Down dual issue as Ulster sides chase final spots

By Niall McCoy

DOWN’S dual players Aoife Keown and Caitriona Caldwell have been left in a tricky position ahead of Sunday’s Ladies National Football League semi-final against Wexford (Parnell Park, 3pm).

That’s because 75 minutes earlier, the Mourne County camogs will be throwing in against Dublin at Croke Park.

It’s not an ideal situation for manager Ronan McCartan or his camogie counterpart Paul Donnelly, with the pair leaving the decision up to the players.

Elsewhere, a host of other Ulster counties will be hoping to book final spots.

The big clash on TG4 on Saturday will see Donegal meet Dublin (1pm) in Clones with Meath and All-Ireland champions Meath battling it out on the other side of the draw.

Maxi Curran’s side won two of their three clashes in Division 1A with Mayo winning a close encounter last time out – a game in which Yvonne Bonner made a surprise return.

Armagh will fancy their chances of reaching the Division Two decider as they meet Laois in O’Raghallaigh Park (2pm).

Ronan Murphy’s side look like a team going through the gears and although they certainly are not firing on all cylinders, they were comfortable in their 2B derbies with Tyrone, Monaghan and Cavan.

The Oriel County aren’t out of the running yet though. After the confusion of their clash with Cavan – eventually recorded as a one-point Monaghan win – they’d go on to lose to the Orchard and draw with Tyrone, enough for second spot.

They face a huge task at Tuam Stadium on Sunday though (2pm) as they come up against Kerry.

In Division Four, James Daly’s Fermanagh will aim to book a final place when they come up against Limerick in Kinnegad (2pm).

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