PREVIEWS: A weekend of LGFA finals

Compiled by Jackie Cahill

THE 2026 Lidl National League champions will be crowned over the coming weekend.

The scene is set for four intriguing encounters across the country, with three of the four deciders fixed for Saturday.

The Division 1 final pits last year’s Division 2 finalists against each other, namely Cork and Galway.

In Division 2, it’s an Ulster derby between Cavan and Donegal, with Antrim and Louth set to battle it out in Division 3.

On Sunday, attention focuses on the Division 4 showpiece between Carlow and Leitrim.

The Divisions 1 and 2 finals will be live on TG4, with the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel providing live coverage of the deciders in Divisions 3 and 4.

The Ulster Championship hopes and dreams for the ladies teams across the province

Saturday April 11th

Lidl National League Division 1 Final

Cork v Galway; TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 5pm – Live on TG4.

Tickets

A first for Galway or Cork’s 13th?

It all comes down to this – the 2026 Lidl National League Division 1 Final, where Cork and Galway go head-to-head for silverware.

A win for Cork would draw them level with Kerry on 13 top flight titles, as Galway aim for a maiden win, in what will be their eighth Division 1 Final.

Cork last contested a Division 1 decider in 2021, losing out to Dublin, while Galway lost out to Kerry in 2023.

For Cork, it’s the chance to win the Division 1 silverware for the first time since 2019, when they got the better of Saturday’s opponents.

All told, this will be the fifth Division 1 final between the counties, with Cork winning previous encounters in 2019, 2015, 2010 and 2005.

Both sides arrive in Limerick in fine form, with confidence high and momentum building ahead of the TG4 provincial and All-Ireland championship season. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter as two teams on the rise look to make their mark.

Galway enter the final with plenty of belief. Last year, the Tribeswomen captured the Division 2 title, defeating Cork at Croke Park. That was bonus territory for both teams, who had already secured promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

This final carries extra intrigue because these teams have already tested each other this year. In February, Cork edged Galway by just two points in a keenly-contested group stage clash. That narrow victory highlighted how closely matched these sides are. Both sides will be acutely aware that fine margins could decide the outcome once again.

Beyond the silverware, this match offers both squads a chance to sharpen their preparations for the championship. The intensity of a national final provides a perfect test under pressure, and both management teams will be keen to see how their players respond to a high-stakes occasion.

Supporters can expect a tightly contested final. Whether Cork return to the summit of Division 1 or Galway claim that maiden title, this game promises the excitement, skill, and drama that fans have come to love from the Lidl National Leagues.

The Cork team named to start in Limerick shows two changes to the side that lined out against Dublin in the final round of group fixtures.

Aimee Corcoran and Grace Murphy both return to the starting line-up, with Ciara Hughes and Kate Redmond listed on the bench.

For Galway, there are six changes following defeat to Waterford in Round 7 .

Into the starting line-up come Ríona Quinn, Sarah Ní Loingsigh, Hannah Noone, Brónagh Quinn, Niamh Divilly and Lynsey Noone, with Aoife Molloy, Katelyn Mee, Sophie Healy, Aisling Madden and Aoife O’Rourke dropping to the bench.

CORK: C Richmond; M Duggan, D Kiniry, S Kelly; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; A Healy, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, G Murphy, E Cleary (capt.); Á O’Sullivan, K Quirke, L Hallihan.

GALWAY: L O’Halloran; R Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty (capt.); H Noone, N Ward, B Quinn; N Divilly, S Divilly; O Divilly, K Slevin, L Noone; E Noone, L Coen, A Trill.

Lidl National League Division 2 Final

Cavan v Donegal, St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, 3pm – Live on TG4

Tickets

Just like many of the standout fixtures during this year’s Lidl National Football League campaign, Saturday’s Division 2 Final has a familiar feel to it as Cavan and Donegal renew acquaintances on a big stage.

The counties already crossed paths earlier in the campaign, when Cavan edged a tight encounter by two points in a competitive and hard-fought contest. That result offered an early indication of how closely matched these sides are, and it adds an extra layer of intrigue ahead of what promises to be another compelling battle for silverware.

For Cavan, this final represents an opportunity to continue a remarkable run of momentum. Having captured the Division 3 title last season, the Breffni County are now chasing League success for the second year in succession. Securing the Division 2 crown would mark another significant step in the county’s steady rise and underline the progress made by the squad over the past 12 months.

Donegal, meanwhile, arrive with ambitions of their own. Victory would see them crowned Division 2 champions for the first time since 2016, ending a decade-long wait to lift the trophy at this level. It would also be a fitting reward for a campaign in which they have shown consistency and resilience.

Both counties have already achieved the primary objective that was set out at the beginning of the campaign: promotion. With their places in Division 1 secured for next season, this second-tier decider offers the chance to add a national title to the journey and to build even greater confidence ahead of the summer.

Championship football is now fast approaching and this decider provides an ideal opportunity for both sides to fine-tune their preparations. Donegal will soon turn their focus to the TG4 Ulster and All-Ireland Senior Championship campaigns, while Cavan will be targeting a strong run in the Intermediate grade, and are very much a team to watch in that regard.

A victory on a national stage would serve as a significant psychological boost before those campaigns begin. Equally, the experience of playing in a high-quality final can only benefit both squads as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

With promotion secured, confidence high and recent history between the teams pointing to a tight contest, all the ingredients are in place for a memorable Division 2 Final.

