Gala All Ireland senior championship previews and team line outs

Cork v Tipperary, Pßirc UÝ Rinn, Saturday 3.30pm

Tipperary‘s championship season hinges on this away outing to the All Ireland champions. The Premier County have yet to give their best performance this year, and with Claire Grogan (just back from holidays) and Eimear McDonnell (finger injury) listed among the subs, it will take a mighty effort if they are to upset the home side.

Cork have given two-goal hero against Kilkenny, Emer O’Farrell, a start at full forward. A win for the Rebels would guarantee them a place in the All Ireland semi-final.

Verdict: Cork.

Dublin v Kilkenny, Ballyboden St Endas, Saturday 1.30pm

Dublin picked up a few injuries in their last game so are short a few regulars for this crucial tie. The two teams need the win – but for different reasons. If the Cats triumph they will be in a strong position for a penultimate spot, however, should the Blues prevail and depending on the Cork/Tipp outcome, the second placed team in Group One could be decided by a play-off.

Kilkenny are the more settled, and with the All Ireland semi-finals in Nowlan Park in two weeks, they will go all out to qualify.

Verdict: Kilkenny.

Clare v Wexford, Bodyke, Saturday, 3.30pm

Wexford, following their loss to Galway, have named a full strength side for their final Group Two game against Clare. The best they can hope for is to finish in second position and barring an upset they should achieve this and come away with the points.

Clare collected their first win in the senior championship over Limerick a couple of weeks ago, and consequently they will have nothing to lose against the 2007 All Ireland champions. Siobhßn Lafferty is back in the number three jersey following injury. Still, they will have it all to do.

Verdict: Wexford

Galway v Limerick, Kenny Park, Athenry, Saturday, 2.30pm

Galway will go top of Group Two if they defeat Limerick in this tie. Although Liam Donoghue has rested some of his players, this is still a very strong Maroon and White 15. Most noticeable is the inclusion of 2008 top scorer Jessica Gill for her first championship outing this summer.

Limerick, on the other hand, while battling extremely hard, are finding the going tough. Yet, the experience is standing to the younger players like Sarah Carey, Judith Mulcahy, Sarah Collins and Kerrie Brosnan.

Verdict: Galway

Cork: A Murray; J O’Callaghan, R Buckley, C Foley; J Duffy, M O’Connor, S Hayes; B Corkery, O Cotter; E Dillon, G O’Connor, U O’Donoghue; S Burns, E O’Farrell, R Moloney.

Tipperary: P Ryan; M Ryan, S Kelly, T Shortt; P Bulfin, T O’Halloran, U O’Dwyer; L Bourke, J Horan; G Kinnane (Capt), M Luttrell, C Devane; J Ryan, E Hayden, M Shortt.

Dublin: J Hoary; A Fitzpatrick, T Corrigan, A Cushen; E O’Meara, L O’Hara (Capt), C Power; C Lucey, A Maguire, R Costello, A Murphy, A Griffin; E Lucey, S Ryan, N Taylor.

Kilkenny: C Ryan; L Fennelly, C Doherty, J Frisby; E Aylward, A Butler, L Lyng; C Dormer, A Dalton (Capt); E Keane, A M Phelan, K Power; M Quilty, T Muldowney, A Neary.

Clare: D Lynch; D Corcoran, S Lafferty, K Lynch; S Sherlock, D Murphy (Capt), C Morey; A Ryan, R Kaiser; S O’Loughlin, F Lafferty, N Corry; C Roseingrave, C Commane, S Enright.

Wexford: M D’Arcy; B Holohan, D Codd, C O’Connor; – Codd, M Leacy, A O’Connor (Capt); C Murphy, M O’Leary; U Leacy, J Dwyer, K Kelly; U Jacob, R M Breen, M Hearne.

Galway: S Earner; R Glynn, A Kelly, S Tannion; C Glynn, S Cahalan (Capt), N Kilkenny, A M Hayes, S Noone; B Hanney, T Maher, J Gill; O Kilkenny, M Dunne, A Connolly.

Limerick: S Moynihan; S Carey, S Collins, J Garvey; A McNamara, A Sheehan, J Mulcahy; D Fitzpatrick (Capt), C Davis; E O’Brien, N Mulcahy, F Hickey; N Carroll, J Clifford, K Brosnan.

.

“