Weekend GAA previews: Can Éire Óg put the clamp on Brian Hayes?

All the club GAA action this weekend

Brian Hayes, St Finbarr's breaking through the Nemo defence in the McCarthy Insurance Group SFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan Linehan

SATURDAY

AIB Munster Club JFC semi-finals:

Ahane (Limerick) v Buttevant (Cork), Kildorrery, 1pm (E. Horan, Kerry).

Ahane have plenty of sporting talent in their ranks – Limerick hurling full-back Dan Morrissey, ex-Clare midfielder Ger Brennan and former Munster and Ireland rugby internationals Seán Cronin and Ian Keatley. Buttevant are not going to have it as easy as they did against Shamrocks but they retain the edge. 

Verdict: Buttevant.

Clonmel Óg (Tipperary) v Ballymacelligott (Kerry), Clonmel Sportsfield, 1pm (C. Murphy, Cork).

The Kerry junior champions are vulnerable here. Without a host of players through injury and work commitments, Clonmel Óg could very well smell blood. Vinny Horan (ACL) and Micheál Reidy are definitely out. Clonmel Óg won’t find Ballymacelligott as charitable as Killimer were last weekend but this could be more of a game than people anticipate. Verdict: Ballymacelligott.

AIB Munster Club Senior Camogie final:

De La Salle (Waterford) v St Finbarr's (Cork), FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm.

This championship has thrown up a novel final for the second year in succession. John Mullane’s side came through a thriller against Thurles Sarsfields but The ‘Barrs also had to overcome a battling Newcastle West. It could be another cracker that the Cork girls can claim. 

Verdict: St Finbarr's.

AIB Ulster Club SFC semi-final:

Kilcoo (Down) v Erne Gaels, Belleek (Fermanagh), Box-It Athletic Grounds, 4.30pm (D. Boylan, Monaghan).

Erne Gaels had reason to be feel insulted as they were written off before their quarter-final and they are well and truly dismissed here as 1/40 outsiders. The handicap is 10 points. In a two-horse race, that is quite something. Kilcoo will win this game but their opponents led by new Fermanagh manager Declan Bonner have plenty of motivation to at least make a contest. 

Verdict: Kilcoo.

SUNDAY

AIB Munster Club SFC semi-finals:

Dingle (Kerry) v Mungret St Paul’s (Limerick), Austin Stack Park, 1pm (E. Morrissey, Waterford).

Mungret could be forgiven for squeezing every last bit out of their first Limerick senior football title but the relatively short journey down the N21 is a sobering one. Dingle are not expected to have Mark O’Connor at their disposal but that shouldn’t matter all that much. How they would wish for Barry Dan O’Sullivan around the middle as they begin this campaign but in both halves of the field they have the quality to qualify for a second final in three years. 

Verdict: Dingle.

St Finbarr's (Cork) v Éire Óg, Ennis (Clare), SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary).

One senior provincial final to look forward to, the feelgood factor in Éire Óg and the fact there are several of their hurlers involved here have to count for something. The expanse of Páirc Uí Chaoimh is hardly going to trouble them seeing as Cusack Park is so large itself but coming to a stadium of this size will take some getting used to. Can they put the clamp on Brian Hayes? Football-wise, few have and Steven Sherlock is giving reminder after reminder that his return to the Cork panel is a most welcome one, Verdict: St Finbarrs.

AIB Leinster Club SFC semi-finals:

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Clough-Ballacolla (Laois), UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.30pm (C. Flynn, Westmeath).

Ballyhale are without Adrian Mullen for this one and we would suggest he is injured more than suspended. It was a harsh decision to ban him when he was the one who incurred the injury against Kilcormac-Killoughey. The hosts can absorb his absence as well as the couple of slight concerns over the fitness of Eoin Cody and TJ Reid. 

Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks.

St Martin’s (Wexford) v Naas (Kildare), Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1.30pm (T. Gleeson, Dublin) Live TG4.

When St Martin’s are disciplined, they are a match for anyone as they proved against Na Fianna the last day. Naas will be hoping their opponents exerted themselves too much in that quarter-final and may have their eye off this clash. Under Tom Mullally, they are a solid outfit and can’t be dismissed. Still, the O’Connors are hitting their stride at the moment. 

Verdict: St Martin’s.

AIB Munster Club IFC semi-finals:

Corofin (Clare) v An Ghaeltacht (Kerry), Corofin, 1pm (D. O’Mahoney, Tipperary).

Some of the An Ghaeltacht folk would have famous stories taking the Tarbert ferry with the late Páidí Ó Sé and they will cross the Shannon estuary here full of confidence that they make it a winning trip. Claiming a West Kerry title last weekend, their first in eight years, sets them up nicely. 

Verdict: An Ghaeltacht.

Aghabullogue (Cork) v Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan (Limerick), SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1pm (N. Quinn, Clare).

There’s a real resistance building up in this Aghabullogue group and the Limerick combo are going to have their hands full with the likes of Matthew Bradley and Aaron O’Sullivan at a venue the hosts are acquainted with but the visitors aren’t. It’s been a memorable year for the Muskerry men and it doesn’t appear to be finished yet. 

Verdict: Aghabullogue.

AIB Ulster Club SFC semi-final:

Scotstown (Monaghan) v Seán O’Leary’s, Newbridge (Derry), O’Neills Healy Park, 3.30pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan) Live TG4.

A familiar stage for Scotstown and they are rightful favourites given their experience and Newbridge having only won their first provincial game in two seasons last day out. Conor Doherty and Pádraig McGrogan give heft to the challenge from Derry but there is just too wiliness and talent among the Scotstown crew to be foiled from a fourth final appearance in 10 years.

Verdict: Scotstown.