The second of this year’s TG4 ladies football All-Ireland senior semi-finals was decided this weekend, after a cracking double-header of football at Clones.
Armagh and Dublin will now go head-to-head on September 5th after overcoming Donegal and Monaghan respectively on Saturday afternoon.
Geraldine McLaughlin in action against Sinéad McCleary
First up, Armagh and Donegal played off in a thrilling encounter that saw the Orchard County ahead by just two points at the final whistle, 2-13 to 2-11.
In what was a repeat of this year’s Division 2 League final, a strong finish from Armagh saw them progress to the semi-final.
Caroline O’Hanlon, Armagh, and Donegal’s Aoife McDonnell
It was neck-in-neck throughout, though Donegal had the better of the first half, heading to the dressing room with a two-point lead, 1-7 to 0-8.
As the second half progressed, Donegal seemed to have gained the upper hand after 44 minutes when the on-form Yvonne McMonagle hit her second goal of the day to put them 2-10 to 1-10 ahead.
However, the momentum swung back in favour of Armagh almost immediately, as the talented Caroline O’Hanlon levelled matters with a goal at the other end.
Aimee Mackin, Armagh, and Therese McCafferty, Donegal
A point from Geraldine McLaughlin sent Donegal into the lead once more, but that was to be their final score of the game, as Armagh dug deep and drove home to victory.
Points from Fionnuala McKenna, O’Hanlon and Aimee sealed their win and their spot in the semi-final.
Next up, it was the hugely-anticipated clash between Dublin and Monaghan and by the final whistle, it was a first-half goal from Carla Rowe that separated the sides as Dublin ran out winners, 1-13 to 0-13.
Ciara McAnespie, Monaghan, in action against Sorcha Furlong.
Dublin had the better of the first half, opening up an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead and, thanks to Rowe’s goal, were ahead by six at the break (1-7 to 0-4).
Monaghan came flying out of the traps in the second half however, and Dublin were put under severe pressure as they drove forward, and by the 43rd minute, had closed the gap to just two points.
Dublin settled again, however, through points from Amy Connolly, Lyndsey Davey, Niamh McEvoy and Hannah Noonan, but Monaghan were not giving up that easily.
Celebrations at the final whistle.
Once more, they managed to bring the game back to within two thanks to scores from Caitríona McConnell and Cora Courtney, to tee up a tense and nerve-wracking finish.
It was a well-timed pass from the hugely impressive Lyndsey Davey on to Niamh Collins that got Dublin that all-important insurance point as the clock ticked down, and they held firm in the dying stages to seal victory.
Carla Rowe, the LGFA/TG4 Player of the Match.
Dublin now face Armagh in the All-Ireland semi-final on September 5th, with Kerry and Cork going head-to-head in the other semi-final in a repeat of this year’s Munster final.
Meanwhile in the intermediate championship, a blistering performance by newly-regraded Kildare saw them overcome Wexford 2-18 to 2-7 and they now go on to meet Offaly who put in a fantastic performance to overcome Fermanagh 0-13 to 1-7.
Aimee Mackin, Armagh, the LGFA/TG4 Player of the Match
Images: Sportsfile
