Kilkenny captaincy up for grabs in final

GAELIC GAMES: Kilkenny and Armagh, the reigning All-Ireland hurling and football champions, will hold their county finals this Sunday, but only the outcome of one will decide the relevant captaincy for next year's championship.

The Kilkenny hurling final at Nowlan Park involving Young Irelands and Dunamaggin will determine who succeeds this year's All-Ireland winning captain Andy Comerford. Should Young Irelands prove successful then the leading contender will be DJ Carey, who previously captained the county in 1997 but never to All-Ireland success.

Following his remarkable comeback this summer Carey has played a pivotal role in helping Young Irelands to their first county final since 1997. His clubmate Charlie Carter, who has yet to captain the Kilkenny seniors, is the likely alternative if Carey is not interested in the position.

Current full back Noel Hickey would be the automatic choice should Dunamaggin emerge as champions. The club's last county success - in 1998 - saw Noel's brother Tom Hickey gain the Kilkenny captaincy.

The Armagh football final at Silverbridge will be contested by Crossmaglen Rangers and Dromintee.

The county has a different approach to determining the captaincy for championship purposes. Instead of adopting the nomination of the county champions the Armagh captaincy is decided by the management.

Current All-Ireland winning captain Kieran McGeeney, who plays his club football with Na Fianna in Dublin, has held the position for several years and is almost certain to be the choice of manager Joe Kernan when the matter is decided at a later date.

Crossmaglen and Dromintee would have several suitable candidates, and may yet get the captaincy should McGeeney decide to step down. Oisin McConville and John McEntee are among the county stars looking to land Crossmaglen their seventh consecutive senior title while the O'Rourke brothers, Cathal and Aidan, are part of the Dromintee challenge.

Four first-round games of the Leinster club hurling championship are also to be decided on Sunday, as well as the two semi-finals in Ulster. Laois champions Castletown won't know who they're playing until Saturday evening after St Patrick's and Carnew Emmets have decided the Wicklow championship.