Weekend GAA Previews: Cool Na Piarsaigh can turn the tables on Doon
Limerick's Peter Casey is performing for Na Piarsaigh. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
What a couple of weekends this could be for Conor McHugh as he seeks the first part of a senior Dublin double. The impact Keelan Sexton has been having off the bench in recent games has been telling and this has the makings of an entertaining clash. Ballyboden have met different challenges in their last couple of games and Daire Sweeney is leading by example in attack. Na Fianna are wily but the dash in Ballyboden may be too much for them to handle.
Verdict: Ballyboden St Enda’s.
It’s the Belleek outfit’s fourth consecutive final and it was after extra-time last year that they finally bridged the gap to their previous win in 1981. Derrygonnelly were victors in 2023 and are expected to just shade this one but the pain of that loss could be the catalyst for the defending champions.
Verdict: Erne Gaels, Belleek.
Rathmore fairly blew the hinges off the local championship with their 14-point hammering of East Kerry. The job now, of course, is to back up said awesomeness to secure the club’s maiden county final involvement. The three Ryan brothers, Alan Dineen, and Ciaran Collins will be central to such. Slight question mark over Paul Murphy given he departed injured last weekend. Can their momentum be halted by the Tralee kids of Ben Murphy, Paddy Lane, and Daniel Kirby, under the guiding midfield hand of Joe O’Connor?
Verdict: Rathmore (Eoghan Cormican)
St Thomas’s are possibly due a spook this side of Halloween but even Craughwell’s excellent form doesn’t suggest it will be enough to take down the two-time All-Ireland champions.
Verdict: St Thomas’.
A decent game in store under the lights in Salthill. Loughrea have at times played like the crown is weighing heavy on them although Turloughmore have had a couple of iffy moments getting to this point too. Loughrea by a nose.
Verdict: Loughrea.
The South Tipperary men have produced some fine footballers down through the years but a final berth has escaped them since 1981. Such is the confidence and momentum around Loughmore-Castleiney that it’s likely their wait will continue.
Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney.
Mary Robinson was president when Gaultier last featured in a senior football final and we maintain their Ballygunner men will be focusing strongly on hurling matters. The Nire to qualify for their fourth final in five seasons.
Verdict: The Nire.
If Dunloy’s victory in the football final was novel enough, here are a St John’s team featuring in the club’s first final since 1994 and Loughgiel who may have the record number of senior county titles but haven’t added to that number – 20 – in nine years. The concern here is that St John’s exerted too much in getting to this semi-final. There is enough experience in Loughgiel to ensure the day goes their way.
Verdict: Loughgiel Shamrocks.
Rathvilly needed two bites of the cherry to get through their semi-final and while they may be battle-hardened they could be a little leggy. To emulate their last success in 2013, Old Leighlin must demonstrate they are the fresher team but it may not be enough.
Verdict: Rathvilly.
The picture is completely skewed by the confirmed absence of in-form Midleton full-back Eoin Moloney and the likely absence of always-in-form Midleton centre-forward Conor Lehane.
And so before we even begin to look at Sars versus Midleton, we must first look at how Midleton will readjust to those not available.
Luke Dineen was at full-back for last year’s campaign, so is he now redeployed from right half-back into the vacant No.3 shirt? Or might either of Séadnaidh Smyth or Seán O’Sullivan, corner-back and full-back respectively for the ‘23 final defeat to Sars, be parachuted off the bench and back into the full-back line?
Further up, and if Lehane doesn’t feature, will Micheál Keohane be tempted to fill that talent and experience deficit by handing Luke O’Farrell his first start since the second round of group action? Or, could management opt for two defensive alterations and return forward-turned-half-back Ross O’Regan to where he made his name locally?
A lot of questions there to be answered.
Where there is certainty is that Sars will show up, put in a performance, and not panic. That has become their badge of honour.
For their performance to put silverware on the team bus, there are a couple of necessities. Cillian Roche, as he did in the company of Brian Hayes, breaking even with whatever full-forward threat stands beside him. Daniel Hogan and Killian Murphy curtailing Midleton midfielder Mikey Finn from buzzing about the place with his usual enterprise. Jack O’Connor, Cian Darcy, and Barry O’Flynn conjuring and compiling the moments of class.
