St. Brigid's Park, Canningstown is the venue on Sunday 9th November for the All-Ireland ladies football club championship semi-final between the current Cavan and Ulster holders, Knockbride and Meath and Leinster title-holders, Seneschalstown - the game has a 2 o'clock start. Both teams have been the surprise packets of their respective provincial championships, with Knockbride defeating a fancied Carrickmore (Tyrone) side in the Ulster decider at the Scotstown, Co. Monaghan venue recently. It took a late goal by Elaine Costin to clinch the title for the Breffni side - the first Cavan winners of this title. Seneschalstown for their part became the first Meath club side to capture the Leinster title this season. The Knockbride also put in a very determined display in the semi-final defeating Down title-holders, Castlewellan when it seemed as if the Down side would pip them on the post. Both sides met on two occasions this year already in challenge matches with the Meath girls convincingly coming out on top in both games. They know each others strengths and weaknesses, and the match could very well be decided on which team played to their full potential on the day. Knockbride will be expected to field the same side that overcame the Tyrone champions with Emma Clarke the only real worry, the young danger women played that game with an ankle injury but came through it and with a further two weeks rest since, she should be fit to take her place on the starting line-up. Aisling Treanor is eligible to play even though she was sent off as she only missed the rest of that game with two yellow cards. Otherwise, all is going according to plan as they prepare for another massive match for Knockbride ladies. As it has been shown in the games to date ever since they drew the first day against East Cavan Gaels, Knockbride have improved with each game and got stronger and stronger. They are playing like a team with a mission, and with their confidence high will be hard to beat on Sunday. Across the border in the Royal county, confidence is also high that this is the year for Meath ladies football to make a massive impact on the game. Seneschalstown not only are hotly fancied to win this one but many peoples tip to be in the running for the All-Ireland title and to date they have been playing some very good football. This air of confidence around Seneschalstown has come after the Meath side overwhelmed Dublin's Ballyboden St. Enda's in the Leinster semi-final and then becoming the first Meath side to lift the Leinster title with victory over Shemaliers of Wexford. In the final they dominated for long periods but in the end it took a late goal from Adele Carolan to make sure of the win. With an All-Ireland final place at stake this should be a very competitive and thrilling encounter between two sides who will battle to the end. As to the outcome, Seneschalstown will go into the game as slight favourites. However, that won't worry the Knockbride as this has been the norm in many of their games to date in the championship but they still came good in the end. Already this game has captured the imagination of ladies football followers in both counties, and a large crowd is expected at the well-laid out Canningstown venue just outside the town of Bailieboro'. As to the outcome, Knockbride will be hoping to make home advantage count, knowing that they will have to turn in a top-class team performance if they are to reach the All-Ireland final. Tweet

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