Westmeath face Tyrone for All-Ireland final place as teams are named

Westmeath ladies will be trying to overturn last month’s heavy recent defeat to Tyrone when they face the same opponents in this Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final.

In their second game of the group stages, Westmeath suffered a very comprehensive defeat to Tyrone (6-11 to 0-7), with Sorcha Gormley scoring two of the winners' goals. That game was played on Tyrone soil in Stewartstown, whereas Sunday’s semi-final will be played on neutral territory at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon (throw-in 2pm).

Westmeath bounced back from that heavy loss at the hands of Tyrone to edge out Cavan in their All-Ireland quarter-final. “We’re just delighted to be there, but we know we have more work to do,” said Westmeath manager Frank Browne following the win over Cavan.

In their quarter-final, Tyrone were pushed all the way by Fermanagh before winning in extra-time. Last year, Tyrone suffered a narrow loss to Leitrim in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park and they will be keen to go one better this time.

The Westmeath defence will need to be at their best to curb Tyrone’s scoring threat on Sunday. And Westmeath will be looking for influential displays from players like team captain Fiona Coyle, Sarah Murphy (the Kerry native who plays club football for Moate) and Lucy Power.

The hard-working Vicky Carr will be partnered at midfield by Kilbeggan's Ayesha Roche and, in attack, Westmeath will be hoping Sarah Dillon (a recent LGFA Player of the Month award winner) and Anna Jones can again show the way, while the youthful Caoimhe Kilmurray is also capable of being a scoring threat.

See both team line-ups below for a game which will be shown live on Spórt TG4 YouTube.

Overall, Westmeath will need to produce their best performance of the season thus far to overcome a formidable Tyrone outfit and secure a coveted place in the All-Ireland decider.

Westmeath were Intermediate champions last in 2021, while Tyrone are aiming for their first intermediate crown title since 2018.

The other All-Ireland semi-final is between Monaghan and Laois, who Westmeath defeated in this year’s Leinster intermediate final. The Laois vs Monaghan game will be played at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford (also on Sunday at 2pm).

Westmeath team (vs Tyrone): Aoife Temple; Lara McCartan, Sarah Murphy, Fiona Coyle (captain); Chloe Gonoud, Lucy Power, Ashley Ruane; Vicky Carr, Ayesha Roche; Lucy McCartan, Sarah Dillon, Tracey Dillon; Grainne Byrne, Anna Jones, Caoimhe Kilmurray.

Tyrone team (vs Westmeath): Amelia Coyle; Jayne Lyons, Grainne McKenna, Emer Quinn; Caitlin Campbell, Meabh Mallon, Claire Canavan; Aoibhinn McHugh (captain), Slaine McCarroll; Elle McNamee, Sorcha Gormley, Aoife Horisk; Niamh O’Neill, Cara McCrossan, Meabh Corrigan.