Weekend previews: The All-Ireland club campaign reaches its climax

As the All-Ireland club season comes to a close, John Fogarty makes his predictions for the deciders aswell as other mouth watering clashes.

Brian Stack of St Brigid's, Conor Glass of Glen, Mark Bergin of O'Loughlin Gaels and Fintan Burke of St Thomas', pictured.

TODAY

McGrath Cup SF final: Cork v Kerry, Páirc Uí Rinn 2pm (D. O’Callaghan, Limerick).

Looking at the backline John Cleary has named, he will be keeping his fingers crossed injury won’t deny him a couple of his best man-markers in Maurice Shanley and Seán Meehan. Throw Rory Maguire in there as well and the defence begins to look a formidable one. A week out from facing Derry, Jack O’Connor will have more of his seasoned men at his disposal but it’s the up-and-comers that can show the way for a tight win. 

Verdict: Kerry.

Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup SF final: Dublin v Longford, Laois Hire O’Moore Park 3pm (J. Foley, Carlow) Live TG4.

Probably the last chance for Dublin’s fringe and developing players to impress Dessie Farrell. Niall Scully is in the team possibly because he is one leading player who has a lot to prove after last year. Longford started 2023 positively too but they will go without silverware this time around. Verdict: Dublin.

Bank of Ireland McKenna Cup final: Derry v Donegal, O’Neills Healy Park 5pm (C. Curran, Down).

By far and away the two best performing teams in the competition, there should be a good cut about this final. Donegal will be given their sternest test yet against a Derry team who don’t seem to be missing their Glen men. All things considered, Donegal may have more work done together to see off their neighbours. 

Verdict: Donegal.

Dioralyte Walsh SH Cup semi-final: Dublin v Galway, Parnell Park 1pm (E. Furlong, Wexford).

Some solid individual displays in the Dublin team already this month and they can match Galway in most but crucially not all departments. 

Verdict: Galway.

Kilkenny v Wexford, John Locke Park, Callan 2pm (P. Dunne, Laois).

How heartening it must be for Wexford supporters to see Lee Chin back so early. The nod still goes Kilkenny’s way, though. 

Verdict: Kilkenny.

Dioralyte Kehoe SH Cup, Round 2: Kildare v Down, Manguard Park 2pm (D. Ryan, Meath).

As they have done in recent seasons, Down are looking sharp early doors but Kildare should have too much for them.

Lidl Ladies Gaelic Football League, Division 1: Dublin v Kerry, Parnell Park 5.15pm (J. Murphy, Carlow) Live TG4.

A crapshoot to predict outcomes of these games when personnel are absent or only returning but Kerry will want to start putting more distance between themselves and last August’s final.

TOMORROW 

AIB All-Ireland Club SHC final: O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) v St Thomas’ (Galway), Croke Park 3.30pm (S. Stack, Dublin) Live TG4.

Quite a lot of the build-up has focused on the expected duel between Conor Cooney and Paddy Deegan and how the latter will be looking to negate St Thomas’ most experienced forward. What hasn’t been considered nearly as much is what will have to be done to thwart Deegan’s forays forward and shooting from distance. David Burke might be expected to lend a hand in at least stemming that threat. In a a clash of a clearly superior attack (St Thomas’) against a clearly superior defence (O’Loughlin Gaels), it may just that the game is won in the other side of the field. Speaking to Fintan Burke during the week, you get the impression that St Thomas’ are tired of being perceived as underachievers. That chip of their shoulder can serve them well but they can be expected to be pushed all the way by a dogged O’Loughlins’ side. 

Verdict: St Thomas’.

AIB All-Ireland Club SFC final: Glen (Derry) v St Brigid’s (Roscommon), Croke Park 1.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live TG4.

After beating Kilmacud Crokes last Sunday week and exorcising some of the ghosts from last year’s final, it would be far too easy for Glen to step on a mine and believe their name is on the cup. Not that they are complacent but they will have been told by all and sundry that the job is almost done. Fall into that trap and St Brigid’s will expose them. From county right through to beating Corofin in the Connacht final, they have been defying the odds. Brian Stack is a leader of men at the back and Ben O’Carroll is capable of setting the game alight. Much like Glen, so many of their players are genuinely skilful and work in unison. However, midfield is where Glen have the advantage and they have slightly more endeavour in their forward line than their opponents especially if Jack Doherty is fit. Brigid’s won’t be ruffled but Glen are unlikely to be denied a second final running. 

Verdict: Glen.

Co-Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Group A: Limerick v Cork, Mick Neville Park Rathkeale 2pm (N. O’Toole, Waterford).

After two postponements, there will be a sigh of relief from Munster officials when Nicky O’Toole throws in the ball for this game that has changed venue as well as dates. John Kiely is likely to go with a largely unproven team again whereas there is a lot more familiarity about the Cork line-up. That doesn’t mean they will win but at this stage Cork have more work done and it should tell. 

Verdict: Cork.

Lidl Ladies Gaelic Football League Division 1: Armagh v Waterford, Crossmaglen 1pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan).

Waterford may benefit from some numbers missing in the Armagh group. 

Verdict: Waterford.

Cork v Galway, Mallow 2pm (B. Redmond, Wexford)

A serious amount of experience is absent from the Cork panel right now. 

Verdict: Galway.

Mayo v Meath, Ballina Stephenites 2pm (G. Stephens).

Liam McHale gets his term as manager under way in his home club and could mark it with a win. 

Verdict: Mayo.

Division 2.

Tyrone v Westmeath, Naomh Eoghan 2pm (S. Coyle).

Verdict: Tyrone.

Cavan v Tipperary, Lacken 2pm (P. Conway).

Verdict: Tipperary.

Kildare v Monaghan, Manguard Park 2pm (E. Cuthbert).

Verdict: Monaghan.

Laois v Donegal, Laois LOETB Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise 2pm (A. Marron).

Verdict: Donegal.