TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Intermediate Semi-Final
Roscommon v Meath at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Saturday at 4.45 pm
It’s a repeat of the last four pairing from 2018 when Michael Finneran’s Roscommon side face the Royals in the unusual surroundings of Nowlan Park, Kilkenny this coming Saturday. Last year Meath breezed past Roscommon at Dr. Hyde Park but the Roscommon team of 2019 looks a far more accomplished outfit and they have every chance of upsetting the odds this weekend.
Roscommon manager Michael Finneran is looking forward to the challenge.
“Training has gone very well. There is a great buzz in the camp and all our players are fit and ready to go. It’s great to be playing and training well into August and we will relish the challenge on Saturday.
“We have a score to settle from last year but we are not thinking about that. They beat us well in the league but we have become far more competitive since that game and hopefully we can bridge the gap on Saturday. I think we are a more mature and accomplished team this year and we are putting up good scores.
“We know how difficult this will be. The last two times we have played Meath they have won easily so we know what’s ahead of us but it’s a big occasion and on a fine pitch like Nowlan Park it will suit a team that wants to play fast, open football. We just want to go out and do ourselves justice on the day,” he concluded.
Roscommon’s improvement in attack this year has been the key to their success thus far but they will have to be strong in defence as Meath have some very skilful attackers. Vikki Wall and Megan Thynne are top-class forwards and pose a major threat.
This will be a very difficult game for Roscommon as Meath are determined to go one better this year after being beaten in last year’s All-Ireland final by Tyrone. If the weather is fine, the beautiful surface and conditions might just suit Roscommon to set up a massive day in Croke Park next month.
Prediction: Roscommon
