The Donegal ladies have named an unchanged team for Saturday’s All-Ireland Group 1 clash with Tipperary in Castlerea, county Roscommon.
Donegal were hugely impressive as they successfully defended their TG4 Ulster senior title – and thoughts now turn to the All-Ireland series with the Tir Chonaill ladies considered one of the leading contenders for the Brendan Martin Cup in September.
They possess attackers of rich quality, including Geraldine McLaughlin and Yvonne Bonner, and appear to have become a much tighter unit defensively also, with All Star Ciara Hegarty anchoring the half-back line.
That bodes well for a genuine crack at the big prize but they’ll face a Tipperary side desperate for victory in Castlerea.
It’s do-or-die for the Premier County after they lost their opening fixture against Kerry in Nenagh last weekend.
Shane Ronayne’s charges were competitive but undone by a 2-3 haul from Kerry captain Sarah Houlihan.
Tipperary were also rocked before throw-in when news emerged that experienced star Jennifer Grant had suffered a serious Achilles injury.
Tipp will need a big performance to overturn pre-match favourites Donegal, and keep their season alive.
Donegal are unchanged from the Ulster final, as Tipperary bring in Gillian O’Brien for a start after she scored two points off the bench against Kerry.
Donegal: Laura Gallagher; Treasa Doherty, Nicole McLaughlin, Deirdre Foley; Therese McCafferty, Ciara Hegarty, Emer Gallagher; Katy Herron, Aoife McDonnell; Karen Guthrie, Niamh Hegarty, Sarah Jane McDonald; Geraldine McLaughlin, Yvonne Bonner, Eilish Ward.
Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick; Laura Dillon, Maria Curley, Brid Condon; Anna Rose Kennedy, Samantha Lambert, Siobhan Condon; Aisling McCarthy, Orla O’Dwyer; Caoimhe Condon, Aishling Moloney, Niamh Lonergan; Roisin Howard, Mairead Morrissey, Gillian O’Brien.
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