Women’s sport is back in the spotlight this Sunday as Croke Park hosts the TG4 Ladies All Ireland Football Final between Cork bidding for a ninth win in 10 years and Dublin, the side which broke their sequence in 2014.
After excellent coverage and promotion of the Camogie finals two weeks ago there was a measure of disappointment that the size of the crowd at less than 15,000 did not match up to the game.
The presence of Dublin in the final should be a major boost though there has been frustration at the Dublin and Cork GAA County Boards decision to schedule Club Championship matches in direct opposition to the showpiece event.
Ballyboden St Enda’s have three players and Cuala one on the Dublin team yet their club senior hurlers will play each other in the Dublin Championship quarter final at exactly the same time. Dublin captain Sinead Goldrick’s boyfriend is Dublin and Cuala forward David Treacy meaning not only clubs but families will be divided.
Wexford are playing in the earlier Junior final and its men’s Championship fixtures were rearranged but there has been no budging from either of the two senior counties.
Alternative
The logical alternative would have been to play on Saturday evening but that would clash with the Hurling final replay. An easier option, and one which is used regularly to accommodate senior matches, would have been to play the games involving the teams with the most involvement in both at an earlier time on Sunday but that has not happened.
It is a shame and is hoped that the closer alignment between the GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Football will filter through to all levels of the game. The Ryder Cup and Premier League will be tough enough competition for feet and eyeballs without internal competition.
Almost 20,000 tickets have already been sold for Croke Park and it is expected that the final attendance will be over 25,000. Wexford face New York in the Junior final while Fermanagh are hoping to cause an upset against Down in an all Ulster Intermediate final.
Evenly matched
“There are three fantastic games in prospect with six evenly matched teams competing,” said Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Pat Quill.
“I am particularly pleased that, for the first time, all three referees for the finals will be female. This is a historic moment that will help to break down more barriers, Yvonne Brady, Mags Doherty and Maggie Farrelly are all top ranking referees that have all officiated in All Ireland Finals previously.”
“As TV content, this sport is hard to beat,“ added TG4 Ardstiúrthóir, Pól Ó Gallchóir, speaking as sponsor and broadcaster on the day.
“The All-Ireland Finals have established themselves as one of the mainstays in our sporting calendar.”
“The colour and spectable, the fast pace of the play and the emphasis on playing the ball and getting scores, all of these elements make Peil na mBan unique and attractive.”
“Its availability free to view on TG4 in Ireland and also worldwide on our Player, www.tg4.tv has also been a factor in promoting the games and giving them a special place in people’s hearts. Nár laga Dia sibh. ”
Sport for Business works with over 100 member organisations to raise the level of engagement and delivery between sport, business and society.
To find out more about how we can help your organisation harness the collaborative power of sport and business, contact us today for a bespoke tailored membership proposal.
Among those you will be joining are the Irish Sports Council, Liberty Insurance, the Camogie Association, Allianz, Eircom, Coca Cola, the GAA and many more.
It could be the best decision you will make today.
