This weekend will see this years Leinster Ladies Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship kick off as the Championship season is upon us. The big game in the Senior Championship is the meeting of All-Ireland Senior Champions Dublin and All-Ireland Intermediate Champions Kildare.
Senior Championship
An intriguing Leinster Senior Championship starts this weekend. The big game is the meeting of All-Ireland Senior Champions Dublin and All-Ireland Intermediate Champions Kildare. The Lilywhites are on a 22 game unbeaten run and face a huge test.
In the other championship meeting Meath welcome Laois to Navan on Sunday. Laois were relegated to Division 3 but will want to put that behind them as they start off the championship against the 2021 and 2022 All-Ireland Champions.
Dublin v Kildare, Sun 21st Apr, Parnell Park, 2pm
It’s the meeting of 2023 All-Ireland Senior Champions Dublin and All-Ireland Intermediate Champions Kildare in Parnell Park on Sunday. The last time Kildare played in the Leinster Senior Championship was back in 2017.
The Lilywhites have been in superb form under manager Diane O’Hora. Last year they clinched the Division 3 title, Leinster Intermediate Championship and the All-Ireland Championship. This year they claimed the Division 2 title and promotion to Division 1. They are on an unbeaten run of 22 games. This is a huge test for Kildare but one they will relish.
Mick Bohan’s Dublin finished 3rd in Division 1 this year; missing out on a place in the final by one point. They come into this game on the back of good form. They are also reigning Leinster Champions and will hope to retain that title.
Meath v Laois, Sun 21st Apr, Páirc Tailteann, 2pm
Having been relegated from Division 2, having recorded no wins and picking up just one point, Laois start their Leinster campaign with a tough game away to Meath.
Last year Laois failed to pick up a point in Leinster but defeated Cavan in the relegation play-off to retain their senior status for this year. They know how important a good start is.
Meath have been in transition. They lost their All-Ireland crown to Dublin last year. They had mixed fortunes in the league but ended the campaign with a fine win over Cork. They’ll be out to give a good account of themselves in Navan.
Intermediate Championship
There’s a Midlands derby on Sunday in Mullingar as Westmeath entertain Offaly. Both sides finished mid-table in their respective divisions and will hope to have a good championship campaign.
Westmeath v Offaly, Sun 21st Apr, St. Loman’s Mullingar, 2pm
Just three years ago Westmeath claimed the All-Ireland Intermediate title with victory over Wexford. The year after they suffered relegation back down to the Intermediate grade. Last year they were beaten in the quarter-finals by Clare. The Banner County went on to reach the final but lost to Kildare.
The Lake County are now managed by former Mayo manager Frank Browne. After finishing mid-table in Division 2 they’ll want to make strides in the championship. Their neighbours Offaly will provide a stern test.
Offaly have a number of Naomh Ciaran players in their side. The club reached the Leinster Senior Club Final last year. Like Westmeath they finished mid-table in their division – Division 3.
Wexford v Wicklow, Sun 21st Apr, Starlights/Rapparees GAA, Bellefield, Enniscorthy
Wexford were beaten Leinster Finalists last year and will be keen to go one better this time.
They open their provincial campaign against Wicklow, who finished just outside the semi-final places in Division 4 of the Lidl NFL.
Wexford will start as favourites here but Wicklow shouldn’t be underestimated.
Junior Championship
Carlow will want to build on their recent Division 4 title success when they take on Louth on Sunday. This is the big game of the Leinster Junior Championship with both sides vying for provincial success.
In the other championship game Longford travel to Dunmore to take on Kilkenny. The Midlanders were relegated from the Intermediate Championship last year. They’ll hope to start their championship campaign with a win.
Carlow v Louth, Sun 21st Apr, SETU Carlow, 2pm
This has the makings of an exciting tie. Carlow come into this game on the back of promotion to Division 3 and having claimed the Division 4 title with victory over Limerick. They’ll want to add more silverware.
Louth finished third from bottom in Division 3. They were unfortunate in a number of games, and unlucky not to have picked up more points. They find themselves in the Junior Championship having been relegated from Intermediate last year.
Just five years ago Louth claimed the Junior title. Carlow reached the semi-final of the competition last year but were beaten by eventual winners Down. Both sides will have aspirations of claiming provincial and All-Ireland titles this year.
Kilkenny v Longford, Sun 21st Apr, MW Hire Training Centre Dunmore, 2pm
Longford come into this game on the back of relegation from the Intermediate Championship last year. There has been lots of change for the Midlanders and it’s a young panel that manager Pat Tiernan has to pick from.
Despite going another Division 4 campaign with no points, Kilkenny have battled hard in games and will no doubt do the same on Sunday against Longford. The Cats scored two goals when the sides met earlier in the league. Longford claimed the win on a scoreline of 4-09 to 2-01.
Longford missed out on making the Division 4 semi-finals with two defeats in their final two games. They’ll want to start the championship with a win and build on that.
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland