National GAA Previews: Sixmilebridge rightly favourites to land Clare SHC title
FORMER GLORY: Sixmilebridge's Shane Golden and Derek Fahy lift the cup following the Clare County Senior Hurling Championship Final in 2020. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
Carrick can continue to have the upper hand in this duel.
Carrick.
In a repeat of the last three finals, Adare have been edging ever closer to beating Newcastle West but may come up short once more.
Newcastle West.
It was St Loman’s who forced a second date but they appear to have the initiative going into the replay in Mullingar.
St Loman’s.
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Russell Rovers are coming in off a six-week lay-off in championship action. Will they suffer for it? Nemo, meanwhile, had the benefit of a tough quarter-final assignment, while their dual players have more than kept match-sharp such has been their latest march through the football championship.
For all that, we’re giving a hesitant nod to the Donal Óg Cusack coached Russell Rovers.
Verdict: Russell Rovers
Blackrock did a decent job in holding Seamus Harnedy and limiting his semi-final influence two weeks ago.
And yet Imokilly still hit 1-29. Therein lies the difficulty of trying to thwart the East Cork division; there are sharpshooters and match-winners dotted here, there, and everywhere.
Inside Harnedy, you have the speed and youthful abandon of Jack Leahy and Diarmuid Healy. Outside of Harnedy, you have the experienced Brian Lawton and Bill Cooper drifting smartly into space and picking off points at their ease.
It will be so interesting to see how Sars set up defensively to try and stifle the many opposition threats without robbing too many bodies from their own forward effort.
Could Sars’ 2023 star pupil Cathal McCarthy make his first start of this year’s championship on the biggest afternoon of the lot?
A common consensus has formed that the Imokilly full-back line is there to be got at. Blackrock's Robbie Cotter certainly showed the way in that respect a fortnight ago.
Do Sars move Jack O’Connor in there in the hope of finding him often enough with quality ball?
Sars won four county titles between 2008 and 2014. They never managed, though, to go back-to-back. That is a very clear ambition of this group.
As they showed against Midleton and in several games last year, they grow and keep growing all the way to the whistle. You’ll not shake them.
There are a few Imokilly stalwarts for whom this could be a divisional swansong. When they do go, Imokilly will retreat into the pack.
For now, they appear to be at the head of the Cork pack.
Imokilly
Former Cork captain Stephen McDonnell, who hasn’t featured for the Glen since coming off injured against Ballyhea in early September, is close to full fitness once more and offers Tomás Mulcahy an extra defensive option for the assignment of curtailing a Blarney attack blessed with pace.
Eoin Downey versus his Cork teammate Pádraig Power is one intriguing match-up in that department.
The Glen strolled through their group and then had four weeks off, so the second half scare from Castlelyons was exactly the ruffling they required. The Glen’s experienced campaigners wear heavily their culpability in the club losing top-flight status.
They’ll stop at nothing tomorrow to return them to the top table.
Glen Rovers
This Lurgan derby, the first in a final since they faced off in 1968, may indicate the power in the county has moved north. After all, both have appeared in finals in the last three years.
Clan na Gael were given a lesson by Crossmaglen in the decider last year and the Conor Turbitt-led Clann Éireann, who were too good for Cross in the semi, could dish out another defeat to them.
Clann Éireann.
Dunloy have built up some momentum in recent weeks and haven’t had the distraction of football getting in the way. They will feel they have something to make up for after losing out to Loughgiel Shamrocks in the semi-finals last year.
Cushendall have class in Paddy Burke and evergreen Neil McManus but the form scales are tipped in Dunloy’s favour.
Dunloy Cuchulláins.
Champions of 2020 and ’21 in that order, there will be a new name on the trophy this year. Crosserlouhg will feel emboldened having knocked out Gowna, winners of the last two championships although they have done Gowna a favour in doing so.
Crosserlough.
Sixmilebridge continue to defy the odds so much so that they are rightly considered favourites going into this final.
The power they showed in the quarter-final against Clonlara was matched by resilience in the semi-final win over Inagh-Kilnamona after penalties.
They are greater than the sum of their parts. Shane McGrath is in magnificent fettle for Feakle but the wise heads will nod to The ‘Bridge.
Sixmilebridge.
Banagher have reached their first final in six years but it should be the 12-in-a-row for their opponents.
Slaughtneil.
The seven consecutive final between the clubs, Portaferry can complete a hat-trick of consecutive titles.
