All Ireland Senior Championship Quarter Final

Donegal v Dublin

Saturday, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2pm

By Shaun Casey

LATE goals from Emma McCrory and Yvonne Bonner decided the outcome when Donegal and Dublin last crossed paths, back in the middle of March as they battled it out for a place in the Division One league final.

Donegal secured their spot in the showpiece, slipping past the Dubs with just one point to spare to set up a Croke Park date with All-Ireland champions Meath. Unfortunately for Maxi Curran’s charges, it was the Royals who edged through that time, with two points the difference at the final whistle.

Donegal’s form has been jaded of late and since that last outing with the Dubs, the Tir Chonaill ladies have lost three of their five games, their only wins coming against Cavan in the Ulster semi-final and Waterford in round one of the All-Ireland series.

They lost to Armagh in the provincial decider in cruel circumstances after extra time, when the Orchard ladies rattled off late scores to firstly salvage a draw and then win the game in additional time, while Cork also handed them a defeat the last day out.

Dublin on the other hand eased past Cavan, Tipperary and Mayo during the group stages of the competition to earn their place in the last four, following on from their low scoring Leinster final victory over Meath.

Saturday’s meeting is a repeat of the 2021 quarter final clash which Dublin won to keep their drive for five dreams alive. Carla Rowe proved unstoppable that day as she recorded a personal tally of 2-3 to help the Dubs earn a five-point win.

Ultimately the Dubs failed when it came to All-Ireland success as Meath shocked the country by handing their fiercest rivals a two-point defeat, but Dublin are back this year, motivated by the hurt of 2021. A wounded animal is a dangerous one.

Donegal will be inspired by their recent victory over Dublin, but that was the league. This is championship and it’s a different ball game.

It’s all or nothing this weekend and Donegal’s season hangs in the balance. If they can stop Dublin hitting the net they’re in with a great chance, but no team has been able to do that so far in the championship.

Of course, Donegal carry their own scoring threat and if they hit form, they can be a match for anyone in the country, but Dublin carry the favourites tag for a reason and they’re the ones most likely to make it through to the last four.