Weekend GAA previews: Semis in Tipp and Kilkenny and 10 county finals up for grabs
Loughmore-Castleiney’s John McGrath can keep Tipp SHC title holders on track for repeat. Pic: Bryan Keane, Inpho
St Patrick’s have never looked back since claiming the All-Ireland intermediate title since January but this latest obstacle may be difficult to hurdle.
Verdict: Crossmaglen Rangers.
Newbridge are the team Conor Glass and company want to beat most but they have to live up to their side of the bargain here first in this repeat of the 2023 final.
Verdict: Glen, Watty Graham’s.
Tuam Stars were comfortable enough against Killannin but Maigh Cuillin are a taller order and their win over Oughterard had more weight.
Verdict: Maigh Cuillin.
Salthill-Knocknacarra have been scoring for fun and everyone knows about the punch they pack up front but Corofin have a habit of thwarting even the sharpest attacks.
Verdict: Corofin.
If the last few years is an accurate guideline, Brothers Pearse will be in the final.
Verdict: Kilburn Gaels.
The 2024 winners can get within 60 minutes of retaining their title. Verdict: St Gabriel’s.
Knockmore are underestimated going into this one. They know how to win championships and while Ballina are kingpins for a reason they may just be halted.
Knockmore.
Kobe McDonald is setting the championship alight to the point that he has to be on Andy Moran’s radar irrespective of his 17 years. Westport will be steeled after seeing off Breaffy but a first final in 19 years for Crossmolina beckons.
Verdict: Crossmolina Deel Rovers.
Such is the momentum that Loughmore-Castleiney generate between their dual pursuits that when they get on a roll in a game it’s difficult to arrest. They are an incredibly fit team and as excellent as Holycross-Ballycahill have been to this point and taken down club outfits of similar quality, the McGraths aren’t going to be stopped.
Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney.
It's the time of year when Gaultier’s Ballygunner contingent will be turning their attentions to the Munster senior club hurling championship.
Verdict: Roanmore.
There was disappointment for Dunloy in last Sunday’s senior hurling semi-final and there could be more pain here against a Cargin side who look primed for a fourth consecutive title in this repeat of the 2023 decider.
Verdict: Erin’s Own, Cargin.
The concern for Bagenalstown is that they already played their best in the drawn game.
Verdict: Rathvilly.
Gowna crushed Kingscourt with five goals in the final two years ago and while their victory shouldn’t be as emphatic this time around it does appear the challengers will be bridesmaids for the third time in six years.
Verdict: Gowna.
Spirits around Éire Óg would have been sky high after their senior hurlers' victory last Sunday although celebrations would have been slightly muted for their dual players as they look to complete the double by retaining the Jack Daly Cup. To see off their local rivals only sweetens the pot but nothing is won yet.
Verdict: Éire Óg, Ennis.
Fresh from their 13th consecutive county hurling title, Slaughtneil will back themselves here and they may just have enough to dethrone the champions.
Verdict: Robert Emmet’s, Slaughtneil.
The men from the west are slight favourites and with some justification as they arrive here on the back of some handsome performances. Gaoth Dobhair don’t need much reminding of The Glenties’s men being the team for the big occasion, though, and that test from Four Masters in the semi-final should set them up well.
Verdict: Naomh Conaill.
To overcome the four-in-a-row seekers Portaferry looks beyond Bredagh.
Verdict: Portaferry.
Ballycran have given Portaferry their biggest examinations in the past few years and can claim a final berth.
Verdict: Ballycran.
There was a time when the bookmakers wouldn’t look beyond Ballyboden as these two clashed. Lucan have been consistently performing under Charlie Carter since 2023 and can advance. Verdict: Lucan Sarsfields.
The All-Ireland champions go into this as underdogs albeit not by much. Can the Mobhi Road men sting Crokes for the second weekend in a row after their football semi-final surprise? This really can go any way.
Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes.
Maynooth are improving rapidly but to expect them to beat all-conquering Naas after they were 17 points shy of them in the 2024 final is a huge demand. Naas will again be contemplating a run at a Leinster title.
Verdict: Naas.
How they failed to turn up against Thomastown in last year’s final has haunted O’Loughlin Gaels. They are one step away from getting the chance to redeem themselves.
Verdict: O’Loughlin Gaels.
There might be a slight dip in Ballyhale Shamrocks’ performance levels after seeing off champions Thomastown but that’s not to say they shouldn’t win this semi-final.
Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks.
A momentous day for Courtwood as they appear in their first ever senior football final. There is no novelty for Portarlington, however, and they will be forearmed after seeing how their opponents were able to stay with St Joseph’s and then hit them late with a two-point winner.
Verdict: Portarlington.
Seán Ó Heslin’s should pull through at the second time of asking.
Verdict: Ballinamore Seán Ó Heslin’s.
An unusual dynamic to this game as Emmets’s man Ger Carberry is manager of last year’s runners-up and will even appear for his club in a junior final on Saturday. On a day of mixed emotions for him, it’s difficult to ignore Emmets’s final record. It is superb.
Verdict: Killoe Young Emmets.
The Paul Galvin factor in Ratoath can’t be understated but Summerhill are a stubborn bunch even if they have lost to Ratoath in a couple of finals since 2019. Ratoath sure hope injuries won’t catch up with them but Jack Flynn is in fine form and they can edge what should be a real contest.
Verdict: Ratoath.
Last year’s final pairing, Scotstown have felt the point of Clontibret’s sword but there is just too much going for the three-in-a-row chasers. Verdict: Scotstown.
John McEntee’s side can qualify for a second final in three seasons.
Verdict: Inniskeen Grattans.
There’s a fair chance Shamrock Gaels, with a 100% SFC record so far, can bridge the 33-year gap to their last senior football success. Coolera-Strandhill are hunting some history themselves in the form of a third straight title and can just about achieve it.
Verdict: Coolera-Strandhill.
Seamus Callanan never lost it and his scoring sprees have been integral to Drom and Inch coming within a game of the final. There is no getting away from the fact Nenagh have been underachievers but they showed plenty of class to see off neighbours Kilruane last day out and Sam O’Farrell, Michael Heffernan and Jake Morris will take plenty of stopping.
Verdict: Nenagh Éire Óg.
There should be only a cigarette paper between them. Boil it down and Carrickmore’s pedigree may be the winning element.
Verdict: Carrickmore St Colmcille’s.
Only a point split the teams in the final 12 months ago and you would imagine Trillick have harboured a lot of pain and regret since then. The Ballygawley boys will have to be steeled for this.
Verdict: Errigal Ciarán.
They are acutely aware of each other’s strengths but there’s been more about Ballinacourty in recent seasons.
Verdict: Ballinacourty.
They may be the county SHC record holders with 20 but it’s 19 years since Rathnure last lifted the Bowe Cup and 14 since their previous final appearance. They can consign one of those facts to history here.
Verdict: Rathnure
Each has won a title in the last three seasons yet not much would suggest St Martin’s are in the mood to relinquish the championship.
Verdict: St Martin’s.
Carnew have hardly let themselves down in the past couple of finals but Bray have had the upper hand and denying them a seven straight title will be onerous.
Verdict: Bray Emmets.
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