All Ireland LGFA Senior Club semi-final

Kilmacud Crokes v Moneyglass at Kilmacud, Dublin

Newly crowned Ulster Champions Moneyglass are under no illusions about the task the face when they travel to Dublin on Sunday to take on Leinster champions Kilmacud Crokes of Dubliin…..in their own back yard.

Someone, somewhere will have a logical explanation as to why the Antrim and Ulster champions have to play the Dublin champions in their home ground but it escapes me why Antrim’s first ever Senior Champions are forced the journey to Dublin in their first venture outside the province of Ulster.

However if they are aggrieved about that decision they haven’t let it occupy their thoughts and the look forward to their new challenge in good spirits, and with high hopes.

Kilmacud Crokes Leinster final win over Tinahely of Wicklow earned them their fourth provincial title on the trot, all four of them convincing wins which brought high scores….5-13 this year, 4-14 last year against Eadastown of Kildare, 4-14 against Naomh  Ciaran of Offaly in 2022 and 4-15 against Tinahely in 2021. They reached their first All Ireland final last year but were beaten in the decider by Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway who that day won their fourth All Ireland title in a row.

As well as having a good few Dublin players in their ranks Kilmacud also have Galway star Ailbhe Davoren, who works in the capital, so they are a formidable outfit.

After adding yet another Antrim title to their roll of honour this year Moneyglass went into the Ulster campaign with mixed feelings after having lost to Armagh champions Clann Eireann in the past two years. The started off well in Ulster with a big win over Down champions Bredagh, but were still probably regarded as outsiders when they met the Armagh champions for the third year in a row. However they turned the table on their rivals that day and booked their place in the Ulster final for the second time in their history, where they faced newcomers Errigal Ciaran of Tyrone. The Tyrone champions made a promising start but Moneyglass slowly got to grips with the Ballygawley outfit and went on to win with a bit to spare.

On Sunday they take another step on their journey, a new challenge and a new adventure. Kilmacud will provide stern opposition, of that there is no doubt, but Moneyglass have players who can match it with anyone on their day.

It is a big ask for the Antrim champions, but so too was Clann Eireaan and Erigal Ciaran so give it your best girls and who knows what will happen.