Gaelic Games

GAA club championship throw-in times, team news and TV details

The semi-finals of the Dublin senior football championship take centre stage on Saturday

Kilmacud Crokes’ Anthony Quinn and Tom Fox celebrate after their quarter-final win over Na Fianna. Photo: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Seán Moran's face
Seán Moran
Sat Nov 6 2021 - 15:12

Saturday

Dublin SFC semi-finals: Lucan Sarsfields v St Jude's (5.15pm); Ballyboden St Enda's v Kilmacud Crokes (7pm). Parnell Park [LIVE RTÉ2]– Lucan's dethroning of Ballymun was testament to the club's energy but also probably the champions' waning reserves. Jude's have been really consistent semi-finalists in recent times but with a sense that their ceiling isn't quite high enough but it can see them through. The other semi is a heavyweight clash of the two southside super-clubs. Crokes have impressed with Paul Mannion in fine form and Rory O'Carroll rolling back the years and dug out an industrious win against a rising Na Fianna side. Ballyboden weren't as stretched in their quarter-final but are formidable even in the absence of Robbie McDaid but Crokes can edge it.

Sunday (all county finals)

Cavan SFC: Gowna v Ramor United, Kingspan Breffni Park, 3.0 - Gowna have been more impressive in this year's championship but also less tested and haven't been champions for nearly 20 years. Ramor won the title five years ago and although outsiders won't go down easily. A more potent attack can swing for Gowna.

Clare SFC: Kilmurry Ibrickane v Éire Óg, Cusack Park, 2.30 - For Kilmurry, much depends on the fitness of the McCarthys, Jason and Aidan, whose hurling commitments with Inagh-Kilnamona is an added complication. The industry of the imposing Darren O'Neill at centrefield and the marksmanship of Gavin Cooney up front can swing this for Éire Óg.

Derry SFC: Slaughtneil v Glen, Celtic Park, 2.0 - Malachy O'Rourke's Glen, driven by Conor Glass, are more fancied after an impressive campaign but the immense experience and defensive nous of Slaughtneil gives the multiple champions a chance against parish rivals.

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Donegal SFC: St Eunan's v Naomh Conaill, Ballybofey, 3.15 [LIVE TG4]- Naomh Conaill survived a late scare against Kilcar in the semi-final and will be favourites to make it three-in-a-row against the Letterkenny men, managed by Rory Kavanagh.

Down SFC: Burren v Kilcoo, Páirc Esler, 3.0 - Kilcoo are after a third successive title, which would be their ninth in 10 years. Burren have the other but, missing county notable Liam Kerr, are unlikely to repeat the 2018 dose.

Kildare SFC: Naas v Sarsfields, Newbridge, 2.0 - Under new management since just before the semi-final - county player Eoin Doyle stepping up - Naas reach the final trailing a strong under-age record, which bodes well for the future but Sarsfields have been around this track and can regain the title.

Kilkenny SHC: Shamrocks Ballyhale v O'Loughlin Gaels, UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.30 [LIVE TG4]- Still All-Ireland champions after last year's null and void season, Shamrocks have been treading water to an extent but their attack is extremely potent and with Adrian Mullen having returned in the semi-final they can also improve. O'Loughlin's have been using Paddy Deegan up front so Huw Lawlor may be assigned to TJ Reid but there's also Eoin Cody to consider. The challengers will hope to disrupt but with their focus adjusted for then final, the champions look set fair. Health workers will be admitted free of charge to this match.

Laois SHC: Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton v Clough Ballacolla, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 3.30 - Just three months after they contested the 2020 final, Clough-Ballacolla can maintain a strong record in this fixture and retain the title for the first time since their five-in-a-row in 1918.

Longford SFC: Mostrim v Mullinalaghta St Columba's, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3.0 - With their half-parish of Gowna in the Cavan final also this afternoon, Mullinalghta will want to do their bit for the locality by prising open surprise finalists Mostrim. Having deposed back-to-back champions Killoe in the semi-final they are favourites to do so.

Louth SFC: Naomh Mairtin v St Mochta's, Páirc Mhuire, Ardee, 2.30 - Naomh Mairtin hope to improve their conversion rate in finals and should be able to deliver against first-time finalists St Mochta's.

Meath SFC: Wolfe Tones v St Peter's Dunboyne, Páirc Tailteann, 2.30 - Ronan Jones's ankle injury remains a concern for Dunboyne, as they try to regain the title last won three years ago. They're favourites against Wolfe Tones, managed by the widely experienced Michael McDermott, who halted Ratoath's three-in-a-row ambitions with veteran Cian Ward in top form.

Monaghan SFC: Scotstown v Truagh, Clones, 2.30 - Scotstown, fixtures in the county final, are heavily favoured to win against Truagh, managed by Pascal Canavan, who has them well-drilled. They weren't meant to beat Clontibret or Ballybay either but this may be a step too far.

Westmeath SHC: Castletown-Geoghegan v Raharney, TEG Cusack Park, 3.0 - The sides drew earlier in the championship but Castletown-Geoghegan put out champions Clonkill, their nemesis four times in the past five years, in a statement of intent.

Wicklow SFC: Baltinglass v Blessington, Aughrim, 3.0 - Baltinglass will be under pressure against opponents in top form and looking for a first title in 38 years but the champions are improving and can put wins back-to-back for the first time since the glory years of the 1990s.