Twenty-five years after TG4 broadcast its first live All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Final, the broadcaster and the LGFA will return to Croke Park on Sunday for a landmark celebration of one of Irish sport’s most enduring partnerships.
Captains from the six finalists gathered at the stadium on Wednesday as the countdown continued towards a triple-header featuring Antrim against Carlow in the Junior Final, Fermanagh against Roscommon at Intermediate level and Galway against Kerry for the Brendan Martin Cup.
Carlow captain Róisín Bailey said excitement was building ahead of the county’s first appearance in a Ladies Football final at Croke Park.
“There’s a huge buzz. The flags are going up, and the signs are going up, which is lovely,” she said. “There’s two buses coming from my club and I know most clubs are the same. That support will be huge.”
Bailey did, however, express disappointment that men’s club championship fixtures remain scheduled in Carlow on Sunday, potentially affecting the attendance of family members and supporters.
“It’s a massive day, and we want to enjoy it, but we’d also love for all of our support to come up and enjoy it as well,” she said.
Roscommon captain Helena Cummins raised similar concerns about club fixtures taking place around the time of her county’s Intermediate Final against Fermanagh.
“You probably wouldn’t see it if it was the men’s football final, so that’s a little bit disappointing,” Cummins said. “Hopefully we’ll have enough supporters to get us over the line.”
Roscommon’s return to Croke Park after 25 years adds to the significance of the occasion, while Fermanagh captain Shannan McQuade said bringing the Intermediate trophy home would be “very special” for the county.
Antrim captain Bronagh Devlin is preparing to lead the Saffrons back into the Junior Final following last year’s defeat by Louth. Reflecting on that experience, she said: “You don’t want to feel that disappointment again.”
In the Senior Final, Galway captain Kate Geraghty believes the disappointment of last season’s extra-time semi-final defeat has helped generate a “new energy” within the group.
“You want, when you’re playing football, to be able to play in Croke Park and to play an All-Ireland Final up there and hopefully get that win,” she said following Galway’s semi-final victory over Armagh.
Kerry captain Síofra O’Shea has praised the strength of the defending champions’ defence, which has kept six clean sheets during the Championship.
“The defence have been unbelievable all year, and they haven’t been letting in too many scores at all,” she said.
O’Shea also acknowledged the motivation provided by Kerry’s 2024 victory over Galway.
“If you could bottle that feeling and just have it even once more, then you’d take it. We’ve given ourselves a chance now.”
The action begins at 11.45 am with Antrim aiming to recover from last year’s defeat by Louth and secure a fourth Junior title. Carlow, meanwhile, are preparing for the county’s first appearance in a TG4 All-Ireland Final.
The winners will move into the Intermediate Championship for 2027.
Fermanagh and Roscommon meet at 1.45 pm, with promotion to the Senior Championship also on offer with victory.
Fermanagh lost their previous Intermediate Finals in 2009 and 2014, while Roscommon are back in this decider for the first time since winning the competition in 2005. Sunday will also be Roscommon’s first appearance at Croke Park since their Junior Final victory over Kildare in 2001.
The Senior Final throws in at 4.15 pm and brings Galway and Kerry together for the second time in three seasons.
Kerry defeated Galway in the 2024 decider to end a 31-year wait for the Brendan Martin Cup. A further victory on Sunday would move the Kingdom to 13 Senior titles, two clear of Cork at the top of the all-time roll of honour.
Galway are seeking only their second Senior Championship and a first since 2004. They have impressed throughout the current campaign, with captain Kate Geraghty crediting the “new energy” within the squad following their emphatic semi-final victory over Armagh.
TG4
TG4 first broadcast the Senior Final live in 2001, when Laois defeated Mayo in a dramatic decider. The victorious Laois team from that day will be introduced to the Croke Park crowd during half-time in Sunday’s Intermediate Final.
The relationship has expanded considerably during the intervening quarter-century. TG4 now combines its position as Championship sponsor with extensive live coverage across linear television, the TG4 Player, its mobile and Smart TV applications and the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel.
The partnership was extended earlier this summer until the end of the 2032 season. What began with six televised matches in 2001 had grown to 49 live LGFA fixtures across all competitions by 2025.
“TG4’s partnership with the LGFA is one of the great success stories in Irish sport,” said TG4 Director General Deirdre Ní Choistín.
“For 25 years, we have been privileged to help bring the skill, commitment, athleticism and passion of these players to audiences across Ireland and around the world.”
This year’s Peil Gan Srian – Football Without Limits campaign will be supported by a wider weekend of programming and digital content.
Ceiliúradh Peil na mBan, presented by Máire Ní Bhraonáin, will air at 7.45 pm on Saturday. The programme will visit all six finalist counties, feature music from each, look back at the 2001 final, and current players will reflect on their Championship journeys.
Spórt TG4 will provide behind-the-scenes social content throughout Finals Day, with each of the three matches available globally through TG4’s digital platforms. The confirmed throw-in times are 11.45 am, 1.45 pm and 4.15 pm.
Tickets are priced at €30 for adults and €15 for students, OAPs and under-18s, with a family ticket for two adults and two under-18s available for €70.
Tomorrow morning on Sport for Business, we will carry a full report on the activation activity being delivered ahead of Sunday’s finals by the LGFA, TG4, Lidl and Supermac’s — all members of the Sport for Business community.
TG4, the LGFA, and Lidl are full members of Sport for Business.
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Image Credit: LGFA
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