh Millington, Ella Moyles and Orlaith Sheehy, who started against Kerry, are named among the substitutes.
Armagh: B Mathers; M Ferguson, C Towe, L Kenny; G Ferguson, L McConville (capt.), R Mulligan; N Coleman, B Mackin; E Druse, A McCoy, E Lavery; K Mallon, M Feehan, N Henderson.
Meath: M McGuirk; A Sheridan, S Wall, K Kealy; K Newe, MK Lynch, A Gaffney; N Gallogly, K Bermingham; M Thynne, M Farrelly, C Smyth; M Byrne, V Wall, E Duggan.
Sunday March 30
Lidl National Football League – Division 2
Donegal v Cork; Ballyshannon, 12.30pm
Cork have a Division 2 Final to look forward to on Saturday April 12 at Croke Park.
The Leesiders are also promoted back to the top flight at the first attempt, after suffering relegation last year.
They’ll complete their group phase against Donegal, who’ll play in Division 2 again next year.
Donegal: C Friel; N Carr, C Gillespie, S McFeeley; S McFadden, E McGinley, N Boyle; R Rodgers (capt.), R McColgan; F McManamon, K Dowds, A Porter; E Gallagher, S White, J McFadden.
Cork: C Richmond; D Kiniry, S Leahy (capt.), K Horgan; M Duggan, S Cronin, A Ryan; S McGoldrick, A Healy; A O’Mahony, L Cleary; A Corcoran, L Hallihan, K Quirke.
Clare v Galway; Shanahan-McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
Clare begin the day in relegation trouble and need a positive result against Galway.
But it won’t be easy against the Tribeswomen, who will want to preserve their 100 per cent record ahead of a Division 2 Final clash with Cork.
Defeat for Clare is likely to see them relegated back to Division 3, after the high of winning the third tier title last year.
Clare: A Griffin; A Keane, G Harvey, R Doohan; E Burke, J Doohan, S Melican; C Harvey (capt.), R Martin; L Conway, M Downes, T Collins; E McNamara, A Considine, C Moloney.
Galway: L O’Halloran; M Jordan, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty (capt.); A Eilian, N Ward, H Noone; L Ward, S Divilly; O Divilly, S Hynes, A Davoren; K Thompson, R Leonard, K Slevin.
Westmeath v Monaghan; Ballynacargy GAA
Westmeath are one of three teams, along with Clare and Roscommon, who start the day on four points and with huge relegation fears.
The Lake County need to take something from their home clash with Monaghan, and hope that results elsewhere go their way.
Westmeath’s scoring difference of -53 could well tell against them at the close of play, however, with Clare on -22 and Roscommon -11.
Monaghan have enjoyed an encouraging season and were live promotion contenders for a spell.
Westmeath: A Temple; L McCartan, S Murphy, S Buckley; C Gonoud, L Power, F Coyle (capt.); T Dillon, V Carr; A Ruane, A Jones, P Ruane; G Byrne, C Kilmurray, S Dillon.
Monaghan: Ó Kelly; A Clarke, S Brady, C Brennan; A Burns (capt.), J Duffy, C Treanor; N Flanagan, R Courtney; G Grimes, A Garland, G Hanratty; L Connolly, É Sherry, L Garland.
Roscommon v Tipperary; St Croans
A Roscommon victory at home to Tipperary should keep them up.
The Rossies would move ahead of Tipperary and onto seven points, with the Premier County potentially dragged into the relegation dogfight in that case.
It’s an intriguing picture at the bottom of Division 2, with two from Westmeath, Clare, Roscommon and Tipperary to go down.
Roscommon: H Cummins; R Brady, S Wynne, S Fitzmaurice; R Lennon, E Irwin (capt.), M McKeon; A Curran, L Mannion; E Thompson, S McGuinness, N Watson; A Hanly, M Nolan, C Lennon.
Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick (capt.); N Martin, L Spillane, E Cronin; S English, M Curley, B Condon; A.R. Kennedy, S O’Carroll; H Spillane, N Towey, A O’Shea; C English, E Morrissey, A Fennessy.
Lidl National Football League – Division 3
Cavan v Limerick; Kingspan Breffni
These are good times for Cavan Ladies Football.
Lidl All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools titles were annexed by Bailieborough CS on the double recently, while Loreto lost out narrowly in the Senior A decider.
Cavan’s recent underage record is very good and the seniors have sealed promotion back to Division 2 at the first attempt.
To warm up ahead of the Division 3 Final on Sunday April 13, Cavan take on a Limerick team who will play in the third tier again next year.
Cavan: E Baugh; L Crowe, E Corcoran, H Fitzsimons; M Sheridan, S Lynch (capt.), S Greene; M Fitzpatrick, E Madden; S Fitzsimons, K McCormack, D Lynch; N McCorry, N Keenaghan, R McLoughlin.
Limerick: S Hennessy; S Dillon, Y Lee, R Browne; M MacNamara, C Mee, G Lee; G Mullane, O Ryan; R Ambrose (capt.), D Murphy, K O’Leary; L O’Brien, R Delee, C McNamara.
