This weekend will mark the final round of action in the Leinster Ladies Football Championship Round Robin Series. Dublin and Meath meet in a dress rehearsal of the senior final on Sunday, Westmeath meeting Wexford will also be a dress rehearsal for the intermediate decider. Victory for Carlow this weekend will see them advance to the Junior Final.
Leinster Senior Football Championship
In Parnell Park on Sunday Dublin take on Meath in what is a dress rehearsal for next weekend’s Leinster Final. How both teams line-out for this game and approach it will be interesting.
Kildare and Laois meet in Newbridge on Saturday with both sides looking for their first win of the championship.
Kildare v Laois, Sat 4th May, Manguard Park, 2pm
Both sides will be hoping to register their first win of the championship when they meet in Celbridge on Saturday afternoon.
Kildare have lost to Dublin and Meath. Last weekend in their encounter with Meath they lost by five points. Despite being rocked by conceding two first half goals Diane O’Hora’s side battled to try and get back into the game.
Laois lost their opening game to Meath and last weekend they fell to a heavy defeat to Dublin. They only scored one point – that came in the second half.
When these two sides met earlier in the league Kildare emerged victorious. Championship is different.
Dublin v Meath, Sun 5th May, Parnell Park, 2pm
A dress rehearsal for next weekend’s Leinster Final. Both sides have won two games each in the group stages of the championship.
Last weekend Meath overcame Kildare while Dublin were ruthless in their comprehensive win away to Laois. Several players were rested for that game; the luxury that Dublin manager Mick Bohan has.
With very little at stake the result should mean little but both teams will want to continue their winning run and go into the final on the back of another victory. Meath have already defeated Dublin this year; that came in the league earlier this year.
Leinster Intermediate Football Championship
Wexford have already booked their place in the Leinster Final and it looks like Westmeath, who they face on Sunday, will be their opponents in the final.
In Tullamore two sides looking for their first win of the championship meet when Offaly take on Wicklow.
Offaly v Wicklow, Sun 5th May, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2pm
Offaly go into this game knowing that their chances of advancing to the Leinster Final rely on a comprehensive win over Wicklow and Wexford to inflict a heavy defeat on Westmeath.
After picking up a point in their opening game, Offaly fell to Wexford last weekend. They’ll be disappointed with that result, having played well against Westmeath and were unlucky not to pick up a win.
Wicklow are looking to record their first win of the championship. They lost their opening game to Wexford and fell to a heavy defeat to Westmeath last weekend. The two sides met in the group stages of the All-Ireland last year with Wicklow winning by two points. Can they do the same on Sunday?
Wexford v Westmeath, Sun 5th May, Starlights, Bellefield, Enniscorthy, 2pm
Two sides that are unbeaten in the group stages so far. Wexford have two wins from two while Westmeath have drawn one and won one. Wexford are already in the final.
Wexford booked their place in the final with a good win at home to Offaly last weekend. They had beaten neighbours Wicklow in their opening game.
After claiming a point in their opening game against Offaly, Westmeath picked up a win last weekend away to Wicklow. Frank Browne’s side are all but in the final baring a massive defeat in this game and Offaly to overturn a huge score difference.
Leinster Junior Football Championship
It’s all to play for in the Junior Championship this weekend. Longford have two wins from two and if they avoid defeat away to Louth on Friday night they’ll book their place in the final.
Carlow take on Kilkenny knowing that a win over their neighbours will see them advance to the Leinster Final.
Louth v Longford, Fri 3rd May, PPFS GAA Training Centre, Darver, 8pm
Longford will advance to the Leinster Final if they avoid defeat away to Louth in Darver. For the Wee County they have to win if they want to reach the final.
After an opening day defeat to Carlow, Louth bounced back last weekend with a big win away to Kilkenny. It was perfect preparation for this big game against Longford.
Longford have won their opening two games. A good win away to Kilkenny and then last weekend they came from behind to record an excellent win over Carlow. The last time these two sides met was in Division where Louth recorded a win. A lot has changed since last year and this game will be a tight affair.
Carlow v Kilkenny, Sun 5th May, Netwatch Training Centre, Fenagh, 2pm
A win for Carlow on Sunday and they’ll be in the Final. Kilkenny have two defeats from two and will hope that their luck can change.
After defeating Louth in their opening game Carlow fell to Longford last weekend. The Midlanders came from behind in that game to claim the win. They’ll want to bounce back in perfect style this weekend.
Kilkenny have battled in games but unfortunately have fallen to both Longford and Louth in these championships. These two sides met in the league earlier this year with Carlow having a fine win over the Cats. Kilkenny failed to score in that game.
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