All on the line: the 20-plus senior county titles up for grabs this weekend

It's another packed schedule of county deciders with all their emotion, high stakes and plotlines.

FULL STRETCH: Padraig O'Hora of Balina Stephenites attempts to prevent Lee Keegan from scoring in Sunday's drawn Connacht Gold Mayo SFC Final at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar. Keegan did land Westport's opening score but the tackle resulted in both he and O'Hora departing the match after just 14 minutes through injury. Pictures: Martin McIntyre/Inpho/Sportsfile

The essence of the club championships has been on full display in recent weeks. So much of the emotional outpouring we’ve witnessed stems from this simple reality: they are so hard won.

In Gaelic football, only one of last year’s All-Ireland SFC club semi-finalists is still standing. Coolera-Strandhill take on Shamrock Gaels in a replay this Sunday, chasing a third successive title and the accompanying chance to defend their Connacht crown.

The makeup of that provincial championship will become clear after this weekend. Frank Irwin’s last-gasp two point free earned Ballina Stephenites a replay against Westport. In Galway, a much-fancied Salthill/Knocknacarra team are on the cusp of their first Frank Fox Cup since 2012. Moycullen stand in their way in a fixture brimming with big name players. Galway squad members Robert Finnerty, Daniel O’Flaherty, Sean Kelly, Peter Cooke as well as former Offaly captain Johnny Moloney will all play their part. All-Star midfielder John Maher is a major doubt for Salthill after suffering an ankle injury in the semi-final.

The Roscommon deciders has the potential to be a cracker, defending champions Padraig Pearses face favourites St Brigid’s at Dr. Hyde Park.

A similar picture will take shape in Munster as heavyweights collide in Cork and Kerry. Nemo Rangers versus St Finbarr’s needs no introduction. Across the border, the semi-final outcomes mean that champions Dr Crokes will not get the chance to defend their Munster title. One of Austin Stacks or Dingle will carry the Kerry flag instead. This televised showdown comes loaded with storylines. Darragh Long, joint manager of the Kerry Senior Ladies side that won an All-Ireland last season, now leads the Rockies. Dingle boast a star-studded coaching team and AFL ace Mark O’Connor in their ranks. Austin Stacks have the emerging talent Ben Murphy, heavily linked with a move to Brisbane in recent weeks. Expect fireworks.

In hurling, there’s no shortage of blockbusters. O’Loughlin Gaels and Ballyhale Shamrocks renew acquaintances in a meeting that brims with intrigue on the line. Ten-time All-Ireland winner Henry Shefflin, newly appointed as the county’s U20 manager, is back in charge of his club, while his old Cats team-mate Brian Hogan leads O’Loughlin’s. Hogan also serves as a coach-selector with the U20s.

A host of All-Ireland winners will take to Semple Stadium on Sunday when Nenagh Éire Óg and Loughmore-Castleiney clash in the showpiece. Remarkably, two of the three PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year nominees will be involved. Jake Morris scored 0-2 in Nenagh’s semi-final win over Drom & Inch.

John McGrath lines out on the other side, having fallen short in football last weekend as Kilsheelan-Kilcash ended their bid for a back-to-back double.

The last few weeks haven’t necessarily been about upsets as much as it has been about a hard-won levelling, the chasing pack finally getting their due. That’s the essence of this thing. 

It takes everything just to get out of your county. Beyond that, the road opens up and anything feels possible. By Sunday evening, some journeys will end, others will only just be getting started.

SATURDAY

Cork Premier JFC Final: Buttevant vs St. Nick’s, 4.30pm; SAHC final: Bride Rovers v Castlelyons, 6.30pm; Dublin SHC final: Lucan Sarsfields v Na Fianna, 7.15pm; Fermanagh SFC final (replay): Erne Gaels v Derrygonnelly, Brewster Park, 6.30pm; Galway SFC final: Moycullen vs Salthill-Knocknacarra Pearse Stadium, 7.30pm; Laois SFC final (replay): Courtwood v Portarlington, Portlaoise, 6.30pm; Mayo SFC final (replay): Ballina Stephenites v Westport, Castlebar, 3pm; Meath SHC final (replay): Kiltale v Ratoath, Navan, 3pm

SUNDAY

Armagh SFC final: Madden Rapparees v St Patrick’s Cullyhanna, Athletic Grounds, 3.30; Cork Senior AFC final: Cill na Martra v Knocknagree, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30; Cork Premier SFC final: Nemo Rangers v St Finbarr's, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30; Down SHC final: Ballygalget v St Patrick’s, 3.30pm; Kerry SFC final: Austin Stacks v Dingle, Tralee, 1.45pm; Kilkenny SHC final: O’Loughlin Gaels v Ballyhale Shamrocks, UPMC Nowlan Park, 3pm; Louth SFC final: Naomh Martin v Newtown Blues, Drogheda, 2.45pm; Monaghan SFC final: Scotstown v Inniskeen, Clones, 2.30pm; Offaly SFC final: Ferbane v Tullamore, Tullamore, 3pm; Roscommon SFC final: Padraig Pearses v St Brigid’s, Hyde Park, 2pm; Sligo SFC final (replay): Coolera Standhill v Shamrock Gaels, Enniscrone, 3pm; Tipperary SHC final: Loughmore Castleiney v Nenagh Eire Og, Semple Stadium, 3.45pm; Westmeath SFC final: Coralstown Kinnegad v The Downs, Mullingar, 3.15pm; Wexford SHC final: St Martin’s v Rathnure St Anne’s, Wexford Park, 3.30pm.