Down v Carlow; Páirc Esler, Newry
Down, on ten points, take on already relegated Carlow at Páirc Esler.
Down are not out of the hunt for promotion just yet but it would take a series of results to go in their favour.
The Mourne County will look to take care of their own business and keep an eye on what’s happening elsewhere then.
Down are level with Laois on ten points, two behind Louth (12) and three behind second placed Wexford (13).
A scenario could yet unfold where four teams are level behind Cavan on 13 points, with scoring difference then coming into play.
Down: C Byrne; C Milburn, A Greene, C McCreanor; N McClory, C Mulvenna (capt.), A Brogan; E Sands, M Doherty; A Laverty, E Fitzpatrick, L Duffy; A Smith, N King, N Rice.
Carlow: S Cotter; S McCullagh, A Carroll, G Sherlock; T Lyons, E Ware, M Cranny; R Bailey (capt.), E Hayden; B Nolan, C Ní Shé, O Woods; S Hayden, M Townsend, A Kiernan.
Offaly v Louth; Glenisk O’Connor Park
Louth need to win this Leinster derby and hope that Wexford slip up to seal promotion.
Louth are on 12 points, one behind the Slaneysiders ahead of Sunday’s games.
All Louth can do is win their game and then it’s over to Laois to see if they can do Wee County a favour in the promotion race.
Offaly: L Dunne; A Grehan, N Glackin, N Buckley; K Flynn, J Maher, D Hannon; M Mann (capt.), A Gavin Mangan; I Liu Lyons, E Hand, A Minnock; E Enright, C Walsh, A Stafford.
Louth: R Lambe Fagan; E Hand, E Murray, H Lambe Sally; C Nolan, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Breen (capt.), A Halligan; L White, A Russell, E Byrne; L Collins, K Flood, Z Sweeney.
Wexford v Laois; Chadwicks Wexford Park
A win for Wexford and they’ll be promoted, irrespective of what happens elsewhere.
Wexford start the day in second place and they have their destiny in their own hands ahead of the visit of Laois.
But the O’Moore County have plenty to play for themselves and are still very much in the promotion race.
A Laois win would bring them on to 13 points alongside Wexford and results elsewhere will play a big part then.
If it’s a case that Laois and Wexford are locked together on 13 points behind Cavan, and in second and third positions, it’ll be Laois who go up alongside Cavan on the head to head rule.
Wexford: S Cloake; S McCarthy, M Byrne, A Tormey; C Banville, A Halligan, K English; C Donnelly, R Murphy (capt.); B McDonald, C Murray, O Byrne; A Neville, A Fortune, C Fox.
Laois: E Barry; S Farrelly, A Moore, F McEvoy; C Crowley, A Moran (capt.), S Havill; F Dooley, A Cummins; E Lawlor, C Burke, L Kearney; E Galvin, G Moran, E Lacey.
Lidl National Football League – Division 4 – SEMI-FINALS
Antrim v Leitrim; Kingscourt Stars, Cavan – Live at: https://www.247.tv/live/svmstreaming
Antrim have the chance to get back to Division 3 at the first attempt.
The 2023 Division 4 winners endured a difficult campaign last year that saw them relegated.
But they’ve scorched through the group phase this year on maximum points, a run that set up a semi-final with fourth-placed Leitrim.
It’s a repeat of the 2023 Division 4 final between the counties and Leitrim, the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate winners, won’t want to lose a second successive semi-final, and miss out on promotion again.
The winners of this game will gain promotion to Division 3, and contest a Division 4 final on Sunday April 13.
Antrim won by four points when the sides met during the group phase.
Antrim: A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown, D Coleman; A Mulholland, A Tubridy; T Mellon, L Dahunsi, A Kelly; B Devlin (capt.), N Jones, M O’Neill.
Leitrim: M Monaghan; M Murphy, C Tyrell, J Maye; S Reynolds, C Owens, L Devaney; N Tighe, C Dolan; A Gilmartin, M Guckian (capt.), A Clancy; S Quinn, M Devaney, E Guckian.
Fermanagh v Sligo; St Barry’s GAA, Tarmonbarry, Co. Roscommon, 1pm
Fermanagh missed out on promotion last year when they lost out in a semi-final against Carlow.
The Erne County won’t want to slip up again in the last four but they face a tricky test against Sligo, relegated from Division 3 last year but pushing hard for a swift return.
The omens are good for Fermanagh is form to date this year is taken into account.
They were comfortable 2-10 to 0-6 winners over Sligo in the group stages, and they won six of their seven games to date, slipping up just once against Antrim.
Both of Sunday’s Division 4 semi-finals are Connacht v Ulster affairs.
Fermanagh: A Haren; E Murphy, C Clarke, E Keenan; N Boyle, C Murphy, C Bogue; R O’Reilly, M McGloin; B Smyth, C Martin, L Maguire; J Doonan, E Smyth, A McCabe.
Sligo: E Maguire; A Molloy, C Dunne, J Cregan; T Breheny, C King, C Walsh; T Doddy, S Regan (capt.); A McDaniel, E Kelleher, S Feeney; N Brennan, L Normanly, L Duffy.
