The weekend's matches
A heavyweight tussle. Few county teams have the luxury of whistling players like Liam McBarron and Mark Vaughan from the bench but the Stillorgan club did just that in defeating St Brigid’s in the county final. Seems like yesterday since Vaughan was the great peroxide hope of Dublin football; the 1-2 he posted after his introduction demonstrates he still knows how to score.
Both these teams like to attack. Crokes hope to have full back Rory O’Carroll available to face off with former Laois minor star Zack Touhy but it now looks unlikely the Dublin star will be able to return from studying in France to take his place.
Portlaoise racked up 2-11 against Kildare champions Moorefield and have the advantage of playing at home. But Kilmacud have serious reserves and should edge it.
Garrycastle (Westmeath) v Mattock Rangers (Louth), Mullingar, 2.30.
The Westmeath champions are currently mastering the dangerous trick of playing well without particularly impressing. They are seeking a second consecutive Leinster final appearance, so it has been a long season. Dessie Dolan’s eight-point haul was crucial in seeing off the challenge of Longford Slashers.
This promises to be another tough encounter for Anthony Cunningham, the former Galway hurling man, who has collected significant coaching stripes. Mattock have had a full month to recover from the heroic nature of their county championship win, when Keith Brennan – one of five brothers on their squad – hit the winning point. If they hit the ground running, they could surprise Garrycastle. But the Westmeath champions should be able to raise their game and push on.
Skryne (Meath) v Castletown (Wexford), Navan, 2.30.
Imagine having Trevor Giles on your team. The laconic number 11 is not as prolific on the score sheet these days – Ian Davis takes the dead ball duties for the Meath club – but still, Giles is not a bad guy to have pulling the strings at centre forward. The 0-21 Skryne posted in winning the Meath title for the first time in four years must have sent bells ringing across the province. Something different coming down the tracks.
Castletown are touring the province for the first time since 1981 and this adventure in Meath may mark the end of their season.
Old Leighlin (Carlow) v Rhode (Offaly), Dr Cullen Park, 2.30.
It has been a season for club breakthroughs and Old Leighlin are no exception, having won the Carlow title for just the second time ever. That they won after a replay against defending champions Rathvilly will have done wonders for their experience and confidence. They will require both here. Rhode have one of the smoothest footballers about in Niall McNamee and are Offaly champions for the fifth time in seven seasons. Beaten provincial finalists in 2006 and 2008, they should advance here.
Connacht SFC semi-finals:
Killererin (Galway) v Ballintubber (Mayo), Tuam Stadium, 2.30.
The whereabouts of Pádraic Joyce is the chief fascination ahead of this match. Killererin folks are uncertain if he will be back from honeymoon; the Mayo champions are having none of it. This could be a ripping match, with two hungry teams eager to make the most of their escape from respective counties.
Nicky Joyce has been in flying form for the Galway side but his cousin’s absence would be an inestimable blow. Putting up 1-10 against the Corofin defence was no mean feat by Killererin.
Ballintubber’s charge is led by Alan Dillon but they have a variety of attacking options in Cillian O’Connor and Alan Plunkett and are a team on a seriously impressive streak. They may just extend it here.
Glencar/Manorhamilton (Leitrim) v St Brigid’s (Roscommon), Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.30.
The irrepressible Frankie Dolan led the charge for St Brigid’s as they pulverised Sligo champions Eastern Harps in the opening round. The Brigid’s team is peppered with Roscommon regulars past and present and they present a formidable challenge for Glencar, who have been a beacon of consistency through a turbulent few years for Leitrim football. Glencar are a polished unit but the likelihood is St Brigid’s will have the depth to advance to the final.
Munster SFC quarter-finals: Stradbally (Waterford) v Doonbeg (Clare), Dungarvan, 2.00.
Michael “Brick” Walsh’s freewheeling GAA season continues at full throttle. An All-Star hurling season behind him, he has captained Stradbally to a second consecutive county title and will be optimistic his work is not done yet.
Doonbeg will hope to emulate the feat of Kilmurry-Ibrickane this winter but they face a tough visit to Dungarvan. Stradbally pushed Kilmurry last year despite the absence of Walsh and with players like Paul Weldon and Shane Ahearne in form, they will hope to make home advantage count.
Dr Crokes (Kerry) v Monaleen (Limerick), Killarney, 2.00.
Colm Cooper put on a master class in the Kerry county final but in full back Michael Maloney, Johnny Buckley at midfield and Eoin Brosnan at centre half forward, the Killarney men have class running through the middle of their team.
Muiris Gavin has been in excellent form for a Monaleen team that also boasts heavyweight names but this is a stiff test. Crokes got permission to play this one on their local pitch rather than Fitzgerald Stadium. Having gone to the trouble, they will be anxious not to fall flat on this occasion. The Limerick men will make it tough but Cooper’s season looks set to continue.
Ulster SFC quarter-final: Burren (Down) v Coleraine (Derry), Newry, 2.30.
New blood from Derry. The Coleraine team sheet is festooned with McGoldricks and they will look to lead the way against one of the blueblood sides of Down. Claiming a county title was a perfect way for the McCartan brothers and Kevin McKernan to get over the All-Ireland final blues. This is Burren’s first time out in Ulster for 13 years so it is a new experience for their players also. But Down teams have a habit of embarking on Alcock and Brown type expeditions every so often. Burren to advance.
Tipperary SFC final:
Aherlow v Loughmore-Castleiney, Thurles, 2.30.
The identity of the next hurling manager is not the only sporting matter to be settled in the Premier County. Noel McGrath is among those in action for Loughmore, who beat a Moyle Rovers side playing without their star turn, Declan Browne. Aherlow return for their second consecutive final and may close the deal this time.
