Ladies round-up: Kerry, Galway, Meath and Dublin through to All-Ireland SFC quarters

by John Fallon

Holders Kerry are safely through to the 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-finals.

The Kingdom got the better of Cork at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday to book their place in the last eight.

2024 runners-up Galway are safely through, and also as table-toppers, following their victory over Donegal in Lifford.

In Group 3, Meath got the better of Kildare to also make it through, while Dublin’s victory over Leitrim has secured a knockout spot for the Sky Blues.

Kerry, despite a second minute goal from Niamh Ní Chonchúir, had to come from behind to achieve victory, with goals from Aine O’Sullivan and Katie Quirke helping Cork lead by 2-6 to 1-1 having played with the wind.

Kerry, though, took over after the restart and outscored their neighbours by 4-4 to 0-3 after the restart, with Siofra O’Shea (two), Danielle O’Leary and Rachel Dwyer getting the goals as they ran out 5-7 to 2-9 winners.

Kerry are now certain of a home quarter final but Cork must travel to Mayo next weekend to keep their season alive.

Galway also booked a home quarter-final thanks to a 1-11 to 1-2 win over Donegal in Lifford. They laid the foundation for victory in the opening half when a goal from Ailbhe Davoren helped them to a 1-2 to 0-0 interval lead, before pushing the advantage out to nine points after the restart.

Donegal, who travel to Tipperary next week to determine the group runners-up, finished strongly. Susanne White pointed a free before assisting in their goal which was finished to the net by Mia Bennett.

Meath also advanced to the last eight when they edged out Kildare by 0-7 to 0-4 at Manguard Park in another game impacted by the bad weather.

The sides were level at 0-2 apiece at the break before Meath got on top with Emma Duggan taking her haul to 0-5 to book their quarter-final spot, with Kildare heading to Armagh next weekend with a quarter-final spot on the line.

Dublin booked their place in the quarter-finals with a big 8-18 to 0-7 win over Leitrim. Kate Sullivan scored a hat-trick in the opening half to lead by 4-12 to 0-4 at the break, while Hannah Tyrrell did likewise in the second half to get their campaign off to a flying start.

Meanwhile, the eight quarter-finalists in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship have been confirmed, with a draw to take place on Monday morning to confirm the last eight pairings.

Table-toppers Laois are joined in the knockout phase from Group 1 by Fermanagh, who defeated Roscommon by 4-10 to 3-9. Two goals from Eimear Smyth and one apiece from Molly McGloin and Bronagh Smyth paved the way for last year’s TG4 All-Ireland junior champions who led by 4-2 to 1-5 at the interval.

Tyrone defeated Westmeath by 6-11 to 0-7 to top Group 2, with Westmeath also advancing in second place. Last year’s TG4 All-Ireland IFC finalists Tyrone led by 2-4 to 0-4 at the break thanks to goals from Caitlin Campbell and Aoibhinn McHugh, while a brace of penalties from Sorcha Gormley and further goals from Niamh O’Neill and Aoife Horisk wrapped up a big win.

In Group 3, Wicklow edged out Monaghan by 1-11 to 1-10 but dropping out on score difference as three teams finished level on three points. Cavan top the group with Monaghan also going through and Cavan dropping out despite a win where Lucy Dunne’s goal was decisive after Monaghan had an early goal from Éabha Sherry.

In Group 4, Clare defeated Wexford by 1-9 to 0-10, with Clare going through in first place and Wexford as runners-up. Lauren’s Conway early goal was decisive for a Clare side who led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

In the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship at the weekend, there were victories for Limerick and Louth in Group A, while in Group B there were victories for Antrim and Longford.

Results:

TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 1: Galway 1-11 Donegal 1-2 Group 2: Kerry 5-7 Cork 2-9 Group 3: Meath 0-7 Kildare 0-4

Group 4: Dublin 8-18 Leitrim 0-7

TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Group 1: Fermanagh 4-10 Roscommon 3-9 Group 2: Tyrone 0-11 Westmeath 0-7 Group 3: Wicklow 1-11 Monaghan 1-10

Group 4: Clare 1-9 Wexford 0-10

TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Group A: Limerick 8-12 Derry 1-8 Group A: Louth 4-20 Kilkenny 1-1 Group A: Antrim 3-18 London 0-0

Group B: Longford 2-6 Carlow 1-4