Weekend GAA previews: Consistent Ballina get the nod against injury-hit Knockmore
BRAND LEADERS: Ballina Stephenites goalkeeper David Clarke, left, alongside Padraig O'Hora with team-mates in a huddle before last year's Mayo County Senior Club Football Championship final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
A first all-Lurgan decider since 1968 and just the fourth time in 29 years that Crossmaglen aren't involved. Clann, with All-Ireland winning Armagh stars Conor Turbitt and Barry McCambridge involved, beat holders Cross' in the semi. Clan na Gael have Stefan 'Soupy' Campbell for inspiration.
Clann Eireann
Neighbouring clubs perhaps but Ballina are brand leaders in Mayo with 37 titles to Knockmore's 10. Ballina won last year and Knockmore in 2020 and 2021. Injuries have ravaged Knockmore who may or may not have ex-county star Kevin McLoughlin (quad) available. Padraig O'Hora is a concern for Ballina who have looked the more consistent.
Ballina
Robbie Smyth's late points earned Abbeylara a draw 13 days ago.
Colmcille
With the winners set to play Portarlington of Laois next weekend in Leinster, what happens if it's a draw?
Baltinglass
Watergrasshill are coming in off a seven-week lay-off, Mallow a five-week break. Mallow’s dual players have been busy on the football front in the interim, while Watergrasshill’s mainstays - Daire O’Leary, Sean Desmond, and Adam Murphy - were key to Imokilly claiming last Sunday’s Premier Senior hurling crown. That trio can move themselves closer here to a second county medal.
Watergrasshill
They met in Round 3 of the group phase, Glanmire edging proceedings on a 0-10 to 0-9 scoreline. Daniel Molden, who didn’t feature in that game for Glanmire, was their semi-final top-scorer last time out. John Corkery and David O’Connor will be integral for Boherbue if they are to continue climbing the Cork ladder three years after winning the county junior.
Glanmire
What an achievement back-to-back promotions would be for 2023 Intermediate A champions Aghabullogue. It won’t be easy, of course. Kilshannig finished their group with a nine-point average winning margin and then dealt with the subsequent four-week lay-off by taking care of in-form Iveleary in the semis. Darragh O’Sullivan and the O’Hanlon’s, Éanna and Killian, can drive Kilshannig to deliver a repeat of their 2022 Intermediate A county final win - 1-16 to 0-10 - over Aghabullogue.
Kilshannig
Ireland bid for back-to-back titles after last year's eight-point win. Ireland's 20-man squad is captained by Enda Rowland of Laois and contains Limerick brothers Dan and Tom Morrissey, Kilkenny's Eoin Cody and Clare's Aidan McCarthy.
Ireland
All-conquering Slaughtneil chase a remarkable 12 in a row.
Slaughtneil
The St Thomas' quest for a seven-in-a-row is still alive - the All-Ireland holders had to dig deep in an epic semi-final win over Turloughmore. The Clarinbridge/Loughrea game could be a cracker.
St Thomas' and Loughrea
A third final in four between these two. Na Fianna beat Ballyboden in 2023 to collect their first title. Na Fianna and Crokes drew in the group. Crokes hammered Lucan in the semis while Na Fianna, managed by new Dublin boss Niall O Ceallachain, required extra-time to see off St Vincent's.
Kilmacud Crokes
Captained by Cait Devane, it remains to be seen how much Clonoulty Rossmore's breakthrough Tipp title success last weekend took out of them. St Finbarr's won their first title since 2006, thanks largely to the excellence of Orlaith Cahalane and Sorcha McCartan.
St Finbarr's
The Bricks captain Dermot Coughlan is still in bother with a foot fracture picked up in the quarter-final defeat of St Joseph's Milltown. Eire Og, winners in 2021 and 2022, beat 2020 champions Kilmurry Ibrickane in the 2021 final. The Ennis side also won 0-10 to 0-8 in their group opener.
Éire Óg
Injuries first. Nemo full-back Briain Murphy picked up a groin injury during the club’s Premier Junior hurling semi-final defeat last weekend. Murphy could well be deemed right enough to start, but will he be of the required sharpness to stand beside Brian Hurley for a second county final in succession.
Hurley, as hardly needs reminding, enters this decider bullish and buoyant after his 0-11 semi-final exhibition. Irrespective of Murphy’s readiness for the task, the Nemo defence will not leave so unprotected Hurley’s man-marker as the Barrs did Alan O’Connor.
