Dubs deliver at the death

LAST year’s runners-up, Dublin, advance to the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC final after defeating Laois (1-8 to 0-9) in a pulsating encounter at Carlow’s Dr Cullen Park on Saturday.

The Jackies have the chance to make amends for last year’s decider defeat to Cork when they face Tyrone or Kerry at Croke Park on Sunday, September 26.

It was the second time that Dublin defeated Laois in championship football this year – the sides met in the Leinster decider – but this was a much tougher test of the capital girls’ resolve.

Laois had a player-of-the-match performance from Aileen O’Loughlin, and after the inspirational midfielder kicked two points to help the O’Moore County lead 0-4 to 0-2 at half-time, the game sparked to life on the restart.

As Dublin began their fightback, Laois were rocked by a yellow card for Mags McEvoy but held firm nonetheless.

With 12 minutes remaining, Laois, led by Tracey Lawlor, stormed three points clear and Dublin were desperate for inspiration. It arrived with just over seven minutes remaining when Lyndsey Davey netted a fine goal to put Dublin 1-6 to 0-8 clear at a crucial stage. In a dramatic finish, Laois responded with an equalising point from Gemma O’Connell but All-Star Sinead Ahern exploded into life with a magnificent score with four minutes remaining.

Dublin then lost Lindsey Peat to a yellow card but the metropolitans still managed to notch the final score of the game as Ahern landed the insurance point.

Meanwhile, Waterford produced a powerful second-half burst against Cavan to book their place in the IFC final. Cavan beat Waterford well in this year’s Division 3 final but the tables were turned as the Déise strong to clinched a place in the final.

At Dr Cullen Park in Carlow, midfielder Elaine Power secured the player-of-the-match award after scoring 1-1 and her superb 18th minute goal helped Waterford to lead 1-3 to 0-2 at half-time.

The early stages of the second half were closely contested and Cavan drew level at 0-10 to 1-7 with 12 minutes left. Bronagh Sheridan scored the equalising point but it could so easily have been a goal as the Cavan forward spooned her shot over the bar after Waterford keeper Amy Jordan had saved well from Clara Reilly. That was Cavan’s last score as Waterford reeled off seven unanswered points to clinch the win.

Elsewhere, the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies junior football finalists were confirmed as Limerick and Louth emerged victorious in their semi-finals. Limerick, beaten finalists last year had a stunning 1-9 haul from Dymphna O’Brien on their way to a 1-12 to 0-8 victory against Wexford. And two goals from Kate Flood helped Louth to overcome Derry on a 3-10 to 2-10 scoreline.