Sunday- Leinster SHC First Round:Oulart-the-Ballagh (Wexford) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) Wexford Park, 2.30pm – No rest for the Shamrocks after making heavy weather of beating the Village in the county final. This represents a trip into the unknown for the south Kilkenny men.
Even joint manager Kevin Fennelly Snr struggled to recall any meeting between these clubs. Ballyhale have been a huge force on the All-Ireland club scene for the latter half of this decade. Beating Ballyhale is not just a matter of controlling the majestic Henry Shefflin; it requires limiting the potency of Eoin and TJ Reid (who combined for 1-9 in the final) and Michael Fennelly, to name but three.
Oulart have made tremendous strides under Liam Dunne and, county champions for the second time in three years, they have the experience of Darren Stamp, the Jacobs and Keith Rossiter to call upon while Nicky Kirwan hit 3-4 in a final win over Buffer’s Alley.
Ballyhale are missing the sublime vision of the injured James Fitzpatrick and Oulart will fancy an ambush here, but the favourites are cute enough to find a way.
Clonkill (Westmeath) v Clough Ballacoola (Laois). Mullingar, 2.30pm – The Laois side caused a surprise in the county final when they overcame Portlaoise to capture their first title since 1918, a reflection of their progress under Tipperary man Raymie Ryan.
This is new ground for them.
Clonkill have been the most consistent club in Westmeath in recent seasons and with seasoned county players such as Brendan Murtagh and Andrew Mitchell, they should push on for a semi-final date with Tullamore.
Munster SHC First Round
Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) v Newtownshandrum (Cork). Semple Stadium, 2.30pm – Assumptions that the Newtownshandrum revolution had passed were proven wrong this year. The flamboyant north Cork club appeared to be in retreat, but, in reclaiming the county title, they overcame traditional giants Glen Rovers and St Finbarr’s before putting reigning champions Sarsfields to the sword in the final.
They have revitalised their training techniques and have sharpened the tight possession game that brought them to prominence. In the O’Connors, Cathal Naughton and Jamie Coughlan they have plenty of natural scorers and their physical fitness has always a key component to their game.
But Thurles have reached this stage relatively comfortably and playing on their local field gives them a huge advantage.
This match is a perfect showpiece as the GAA winds down its 125 celebrations and while Thurles will provide substantial opposition, Newtownshandrum’s experience may prove vital.
Ulster SFC Quarter-finals
Clontibret (Monaghan) v Dromore (Tyrone), Clones, 2.30pm – The exchanges will be, as they say, “uncompromising”. Dromore had to wait until deep into injury time before beating Ardboe through a Colm McCullough penalty.
The Tyrone outfit are light, skilful and tackle like demons. Clontibret made light work of their domestic duties and look better set up for the sort of stoic, dependable performance that can often see teams through these heavy November clashes.
Loup (Derry) v Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh). Celtic Park, Derry, 2.30pm – The Derry championship is notoriously unpredictable and their representatives tend to travel well in the provincial contest.
This year, Loup were the surprise winners and they will be expected to see off the Fermanagh champions in the county ground.
Kilcoo (Down) v St Eunan’s (Donegal). Newry, 2.30pm – After waiting for 72 years to win a championship, this is dream territory for Kilcoo who have home advantage. But they face a strong and experienced Letterkenny team who are Donegal champions for three years running and who aim to make their presence felt in the Ulster arena.
Brendan Devenney leads the charge for the Donegal men.
Pearse Óg (Armagh) v St Gall’s (Antrim). Casement Park, 2.30pm – Pearse Óg have liberated all of Ulster from Crossmaglen but now they have to fly the flag for Armagh. This was their first county title in 17 years and was remarkable for the fact it was achieved without a score in the final from Ronan Clarke.
Stopping the great full forward will be central to St Gall’s plans, however. The Antrim men already have a tough, extra-time win over the Cavan champions under their belts and that experience, along with home advantage, places them in a strong position here.
Meath SFC Final
Wolfe Tones v Seneschalstown, Navan, 3pm – An attractive climax to the Meath championship and hard to call but Wolfe Tones have had a hard journey to this point, after becoming entangled in an epic semi-final joust against Navan O’Mahony’s that was decided after extra time in the replay.
Cian Ward is central to the Wolfe Tones attack and midfielder Stephen Corrigan is having a very strong season. The rejuvenated Joe Sheridan is the chief playmaker for Seneschalstown, whose mid-season renaissance has been something of a surprise. But they may have the legs on Wolfe Tones in what promises to be an absorbing game.
Kerry SFC Final
Dr Crokes v South Kerry, Killarney, 3pm – The contemporary heavyweights of Kingdom football meet again. South Kerry’s form seems blissfully unaffected by the departure of St Michael’s/Foilmore from their make up.
John Galvin, the former Crokes man, is their trainer so inside knowledge won’t be a problem. The Killarney men looked terrific in the semi-final but South Kerry are a formidable side and have had the “Indian sign” on the Crokes men in recent seasons.
Crokes senior men Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan will relish playing at Fitzgerald stadium but South Kerry, chasing the “team of the decade” tag within the Kingdom – the Kerry of Kerry football so to speak – are in pole position.
Clare SHC Final
Clonlara v Cratloe, Cusack Park, 3pm – An east Clare affair. Clonlara’s shift from intermediate to senior supremacy has shocked the traditional powers in Clare and now they are a game away from retaining the title.
The conversion of Tomás O’Donovan from centre forward to centre back has worked a treat and up front, Darach Honan leads the way along with the impressive John Conlon.
Cratloe must be the most energetic club in the country and are on a stunning roll. Between championship hurling and football, this marks their 12th match in 13 weeks. Dual player Liam Markham has been in terrific form for a lively half back line and captained by Barry Duggan, Cratloe have the attitude of a team on a mission. But they have it all to do against the new force in Clare hurling.
Dublin SHC Final
Craobh Chiaráin v Ballyboden St Enda’s, Parnell Park, 3pm – The old guard of Dublin hurling meet for a final loaded with significance: a win here would give Ballyboden the first three-in-a-row distinction since O’Toole’s achieved the same in 1995-97 and the first hurling/football double since St Vincent’s fine achievement in 1981.
Conal Keaney is among those chasing a hurling medal to match the football one already won. Their momentum might be enough to carry them past the Donnycarney men, who are chasing their fourth title of the decade.
Waterford SFC Final
The Nire v Stradbally, Fraher Field, 3pm – The Nire nearly kicked themselves out of contention in a wasteful display against Ballinacourty, but survived and should be sharper tomorrow. Stradbally have made it here despite losing Michael Walsh prior to the quarter-final and will require further heroics if The Nire are to be dethroned.
