Weekend club previews and fixtures 14th & 15th October
12 Oct 2017
Posted in: Galway GAA, Carlow GAA, Tipperary GAA, Donegal GAA, Kilkenny GAA, Waterford GAA, Club, Kerry GAA, Cork GAA
BY SHANE STAPLETON
When you look at the list below, it's clear that a massive weekend of club action is coming down the tracks. Multiple county titles are up for grabs in both codes, and some of the biggest GAA names in the country will be showing their wares. Joe Canning, Henry Shefflin, Micheal Quinlivan, Ryan McHugh, Diarmuid Connolly, James McCarthy, John Mullane, and many more stars will be on show. Ask yourself: during what other weekend of the year would you be able to see that? We've had a look at some of the standout games. Let us know the match-ups you're looking forward to on social media.
Cork SFC final
Nemo Rangers v St Finbarrs, Pairc Ui Chaoimh
The Barrs have lost their last seven Cork football finals across four decades (1986, 89, 90, 91, 93, 2009, 2010) but the three-time All-Ireland winners (not to mention two-time in hurling) have a storied and celebrated history. Carbery Rangers won their maiden county crown last season but they have been dethroned by the old masters, who in turn will face off against the behemoth of Cork: 19-times champions Nemo Rangers. Micheal Shields has been operating in the forward line for Barrs, where Stephen Sherlock and Robert O’Mahony are providing the goal threat. A clash of Shields v Tomas O Se would be an interesting one — harkening back to the days when Cork v Kerry clashes were huge and the results were uncertain. Nemo have a huge amount of quality though in Paul Kerrigan, Luke Connolly and Barry O'Driscoll.
Kerry SHC final replay
Ballyduff v Lixnaw, Austin Stack Park
The word before the final was that this was impossible to call, and the closeness of the two teams was proven in the result. So we come to the replay, as Lixnaw look to banish an apparent curse which has seen them lose six county finals in a row to their rivals. Ballyduff had four Boyle brothers on the field last Sunday, including Mikey who has won All-Ireland boxing titles. Again, it's hard to separate these sides.
Carlow SHC final
Mount Leinster Rangers v Naomh Eoin, Netwatch Cullen Park
There was a time when Naomh Eoin were the kingpins of Carlow hurling, winning six-in-a-row from 1990 to 1995. After they last won a title in 2005, Mount Leinster took their place as the dominant force — winning all six of their crowns over the course of the next eight seasons. Indeed, they would go on to win a Leinster title in thrilling fashion against Oulart-The Ballagh at Nowlan Park in 2013 — a day when a fan hopped into the press box to celebrate with your writer.
St Mullins won the past three Carlow titles but, with Brendan Fennelly in charge, Rangers are back and look the more likely this Sunday. The Coady brothers, along with the likes of Denis Murphy and youngsters Chris Nolan bring a lot of class, while Naomh Eoin Myshall will be hoping Paraic Nolan can shoot the lights out.
Tipperary SFC final
Clonmel Commercials v Killenaule
The Micheal Quinlivan v John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer final. Killenaule knocked out Moyle Rovers after extra time in their semi-final, while 2015 Munster champions Clonmel put down Loughmore-Castleiney. In Quinlivan v Bubbles, it’s perhaps a shootout between Tipp’s two best ball-strikers in either code. That left boot of Bubbles' is capable of doing damage in the Robins' first-ever county senior football final, but Commercials have the greater overall class in Seamus and Jack Kennedy, Jason Lonergan and Quinlivan.
Donegal SFC final
Kilcar v Naomh Conaill, MacCumhaill Park
Ryan and Mark McHugh are two of the best ball-carriers we’ve seen in recent seasons, while Paddy McBrearty can be peerless on his day. Stopping them is the challenge for Naomh Conaill manager Martin Regan, who happens to be married to the daughter of Kilcar chairman John Carr (Orlagh being her name). Kilcar have been hugely impressive this season, but the pressure of ending a 24-year famine may weigh heavily against them when playing a Glenties side who last lifted the crown in 2015.
Galway SHC quarter-finals
Portumna v Castlegar
A battle of the first Galway club to win an All-Ireland club title (Castlegar 1980) against the Tribe side that has won it most often (Portumna 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014). Ger Farragher is still leading the line for Castlegar but target-man Enda Concannon and Galway Under-21 forward Jack Coyne are supplementing him, for what is the second-highest scoring side in the championship. Not only that, but they have the second-best defence too behind Clarinbridge, with Dean Higgins and Tom Mannion prominent. Their minors won the championship last week so confidence is high. Portumna have class both young and old, not to mention in between. Joe Canning, his nephew Jack, 41-year-old Ollie, Martin Dolphin, Damien Hayes and Andy Smith help make up a fearsome unit. This is a side with the know-how and the greater class — so we're just about tipping the 2014 All-Ireland champs.
