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12 // Ladies Gaelic Football Association TG4 ALL IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1 – Tipperary, Kerry and Donegal. 2017 All-Ireland intermediate champions Tipperary are a side who have risen like no other over the past year or two. A er securing their Division 1 status for 2019, they'll be keen to make their mark on senior this year and are more than capable, especially with the talent of Aishling Moloney and Aisling McCarthy in their ranks. Kerry meanwhile came through a tough spring but have shown true resilience and character to bounce back against the odds. They had a convincing win over Waterford and were right in the mix in the Munster decider until Cork pulled away at the end. Joining the southern rivals is Donegal, a side many have been excited about of late. There is a real sense that this could be their year, and I for one most definitely see them as serious All-Ireland contenders. GROUP 2 – Monaghan, Armagh and Cork. Two CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 PREVIEW PEIL Summer | Issue No 2 | Volume 14 he TG4 All-Ireland championship series is just around the corner and the excitement levels are through the roof. This year things are slightly different with the new revamped round-robin format. It's eagerly anticipated with players and fans alike looking forward to more weekly mouth-watering clashes than ever before. Building on the phenomenal success of 2017 and that record- smashing crowd of 46,286 at All- Ireland finals day in Croke Park, 2018 is shaping up to be even better. The Lidl Ladies National Football league was a roaring success across each of the four divisions. There were no shortage of ups and downs, standout teams and individual performances, shock results – and some not so. The high standard of football across the board, bodes well for the summer ahead.Dublin, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow scooped the silverware but the league is well and truly in the past now and we're in championship mode. We witnessed some great football in the TG4 Provincial championships, with several teams making statements of intent for further down the line. Just look at Donegal racking up 9-21 against Armagh in the Ulster final while holders of the Brendan Martin Cup Dublin got their defence off to a bright start as they powered to a seventh Leinster title in-a-row. Mayo and Galway played out a thriller in the Connacht final with the latter triumphing, and Cork stole the Munster crown back from Kerry a er a fierce battle under the sun in CIT. From there, let's focus on the All- Ireland senior championship. Four hotly-contested groups of three throwing up some really interesting encounters. Emma Duffy looks forward to the 2018 TG4 Championships Ulster rivals who are no strangers to each other are joined by Ephie Fitzgerald's Rebels in this pool. A er a disappointing provincial run, Monaghan will be keen to make amends in the All-Ireland stages. Armagh are never short of ambition especially with the back-bone of the sheer skill and athleticism of Aimee Mackin and Caroline O'Hanlon. All eyes will be on the rising Cork team. Everyone is interested to see how they'll navigate the summer, especially a er being knocked off their perch last year. Mayo sent them packing at the semi-final stage and ended their bid for a 12 th title in T