PREVIEW | Limerick Ladies Footballers seek second final of the year as they prepare for All-Ireland clash with Fermanagh

The Limerick Ladies footballers hope to make it third time lucky in the All-Ireland semi-final this weekend.

Limerick take on Fermanagh this Sunday in Kiltoom with a place in the All-Ireland Junior Final on offer.

Graham Shine’s side lost their opener to Antrim but responded well with a win over New York to seal their place in the last four.

Their opponents, Fermanagh were runners up in group one, beating Derry and London but losing to Carlow. The Ulster side advanced at the expense of Derry holding a superior scoring difference with the top three all ending the group stage on six points.

Path to the Final

Limerick

• Rd1: Lost to Antrim 1-7 to 0-12
• Rd2: Beat New York 4-11 to 1-5

Fermanagh

• Rd1: Lost to Carlow 1-5 to 1-9
• Rd2: Beat London 2-15 to 2-7
• Rd3: W/O Derry

This will be Limerick’s third successive All-Ireland semi-final as they seek a first win at the stage since 2018. That year, the John Ryan managed side claimed All-Ireland honours at the expense of Louth.

However, relegation was their lot in 2019 which was followed by successive semi-final defeats, including a reversal at the hands of this weekend’s opponents in 2020.

Shine’s side did gain some revenge earlier this year as they overcame Fermanagh in a League semi-final thriller.

Goals from Mairead Kavanagh (2), Cathy Mee and Rebecca Delee were the difference in a 4-10 to 3-9 classic in Kinnegad.

Limerick were defeated in the final by Offaly as their search for a first piece of silverware since the All-Ireland victory continues.

Fermanagh were champions at the Junior grade in 2020, defeating Wicklow in the final but suffered relegation at the first attempt, similarly to Limerick.

Limerick take on Fermanagh in the Ladies Football Junior All-Ireland Championship semi-final on Sunday 10 July in Kiltoom at 1.30pm