LISTEN: Sporting Limerick previews big weekend of Ladies Football Finals.

Gerald Griffins v Groody Gaels

Saturday 16 September at 9am in Knockainey

Gerald Griffins play Groody Gaels on Saturday at 9am in the County Junior Final. This game has received a world of attention due to the throw in time, which had been moved to the early morning to accomodate a tag-rugby tournament.

We spoke to Dan Cannon of Gerald Griffins prior to game to see how his side is preparing for the county final tomorrrow.

“Its something we have to do with the match coming up very quick on Saturday morning. Anything that has been on previous to this we have to forget about it.”

“The focus has been good and it has been good for the last couple of week. We have a match to play and I suppose we weren’t expecting to beat Adare but we did, so once that happened we were totally focused on the final.”

“We have to look at what the opposition are like and they are very good. They will be hot favourites on the day but please God, we’ll get our game together again and if we play as well as we did against Adare, surely we have a chance.”

St Brigids v Athea

Saturday 16 September at 2 in Bruff

Athea square off against St Brigids in the Intermediate final Saturday in a curtain raiser for the Senior final. These sides met in the group stages with Athea coming out on top. Athea have gone undefeated this year as they look to atone for the county final loss from last year.

One of Athea’s selectors Liz O’Sullivan says her sides training has been going well despite a number of players being missing from last years set up. The underage structure in the club is beginning to play their part with a young squad coming through.

“From that (Last year’s) team we’ve lost 10 players which is a lot and if you had said that to me last year i would have said that we wouldn’t have a team this year but we picked up a few new girls and a few of our underage have kind of stepped up to the mark… I think they are playing better as a unit”

As for St Brigids, there is no lacking in motivation as they were already beaten by Athea in this years championship. After beating Mungret St Pauls and Oola in the previous two rounds. Kevin Boyle of St Brigid’s is confident that his side have prepared as best as they can heading into the game.

“To go down to the wire, there wont be a thing between us. From previous history we’ve played each other not too often during the younger ages but in the last couple of years at adult level we’ve been very close with each other so i expect it to be a point or two either way.”

Ballylanders v Monagea

Saturday September at 4pm in Bruff

In this years, Ladies County Senior Final, last years champions Ballylanders take on surprise package Monagea in Bruff this Saturday at 4pm. Ahead of the game we spoke with Moanagea’s  Michael Quilligan about his sides chances.

Speaking about the ending to last weeks semi final where the game was decided by free kicks after two the game was drawn twice, Quilligan said,

“Look, you have to get on with it. Not a nice way to lose. If you win you move on to the next. I just try and put it behind us, its done and onto the next job, take it game by game so all the focus is in on Saturday now.”

Quilligan is well aware if the threat that Monagea’s opponents will pose this weekend, however, he is confident in his young sides chances come the weekend.

“You dont win a county senior title unless you’re a serious outfit… Very powerful, good on the ball. I’m expecting a well-orgainsed, well drilled side.”

There’s a lot of young ladies on that team, in the squad and to see them deveop the way they have is a credit to them to be fair like. They’ve developed game by game.”

Three-in-a-row chasing Ballylanders will head into the game as favourites due to their highly impressive recent form. However, they have been decimated with injuries and departures with no fewer than five of last years team not playing this year. Ballylander’s Danny Kelly is not getting ahead of himself as he spoke to us ahead of the game.

“We’re confident but we’re not overly confident… We had 25 players togged out in the county final last year and there was a lot of those that were good enough to be on… they’re were 5 or six very unlucky not to get on and they’re getting their chance this year.”

“We do expect a tough challenge. We’ve played them several times over the years and there’s never been more than a few points in it.”

After a tumultuous week for ladies football in Limerick, matters can finally switch to on field engagements in what promises to be a bumper weekend of football.

You can listen to the podcast and interview in full on the link below.