Weekend Gaelic games previews, throw-in times and TV details

Saturday

LEINSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS
Shelmaliers (Wexford) v Naas (Kildare), Croke Park, 3.15pm – L ive RTÉ2
Shelmaliers must feel like they'll have to win the whole thing out before anyone takes them seriously. They've had four different goalscorers in their past two games and won as underdogs both times. Naas look to be on a roll but there has only been one Kildare team in a Leinster final in the past 15 seasons so this isn't a given.
Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois)
Verdict: Naas

Portarlington (Laois) v Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin), Croke Park, 5pm – Live RTÉ 2
There are parallels here with the hurling semi-final last weekend, wherein Crokes fell to Laois champions Clough-Ballacolla. Like their hurling counterparts, Portarlington have built up momentum by tidying up the 2020 county final before surging through the 2021 championship and they will fancy this one. That said, if Paul Mannion was able to glide around club pitches like he has been doing for the past couple of months, imagine what he'll be capable of in Croke Park. Hard to see him being stopped here.
Referee: John Hickey (Wicklow)
Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes

ULSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL
Derrygonnelly Harps (Fermanagh) v Clann Éireann (Armagh), Breffni Park, 6.30pm
Huge game for both teams as the big guns are on the other side of the draw and neither of these clubs have ever been to an Ulster final. Derrygonnelly probably should have done so in 2019 when they kicked away chance after chance against Kilcoo so they must have an experience edge here. Clann Éireann are gutsy out, as the Creggan win showed – plus they have a wrecking ball in Conor Turbitt. Might be enough.
Referee: Seán Laverty (Antrim)
Verdict: Clann Éireann

ALL-IRELAND CAMOGIE CLUB FINAL
Oulart The Ballagh (Wexford) v Sarsfields (Galway), Nowlan Park, 1.15pm – Live RTÉ 2
The perfect final. Defending champions in one corner, a veteran crew coming back for one last job in the other. Both sides sailed through their semi-finals – indeed, Oulart's toughest games were in Leinster, especially the final against Kilkenny side Thomastown which was in the balance until they pulled away in injury-time. With the likes of Ursula Jacob and Mary Leacy still plugging away, they have enough nous to pull off their third All-Ireland since 2012.
Referee: Andy Larkin (Cork)
Verdict: Oulart The Ballagh

Mickey Moran and Malachy O’Rourke: The ultimate meeting of Ulster minds

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Two Reids and a Fennelly: How Ballyhale’s rich scoring seam has backboned success

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Ciarán Murphy: Blindsided by a Super Sunday of Covid, chaos and controversy

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Sunday

MUNSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS
Austin Stacks (Kerry) v Newcastle West (Limerick), Austin Stack Park, 1.30pm
Newcastle West made hard work of overcoming a Covid-hit Nire team last time out so it's hard to see how they will put it up to Stacks. You have to go back to 2002 for the last time a Kerry club won their county championship and didn't make the Munster final. That streak isn't ending here.
Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary)
Verdict: Austin Stacks

St Finbarrs (Cork) v Éire Óg (Clare), Páirc Uí Rinn, 1.30pm
Éire Óg must be in with a serious shout here. Littered with intercounty footballers and hurlers, they really have nothing to fear from the Barrs, who for all their history have played one Munster club championship game in the past 35 years and got trounced in it. The Clare champions have a game under their belt – an extra-time win over Loughmore Castleiney – and are entitled to take umbrage at being 3-1 outsiders.
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
Verdict: Éire Óg

ULSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL
Kilcoo (Down) v Glen (Derry), Athletic Grounds, 4.0
Likewise, Kilcoo must wonder at the idea of being underdogs for this one. They are the defending champions, they haven't lost a championship game in three years and Glen have never been to an Ulster final. Mickey Moran to overcome his homeplace and steam forward to another Ulster decider.
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
Verdict: Kilcoo

LEINSTER CLUB SHC FINAL
Clough-Ballacolla (Laois) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Croke Park, 1.15pm – Live TG4
The cat is out of the bag for Clough-Ballacolla. Ballyhale have built their endless empire on not being surprised by anyone so even if the Laois champions hadn't upset Kilmacud last weekend, they'd be met with the full Tyson treatment here. The loss of Joe Cuddihy is a hassle for the Kilkenny champions but one they'll be able to absorb.
Referee: Richie Fitzsimons (Offaly)
Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks

ULSTER CLUB SHC FINAL
Slaughtneil (Derry) v Ballycran (Down), Corrigan Park, 1.0
It's a long time since Ballycran were able to transfer their dominance of the Down scene to Ulster – the last time they were provincial champions was 1993. Slaughtneil are old hands at this by now. They will be confident that the next month will contain sterner challenges than this.
Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim)
Verdict: Slaughtneil