WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Laois will take on Dublin in the TG4 Leinster senior football final at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday July 13th after both counties won their semi-finals on Saturday.
Laois proved far too good for Kildare, winning 5-16 to 2-5, but Dublin had to battle hard before beating Meath, 0-19 to 1-6.
Meath and Kildare must now regroup for the qualifiers.
At half-time, Dublin led a gallant Meath by 0-11 to 1-3 at the Naomh Mearnóg grounds in Portmarnock.
Meath's goal arrived midway through the first half when Alisha Jordan's flick freed Elaine Duffy, who rounded goalkeeper Cliodhna O'Connor before finishing from close range.
Indeed the former All Star O'Connor kept Dublin in the game with some fine saves, and Dublin struggled immediately after half-time, going 15 minutes without a score despite plenty of possession.
A late purple patch of scores saw Dublin through, as Sinéad Aherne leading the way with a haul of nine points.
Lindsay Davey and substitute Karen Hopkins scored 0-2 each while Anne-Marie Murphy, Ciara Murphy and substitute Kim Flood chipped in with a point apiece.
Meath were well served by their twin scoring threats Gráinne Nulty (0-5) and Elaine Duffy (1-1).
Meanwhile, the superb Mary Kirwan helped herself to an amazing 4-4 as Laois romped to victory in Clane.
Laois led by 2-8 to 2-3 at half-time and outscored Kildare 3-8 to 0-2 after the break.
Kildare started brilliantly, and Simone Gilabert had the ball in the net after just two minutes.
Kirwan cancelled out that effort but Gilabert struck again for Kildare to hand them the lead midway through the half.
Kirwan scored her second goal on 19 minutes and it was all Laois in the second half as Kirwan added two more goals and Aileen O'Loughlin converted a penalty.
The draw for the All-Ireland qualifiers will take place at Croke Park this afternoon. Galway, Waterford, Armagh, Donegal, Down, Meath and Kildare go into the hat, and as Leitrim have pulled out of the championship, one of the seven will receive a bye.