Waterford SHC semi-final
De La Salle v Passage
Eoin Kelly, the two-time All Star, scored a late goal to down Dungarvan in the quarter-finals — belying a hand injury that had kept him out of the starting XV. Five-time All Star, John Mullane, played 49 minutes of the comfortable over Fourmilewater — a game where Shane Ryan and Hurler of the Year nominee Kevin Moran impressed. Noel Connors may well be given the Mullane task, in what is one of the juiciest match-ups across the country.
Kilkenny SHC semi-final
Ballyhale Shamrocks v James Stephens
It’s a tough championship to call in the Marble County this year. Ballyhale were taken to a replay by Clara and then extra time, but nudged their way through. The Village too needed two bites at Carrickshock to make this semi-final. Ballyhale Shamrocks v James Stephens is a repeat of the 2011 county final, and some huge names will be on show. TJ Reid, Colin and Micheal Fennelly, not to mention youngster Adrian Mullen will provide massive threats for Ballyhale, while Eoin Larkin and Jackie Tyrrell will lead the line for James Stephens, while David Walton and Matthew Ruth provide the scoring threat for the underdogs.
FIXTURES
Saturday 14 October
Leitrim SHC final
Carrick v Cluainin Iomaint, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada
Galway SHC quarter-finals
Portumna v Castlegar
St Thomas’ v Killimordaly
Cork SHC
Imokilly v Sarsfields
Meath SFC final
Simonstown v Wolfe Tones
Clare SFC
Kilmurry-Ibrickane v Cratloe
Dublin SFC semi-finals
Ballymun Kickhams v Kilmacud Crokes
St Vincent’s v St Jude’s
Sunday 15th October
Armagh SFC final
Armagh Harps v Maghery, Athletic Grounds, 5pm
Carlow SFC Final
Mt Leinster Rangers vs Naomh Eoin, Netwatch Cullen Park,3 45 PM
Clare SFC
St Joseph’s Milltown v Clondegad
Cork SFC final
Nemo Rangers v St Finbarrs, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 3.45pm
Donegal SFC final
Kilcar v Naomh Conaill, MacCumhaill Park, 4pm
Galway SFC final
Corofin v Mountbellew-Moylough, Tuam Stadium, 4pm
Kildare SFC final
Celbridge v Moorefield, Newbridge, 3.30pm
Laois SFC final
Ballylinan v Portlaoise, O’Moore Park, 3.45pm
Louth SFC final
Dundalk Gaels v Newtown Blues, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30pm
Mayo SFC Semi-Finals
Castlebar v Garrymore, Elverys MacHale Park, 1.30pm
Claremorris v Ballintubber, Elverys MacHale Park, 3.15pm
Monaghan SFC final
Magheracloone v Scotstown, Clones, 3.30pm
Offaly SFC final
Clara v Rhode, O'Connor Park, 3.30pm
Sligo SFC
Tourlestrane v Tubbercurry
Tipperary SFC final
Clonmel Commercials v Killenaule
Tyrone SFC final
Omagh v Errigal Ciaran, Healy Park, 4pm
Westmeath SFC
Tyrrellspass v The Downs
St Loman’s v Coralstown-Kinnegad
Wexford SFC
St Martin’s v Shelmaliers
Wicklow SFC final
Blessington v Rathnew, Aughrim, 3pm
Ulster SFC
Kilcoo v Slaughtneil
Carlow SHC final
Mount Leinster Rangers v Naomh Eoin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3.45pm
Clare SHC final
Clooney-Quin v Sixmilebridge, Cusack Park
Galway SHC quarter-finals
Tommy Larkins v Clarinbridge
Cappataggle v Kilnadeema/Leitrim
Kerry SHC final replay
Ballyduff v Lixnaw, Austin Stack Park
Kilkenny SHC semi-finals
Ballyhale Shamrocks v James Stephens
O’Loughlin Gaels v Dicksboro
Limerick SHC final
Na Piarsaigh v Kilmallock, Gaelic Grounds, 4pm
London SHC final
Robert Emmetts v Kilburn Gaels, Ruislip, 2.30pm
Waterford SHC semi-finals
De La Salle v Passage
Ballygunner v Lismore