Weekend GAA Previews: Screeney versus Butler a delightful Leinster subplot

All the weekend's club GAA action.

WEEKEND PREVIEWS: Adam Screeney of Kilcormac-Killoughey celebrates after scoring a goal against Naomh Éanna. Pic:  Matt Browne/Sportsfile

SATURDAY

Munster Club JFC semi-finals: Kilmurry (Cork) v Feenagh-Kilmeedy (Limerick), Cloughduv 1.30pm (S. Joy, Kerry).

Impressive against Sean Treacys in their quarter-final, the extra game will have Kilmurry in fine fettle going into this clash. 

Verdict: Kilmurry.

Killimer (Clare) v Listowel Emmets (Kerry), Quilty 1.30pm (C. Dineen, Cork)

The ferry will be full today as this pair square off. Killimer will be steeled by seeing off Affane last weekend but this is a big step up for them. 

Verdict: Listowel Emmets.

Leinster Club SHC semi-finals: Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) v O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny), Glenisk O’Connor Park 1.30pm (S. Stack, Dublin) Live TG4.

The prospect of Adam Screeney going up against Mikey Butler here is a delightful one and represents the next stage in the development of the blossoming Offaly talent. It could a long way to deciding this semi-final. Overall, the stoutness of the Kilkenny city men should count most. 

Verdict: O’Loughlin Gaels.

Naas (Kildare) v Na Fianna (Dublin), Laois Hire O’Moore Park 3pm (P. Murphy, Carlow)

Na Fianna didn’t have it all their own way against Raharney and they have to be approaching this game with plenty of respect for a Naas side who gave Ballyhale Shamrocks their fill of it in the opening period at this stage last year. Na Fianna to progress but it will be uncomfortable at times. 

Verdict: Na Fianna.

Leinster Club IHC semi-finals: Kildalkey (Meath) v Thomastown (Kilkenny), Páirc Tailteann 1.30pm (C. Daly, Kildare).

Verdict: Thomastown.

Bray Emmets (Wicklow) v Naomh Mearnóg (Dublin) 1.30pm (J. McGrath, Westmeath).

Verdict: Bray Emmets.

Leinster Club JHC semi-final: Fr O’Regans, Craanford (Wexford) v Tullogher-Rosbercon (Kilkenny), St Patrick’s Park Enniscorthy 1.30pm (M. Ryan, Dublin).

Verdict: Tullogher-Rosbercon.

Ulster Club SFC semi-final: Glen Watty Grahams (Derry) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal), O’Neills Healy Park 5.30pm (S. Hurson, Tyrone) LIve RTÉ2.

As doughty as they are, Naomh Conaill struggled to see off Gowna when they were fully expected to win with a bit to spare. At least there is little or no expectation on them this time around and they have the ability to frustrate Glen but perhaps not enough firepower to beat them. 

Verdict: Glen Watty Grahams.

Ulster Club IFC semi-final: Ballyhaise (Cavan) v Glenullin (Derry), O’Neills Healy Park 3.15pm (P. Faloon, Down).

Verdict: Ballyhaise.

Ulster Club JFC semi-final: Arva (Cavan) v Blackhill (Monaghan), Roslea 1.30pm (S. Murphy, Armagh).

Verdict: Arva

Connacht Club IFC final: Castlerea St Kevins (Roscommon) v Monivea-Abbey (Galway), Tuam Stadium 1.30pm (M. McGirl, Leitrim).

Cillian McDaid will occupy a lot of Castlerea thoughts here but Monivea-Abbey can come out on top regardless of their 2022 All-Star being tied down. 

Verdict: Monivea-Abbey.

Connacht Club JHC final: Ballinasloe (Galway) v Easkey Sea Blues (Sligo), Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan 1.30pm (J. Judge, Mayo).

A third consecutive final appearance for Easkey, there shouldn’t be much in this but they can pip the east Galway men. 

Verdict: Easkey Sea Blues.

SUNDAY

Munster Club SFC semi-finals: Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary) v Dingle (Kerry), FBD Semple Stadium 1.30pm (J. Ryan, Cork).

The unavailability of Mark O’Connor does debilitate Dingle as they make this trip to Tipp and they are taking no chances with it, travelling up on Saturday to offset the three-hour drive and early throw-in time. Seeing off Annascaul to win another West Kerry title last weekend, Dingle were able to rest key players who have played plenty of football. Exacting revenge against Newcastle West was expected for Commercials. Oisín McConville is giving them a jolt and a second Munster title is a goal for many of them. This should go to the wire and perhaps beyond – could it be a day when Michael Quinlivan gives another display of his class? A hesitant nod to Dingle primarily based on the quality of teams they have beaten in both Kerry senior championships this year. 

Verdict: Dingle.

Rathgormack (Waterford) v Castlehaven (Cork), Fraher Field 1.30pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary).

A day to take care of business for Castlehaven. Every now and then, Waterford champions have been awkward to overcome and many of this Rathgormack side pushed a good St Joseph’s Miltown-Malbay side to extra-time four years ago. On paper, it shouldn’t be a great contest but Castlehaven have to prepare themselves for a dogfight. Cratloe turned out to be just that and for that reason they will be prepared for whatever is thrown at them. 

Verdict: Castlehaven.

Munster Club IFC semi-finals: Roanmore (Waterford) v Mungret St Pauls (Limerick), Walsh Park 1.30pm (N. Quinn, Clare).

Arguably the most progressive club in Limerick at this moment in time, Mungret St Paul’s were impressive winners of Dromcollogher-Broadford in their county final. They should prove too much of a handful for the Waterford city club who admittedly showed an eye for goal in their quarter-final. 

Verdict: Mungret St Pauls.

Cill na Martra (Cork) v Milltown-Castlemaine (Kerry), Cill na Martra 1.30pm (D. O’Mahony, Tipperary).

So soon off a great Kerry IFC final win over Fossa, Milltown-Castlemaine could be a bit groggy starting off here and any team managed by John Evans will take advantage of slackness. Also, most Cork clubs will state Cill na Martra is not an easy place to go. Nevertheless, the Kerry club’s momentum and the form of men like Cillian Burke and Eanna O’Connor should be the deciding factor. 

Verdict: Milltown-Castlemaine 

Leinster Club JHC semi-final: Carrig and Riverstown (Offaly) v St Mary’s, Leixlip (Kildare), St Brendan’s Park 1.30[m (C. Goff, Wicklow).

Verdict: St Mary’s Leixlip.

Ulster Club SFC semi-final: Scotstown (Monaghan) v Trillick (Tyrone), Box-It Athletic Grounds 1pm (K. Faloon, Armagh) Live TG4.

Scotstown’s morale must be soaring after seeing off the 2021-22 All-Ireland champions Kilcoo with a tremendous show of character in the closing stages. Trillick are a well drilled group and expectation hasn’t sat well on Scotstown’s shoulders in this competition before but they have the iron to overcome the Tyrone side. 

Verdict: Scotstown.

Ulster Club IFC semi-final: Liatroim (Down) v St Patrick’s (Armagh), St Mary’s, Castleblayney 4pm (E. McFeely, Donegal).

Verdict: St Patrick’s.

Connacht Club IHC final: Ballinderreen (Galway) v Tooreen (Mayo), Athleague 1.30pm (J. Murphy).

A championship that has been dominated by the Mayo outfit these last few years, of the Galway teams that have faced them only Oranmore-Maree have beaten them since 2017. Ballinderreen will put up a fight but it might be a losing one. 

Verdict: Tooreen.