Lidl Ladies NFL previews
FOLLOWING on from last night’s Dublin-Cork clash at Croke Park, the first of three games to be televised live by eir sport, the Lidl Ladies National Football League breaks further ground this afternoon.
There are two mouthwatering double-headers-down for decision as the TG4 cameras descend on Pearse Stadium in Salthill for a live Connacht derby between Galway and Mayo (12pm), before the men’s teams from the same counties do battle.
It’s a similar story at Páirc Grattan in Inniskeen, with Monaghan hosting Kerry at 12pm, ahead of the clash between their male counterparts.
Elsewhere in Division 1, a Westmeath team searching desperately for points welcome Donegal to Kinnegad for a 1.30pm start.
Galway have already beaten Mayo this term, in the Connacht Winter League final, but this should be a muchcloser encounter, with the Tribeswomen looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Mayo began with victory over Westmeath but lost out to Kerry last weekend – and manager Peter Leahy will target a return to winning ways as he continues to survey his panel in the continued absence of long-serving leader Cora Staunton, whose Greater Western Sydney Giants lost heavily to Carlton in the women’s AFL on Friday.
If results go their way over the weekend, Galway could find themselves in second place at the conclusion of round 3, and very much on course for a place in the Division 1 semi-finals.
Cork and Dublin were the early pace-setters ahead of their clash at GAA HQ last night, but Galway are viewed by many as potential dark horses in league and championship this year.
In Division 2, there’s a tasty top of the table clash in store as Tyrone and Tipperary, who are both protecting 100 per cent League records, meet in a repeat of last year’s TG4 All-
Ireland intermediate final.
In Division 3, there’s also a double-header as the Roscommon ladies host Meath, before Kevin McStay’s Connacht senior champions entertain Down, with both games at Dr Hyde Park. Lidl NFL Fixtures (2pm unless stated): Division 1 Monaghan v Kerry (12pm), Páirc Grattan, Inniskeen Galway v Mayo (12pm), Pearse Stadium Westmeath v Donegal (1.30pm), Kinnegad Division 2 Cavan v Clare, Doonbeg Tyrone v Tipperary (1pm), Drumragh Sligo v Armagh, St Mary’s, Dr Kent Park, Sligo town Laois v Waterford (2pm), Mountmellick Division 3 Longford v Down, McGann Park, Keenagh Leitrim v Offaly, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-onShannon Kildare v Wexford, Hawkfield Roscommon v Meath, Dr Hyde Park Division 4 Limerick v Wicklow, Askeaton Carlow v Derry , Fenagh Training Centre Fermanagh v Louth, St Patrick’s, Donagh Antrim v Kilkenny, Rathmore GS, Belfast