LGFA - PTSB Senior Championship Rd 1 Previews

The PTSB Dublin Senior championship gets underway this evening with reigning champions Kilmacud Crokes aiming to achieve club history by lifting their fifth successive Dublin senior championship title. They will have to overcome a serious of challenges from several clubs who are more than capable of dethroning the reigning champions. Let the games begin!

PTSB SFC Group A

Fingallians vs Kilmacud Crokes

Lawless Memorial Park, 7.30pm

As we know Kilmacud Crokes are a well drilled experienced outfit who can call upon the services of seasoned campaigners such as Aoife Kane, Éabha Rutledge, Lauren Magee and Michelle Davoren to name but a few. Their opponents this evening Fingallians have enjoyed a good league campaign to date although operating in division 2. They currently hold down the top spot on the ladder with nine wins, one draw and one defeat.

The Swords based outfit have an abundance of emerging talent to call upon for tonight’s encounter with Crokes such as the likes of Ciara Sheedy, Dayna Murray, Kirsten Mooney and Gemma Connolly to name but a few. They also have amongst their ranks the experienced County duo Niamh Crowley and Muireann Ní Scanaill.

PTSB SFC Group A

Cuala vs Clontarf

Hyde Road Dalkey, 7.30pm

Clontarf will rue the missed opportunities that came their way in last season’s championship semi-final loss to St Sylvesters and will be aiming to go one step further in 2026. Cuala will provide them with a stern test this evening.

Cuala have been in consistent form to date in the league and are positioned in fourth spot on the division 1 league table. They notably registered a ten-point victory over Clontarf back in May. Cuala have developed a team which again has a good blend of experience and youth. Key players for Cuala will be Martha Byrne, Grainne O’Driscoll, Rachel Harnett backed up by the emerging talent of Katie Hayes and Rebecca McEvoy.

Clontarf are a well drilled squad with experience in every sector. Key players for them will be Caoimhe O’Connor, Niamh Hetherton, Sarah McCaffrey alongside the Fitzgibbon sisters Kate and Tara. An injury doubt hovers over the availability of Hannah Leahy who picked up an ankle injury in Dublin’s semi-final loss to Kerry.

PTSB SFC Group A

O’Dwyers vs Na Fianna

Bremore Park, 7.30pm

Na Fianna endured a serious blow to their championship hopes when Leah Caffrey picked up a season ending ACL injury back in July. The Glasnevin outfit will also have to deal without the services of the reigning TG4 Players Player of the year, Hannah Tyrrell this season.

However they are still a force to be reckoned with. Laura Grendon will be a key operator up front while Aoife Caffrey, Orla Martin, Karla Conway alongside Elyse Jamieson-Murphy will provide valuable experience to the Glasnevin outfit.

When the two teams met in the league, they served up an exciting encounter which Na Fianna edged by 2-10 to O’Dwyers 1-11.

O’Dwyers will enjoy home advantage for this championship opening encounter. They will be boosted by the return of Aoife Curran who was unfortunate to miss out on most of Dublin senior teams campaign this season owing to injury. Her club mate Elsa Kearney has however emerged in 2026 as a fine prospect for the girls in blue. Other players to watch out in the green and white of O’Dwyers are Lara Marry, Holly O’Rourke and Erica Byrne.

PTSB SFC Group B

Castleknock vs Ballyboden St Endas

Somerton, 7.30pm

This is a meeting of two teams who will be aiming to qualify for a semi-final berth at a minimum this season. Castleknock are an experienced outfit who have been steadily building an exciting panel having completed well in division one this season. Key players for Castleknock are Amy Mahony, Jenny Hickey and Eimear Griffin.

Ballyboden St Enas has enjoyed a good league campaign and are joint leagues leaders in division 1 alongside Clontarf (with a game in hand). They have put together a squad with combines both experience and youth as they look to make an impact in this year’s championship. Players to watch closely are Maria McGrath, Rebecca McDonnell, Kate Donaghy, alongside up and coming players Charlie Murphy and Kate Keaney.

PTSB SFC Group B

Pobal Parnell vs Thomas Davis

Chanel College, 7.30pm

Pobal Parnell will be looking forward to tonight’s encounter with Thomas Davis having returned to senior football in 2026 following their Intermediate final triumph over St Maurs last season. Key players for the Coolock based team will be Chloe Darby, Saibhín Peyton, Eimear Canty and Nicole Smith.

Thomas Davis would have been disappointed with their semi-final loss to Kilmacud Crokes in 2025. That defeat will no doubt act as a motivation tool coming into this year’s campaign. Seasoned performers Sinead Deegan, Ciara McGuigan and Tammy Quinn will be well backed up by emerging youngsters Abaigh Pollock and Zara Flood.

Last years senior runners up St Sylvesters have a bye this round but there is no doubt that team manager Peter Clarke and his selectors will be watching the game in Chanel College closely ahead of their opening round game versus Thomas Davis next week.