Omens good for end to Déise Munster famine

Chloe Fennell of Waterford in action against Dara Kiniry of Cork during the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Round 7 match between Cork and Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn in Cork. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Kerry go in search of a third successive TG4 Munster SFC title on Sunday, as Waterford look to end a provincial famine dating back to 2002.

The Kilmallock clash (2pm) is a repeat of the 2025 final,

Since that last win, the Déise have contested finals in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2017, 2019 and 2025, coming up short on each occasion.

Last year’s defeat to Kerry cut deep, as Waterford were in front for long spells before a late Mary O’Connell goal helped earn victory for the Kingdom.

But the omens are good for Waterford ahead of this one as they’ve won both competitive outings against Kerry in 2026 – a Lidl National League Division 1 round tie and, more recently, a round-robin fixture in the Munster Championship.

Indeed, Waterford went three from three in the group phase, with victories over Cork and Tipperary also secured.

Kerry booked their place in the final by getting past Cork last time out – and they’re unchanged for this decider.

Waterford have made two changes to the team that started against Tipperary in their previous outing, with captain Emma Murry and Maeve Daly handed starts, as Chloe Fennell and Clare Walsh drop to the bench.

In Sunday's Munster Senior B curtain-raiser (11.30am), Cork face 2023 champions Clare.  Cork were beaten finalists in 2024 but will hope they can win this competition for the first time. Cork’s form was good in the round-robin phase as they won all three games, including a 2-8 to 1-10 victory over Clare. 

In Sunday's TG4 Ulster final in Owenbeg (2pm, Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube),  Armagh are aiming for a third successive Ulster senior title – with Tyrone looking to win their first since 2009.

Tyrone’s victory in the 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate final returned them to the senior ranks and they’ve made a big impact in Ulster.

The Red Hands won both of their round-robin fixtures, against Donegal and Armagh, and they’re very much here on merit.

The win against Armagh saw both teams field experimental teams, as both teams had already qualified for the final, but it was a notable win for Tyrone nonetheless.

Armagh’s team for Sunday features just three players who started against Tyrone last time out, namely Cait Towe, Maeve Ferguson and Kelly Mallon. Tyrone have also made sweeping changes, with nine changes to the team that defeated Armagh.