Giantkillers Thomastown can build on taking Ballyhale scalp

John Donnelly of Thomastown during the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship final match between Castlelyons of Cork and Thomastown of Kilkenny. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

SATURDAY

Carlow SFC final replay.

Rathvilly v Palatine, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6pm.

Rathvilly took more from last
weekend’s drawn game and can get the job done.

Verdict: Rathvllly.

Clare SFC semi-final.

Cratloe v Kilmurry-Ibrickane, Cusack Park, 3.30pm.

The Quilty men made mincemeat of Miltown-Malbay in the quarter-finals but Cratloe’s progress has been steady and may be able to go one step further than their hurlers.

Verdict: Cratloe.

Derry SFC semi-final.

O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt v Sean O’Leary’s, Newbridge, Owenbeg, 8.15pm Live RTÉ.

O’Donovan Rossa have shown enough up to this point to qualify for a fourth final in six seasons.

Verdict: O’Donovan Rossa,
Magherafelt.

Kildare SFC semi-final.

Celbridge v Sarsfields, Manguard Park, 4pm.

The novelty of getting to the first final at the new Cedral St Conleth’s Park adds another dimension to this weekend’s semi-finals. Celbridge look the team most capable of toppling Naas’ monopoly.

Verdict: Celbridge.

Leitrim SFC final replay.

Seán Ó Heslin’s v Mohill,
Ballinamore, 4pm.

Seán Ó Heslin’s couldn’t make home advantage count last
weekend and Mohill may have the edge this time around.

Verdict: Mohill.

Wexford SFC semi-final.

Crossabeg/Ballymurn v Gusserane O’Rahilly’s, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3pm.

A first decider in three years looks on the cards for Gusserane.

Verdict: Gusserane O’Rahilly’s.

SUNDAY

Antrim SFC final.

Roger Casements, Portglenone v Erin’s Own, Cargin, Corrigan Park, 3pm.

This is Roger Casements’ first final appearance in 15 years and they are the rank outsiders given Cargin are looking to claim the title for the eighth time since 2015. It’s 10 years since they last lost a final too.

Verdict: Erin’s Own, Cargin.

Clare SFC semi-final.

Ennistymon v Éire Óg, Ennis, Cusack Park, 3pm.

A repeat of the 2022 final, which the Ennis men won by three points. There is no question that Ennistymon are making the right moves at under-age level but this challenge may be beyond them.

Verdict: Éire Óg, Ennis.

Derry SFC semi-final.

Slaughtneil v Glen, Watty Graham’s, Owenbeg, 4pm.

Lavey gave Glen one hell of a scare in last weekend’s quarter-final and it may just be the wake-up call they required ahead of facing their old adversaries.

Verdict: Glen, Watty Graham’s.

Dublin SHC semi-finals.

Kilmacud Crokes v Lucan Sarfields, Parnell Park, 2pm.

Crokes will be worried that, similar to Lucan last year, they have been left idle too long. Charlie Carter’s men will benefit from the quarter-final win but seeing off Kilmacud is a major exam.

Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes.

St Vincent’s v Na Fianna, Parnell Park, 4pm.

Defending champions Na Fianna appear to be coming to the boil at the right time as much as Pat Gilroy will have a plan for them.

Verdict: Na Fianna.

Donegal SFC final.

St Eunan’s v Dungloe, MacCumhaill Park, 4pm.

It’s an achievement for Dungloe to reach their first final in 60 years although the pageantry around creating that piece of history must be ignored if they are to have any chance of upsetting a lethal Letterkenny outfit. St Eunan’s have been dismissing better teams on the way to the final and won’t want to slip up now.

Verdict: St Eunan’s.

Galway SFC semi-finals.

Corofin v Salthill-Knocknacarra, Tuam Stadium, 2.15pm.

Neutrals are anticipating a Corofin-Maigh Cuillin final and last year’s champions can live up their side of the deal.

Verdict: Corofin.

Maigh Cuilinn v Tuam Stars, Tuam Stadium, 4pm.

Peter Cooke’s superb form will again spark debate about whether he will be available for Galway in 2025.

Verdict: Maigh Cuilinn.

Kildare SFC semi-final.

Athy v Naas, Manguard Park, 5pm.

A team with Kevin Feely in its ranks can’t be easily dismissed and yet Naas seems to be able to answer so many questions.

Verdict: Naas.

Kilkenny SHC semi-finals.

O’Loughlin Gaels v Bennettsbridge, UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.45pm (Live TG4).

Fortunate to escape last weekend, O’Loughlin Gaels shouldn’t be found wanting on this occasion. Bennettsbridge have had the extra week off but the city side have too much quality to be surprised.

Verdict: O’Loughlin Gaels.

Thomastown v Mullinavat, UPMC Nowlan Park, 3.45pm.

A truly novel semi-final gets the top billing although that may have something to do with the TV scheduling. It’s in this game where Derek Lyng will be looking to mine talent for the Kilkenny project in 2025. Thomastown have proven giant killers and can build on taking that Ballyhale Shamrocks’ scalp.

Verdict: Thomastown.

Laois SFC final.

Portarlington v Portlaoise, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 4pm.

Portarlington may be the most recent multiple champions in Laois but this is their first final in two years whereas Portlaoise indicated they were getting back to their old dominant ways when they reached last year’s decider only to come up just short. The Town can summon the character to bridge a five-year gap to their last triumph.

Verdict: Portlaoise.

Limerick SHC semi-finals.

Doon v Patrickswell, Kilmallock, 1pm.

Derek McGrath has done all that has been asked of him thus far as Doon manager and they go into this semi-final as rightful favourites. Stopping the usual suspects, Messrs Gillane and Lynch, will go a long way to reaching a first final in four years.

Verdict: Doon.

Na Piarsaigh v Kilmallock, Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, 4pm.

Na Piarsaigh have looked outstanding from the word “go” and it will something ridiculous to stop them getting to the last pairing. Shane O’Brien is a match-winner but he alone won’t be able to stop them.

Verdict: Na Piarsaigh.

London SHC final.

St Gabriel’s v Robert Emmett’s, McGovern Park, 2.30pm.

Robert Emmett’s have suffered heartache in the last two finals, including the 2022 game when St Gabriel’s came out on top, and unfortunately for them there may be more on the way here.

Verdict: St Gabriel’s.