PREVIEW: It’s Quarter-Finals Time In This Year’s Ladies Football Championship

There’s an action-packed weekend ahead in this year’s ladies football championships as the quarter-finals of the competition get underway.

Indeed all roads will lead to Limerick on Saturday for a mouth-watering senior championship double header at the Gaelic Grounds.

First up, Kerry will take on Mayo at 4.15pm in what should be an interesting and close clash.

Kerry celebrate their Munster victory. 

Kerry dethroned Cork in Munster earlier this season and their skill and determination has been pushing them forward all year.

Mayo meanwhile suffered a Connacht final loss to Galway but went on to showcase their depth of talent with an outstanding win over Tyrone in the qualifiers.

Cora Staunton is on form as always. 

Kerry will need to keep a close eye on the supremely in-form Cora Staunton, but indeed have threats of their own up front in the form of Louise Ní Muircheartaigh.

Up next will be the hugely-anticipated clash between Cork and Galway at 6pm.

Arguably the top two counties in the country at the moment, the pair already went head-to-head in the Division 1 League final this year, where Cork only just snatched victory by a single point after a replay.

Cork won the League earlier this year. 

Two massive contenders for the All-Ireland crown this year, Galway come into the game off the back of that Connacht final win over Mayo.

Cork meanwhile were dealt a blow by Kerry in Munster, but went on to a comprehensive victory over Meath in the qualifiers and will be hoping to maintain a winning streak.

With talent all over the field, both sides have some players to watch with Cork’s Rena Buckley, Aine O’Sullivan and Rhona Ní Bhuachalla just a few to keep an eye on.

Annette Clarke in action for Galway.

For Galway, a surprise came with the news that stalwart Annette Clarke has been replaced at midfield. Meanwhile, Tracey Leonard, Roisín Leonard and Patricia Gleeson will all be key for the Tribeswomen.

Cork may well be favourites for this encounter for many, but we think it’s a much tougher one to call.

The winner of this game will play the winner of the Kerry/Mayo game in the semi-final of the competition.

Waterford celebrate their seventh title in a row.

On to the intermediate championship and Sligo and Waterford go head-to-head in Birr at 2pm to open up another double header.

Expected to be one of the games of the weekend, these sides have previously met in the Division 3 League final, where Sligo produced a fantastic display to win.

Sligo went on to overcome Roscommon after suffering defeat to Leitrim in the Connacht final, while Waterford have had a strong season as well.

Sligo won Division 3 this year.

Following on from that, it will be the turn of Clare and Leitrim at 3.45pm.

Clare, who have recently returned to the intermediate ranks from senior will be facing off to a Leitrim side that plays a division below them in the League, so both sides are largely entering the unknown in this contest and as such, that makes it an extremely hard one to call.

Finally in the junior championship, Scotland will face Louth in Edinburgh while Lancashire and Derry go head-to-head.