TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Monaghan v Laois, Saturday, 6.00, Breffni Park

Monaghan’s senior ladies take on Laois in Cavan on Saturday as they attempt to qualify for the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Wins over Donegal and Tyrone saw Monaghan retain their Ulster title, but they have had a fairly lengthy lay-off since the provincial final, which they will hope doesn’t leave them flat for this one. Laois lost to Meath in Leinster, but they bounced back to get the better of the same opposition last Saturday in the qualifiers.

Monaghan, who won the NFL Division One last year before losing to eventual winners Cork in the All-Ireland semi-finals, look well equipped for a strong tilt at this year’s title. Both of these teams lost in the Division One semi-finals this year; Monaghan to Mayo and Laois to Cork.

Monaghan will be looking for big performances from the in-form Caoimhe Mohan, Therese and Gráinne McNally, Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Sharon Courtney, Ellen McCarron and Christina Reilly, while Tracey Lawlor, Maggie Murphy, Ciara Burke, Jane and Anna Moore and Martha and Nóirín Kirwan are key players for Laois.

Laois have been a bogey team for Monaghan in the past, but having beaten them in this year’s league, Gregory McGonigle’s side will be confident of progressing.

Monaghan: Linda Martin; Gráinne McNally, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly; Laura McEnaney, Yvonne Connell, Aoife McAnespie; Eileen McKenna, Ellen McCarron; Therese McNally (Capt.), Caoimhe Mohan, Cora Courtney; Cathriona McConnell, Niamh Kindlon, Ciara McAnespie.

Laois: Ciamh Dollard; Gráinne Dunne, Aisling Quigley, Ellen Healy; Laura Marie Maher, Alison Taylor, Martha Kirwan; Jane Moore, Anna Moore; Tracey Lawlor, Nóirín Kirwan, Maggie Murphy (Capt.); Ciara Burke, Martina Dunne, Sinéad Doogue.