In the background of their run to a third consecutive county final was a comprehensive county minor final win and their intermediates reaching their own county semi-final. Sars are thriving at present. An eighth Cork crown will be further proof of that.
Sars (Eoghan Cormican)
Slaughtneil’s appeal was parked early enough in the week for it not to upset Newbridge too much. Having said that, the Magherafelt win over Glen underlined just how much they have progressed since losing the 2023 final to them. It might just be their time.
Verdict: O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt.
Seven points separated them in the 2020 final and if anything Kilcoo have grown stronger. The seven-in-a-row is a massive carrot for Martin Corey’s side and they have the nous to lift the O’Hare Cup in their 14th consecutive final.
Verdict: Kilcoo.
The beaten 2024 finalists versus the beaten finalists of the two years before that. Mid Kerry had 11 scorers and 26 scores when issuing their latest winning statement - this time with 16 points to spare - at Mid Kerry’s expense. Dingle’s threat is more localised. Paul Geaney boasted the biggest tally on quarter-final weekend, 0-6 of his 1-9 coming from play. Tom O’Sullivan and Dylan Geaney got more minutes in legs. Conor Geaney got 11 minutes off the bench. Are they coming to the boil at just the right moment?
Verdict: Mid Kerry (Eoghan Cormican)
Athy’s inter-county men stepped up to the mark to see off Sarsfields in the semi-final. Niall Kelly and Kevin Feely can give Naas’s rearguard some headaches and the Hylands showed their scoring ability from distance last day out. Nevertheless, it will take a colossal effort to stop this conquering Naas side who overwhelmed Celbridge in their last four game.
Verdict: Naas.
Like Rathvilly, the question is how much did a semi-final replay take out of Seán Ó Heslin’s. The Leitrim village side were only established in 1997 but are making gains since appearing in a quarter-final five years ago. Beating Mohill is nothing to be sneezed at but wiser money may be on the Ballinamore men.
Verdict: Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s.
It’s been billed as the clash of styles and how Na Piarsaigh will adapt to Doon’s plus one. The conditions could once again favour Doon but to say they were the primary reason for last year’s result would be to do them an injustice. Doon can turn it on when they want to and while they have been playing within themselves, Na Piarsaigh know they are capable of blitzes. Na Piarsaigh have been so cool in this championship and they will need to be calm when Doon are on top but their main men are performing especially Peter Casey.
Verdict: Na Piarsaigh.
The belief in Westport in the late 2010s was they would be challenging for and winning titles. One came in 2022 and there is more in them as they subdued an energetic Crossmolina side last weekend. Ballina were all about business in their dour derby with Knockmore. They won’t want the game to turn into a scorefest and the weather should work in their favour as they aim for the three-in-a-row.
Verdict: Ballina Stephenites.
The erstwhile giants of Meath hurling are in their first final in four seasons, whereas Ratoath in their fifth decider in six. Ratoath seemed to have cracked how to win finals.
Verdict: Ratoath.
Shinrone were humbled by the defending champions in the 2023 final and it only coming 12 months after they have inflicted an eight-point win over them. Kilcormac-Killoughey are in mean form but not so mean as to enjoy another 18-point hammering.
Verdict: Kilcormac-Killoughey.
It’s been the same story these past five seasons but perhaps this is the occasion when Naomh Eoin finally say enough is enough.
Verdict: Naomh Eoin.
Upperchurch-Drombane failed to show up when these two contested the 2022 final and that must still sting. Glenn Ryan has given them an extra dimension this year but Commercials will be hell bent on another title and ousting Loughmore-Castleiney.
Verdict: Clonmel Commercials.
Last year’s finalists lock horns with Ballinacourty coming off a quarter-final win last weekend. The additional rest is one of a few reasons 2024 winners Rathgormack should advance.
Verdict: Rathgormack.
Lough Lene Gaels are another club that must be sick of the bridesmaid tag. Castletown-Geoghegan haven’t successfully defended the cup since the 1950s, which might give them some grounds for optimism, but only some.
Verdict: Castletown-Geoghegan.
A first final in seven years could be just beyond Kilanerin as Shelmaliers seek a fourth final appearance in five seasons.
Verdict: Shelmaliers.
This pair face off a stage earlier than last season but the result should be a repeat.
Verdict: Castletown Liam Mellows.
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