Compiled by Aisling Clery

Leinster LGFA are all set for another whirlwind TG4 Leinster Championship which commences this Saturday (19th April) with a SFC Round One battle between Meath and Dublin.

The Championship was launched last Saturday (12th April) in Parnell Park, Dublin, by Leinster LGFA President Arthur Corrigan. In attendance at the photoshoot and launch were all twelve Leinster counties, all vying for titles at their respective Senior, Intermediate and Junior grades.

Saturday, April 19th

TG4 Leinster LGFA SFC Round One

Meath v Dublin; Páirc Tailteann, 2pm – Live on inPlayer

A repeat of the 2024 TG4 Leinster SFC Final is in store in Páirc Tailteann as Meath meet Dublin in the opening round of the 2025 SFC Championship.

Dublin have dominated the Leinster SFC in recent years, winning every SFC title since 2012 (except ’20 and ’21 when not played due to Covid), while the Royals have not lifted the Mary Ramsbottom since 1999. Both squads have enjoyed All Ireland success in recent years, but the Leinster title has eluded the Royals. Could 2025 be the year it all changes?

Meath and Dublin are teams that know plenty about each other, having met in Round Five of this year’s NFL in Parnell Park. Dublin came out on top winning 2-19 to 0-9. Early goals from Caoimhe O’Connor and Carla Rowe set the tone as Dublin got their second win of their League campaign.

Meath boss, Shane McCormack, has named a strong first fifteen with just one player, Dee Rangers’ Orlaith Sheehy making her championship debut. She starts in midfield alongside Marion Farrelly. In defence, Mary Kate Lynch will bolster the full back line with Sarah Wall named at centre half back alongside captain, Aoibhín Cleary. Ciara Smyth who enjoyed a solid League campaign starts at wing forward while the Dunboyne duo of Emma Duggan and Vikki Wall are named up front.

Paul Casey and Derek Murray, joint Dublin managers, have also named a strong Dublin side. Full back Leah Caffrey, recently named on the Lidl NFL Team of the League, wears the captain’s armband. Éilish O’Dowd will partner Grace Kós in midfield, while Dublin’s full forward line is formidable in Kate Sullivan, Niamh Hetherton and Hannah Tyrrell. Eight players who started the 2024 TG4 Leinster SFC Final are among the starting team, while experience also lies in their bench with Carla Rowe, Lauren Magee and Sinéad Goldrick all listed among the substitutes.

Another thrilling chapter in this great rivalry will be written this Saturday.

MEATH: R Murray; Á Sheridan, M.K. Lynch; K Newe; A Cleary (C), S Wall, K Kealy; O Sheehy, M Farrelly; M Thynne, N Gallogly, C Smyth; E Duggan, V Wall, M Collins.

DUBLIN; A Shiels; J Tobin, L Caffrey (C), N Donlon; H McGinnis, M Byrne, A Kane; É O’Dowd, G Kós; C O’Connor, C Darby, A Curran; K Sullivan, N Hetherton, H Tyrrell.

Orlaith SheehyReferee: Eoghan O’Neill (Laois).

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