Previews: Lidl NFL Div1

A big weekend lies in store in Round of the 2022 Lidl Ladies National Football League – as the leading contenders push for semi-final slots.  

There’s a full schedule of games pencilled in, including a Division 1B clash at Croke Park on Saturday (5.15pm) between 2021 finalists Dublin and Cork – Live on TG4.  

Also in Division 1B, Meath travel to Waterford on Sunday, while there’s a Connacht derby between Galway and Mayo in Division 1A, as Westmeath host Donegal.  

Lidl NFL Division 1A: 

Galway v Mayo; ** GAME POSTPONED **

Galway lost out by three points on their visit to Ballybofey last Saturday night but the interim management team will have been encouraged by the efforts of a squad minus the Kilkerrin-Clonberne contingent.  

Mayo, meanwhile, got off to a flier at the Connacht GAA Air Dome, as the green and red enjoyed a big win against Westmeath.  

The counties meet for the first time since the 2021 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final, which Mayo won by four points.  

Mayo will start as favourites to claim a second successive win but form will be cast to one side in a Connacht derby.  

Mayo are unchanged, as Galway bring Fabienne Cooney and Linda Booth in for starts.  

Westmeath v Donegal; St Loman’s (3G), Mullingar, Sunday February 20th, 2pm

Westmeath were 2021 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Champions but they’ve flirted with League relegation in recent times.  

They could have another battle on their hands after losing heavily to Mayo last Saturday evening – but home advantage could count for something against Donegal on Sunday.  

The 3G pitch might stand to them, too, having played on the Air Dome surface in Round 1.  

Donegal got off to a winning start against Galway, and boss Maxi Curran has named an unchanged side as the Ulster side look to make a big step towards the semi-finals.  

Westmeath have just one change in personnel – as Niamh Nolan comes in for Ashley Ruane at midfield.  

Lidl NFL Division 1B:

Dublin v Cork; Croke Park, 5.15pm, Saturday February 19th – Live on TG4 

These two counties will start most seasons as leading contenders for the big prizes on offer – and 2022 is no different.  

Without their Mourneabbey contingent, Cork were still competitive against Meath in Navan last Saturday, losing out by just two points against a strong Royal County outfit.  

Dublin, meanwhile, began with a comfortable win on their visit to Waterford, to get their League title defence off to a good start.  

This is a must-win for Cork – and that outcome would ensure a nerve-jangling third round of fixtures on March 5/6.  

Niamh Hetherton comes in for a start for Dublin, while Roisin Phelan and Libby Coppinger are drafted into the Cork starting line-up. 

Waterford v Meath; Fraher Field, Dungarvan, Sunday February 20th, 2pm 

Ultimately, it was victory over Tipperary in the group phase last year that kept Waterford out of a relegation play-off.  

But the Déise find themselves in a group this year that contains the League champions Dublin, the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Champions Meath, and Cork, who’ve won the Lidl National League Division 1 title 12 times.  

It’s a tough ask for Waterford to get points on the board and after losing to Dublin last weekend at Fraher Field, now it’s Meath’s turn to visit the Dungarvan venue.  

The Royals are coming with a pep in their step too, after getting their Division 1 campaign off to a flier against Cork.  

Waterford have resisted the temptation to shuffle their pack, as Ciara Smyth earns a start for Meath.