“A feeling like no other.” That’s what it’s like to play at Croke Park on TG4 All-Ireland Final Day, according to Dublin star Carla Rowe.
In front of a record 50,141 attendance at Croke Park last September, Rowe scored two goals as Dublin retained the All-Ireland Senior title and the Brendan Martin Cup. “Playing at Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day is a feeling like no other,” says the GAA player. “The excitement and nerves are unbelievable – and to be able to go out and play in front of so many people is just brilliant.”
“I started playing football when I was 13. From the age of 14, I realised this was something I could do one day and I made that my goal – to one day play at Croke Park.”
Dublin experienced the heartbreak of losing senior finals in 2014, 2015 and 2016, all against Cork, before defeating Mayo in the 2017 decider, and Cork in 2018. Now, Dublin are back for a crack at a third successive TG4 All-Ireland Senior title win.
The Sky Blues defeated Cork at the semi-final stage and will now face Galway at Croke Park on Sunday, September 15, for the game’s biggest prize. For Dublin, this will be a sixth successive Final appearance, while Galway are preparing for their first Final since 2005.
The Tribeswomen defeated Connacht rivals and neighbours Mayo at the semi-final stage, as the last-four ties were played at Croke Park for the first time in LGFA history. Supporters turned out in their droves for two entertaining games, with an attendance of 10,886 descending on the Drumcondra venue as Dublin and Galway made sure of Final slots.
TG4 All-Ireland Finals Day is the annual highlight of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association calendar, and the day when the All-Ireland Junior, Intermediate and Senior champions are crowned.
The action will get underway at 11.45am, when Fermanagh, the 2017 Champions, take on Louth, who were runners-up last year. Fermanagh came through the challenge of London at the semi-final stage, as Louth accounted for Antrim.
Having experienced the heartbreak of losing out to Limerick in the 2018 decider, Louth will be determined to go one step better and get their hands on the West County Hotel Cup.
But Fermanagh will hope that their previous winning experience from two years ago will stand to them, as they look to win the coveted silverware again and return to the Intermediate ranks.
Another recent winner, Tipperary, will contest the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final at 1.45pm. Tipperary were winners two years ago, and they now find themselves up against Meath, who were the 2018 runners-up.
The question is: will Tipp make it two TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate title wins in three seasons? Or can Meath make up for last year’s loss and land the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup?
All will be revealed over the course of what promises to be a spectacular afternoon at Croke Park on Sunday, September 15, with Dublin and Galway set to do battle at 4pm. You can be part of the action by getting your tickets for the Finals on Sunday, September 15, NOW.
Tickets are available online at lgfa.tickets.ie, at all usual GAA outlets, and by contacting the Ladies Gaelic Football Association office on 01-8363156 or at [email protected]
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