REIGNING CHAMPIONS CORK and history makers Donegal have named their sides for Sunday’s Lidl Ladies National League Division 1 final in Parnell Park (throw-in 4pm).
Cork are without their captain Ciara O’Sullivan, but her younger sister Doireann is taking over for the day and she lines out at full forward.
Ephie Fitzgerald has named two changes to his side from their semi-final victory over Dublin as they go in search of five-in-a-row. O’Sullivan replaces her sister, while Middleton’s Orlagh Farmer comes in for Annie Walsh in the half forward line.
Seven of the starting players are making their league final debuts.
Among those are in-form Eire Óg forward Eimear Scally and midfielder Niamh Cotter. Brid O’Sullivan, Jess O’Shea, Melissa Duggan, Libby Coppinger and Emma Spillane are also making their league final debuts.
Meanwhile, Donegal have named a strong side as they hope to bring Cork’s reign at the top to an end.
Micheál Naughton has made just one change to his starting team that overcame Galway to reach their first-ever Division 1 league final. Kate Keeney replaces Deirdre Foley at wing back.
Sharpshooting duo Geraldine McLaughlin and Yvonne McMonagle remain in the full forward line alongside Termon’s Roisín Friel, while another huge attacking threat — Amber Barrett — has been named on the bench.
Cork
1. Martina O’Brien (Clonakilty)
2. Marie Ambrose (St. Val’s)
3. Roisin Phelan (Aghada)
4. Emma Spillane (Bantry Blues)
5. Melissa Duggan (Dohenys)
6. Brid Stack (St. Mary’s)
7. Shauna Kelly (Araglen Desmonds Buí)
8. Niamh Cotter (Beara)
9. Jess O’Shea (Inch Rovers)
10. Libby Coppinger (St. Colum’s)
11. Brid O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey)
12. Orlagh Farmer (Midleton)
13. Eimear Scally (Éire Óg)
14. Doireann O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey)
15. Orla Finn (Kinsale)
Subs:
16. Meabh O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey)
17. Annie Walsh (Inch Rovers)
18. Ashling Hutchings (Fermoy)
19. Eimear Meaney (Mourneabbey)
20. Rhona Ní Bhuachalla (Naomh Fionnbarra)
21. Louise Coholan (St. Val’s)
22. Grace Kearney (Bride Rovers)
23. Aine Hayes (Rosscarbery)
24. Maire O’Callaghan (Mourneabbey)
25. Mairead Corkery (St. Val’s)
26. Laura Cleary (Éire Óg)
27. Aisling Barrett (Donoughmore)
28. Saoirse Moore (Fermoy)
29. Aisling O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey)
30. Aine O’Sullivan (Beara)
Donegal
1. Aoife McColgan (Malin)
2. Treasa Doherty (Camadonagh)
3. Emer Gallagher (Termon)
4. Nicole McLaughlin (Termon)
5. Therese McClafferty (Termon)
6. Ciara Hegarty (Moville)
7. Kate Keeney (Four Masters)
8. Katy Herron (Glenfin)
9. Karen Gutherie (Glenfin)
10. Gráinne Houston (Glenfin)
11. Niamh Hegarty (Moville)
12. Shannon McGroddy (Termon)
13. Roisín Friel (Termon)
14. Geraldine McLaughlin (Termon)
15. Yvonne McMonagle (Glenfin)
Subs:
16. Laura Gallagher (Glenswilly)
17. Kaneisha McKinney (St Eunans)
18. Kelly Wilson (Convoy)
19. Deirdre Foley (Carndonagh)
20. Caroline Gallagher (Buncrana)
21. Aoife McDonnell (Naomh Conaill)
22. Eilish Ward (St Nauls)
23. Paula McGrory (Buncrana)
24. Aisleen Cunningham (Killybegs)
25. Lucy O’Flynn (Termon)
26. Niamh Carr (Milford)
27. Niamh Mailey (Convoy)
28. Niamh McDaid (Carndonagh)
29. Laoise McConnell (Robert Emmets)
30. Amber Barrett (Milford)
In the Division 2 decider (throw-in 2pm), old foes Cavan and Westmeath go head-to-head for the title, with promotion to the top flight also on the line.
Both sides have named relatively unchanged sides from throughout their respective league campaigns.
