Club GAA: Éire Óg on a mission in Clare, Doon and Na Piarsaigh should make Limerick final
Éire Óg are looking to bridge a 35-year gap to their last Clare SHC title in Sunday's decider against Clooney/Quin. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile
The bid for the hat-trick is not going to be delayed by the Belfast men. Ruairí Óg should have plenty to spare. Verdict: Ruairí Óg, Cushendall.
The champions against one of the county’s youngest clubs, it’s a big day for Bagenalstown but a business one for Rathvilly. Verdict: Rathvilly.
Craughwell were flawless in their group run but Sarsfields looked to be in mean form the last day against Castlegar. A slight nod to them. Verdict: Sarsfields.
They have been conceding too many goals but Turloughmore’s scoring power should be enough to better their opponents. Verdict: Turloughmore.
The winners of the last two championships are not fancied here but we would suggest this will be an occasion where class trumps form. Verdict: Mohill.
Not that Kilcormac-Killoughey’s name is already on the Seán Robbins Cup but they are not expected to have too much trouble here. Verdict: Kilcormac-Killoughey.
The Ballyleague club have been knocking at the door yet you imagine Pádraig Pearses will still have too much for them. Verdict: Pádraig Pearses.
The runners-up of three years ago can take another step towards matching that feat. Verdict: Upperchurch-Drombane.
Loughgiel can be a tough nut to crack at times but they have lost four finals since last winning in 2016. Dunloy have won five of the eight and have a score to settle with Cushendall. Get over this hurdle first. Verdict: Dunloy Cuchullains.
After falling short to Rathvilly in a replay last year, Palatine will be hell-bent to get back to the final stage. Verdict: Palatine.
A lot of interest in this final given the opposing protagonists Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell and that Clooney-Quin are looking for a first SHC title since 1942 and Éire Óg want to bridge a 35-year gap to their previous crown. Both have plenty of redeeming qualities but under Gerry O’Connor the Ennis men appear to be on a mission. Verdict: Éire Óg, Ennis.
After pushing Sarsfields like they did earlier this year, Slaughtneil will have designs on going one better. A 13th straight county title should be in the bag for them. Verdict: Slaughtneil.
Anything but another final appearance for Kilcoo here – their 14th in succession – would be stunning. Verdict: Kilcoo.
Keelan Sexton should be in from the start here after helping to inspire the Mobhi Road men to their comeback victory over Ballymun Kickhams. They won’t find Crokes as charitable, though. Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes.
Cuala certainly won’t be parking the bus as Castleknock did in front of Ballyboden in their quarter-final. That being said, the All-Ireland champions will fancy themselves if this turns out to be a shoot-out. Verdict: Cuala.
St Thomas look to be getting back to their best and as much as they lost their title last year to surrender here would be a massive shock. Verdict: St Thomas.
Loughrea had to come through the preliminary quarter-finals and their form has been patchy but the defending champions can subdue high-scoring Clarinbridge. Verdict: Loughrea.
It’s been 11 years since Teemore, who hold the record for most senior championships, reached a final. They have a chance but Derrygonnelly have more going for them. Verdict: Derrygonnelly Harps.
Listen to enough people and you’d swear there was blood in Naas’s water. Celbridge are a decent side who have given Naas contests in the last two finals but Naas are such a powerhouse that even if there is some awkwardness for them, muscle memory should kick in. Verdict: Naas.
When Kevin Feely is fit and able, Athy will always have a chance and they have plenty of experience. Sarsfields just seem to be in a richer vein of form and look primed for a final berth. Verdict: Sarsfields.
Ballinakill are going to be kept waiting for only their second ever final appearance after 1979. Verdict: Clough-Ballacolla.
Providing the form book is correct in the first game, Rathdowney-Errill can set up a repeat of last year’s final but it will be close. Verdict: Rathdowney-Errill.
This should be a contest but when it comes down to it, the hunger of the Ballinamore men can be the gulf between the sides. Verdict: Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins.
There isn’t a whole pile of evidence in Kilmallock’s campaign to date to suggest they can stop Na Piarsaigh. The venue might work in their favour and Na Piarsaigh have been off the road for three weeks but The Balbec will need a herculean display to win. Verdict: Na Piarsaigh.
Belief must be coursing through the veins of Doon since the success last year. They always knew they had the players but Derek McGrath provided the formula. Here, Ballybrown will be doughty. Aidan O’Connor and Colin Coughlan are consistent performers but Doon will find a way. Verdict: Doon.
Tir Chonaill Gaels are the old bulls to Round Towers’s young ones and can teach them a lesson. Verdict: Tir Chonaill Gaels.
The 2025 victors will fancy themselves to go all the way once more. Verdict: North London Shamrocks.
Kiltale can take another step towards emulating their previous county success in 2018. Verdict: Kiltale.
A repeat of last year’s decider and the result should be the same. Ratoath are the new force in the county. Verdict: Ratoath.
Shinrone can make their third final in four seasons but Belmont could prove to be tricky customers. Verdict: Shinrone.
They may not be as feared as they used to be in the county but St Brigid’s are still strong operators. Verdict: St Brigid’s.
The mid-Tipperary giants’s latest tilt at the double will continue after this weekend. Ballina are honest but not at their opponents’s level. Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney.
Of the contenders for the title, Commercials have the biggest examination this weekend. Moyle Rovers won’t be spooked by them. Verdict: Clonmel Commercials.
The dual men would have been disappointed with how their hurling run finished. Their football campaign can be more enduring. Verdict: JK Brackens.
The six-in-a-row attempt by Carrickmore is unlikely to be derailed as this pair meet in the final for the third consecutive year. Verdict: Éire Óg, Carrickmore.
Bridesmaids in three of the last four finals after 2020 and ’16 successes, Baltinglass know this is their best chance yet of getting back to winning ways. It’s been quite some time since Carnew Emmets enjoyed an occasion like this (1974). Their opponents should be more focused. Verdict: Baltinglass.
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