Westmeath and Kildare name teams for All-Ireland semi-final

Westmeath have named their team for Sunday's LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final against Kildare at Parnell Park (throw-in 2pm).

The team shows one change from last weekend's quarter-final win over Clare, with Milltown's Rachel Dillon replaced by Aoife Brady.

The only downside from the victory over Clare in Tuam was the injury sustained by Dillon that saw an ambulance stretcher the wing-back off the field during the second half.

"Rachel is a massive player for us so it would be devastating if it’s a bad injury,” said Westmeath manager Sean Finnegan afterwards.

Rachel's sisters Tracey and Sarah are on the Westmeath ladies team for the clash with Kildare. Captained by Fiona Claffey, the Westmeath team includes Tang native Lorraine Duncan at full-back. Duncan's Garrycastle club colleague Aoife Connolly returned to Westmeath action, having overcome serious injury setbacks, when introduced as a sub against Clare and will be hoping to feature off the bench against Kildare.

Reflecting on the win over Clare, Finnegan was elated and relieved in equal measure such was the tension of a grandstand finale.

“I’m delighted. It wasn’t pretty at times but we dug in and we’ve had to dig in for a few games this year. The effort and the work-rate that these girls are putting in is phenomenal. Even when things are going against them, they keep at it so I’m so proud of them," said Finnegan.

“We were under the cosh in the last few minutes but we kicked on and got two great points from frees and that was the ultimate difference. I mean, Clare are a good team so we’re just delighted to get to the next round. It’s not easy because every team is so well prepared.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Kildare, Finnegan said: “I’m not so sure if it’s good for the heart as we’re being involved in a few games now that have been nip and tuck but momentum is crucial. And while we’ve had one more extra game due to being in the group of four, when you’re winning, there’s no such thing as tiredness."

"We’ll just prepare for next weekend’s game and see what happens,” he added.

So will Westmeath make it through to a second successive final, or will it be a first decider for Kildare since their 2016 victory?

Just like the Laois-Wexford semi-final, it’s an all-Leinster affair on Dublin’s northside as Westmeath and Kildare strive to make it through to the final at Croke Park on Sunday, September 5.

This Westmeath v Kildare clash promises to be a cracking game. Westmeath were shocked by Longford in their opening group game but recovered well and victories over Sligo and Wexford were good enough to book a quarter-final place against Clare. There, the Lake County had to battle hard against the Banner ladies, before securing a hard-fought 3-11 to 2-11 victory.

Kildare, meanwhile, began their campaign with a 1-11 to 1-7 victory over Roscommon and in a three-team group, that was ultimately good enough to book a place in the last eight, even after a narrow loss to Laois.

In the quarter-finals, Kildare had four points to spare over a Leitrim team that had been moving extremely well prior to that. Now they face another big test against a Westmeath side rated by many as Championship favourites.

Westmeath lost the 2020 final to Meath and are determined to make up for that disappointment. They have players in a rich vein of scoring form. Sarah Dillon (3-16), Anna Jones (1-15), Leona Archibold (2-6) and Ciara Blundell (2-6) have collected a whopping 8-43 between them in Championship 2021.

But the Lilywhites have a decent scoring threat themselves in the form of Neasa Dooley (3-9), Lara Curran (0-14) and Gillian Wheeler (1-5).

Both defences will find themselves up against it at various stages and who manages best to cope with the shooting stars will end up on the right end of the final result.

Westmeath (v Kildare): Lauren McCormack; Niamh Spellman, Lorraine Duncan, Tara Fagan; Fiona Coyle, Lucy Power, Aoife Brady; Vicky Carr, Tracey Dillon; Fiona Claffey (captain), Leona Archibold, Anna Jones; Ciara Blundell, Lucy McCartan, Sarah Dillon.

Kildare (v Westmeath): D McGinn; C Sullivan, L Lenehan, S Kendrick; L Murtagh, L Gilbert, E Burke; S O’Sullivan, G Kenneally; C Wheeler, L Curran, G Clifford (captain); G Wheeler, N Dooley, A Rattigan.

LGFA fixtures

Saturday, 14th August

TG4 All-Ireland SFC semi-final

Dublin v Mayo, Croke Park, 3.45pm

TG4 All-Ireland SFC relegation play-off

Kerry v Tipperary, Mallow, 2pm

Sunday, 15th August

TG4 All-Ireland IFC semi-finals

Laois v Wexford, UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, 2pm

Kildare v Westmeath, Parnell Park, 2pm

TG4 All-Ireland IFC relegation play-off

Roscommon v Longford, St Brigid's, Kiltoom, 2pm

TG4 All-Ireland SFC semi-final

Cork v Meath, Croke Park, 3.30pm

TG4 All-Ireland JFC – Round 5

Carlow v Limerick, Birr, 2pm

Derry v Wicklow, Mullahoran, 2pm.