Tyrone may have found the going tough to date but they will be hoping to fire on all cylinders when they meet Leitrim in Sunday’s All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate Football Championship Final at Croke Park (1.45pm).
The Red Hands were stretched to the limit by a lively Down side at the Semi-Final stage before coming out on top by 2-11 to 1-11.
It was the accuracy of players such as Aoife Horisk and Chloe McCaffrey that stood Tyrone in good stead against a Mourne County side that sustained their effort up until the final whistle.
Tyrone’s ability to take their chances in the second-half in particular stood to them with Maria Canavan, Aine Grimes and Sorcha Gormley among other players who made telling contributions to their win.
But they may find Leitrim more dogged opponents. The Connacht side looked sharp in overcoming Wexford by 0-17 to 1-11 in their last four encounter. But Leitrim skipper Michelle Guckian has already sounded a warning to her side.
“Tyrone are a brilliant team. They always rise to a championship challenge and they are used to playing in Division One of the League,” maintains Guckian.
Fermanagh, meanwhile, hope to keep the Ulster flag flying in style when they cross swords with Louth in the ladies Junior Championship Final at Croke Park (11.45am).
The Erne outfit were given a scare by Limerick at the Semi-Final stage before coming out on top by 2-11 to 2-10 with Eimear Smyth once again proving the ace in their pack.
She was ably assisted by Aoife McCabe and Joanne Doonan against a Limerick side that battled until the end.
Louth, meanwhile, beat Carlow in their Semi-Final with Niamh Rice proving the ace in their pack by spearheading the team’s scoring spree in achieving their 2-11 to 0-11 victory.
In the Senior Final, Kerry will take on Galway at Headquarters (4.15pm).
The Kingdom were extended by a fiery Armagh side in a tense Semi-Final but managed to come out on top by 1-8 to 0-7.
It was a goal from Niamh Ní Chonchuir that sealed Kerry’s win while Danielle O’Leary, Aishling O’Connell and Louise Ní Mhiurcheataig can also pose a big threat to Galway.