Cavan line out the same as they did in their semi-final win over Clare, while Westmeath have made just one change from theirs — St Loman’s Lucy McCartan starts at corner forward in place of Tracey Dillon.
Westmeath were beaten by this year’s Division 1 finalists Donegal in last year’s decider.
Cavan
1. Elaine Walsh (Killygarry)
2. Rachael Doonan (Templeport)
3. Ailish Cornyn (St. Francis)
4. Mona Sheridan (Mullahoran)
5. Sinéad Greene (Templeport)
6. Laura Fitzpatrick (St. Finbarrs)
7. Sheila Reilly (Mullahoran)
8. Sinead O’Sullivan (Lacken)
9. Donna English (Arva)
10. Caitriona Smith (Killygarry)
11. Amy Rooney (Kingscourt Stars)
12. Neasa Byrd (Crosserlough)
13. Aishling Sheridan (Mullahoran)
14. Claragh O’Reily (Lurgan)
15. Aisling Doonan (Templeport)
Westmeath
1. Karen Walsh (Milltown)
2. Rachel Dillon (Milltown)
3. Amie Giles (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
4. Aileen Martin (St. Loman’s Mullingar)
5. Fiona Coyle (St. Mary’s Rochfortbridge)
6. Rebecca Dunne (St. Loman’s Mullingar)
7. Laura Brennan (Garrycastle)
8. Karen McDermott (Rochfortbridge)
9. Maud Annie Foley (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
10. Fiona Claffey (Foxrock Cabinteely)
11. Leona Archibold (St. Loman’s Mullingar)
12. Kelly Boyce Jordan (Milltown)
13. Lucy McCartan (St. Loman’s Mullingar)
14. Laura Lee Walsh (Na Fianna)
15. Ciara Blundell (St. Loman’s Mullingar)
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Can’t see him at United next year. Been a fantastic player and deserves nothing less than the fitting send off of lifting the trophy last night.
@Bognor regis: very true a fitting end to his Utd career I think
@Bognor regis: Didnt do to bad for a man who held his Club and fans to ransom, Twice.
@Ciarán: get a grip, he used leverage to get a wage hike. Happens every day in the workplace.
@Ciarán: what like slippy kissing the badge Chelsea come Knockin but knew he wouldn’t have as much authority ya ya
When Samson lost his hair, his power diminished, when Rooney gained his, his power diminished. Hair today, gone tomorrow.
@Paul Culligan: scored 27 league goals after the transplant and 34 in total that season. Then RVP came in and he became a midfielder.
He was an absolute beast of a footballer up until a few seasons ago. Age catches up with us all. Legend.
@Phil Sheppard: Age? lol….he’s younger than Ronaldo
@Phil Sheppard: Age? His legacy is set but to be honest he didn’t look after himself and should be still be a ‘beast’ of a player. Smoking and drinking is not looking after yourself. Kids should role model themselves on ronaldo and ibrahimovic not rooney.
@Brian O’Loughlin: yes, age. Meaning in football terms his legs have gone, his turn of pace isn’t their anymore. Has the penny dropped ? Do you comprehend ? Good Lad.
@Ardmore02: Thats your opinion & I might add That’s a separate issue, try and stay on topic. Good Lad, Jog on.
Defoe is 34, Rooney is 31. If Rooney moves on to a new premier club and gets some form, he’ll be heading to Russia.
Look at the state of those midfield options compared to previous generations Scholes Gerrard Lampard etc
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: and they will achieve the same
Not being picked for a qualifier against Scotland hardly means his international career is over.Rooney will be at the World Cup next year guaranteed.He’s by no means the player he was but is still better than half that squad
@Evangelos: how guaranteed?
@An_Beal_Bocht: In my opinion he’s guaranteed.Only around 4 or 5 of that squad have been to a World Cup so they’ll take for his experience if nothing else
How the mighty have fallen… Was always a fan of Rooney since he burst onto the scene as a teenager. Hope he moves to another PL club rather than go to a retirement home in US or China.
Best of luck to him. He had a good career overall and always gave everything. I think he could still do a job at a smaller club.
It’s disappointing but understandable why he was left out. He really hasn’t been playing much at all this season and others have been showing this abilities. I believe last night could be his last game for United. The way came on to lift the trophy, was very much like a Goodbye.
Still had a lot to give. It looks like Jose doesn’t fancy him. Still won’t be able to bring in a player as good as him. We will be sorry if he’s goes, was always a team player,