Damien and Conor Cahalane both came on in the second half of Castlehaven’s semi-final. Conor, in particular, exerted real influence and assisted for two white flags. The conundrum for management is do they promote him to strengthen their middle third or hold him in reserve to make sure they get a notable bench bounce.
Beyond Hurley’s brilliance last time out, the Haven have been the form side of this Cork championship. They’ve been the standard-setters from the first weekend when they put 1-12 on Clon in the first half alone.
Jack Cahalane has been excellent inside with Hurley, while Cathal Maguire is playing an almost Paul Kerrigan role for the champions in conducting along the 45, showing superb vision, and spraying intelligent passes around the place.
Mention of Kerrigan, it will be intriguing to see how Nemo position their front six. Might they revert to the two-man inside line of Mark Cronin and Conor Horgan that troubled Clon in the quarters.
There are strong shades of 2022 about this one. Back then, the Barrs were the form team coming in and Nemo the underdogs. Nemo did not take kindly to such. Their response was a display of sheer relentlessness. The Haven are forewarned.
For the neutral, the single hope is that we are treated to a spectacle significantly improved on last year’s ultra-defensive, ultra-cautious bore.
Nemo Rangers have never lost back-to-back county finals. Is unwanted history about to be made?
: Castlehaven Eoghan Cormican
Carrigaline, similar to Glen Rovers, give the distinct impression of men who want to get the hell out of the second tier as quickly as they landed into it. From their opening Division 1 league game against Ballincollig in early March, they’ve set a high bar for themselves that they are consistently meeting. To add a county title to the Division 1 League crown already captured, they’ll need to unlock a Knocknagree defence that hasn’t been taken for a green flag in this championship.
Carrigaline
A rare Galway final in Tuam and that should benefit Corofin who have an excellent record there. Maigh Cuilinn, champions in 2020 and 2022, have shown decent form and will have clear motivation to reverse last year's two-point final loss to Corofin.
Corofin
Glen, the All-Ireland title holders, chase a four-in-a-row. Their form has been choppy with a group defeat and narrow quarter- and semi-final wins over Lavey and Slaughtneil. Newbridge last appeared in a senior final in 1991 and last won one in 1989. They have youth on their side.
Glen
The original postponement left five Erne Gaels dual players in a bind as the club has an Ulster junior quarter-final today against Sean Treacys of Armagh. Declan Bonner is managing Erne Gaels who lost the last two finals. Enniskillen have shown the stronger form.
Enniskillen Gaels
The first game in the redeveloped St Conleth's Park. Naas aim for a four-in-a-row and, more specifically, for a repeat of last year's final defeat of Celbridge who have only won the championship once, in 2008. Aside from experience, Naas relied on their bench for the semi-final extra-time win over Athy. Paddy McDermott is an injury concern for Naas.
Naas
Both won their semi-finals by two points but Scotstown, in their 12th final in a row, winning eight, looked the more comfortable. Conor McManus is back after injury for Clontibret but Scotstown, with Rory Beggan, Jack McCarron and the Hughes brothers flying, have quality and experience on their side.
Scotstown
A repeat of the 2023 decider, won by Coolera/Strandhill who were the more impressive in the recent semi-finals too, beating St Mary's 0-10 to 1-4 thanks to a masterclass from Sligo captain Niall Murphy up front.
Coolera Strandhill
Joint captain and county midfielder Liam Coleman could miss out for Castletown with a shoulder injury. On the plus side, Ross Cody could slot back in after missing the semi-final win over Glynn-Barntown. It's Castletown's third final in a row having won the 2022 decider. Gusserane last prevailed in 2016.
Castletown
Lough Lene Gaels lost last year's final to Raharney, their fifth defeat in a decider since last winning in 2002. Captained by county star Tommy Doyle who said this week they haven't hit their peak yet. Castletown Geoghegan topped the group, beating LLG by five points along the way.
Lough Lene Gaels
Given all they've achieved, back-to-back champions Na Piarsaigh are still underdogs with the bookies for this televised (TG4) encounter. Doon have never won the Limerick championship but beat the Caherdavin side in August. They were also the more comfortable semi-final winners, beating Patrickswell by 12 points while Shane O'Neill's Na Piarsaigh had to rally late on to beat Kilmallock.
Na Piarsaigh
Former Kerry player and Poc Fada specialist Fionan Mackessy is on the verge of success just months after transferring to O'Loughlin Gaels. The city side are chasing back-to-back titles for the first time. All-Ireland intermediate holders Thomastown have come with a terrific young team backboned by the Donnellys, Peter McDonald, Luke Connellan and Zach Bay Hammond.
O'Loughlin Gaels
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