The TG4 Munster and Ulster football championships begin this weekend with a number of key fixtures down for decision.
In Munster, it’s semi-final weekend as Tipperary play host to Cork on Saturday, before Kerry host Waterford at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Sunday.
Later on Sunday evening, attention switches up north where Armagh clash with Cavan for a place in the Ulster final.
TG4 Munster Ladies SFC semi-finals
Saturday 2 June: Tipperary v Cork, Ardfinnan, 2pm.
Tipperary are flying high after securing promotion to Division 1 of the Lidl National League, thanks to their recent Division 2 final victory over Cavan, which ended in dramatic circumstances at Parnell Park.
Cavan were awarded a penalty at the death after forward Bronagh Sheridan went down while trying to get a shot at goal. A goal from the penalty spot would have given a narrow victory, but after consulting with the umpires, the referee reversed the call and decided on a throw-up instead.
Shane Ronayne's side are the reigning TG4 Munster and All-Ireland intermediate champions but face a real baptism of fire on their return to senior championship football, when they welcome Cork to Ardfinnan on Saturday for what promises to be a cracking tie.
All eyes will be on the Rebelettes as they aim to bounce back from their Lidl NFL Division 1 defeat to Mayo, and lay down a marker for the summer ahead.
It’s still expected that Cork will be in the shake-up for All-Ireland senior honours come the end of the season but of more immediate concern to Ephie Fitzgerald’s charges is regaining the provincial title, as Kerry are the current holders.
An intriguing tie lies in store and adding to the spice is the fact that Ronayne will have the inside track on many of the Cork players, as he’s also the current Mourneabbey club manager.
Tipp have potential match-winners in Aishling Moloney, Aisling McCarthy, Gillian O’Brien and dual star Orla O’Dwyer but Cork’s team is laced with class, and they’ll look to the O’Sullivans, Ciara and Doireann, and inside pair Orla Finn and Eimear Scally for attacking inspiration.
Sunday 3 June: Kerry v Waterford, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.30pm.
Kerry, the reigning TG4 Munster senior champions, get the chance to parade their skills in a double-header along the county’s men’s team this weekend.
Under the guidance of new manager Eddie Sheehy, Kerry will look to put a turbulent League campaign behind them and produce an encouraging championship campaign.
The Kingdom won’t need reminding, however, that Waterford beat them in the round-robin stage of the 2017 Munster championship, and they needed a late flourish to see off the Déise in the provincial decider.
Waterford have made excellent progress under manager Pat Sullivan in recent seasons and they can’t be underestimated.
They’re the only team to beat Tipperary in a competitive game in 2018 and they fell narrowly short against Cavan in the Lidl NFL Division 2 semi-final.
Kerry will see this game as the start of a new era under Sheehy, and with former Kerry and Munster GAA chairman Sean Walsh now at the helm as Kerry LGFA chairperson.
Stability off the field could result in a positive performance on it and Kerry have plenty of experience in their ranks, including Aislinn Desmond, All-Star LorraiSeme Scanlon and attackers Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and skipper Sarah Houlihan.
Waterford had Michelle McGrath named on the Lidl NFL Division 2 team of the year recently, while Aileen Wall and Maria Delahunty are marquee forwards.
TG4 Ulster Ladies SFC semi-final
Sunday 3 June: Cavan v Armagh, Inniskeen, 6pm.
When these counties met in round 2 of the Lidl NFL Division 2 League campaign earlier in the year, they fought out a thrilling draw, with both sides scoring 2-14.
They went on to make the knock-out stages of the League, Armagh losing to Tipperary in the final before Cavan came a cropper against the Premier County in the decider.
There’s little to separate Cavan and Armagh and this fixture will come down to fine margins.
The fact that current Cavan boss James Daly was a hugely-successful Armagh manager will provide him with an inside track on the Breffni County’s opponents but that may not count for much once the ball is thrown in.
Cavan were finalists two years ago while Armagh last lifted the Ulster title back in 2014, when Daly was in charge.
Armagh also played in a couple of All-Ireland semi-finals during his tenure, so this is a man who’s used to big occasions.
Armagh have marquee forward Aimee Mackin to call upon as they target another Ulster final appearance, with Northern Ireland netball star Caroline O’Hanlon pulling the strings in midfield.
Cavan will look to Aisling Maguire and Aishling Sheridan to fire the bullets up front as they go in search of victory.
