Na Fianna out to join Dublin's great sides

Na Fianna's quest to win a third successive Dublin football title is just one aspect of an enticing weekend for county finals. Tomorrow at Parnell Park (3.30) they take on St Brigid's, a club also looking to make some history of their own.

Victory for Na Fianna would see them join Thomas Davis (1989-'91) and St Vincent's (1975-'77) as Dublin clubs strong enough to win three successive titles in recent years, and they will start as favourites.

Not that St Brigid's need any extra motivation. They are seeking their first county football title, and according to long-serving player and former captain David Fitzgerald the prospect of playing the champions is one the club relishes.

"The fact that we've never won it does add a bit of pressure," says Fitzgerald, who started playing with St Brigid's aged seven and has been there 23 years now. "But there's no higher accolade in Dublin than winning the football title and I think we have the maturity and resolution to pull it off.

"Of course Na Fianna are a very strong side. But I feel we are stronger than when we met two years ago. We have been well tested up to now and everyone in the club is relishing this game."

The sides last met in the final of 1999, when a Des Mackin goal proved crucial in the Na Fianna victory. The champions also have obvious scoring potential in Dessie Farrell and Jason Sherlock, but much of the strength lies in the work of Armagh's Kieran McGeeney at midfield.

The injured Mick Galvin will be an obvious loss for Na Fianna, while St Brigid's will be without the suspended Declan Lally. Their strength lies in the former Leitrim trio of Jason Ward, Colin McGlynn and Declan Darcy, and defensively they can look to Dublin seniors Peadar Andrews and Martin Cahill.

Though Na Fianna have the better championship record, St Brigid's have had the more demanding and testing run to the final. Their semi-final (with Ballymun Kickhams) and quarter-final (with St Jude's) both went to replays and they are sure to bring the very best out of Na Fianna.

On Sunday, the Clare, Cork and Offaly hurling finals provide the main attractions. Sixmilebridge renew their rivalry with St Joseph's Doora-Barefield at Cusack Park (3.0), while Imokilly and Blackrock meet in Pβirc U∅ Chaoimh (3.30).

Despite being reigning Munster champions, and reaching their third successive final, Sixmilebridge are viewed as the second best team in Clare. St Joseph's are still basically the side that won the All-Ireland title two years ago with the likes of Ollie Baker, James O'Connor and this year's captain Seβn McMahon. They are favourites to regain the title they won in the previous two years.

Sixmilebridge, captained by goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald, have injury concerns over forwards John Reddan and Stiofβn Fitzpatrick. St Joseph's are reported to be injury free.

Imokilly beat Cork champions Newtownshandrum in the semi-final, and they will now look to the experience of Mark Landers and Joe Deane to defeat Blackrock. The edge seems to be with Blackrock, who have a full-strength side that includes Alan and John Browne and Wayne Sherlock.

New Offaly hurling manager Fr Tom Fogarty has Sunday's hurling final between Birr and St Rynagh's as an ideal starting point to unearth new talent. With home venue at St Brendan's Park, Birr look set to hold on to their title.

Elsewhere, Laois, Limerick and Waterford have their football deciders on Sunday. Stradbally upset holders St Joseph's in the Laois semi-final, and will be hoping to beat Portarlington at O'Moore Park (3.30).

The Limerick final (Gaelic Grounds, 3.30) is destined to produce new champions as neither Mungret nor Dromcollogher-Broadford have ever won titles before. Dromcollogher look to be better placed, having lost last year's final, but Mungret do have a potential match-winner in Brian Begley.

In Waterford, the 1999 final is repeated with the meeting of Stradbally and Rathgormack (Fraher Field, 3.30). Rathgormack, the winners on that occasion, are going for their ninth title in all, similar to Stradbally, who upset reigning champions The Nire in the quarter-final.

Also to de decided on Sunday are the Roscommon football final, where Roscommon Gaels defend their title against Kilmore, and the Sligo and Carlow hurling finals.

Incidentally, the winners of the Dublin final enter the Leinster football championship it the second round on November 11th when they face the winners of the first- round duel of the Laois and Longford champions.

The GAA website will today expand to include third-level news - www.gaa.ie/cao will feature news, views, fixtures and results from third-level colleges.