Portaferry.
Whatever about the intentions of Robbie Brennan after this game, Kilmacud Crokes’ form hasn’t waned in that uncertainty.
Overcoming Na Fianna took bottle but they had it and now they face their southside neighbours led by Con O’Callaghan.
It’s a massive occasion for Cuala in 36 years. Anything but a Crokes win would be a shock.
Kilmacud Crokes.
Erne Gaels are in the third straight final and hoping to avenge the 2022 defeat to Enniskillen. Unfortunately for them, Enniskillen appear to be timing their run correctly.
Enniskillen Gaels.
St Thomas’ have had the odd fright in this quest for seven-in-a-row but they should avoid any surprise here.
St Thomas’.
Both teams are considered capable of beating St Thomas’ but as for each other Loughrea should be able to live up to their potential.
Loughrea.
It’s a question of how Colmcille have digested being two points up last week only to be hauled back and into a replay. They can finish the job.
Colmcille.
Mungret St Paul’s are one of, if not the best dual club in the county but Fr Casey’s are more capable of reaching a final, what would be their first in 15 years.
Fr Casey’s.
St Kiernan’s, winners in 2021 and ’22, missed out on the final last year but saw off the defending champions Tir Chonaill Gaels in their semi-final and can outplay Shamrocks.
St Kiernan’s.
Ardee came out on the right side against Naomh MáirtÃn by a point at this stage last year. The results to this point indicate they may have it slightly easier this time around, although the Monasterboice men will be highly motivated.
Ardee St Mary’s.
For a team that won back-to-back Mayo SFC titles in 2020 and ’21, it might not appear like an achievement for Knockmore getting to this point, but they did lose their first round and are missing key players.Â
They have know-how but the reigning champions look too good to be toppled.
Ballina Stephenites.
A first final appearance for Dunshaughlin in 13 years but there shouldn’t be too many jitters here. Wolfe Tones are winners as recent as 2021 and that experience counts but there’s a maturity about Dunshaughlin and Matthew Costello and Conor Gray are fine footballers.
Dunshaughlin.
Plenty of county talent on show in his encounter. Ballinamere carry a X-factor and even though this is their first final since 1908 the firm favourites Kilcormac-Killoughey have to be wary of them.
The cup should be heading south not just because of Adam Screeney and Charlie Mitchell but a team that are well-oiled and may have designs on a Leinster tilt.
Kilcormac-Kiloughey.
News on Friday that Mark Dolan has joined Davy Burke’s management team thus ruling him out of contention for the Derry job was a big boost ahead of the county’s blue riband game.
Roscommon Gaels are looking to bridge a 20-year gap to their last crown but the bevy of Dalys can guide Pádraig Pearses to more glory.
Pádraig Pearses.
A sixth consecutive showdown between this pair and Easkey can complete the five-in-a-row.
Easkey Sea Blues.
The tails of Loughmore-Castleiney will be sky high after completing one half of the double against Toomevara last weekend.
Now, their gaze switches to the south and a three-in-a-row chasing Commercials who are winning despite being down personnel.
If Loughmore are to prevail, it will be an arm wrestle. They have it in the tank.
Loughmore-Castleiney.
At times in this campaign, the Ballygawley outfit have been flying by their seats of their pants but their resolve can’t be questioned.
Trillick have things much easier and the age old question of whether it’s better to be a fresh team than a tested one will be raised in Omagh.
Extra-time was required to separate them last year. Margins could be close again but the Canavans and Peter Harte to summon one more drive to take the title.
Errigal Ciarán.
It’s rare that a team like Rathgormack are considered such overwhelming favourites in a Waterford senior football final.
Ballinacourty were only top of the pile four years ago but this is a sixth straight final for Rathgormack and after losing three on the bounce they turned the tide last year.
The conviction with which they dismantled The Nire in their semi-final can’t be ignored.
Rathgormack.
The Rathangan club have been bridesmaids twice in the last five years but can give themselves another chance.
St Anne’s.
Strange to see the defending winners ranked outsiders for a semi-final but the O’Connors are in decent form and St Martin’s outclassed Ferns in their quarter-final.
St Martin’s.
A rerun of the 2020 final but Tinahely will be hoping for a different outcome. There’s been some pain for Baltinglass too since then, losing the following two deciders by narrow margins.
It’s not a foregone conclusion but Baltinglass to weather what is thrown at them in Aughrim.
Baltinglass.
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