Westmeath to face Roscommon for place in All-Ireland final

Westmeath and Roscommon ladies are now preparing for a showdown in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-finals, after both sides won their quarter-finals today (Sunday).

It promises to be a fascinating semi-final between the neighbours from across the Shannon and it's due to be played on Sunday July 12.

Frank Browne's Westmeath side defeated Wexford by 3-12 to 3-7 at TEG Cusack Park in what was a repeat of last month's Leinster intermediate final.

Goals from Amy Wilson and Aoife Fortune helped Wexford into a 2-5 to 1-7 lead at the interval, while Katie Kilmurray found the net for Westmeath.

Anna Jones and Aoife Keegan pounced for goals in the second half as Westmeath pushed on for victory despite a late Anna Hughes goal for Wexford.

Meanwhile, Roscommon avenged their heavy defeat to Leitrim when the same two sides met in their All-Ireland quarter-final in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Opening half goals from Caoimhe Lennon (Clana na nGael) and Laura Fleming helped Roscommon lead by 2-3 to 0-6 against local rivals Leitrim but they had to withstand a strong rally from the home side.

Shaylyn Ward and Muireann Devanney got goals for Leitrim but Roscommon held on for a 2-12 to 2-8 win.

Interestingly, Roscommon manager Finbar Egan, who hails from close to Athlone, is well known in Westmeath as the Maryland and Athlone men's teams are among the sides he has managed in the past.

The other All-Ireland semi-final will be an all-Ulster affair as Fermanagh meet Down. The Mourne County needed extra-time to see off another Ulster side, Monaghan, by 0-18 to 2-7. Eimear Fitzpatrick shot 0-9. Cora Courtney and Aoibhin McCormack scored goals for Monaghan in the first half.

Two goals in quick succession from Joanne Doonan and Eimear Smyth put Fermanagh into the driving seat to lead 2-6 to 0-5 at the break against Clare, Smyth’s second goal helping to send them on their way to an impressive 3-12 to 1-8 win. Eabha O'Driscoll scored the goal for Clare.

Elsewhere, Cavan and Louth both preserved their intermediate grade status. Aishling Sheridan and Sinead Greene got goals as Cavan defeated Laois by 2-12 to 1-6. Louth, TG4 All-Ireland junior winners last year, will also remain at intermediate level next year after Aoife Russell and Sophie Everitt got the goals and Laura Lynch hit 0-9 as they defeated Wicklow by 2-15 to 0-6.

Laois will now meet Wicklow in the relegation play-off final and the losers of that tie drop to junior in 2027.

FIXTURES

TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-finals (July 12): Roscommon v Westmeath; Fermanagh v Down.

TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship relegation play-off final (July 4/5): Laois v Wicklow.

RESULTS

TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship quarter-finals: Westmeath 3-12 Wexford 3-7; Roscommon 2-12 Leitrim 2-8; Down 0-18 Monaghan 2-7 (aet); Fermanagh 3-12 Clare 1-8.

Relegation play-offs: Cavan 2-12 Laois 1-6; Louth 2-15 Wicklow 0-6.