Kilkenny venue confirmed for Muckalee's All-Ireland Football Semi-Final

Muckalee will have home advantage in their own club ground when they take on Galway’s Menlough Skehana in the AIB All-Ireland junior club football championship semi-final on Sunday at 2pm.

The North Kilkenny outfit have had a dream season to date as not only did they beat St Colmcille’s of Meath to match Railyard’s provincial final triumph from 2004 but they also added to it when getting the better of St Kiernan’s in Abbotstown last weekend.

The fact that the last four tie is being played in Muckalee should act as a huge advantage to the Kilkenny and Leinster champions and a big crowd is anticipated as a result.

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The other side of the draw sees Cavan Gaels take on Cromane of Kerry with the final scheduled to take place also on the weekend of Saturday/ Sunday December 13 and 14.

Muckalee manager Pat McDowell praised the defensive effort in his team as they booked their place in the All-Ireland junior football semi-final.

“I thought we were brilliant and our defence today was savage,” he said. “I’m only looking at it from our viewpoint, but they weren’t able to get through us as we were solid all over the field.

“The referee was a little free conscious but we did well not to give away much and we restricted them a lot from play.”

The Kilkenny side came through a tough Leinster campaign and the manager felt it stood to them.

“We came through Leinster and we were well tested and we said to the girls that if they can perform like that, we would be in a good place - our football was superb today,” McDowell added.

The strength in depth in the squad is also shining through for the winning boss.

“We’ve a tough headache to try and pick a team for the next say as Sarah Brennan came in for the injured Hazel Moore and played super and that’s what you need from the bench.

“Sarah hasn’t played any first team football for us this year, but she never misses a training session and came in today and was excellent.”