Teams named and stage set for Kildare ladies' Leinster Intermediate final against Wexford

The Kildare squad before the 2023 Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 Final match between Clare and Kildare at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

placeholder image — The Kildare squad before the 2023 Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 Final match between Clare and Kildare at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Reigning champions Kildare will look to make it back-to-back Leinster titles against Wexford – in what will be repeat of the 2022 decider.

Kildare head into this final as favourites, having won 3-7 to 1-7 in last year's final and coming out 5-8 to 2-9 winners when the sides met in the group stages of this year’s competition. However, there was a period in that final group game where the Lilywhites were more than on the ropes and Wexford showed in that game, like they did in their semi-final, that they are a seriously dangerous proposition.

Kildare were comprehensive winners against Louth in last weekend’s semi-final, as Wexford came from behind against Westmeath to book their place in the final.

Kildare will go into Sunday’s clash full of confidence and with a trophy already secured this season, following victory in the Lidl NFL Division 3 Final, they have every reason to be. Kildare had to draw on every ounce of experience, character and grit in that league final and it would be no surprise to see them need that sort of resolve here once more.

The aforementioned semi-final against Louth saw the return of captain Grace Clifford to the starting lineup following injury. Clifford's return is a crucial boost for the Lilywhites, especially in a game of this magnitude.

Wexford, however, will undoubtedly relish the underdogs tag and will aim to spring a surprise and take their first Leinster IFC title since 2019.

Kildare manager Diane O’Hora and Wexford joint-bosses Lizzy Kent & John Nolan have both named unchanged sides from their respective semi-final victories, with both sides vying for provincial silverware.

KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine; Lauren Burke, Laoise Lenehan, Aoife Clifford; Lara Gilbert, Ruth Sargent, Sarah Munnelly; Grace Clifford, Aoife Rattigan; Claire Sullivan, Neasa Dooley, Róisín Byrne; Ellen Dowling, Trina Duggan, Lara Curran.

WEXFORD: Leanne Moore; Aisling Halligan, Shauna Murphy, Katie English; Karen Tomkins, Roisin Murphy, Sarah Harding Kenny; Amy Walsh, Ciara Banville; Beibhinn McDonald, Catriona Murray, Clara Donnelly; Chloe Fox, Aisling Murphy, Caoilfionn Ní Nuallain.