Meath aim to capitalise on any Tipp slip as last-eight spot beckons
Ciara McCarthy of Kerry is tackled by Lisa Young of Meath, who starts against Tipperary this weekend, during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 clash last March. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Tipperary make the trip to Navan knowing that if they avoid defeat, they’ll join Armagh in the quarter-finals from Group 1 with the line-up for this year’s TG4 Ladies All-Ireland SFC set to be completed this weekend.
The equation is simple for Meath, who have to win at Páirc Tailteann to make it into the last eight. And on what we’ve seen to date, very little will separate these teams as Meath lost to Armagh by just a point, while Tipp claimed a draw against the Orchard County.
The winners of this game will secure a quarter-final away from home, with Armagh already guaranteed top spot.
Tipp are unchanged after claiming what could be a vital point against Armagh, as Meath make two changes to the team that narrowly lost out to the Orchard County.
Ciara Lawlor and Lisa Young are handed starts, with Sarah Wall and Kerrie Cole dropping out.
It’s a very similar situation in Group 2 as Waterford and Donegal prepare for a massive Walsh Park fixture.
Donegal make the trip south knowing that avoiding defeat will see them through to the last eight.
Waterford must win after losing out heavily to Kerry last weekend but they’ll take motivation from a first appearance at Walsh Park in 21 years.
There’s a sense of history in the air for the Déise but they’ll need rapid improvement after falling heavily to the Kingdom in Killarney.
Donegal, in contrast, claimed a draw against the 2022 and 2023 All-Ireland finalists in their first group game, on the back of what was an encouraging display.
The winners of this game will finish second in Group 2 – and will be faced with a quarter-final away from home.
Waterford boss Pat Sullivan has handed a vote of confidence to the starting 15 that lined out against Kerry, as Donegal make just one change – with Jenny McGettigan coming in at midfield for Niamh Carr.
In Group 3, Cork are already through as group winners with Galway and Laois battling it out for second spot.
Should this game end in a draw, the team that progresses will be the one that registers the most points (scores converted over the bar). If they still can’t be separated, overall score difference will come into play, with Galway in pole position in this regard (-2 compared to -23 for Laois).
In Group 4, reigning champions Dublin make the trip to Manguard Park against Kildare knowing a win or a draw will see them through to the last eight as group winners.
Mayo will hope Kildare can spring a massive surprise, which could see the green and red through as table-toppers.
The odds are stacked against Kildare, however, as Dublin ran out 4-15 to 2-4 winners when the sides met in the Leinster Championship.
