Ladies Gaelic Football

ladiesgaelic.ie // 13 CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 PREVIEW Volume 14 | Issue No 2 | PEIL Summer 13 years. The Westerners did similarly in the league semi final this year, dashing Cork's six in-a-row dreams. Although they've lost some of their biggest names, this Cork team is exciting to watch with some incredible talent coming through. Saoirse Noonan's 2-2 from the bench in the Munster final, up and coming talent in Cork is undeniable. And as we all know, they can never be written off. GROUP 3 – Waterford, Westmeath and Galway. The Connacht champions have been cooking up a storm in the West this year. Stephen Glennon's side are the only team to have beaten Dublin, and looked good as they edged Mayo in the provincial decider. They're another team bolstered by exciting youth with the likes of Aine McDonagh, Ailbhe Davoran and Leanne Coen combining brilliantly with the more well-known names of Tracey Leonard, Sinead Burke and the Ward sisters, Nicola and Louise. I think they have the potential to cause serious damage in this group from what I've seen of them this year, but then again, Waterford and Westmeath are both well-drilled, experienced outfits and have the ability to cause upsets. GROUP 4 – Cavan, Mayo and, Dublin. This pool surely caught the eyes of many with last year's All-Ireland final pairing and this year's league finalists crossing paths once again. Mick Bohan's charges have won by 12 and 11 points on those occasions respectively but anyone who's been to the games would agree that the scorelines aren't accurate reflections of the action. Mayo have been impressive this year with the lightening pace and unerring accuracy of Sarah Rowe, Niamh and Grace Kelly and Sinead Cafferky all making huge impact. Mayo have been knocking on the door and will be relishing another crack at the Dubs. First up though, they have 2017 and 2018 Division 2 finalists Cavan. The Ulster side have been steadily there or thereabouts since their promotion to senior in 2014, but are yet to make a major breakthrough. Dublin will start as one of the favourites – if not the favourite – to land the biggest prize in ladies football again on 16 September, and rightly so. The Sky Blues have made waves once again this year and the strength in depth they have in their ranks is second to none. They're relentless, fascinating to watch and epitomised best through the work-rate of Noelle Healy. It's hard to look past them as my tip for glory, but there is definitely four or five teams that could do it – Donegal being my pick as new champions perhaps. TG4 ALL IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP The Intermediate Championship is set to be a really really tight. There are a number of quality sides that have positioned themselves as real contenders. That's the beauty of it – anyone could beat anyone else on any given day. Last year's finalists Tyrone look really strong once again and they could get over the line this year, but then you have the likes of 2018 Division 3 champions Wexford, finalists Meath, Clare and Laois all serious contenders in my opinion too. Even looking at the teams I haven't named – Kildare, Roscommon, Wicklow, Longford, Sligo, Offaly, Down and Fermanagh – they're all great sides so anything could happen. TG4 ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP The junior championship is heating up nicely too with seven really competitive counties taking part. London, who bowed out a er extra- time in last year's semi, will look to go a step or two further while beaten finalists Fermanagh will look to finally put the pain to bed in Croke Park. Louth are another to keep a close eye on as they play in honour of their late manager Micheál McKeown and look to add to their Leinster crown. As you can see, each of the three divisions are extremely tough to call but that's only a good thing. We're in store for yet another exciting, long, hot summer of action that will reach its peak in Croke Park on 16 September. Emma Duffy writes for the 42.ie

• Cover