TG4 to show live Ladies Football online
The 2011 TG4 Ladies Football Championships were launched today at Croke Park with 34 counties competing across the three grades.
TG4 will also show 17 matches live on TG4 and thay will all be streamed live across the world on www.TG4.tv.
Although the Senior Championship has no overseas competitor, last year's reshuffle of the pecking order suggests a wide open competition, with more than a few teams believing that they have what it takes to get their hands on the Brendan Martin Cup.
The Division One League Final saw a tight contest between Laois and Cork, with the strength of the Cork bench providing them with the edge to push forward in the last ten minutes.
Of the two 2010 All-Ireland Senior finalists, Tyrone had a poor league, finishing in sixth place in Division One.
However, Dublin won the Division Two league title but things have taken a turn for the worst since then. Meath have since beaten them in the first round of the Leinster Championship and as a result must make their way through the qualifying rounds.
Two other Ulster sides hoping to make an impact in 2011 are Monaghan and Donegal.
Monaghan, under a new and experienced management team would have had their eyes on a league title, while a young and vibrant Donegal team will be one to watch over the next few months.
Pól Ó Gallchóir, Ard Stiúrthóir, TG4, said: "As we enter a second decade of partnership with Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, TG4 continues to be very proud of its ongoing sponsorship of the All-Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships.
"This year TG4 will provide live coverage of 17 Championship matches from late July to the All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park on the 25th of September. It is important to note too that all of these matches can be viewed live, all over the world via the TG4 Player www.tg4.tv."
The draw for the Senior Championship Round 1 Qualifiers was carried out at Croke Park by Pat Quill and Pól Ó Gallchóir.
Two of the Senior Championship Round 1 Qualifiers will be broadcast live on TG4 on Saturday, July 23 while the other two Round 1 fixtures will be played over the August Bank Holiday weekend, on Monday, August 1.
It was also announced in Croke Park today that for the first time ever there will be a Player’s Player of the Year Award.
The Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship finals will take place in Croke Park on Sunday September 25 and all three games will be televised live on TG4.
Round 1 – Senior Qualifier Draw
Down v Donegal
Sligo v Armagh
Kildare v Dublin
Tipperary v Clare
Senior Championship Teams
Armagh, Cork, Clare, Down, Dublin, Donegal (Promoted), Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone.
Intermediate Championship Teams
Antrim, Cavan, Fermanagh, Longford, Waterford, Westmeath, Roscommon, Leitrim (Relegated), Limerick (Promoted), London (Return to Championship),
Junior Championship Teams
Carlow, Derry, Louth, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Kilkenny (Relegated), New York (New to Championship).
