Cork likely to be full-strength for Armagh clash

CHAMPIONS Cork are hoping to be back at full strength for Sunday's Ladies NFL quarter-final against Armagh.

The league and championship holders were minus a number of their dual players for last Sunday's win over Donegal as they lined out with the camogie team instead.

However, they hope to have Angela Walsh, Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley back for this weekend's clash with Armagh.

Even without the trio, Cork still chalked up a 4-14 to 2-11 victory over Donegal last Sunday, with the goals coming from Geraldine O'Flynn (two), Caoimhe Creedon and Aisling O'Connor.

Cork are strong favourites to beat Armagh, while Mayo are also expected to advance to a semi-final on Sunday when they face Ulster champions Monaghan.

After a relatively disappointing 2005, Mayo appear to be heading back in the right direction with Cora Staunton steering them towards the quarter-finals with ease. Meath will face Kerry in their quarter-final on Saturday while Galway will be fancied to overcome Waterford that afternoon also.

Galway have also shown good form of late while Waterford have suffered from inconsistency throughout the campaign.

Meanwhile, Dublin chairman John Hillery has said the Dubs are now looking to the Leinster championship to boost morale after suffering relegation with a defeat to Tyrone last Sunday.

"It was very disappointing to be relegated. It's not the scenario we wanted to face but all we can do now is hope for better luck in the championship," he said.

"We have been decimated with injuries and I think the accumulative wear and tear of the last few weeks caught up with us in the second half against Tyrone."

For the first of the Division 2 quarter-finals on Saturday, Limerick welcome back Sandra Healy for the clash with Tipperary. Also returning is Yvette Moynihan, but Olivia Giltenane is out through injury. Well known inter-county footballer Tommy Stack is now coach and manager of the Limerick ladies, assisted by Fiachra McGrath.

Sligo have a new injury concern ahead of their game against Down on Sunday. All Star tour goalkeeper Katrina Connolly is unlikely to be fit and Joanne Lyons will continue in goal for this game. Captain Angela Doohan is expected to return, having missed the heavy defeat to Laois in the last round.

Kildare meet Wexford for the first time in the league on Sunday at the Sarsfields grounds. The home side have been boosted this season by the availability of Celia Hogan, back after a couple of summers in the USA.

Wicklow, under the new management team of John O'Malley, Pat Canavan and Louise Allen, meet old rivals Carlow in a Division Three quarter-final. Wicklow have introduced a number of young players to the squad this season, but it will be the more experienced girls in the panel, under the captaincy of Emer Miley, that the Wicklow mentors and supporters will be looking to for inspiration.