Two ambitious counties now stand on the brink of success – and only one will leave as champions.

CAVAN: E Baugh; Z Fay, S Kelly, A Kennedy; D Lynch, C Charters, S Greene; M Fitzpatrick, K McCormack; C Dolan, E Sheridan, N Keenaghan; M Cusack, A Sheridan, K Mai Reilly.

DONEGAL: C Friel; N Carr, E McGinley, S McFeely; T Hegarty, F McManamon, A Caulfield; C Brennan, R Rodgers (capt.); B McLaughlin, K Dowds, N Boyle; S White, E Gallagher, C McGarvey.

Lidl National League Division 3 Final

Antrim v Louth, St. Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen, 1pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube

Tickets

The stage is perfectly set for an enthralling encounter as Antrim and Louth go head-to-head in the 2026 Lidl Ladies National League Division 3 final. Both sides arrive at this decisive fixture on the back of impressive campaigns, having already secured promotion, and with a sense of freedom that allows them to play their natural game without the pressure of securing precious points hanging over them.

It has been a season of consistency and quality for these two sides. By the end of the group stages, Antrim and Louth were inseparable at the top of the table, both finishing on 16 points and claiming the top two spots. Louth wrapped up their promotion campaign early, securing qualification by Round 7, while Antrim had to fight hard in a crucial clash with Down to clinch their own place in the final. The determination shown in that pivotal game is a reminder of the resilience and ambition both squads bring to the field.

There is a rich vein of recent history between these finalists that adds an intriguing edge to the match-up. The sides met in Round 6 of the league back in early March, with Louth emerging as nine-point winners. That result gives the Wee County a psychological advantage going into the decider. However, past meetings have shown just how finely balanced these teams can be. Last August, they met on the biggest stage in the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Final at Croke Park, with just two points separating the sides. That narrow margin suggests that this final could be decided by moments of individual brilliance or crucial tactical decisions.

Both teams know each other extremely well, and familiarity will breed intensity and innovation in equal measure. With promotion already secured, the players can go out and express themselves and show what they can do. They’ll be eager, too, to add a League title win following promotion, and supporters can expect a contest full of skill, heart, and determination.

Ultimately, this is a clash between two evenly matched and highly motivated sides. Louth may hold a slight advantage from recent encounters, but Antrim will be hungry to reverse recent results and claim the silverware. Expect a thrilling spectacle as these two top-flight teams battle for Division 3 supremacy – every ball, every score, and every decision will count.

ANTRIM: A Devlin; H Donaghy, M Blaney, M Mulholland; D Coleman, C Brown, A Kelly; L Agnew, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, O Dahunsi, C McKenna; B Devlin (capt.), M O’Neill, A Davidson.

LOUTH: R Lambe Fagan; S Matthews, E Hand, H Lambe Sally; A Murray, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Halligan, Á Breen (capt.); L White, C Nolan, Z Sweeney; E Byrne, S Everitt, C Woods.

Sunday April 12th

Lidl National League Division 4 Final

Carlow v Leitrim, Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr, 2pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube

Tickets

The 2026 Lidl Ladies National League Division 4 final promises to be an exciting showdown as Carlow and Leitrim do battle, both having already achieved the primary goal of promotion. With semi-final victories over Offaly and Sligo respectively, the stage is set for a competitive and high-quality contest, with both sides able to play with freedom and confidence following their successful campaigns.

It has been a season of consistency for these two counties. Carlow topped the Division 4 group stages, finishing first, while Leitrim secured second place, setting up the semi-final clashes that ultimately confirmed promotion. For both teams, that step was far from a given; recent history has shown that finishing in the top two does not automatically guarantee advancement. The victories in the semi-finals were therefore a huge relief and a significant milestone, giving both counties the chance to compete for the League silverware as an added reward for their hard work.

There is recent history between the sides that adds spice to this encounter. They met in Round 7 of the league back in early March, with Carlow edging a narrow two-point victory. While that result may give the Carlow side a slight psychological advantage, it also promises another tight, competitive battle. Both teams are highly motivated, evenly matched, and determined to leave their mark on the final, and supporters can expect a game defined by intensity, skill, and determination.

For Leitrim, this final represents another opportunity to go one better in the chase for Division 4 after previous disappointments. They were beaten finalists in 2023 by Antrim in a winner-takes-all promotion clash and have also lost out in the semi-finals in 2024 and 2025. Carlow, meanwhile, return to Division 3 at the first attempt, seeking to emulate their success two years ago when they lifted the Division 4 trophy. Both sides will be eager to end their season on a high note, and with the silverware on offer, there is plenty to play for beyond the promotion already secured.

This final promises a clash of determination, tactical nous, and flair. Carlow will look to confirm their status as the division’s top side, while Leitrim will be equally driven to reverse that result from earlier in the campaign and claim the title. Fans of both counties can look forward to a thrilling contest, with the outcome likely to be decided by fine margins and moments of individual brilliance.

CARLOW: N Hanley; A Carroll, A Roche, S O’Neill; A Webb, N Forde, R Bermingham; R Bailey, C O’Neill; E Hayden, C Ní Shé, A Hanley; M Townsend, S Doyle, A Kiernan.

LEITRIM: M Gallagher; J Maye, C Tyrrell, N Morahan; D Beirne, L Devaney, S Reynolds; N Tighe, A Devaney; A Gilmartin, L Fox, V Egan; M Devaney, M Guckian (capt.), L O’Dowd.