Dublin and Kerry have both named unchanged starting teams for Sunday’s 50th TG4 All-Ireland senior championship final.
Kerry continue to monitor the fitness of Hannah O’Donoghue until throw-in. O’Donoghue went off injured in the semi-final victory over Mayo.
The finalists have met twice already this year in competitive football. In February, Kerry produced a powerful display in Division 1 of the Lidl National League to claim a 3-15 to 1-10 victory.
That was an early indication, Kerry would be a force to be reckoned with in 2023. The kingdom finished as Division 1 champions, having captured the Division 2 title in 2022. While also contesting a TG4 All-Ireland senior final against Meath.
Fast forward to Parnell Park in June and the two sides played out another fascinating encounter. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh contributing 1-6 as Kerry claimed a 2-8 to 1-9 win.
As the Championship has progressed; Dublin and Kerry have both grown in stature and confidence. The sides will meet for the very first time in a TG4 All-Ireland senior final.
Alongside Cork, with 11 titles each, Kerry have won this competition more times than any other county.
The Kingdom haven’t tasted Brendan Martin Cup success since 1993. While Dublin, five-time winners, go in search of the silverware for the first time since 2020, when they defeated Cork.
This is a first final for the Dubs since the 2021 defeat to Meath. While Kerry prepare for their second successive final.
Dublin reigned supreme in Leinster, while Kerry lost out to Cork in Munster. Having come through the group phase of the All-Ireland series, Sunday’s finalists have built up considerable heads of steam.
Dublin powered past Donegal at the quarter-final stage, as Kerry ended Meath’s three-in-a-row hopes gaining revenge last year’s final defeat.
Championship semi-finals
In the semi-finals, Kerry’s excellent first half paved the way for victory over Mayo, as Dublin overwhelmed Cork.
The two teams appear to be peaking at the perfect time and now the scene is set for a potential classic.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh comes into the final in a rich vein of form. The recently-crowned Croke Park / LGFA July player of the month and scorer of 1-10 in the semi-final against Mayo.
Having amassed 4-24 in the All-Ireland series and current TG4 Senior Championship’s top scorer. Dublin captain Carla Rowe is hot on her heels scoring, on 4-13.
Sadly, team captain Síofra O’Shea misses out for Kerry. In her absence, Ní Mhuircheartaigh took up even more scoring responsibility but Kerry will need contributions from other players to get the job done.
For Dublin, Hannah Tyrrell has chipped in with 1-13 and is a real threat, along with the likes of Kate Sullivan, Jennifer Dunne and Orlagh Nolan.
While the return of former captain Sinéad Aherne has been another fillip for the Sky Blues, who have reached the Final despite being in something of a transitional mode.
*** TEAM NEWS ***
Here is the @dublinladiesg match day squad for this Sunday's 50th TG4 All Ireland senior final.
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park 4pm
Overseas fans can watch the game live on TG4: https://t.co/REEPlF7yvr#DublinLGFA #COYGIB #UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/CO6zMsaJlZ
— DublinLGFA (@dublinladiesg) August 11, 2023
So, a 12th title for Kerry to put them out on top on the all-time honours list, or Dublin’s sixth? All will be revealed over what promises to be a memorable 60 minutes.
Dublin: A Shiels; N Crowley, L Caffrey, A Kane; L Magee, M Byrne, N Donlon; J Dunne, E O’Dowd; C O’Connor, O Nolan, K Sullivan; H Tyrrell, C Rowe, J Egan.
Kerry: C Butler; É Lynch, K Cronin, C Murphy; A O’Connell, E Costello, C Lynch; L Scanlon, L Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, A Galvin; H O’Donoghue, D O’Leary, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh (capt.).
Dublin v Kerry
TG4 All-Ireland senior championship final
Croke Park, Throw-in; 4pm
