All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Cork v Monaghan, Saturday, 5.00, Limerick
Monaghan’s ladies bid to qualify for the All-Ireland Final for the first time since 2013 when they take on holders Cork at Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.
Monaghan put a tough league campaign, where they had to battle to hang onto Division One status, behind them to regain the Ulster title with wins over Armagh and Cavan. Paula Cunningham’s side then cut loose against Kerry in their All-Ireland quarter-final, scoring six goals. Cork have won 10 of the last 11 All-Irelands – beating Monaghan in three finals – and despite losing long-time manager Éamonn Ryan, the Rebelettes have continued to dominate the Munster championship, before crushing Cavan in the second half of their All-Ireland quarter-final.
Monaghan have been without some experienced players this year, but they have been boosted by the return of Caoimhe Mohan, who joins the likes of Laura McEnaney, Ellen McCarron, Therese Scott and Ciara McAnespie in a talented attack. Sharon and Cora Courtney, Gráinne McNally and Aoife McAnespie are other key players for the Ulster champions. Former stars Valerie Mulcahy and Juliet Murphy have retired, but Cork can still call on players of the calibre of Orla Finn, Ciara O’Sullivan, Bríd Stack, Deirdre O’Reilly, Rena Buckley, Briege Corkery and Annie Walsh.
Monaghan: Catríona McKenna; Rachel McKenna, Josephine Fitzpatrick, Lianne Ward; Aoife McAnespie, Sharon Courtney, Gráinne McNally; Cora Courtney, Eimear McAnespie; Laura McEnaney, Ellen McCarron, Therese Scott; Ciara McAnespie (Capt.), Caoimhe Mohan, Rosemary Courtney.
Subs: Aoife Hamill, Michaela McQuaid, Niamh Callan, Hazel Kingham, Julie McGuirk, Lauren Jones, Orlaith Maguire, Gráinne McKenna, Eva Woods, Clodagh Hamilton, Naomi Cogan, Muireann Atkinson, Danica Tavey, Kathy McKenna, Ellen McMeel.
Cork: Martina O’Brien; Marie Ambrose, Bríd Stack, Róisín Phelan; Vera Foley, Deirdre O’Reilly, Shauna Kelly; Rena Buckley, Briege Corkery; Annie Walsh, Ciara O’Sullivan (Capt.), Orlagh Farmer; Libby Coppinger, Doireann O’Sullivan, Orla Finn.
Subs: Meabh O’Sullivan, Áine O’Sullivan, Jess O’Shea, Aisling Barrett, Rhona Ní Bhuachalla, Aisling Hutchings, Hannah Looney, Eimear Meaney, Eimear Scally, Mairéad Corkery, Louise Coholan, Áine Hayes, Sinéad Cotter, Emma Farmer.
By cshalvey Sat 3rd Sep
