Dublin senior ladies team have booked themselves another All-Ireland final showdown with Cork on September 27th thanks to a superb 2-16 to 2-5 win over Armagh at Parnell Park on Saturday.
The women in blue stormed into their second consecutive final with an extremely dominant display.
Gregory McGonigle’s charges never looked to be under any pressure as they eased into a a 1-5 to 0-0 lead early on before Caroline O’Hanlon finally broke the deadlock for Armagh by finishing to the net.
Kelly Mallon, Armagh and Sinéad Finnegan, Dublin
An unstoppable Dublin continued to push forward though to head into a 1-9 to 1-1 lead at the break.
They continued their strong shooting display as the second half got underway with points from Amy Connolly and Hannah Noonan, before Armagh reduced the gap with three well-taken points.
Armagh kept trying to whittle down Dublin’s lead but had just seconds to celebrate a goal from Aimee Mackin when Dublin turned straight back around and netted in style from Sarah McCaffrey at the other end and drove on to win.
Olwen Carey, Dublin and Armagh’s Aoife Lennon
Standout stars on the day for the Dubs included Lyndsey Davey, Player of the Match Noelle Healy, Hannah Noonan and Carla Rowe.
Dublin will now be looking ahead to the All-Ireland final against Cork who launched an incredible comeback from a ten-point deficit against them at Croke Park last year to lift the Brendan Martin Cup once more.
Muireann Ní Scanaill, Dublin and Caroline O’Hanlon, Armagh
The Leinster champions will have a lot to take from this weekend’s semi-final after hitting 13 wides – something that Cork will be on hand to punish in the final.
Meanwhile in the Intermediate final, Kildare are now looking forward to two All-Ireland finals this year in both camogie and football (and both to be played against Waterford) after an emphatic 5-5 to 0-6 win over Offaly.
Ellen Dowling, Kildare and Lorraine Keena, Offaly
A hat-trick from Eadaoin Connolly helped to send the Lily Whites to the All-Ireland Intermediate final.
Ellen Dowling and Maria Moolick also found the net for Kildare in what was truly a hugely impressive performance.
Leading by 3-2 to 0-4 at the break, Kildare were on hand to carve open the Offaly defense at every turn.
Aisling Holton, Kildare, the LGFA/TG4 Player of the Match
A fantastic save by Kildare’s Rebecca McGuirk from a second half penalty kept any hopes of an Offaly revival at bay, and Kildare drove on to Croke Park and a clash with Waterford on September 27th.
Images: Sportsfile
