Weekend GAA previews: Scotstown have been better road tested, Athenry a solid fancy

Predicting all the weekend's GAA action.

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025 - 16:30

John Fogarty

SATURDAY

AIB Ulster SFC final:

Kilcoo (Down) v Scotstown (Monaghan), Box-It Athletic Grounds, 6.15pm (S. Hurson, Tyrone) Live TG4.

Following the clubs’s previous meeting at the provincial semi-final stages two years ago, Rory Beggan spoke of how his father Ben ribs him about his record of three Ulster titles and the Monaghan goalkeeper yet to win one. Scotstown have come damn close in Beggan’s time, losing after extra-time in two games and two points short of Glen two years ago. The incentive for them is obvious and the prolonged semi-final against Newbridge will be an advantage to them now that they havehad two weeks off. Kilcoo are a slick outfit and have their own share of heartache in recent years but they have not been as tested as Scotstown and in what is almost sure to be a one-score game, that counts for a lot.

Verdict: Scotstown.

AIB All-Ireland Ladies Club SFC final:

Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway) v St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass (Antrim), Croke Park, 4pm (R. McBride, Dublin) Live TG4 Player and deferred.

Moneyglass could be forgiven if they were still glowing after dismissing a Kilmacud Crokes side that were heavily fancied to return to an All-Ireland final after steamrolling their way through Leinster. It was an almighty scalp but the question now being asked is have they played their final. The reigning champions, aiming for five-in-a-row, are forewarned and won’t be taking their opponents lightly.

Verdict: Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

AIB All-Ireland Ladies Club IFC final:

Caltra Cuans (Galway) v Knockbride (Louth), Croke Park, 2pm (K. Phelan, Laois) TG4 Player.

Both teams came through low-scoring semi-finals but on the immaculate expanses of Croke Park the Connacht champions look best placed to prosper.

Verdict: Caltra Cuans.

AIB All-Ireland Junior Club Camogie final:

Brídiní Óga Glenravel (Antrim) v St Dominic’s (Roscommon), Ashbourne, 2pm (S. Redmond, Dublin).

Verdict: Brídiní Óga Glenravel.

AIB All-Ireland Junior B Club Camogie Junior B final:

Éire Óg, Carrickmore (Tyrone) v St Kevin’s (Louth), Abbotstown, 12.45pm (K. Collins, Galway).

Verdict: Éire Óg, Carrickmore.

SUNDAY

AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie final:

Athenry (Galway) v St Finbarr’s (Cork), Croke Park, 4.15pm (R. Kelly, Kildare) Live RTÉ2.

If this final is anything like these clubs’ semi-finals then viewers are in for a treat on Sunday. Ciara Golden was the St Finbarr’s hero when she scored late in extra-time to see her club through to the final. Loughgiel, runners-up three years ago, were an awkward team to take down and they now know what is required outside of Munster.

Athenry dismissed former champions Dicksboro in their semi-final and as much as there is a novelty about this final, the Barrs having never reached this point and Athenry making their first final appearance since 2009, to down Sarsfields like they did in Galway has put huge wind in their sails. A win is not beyond St Finbarr's but Athenry, if Eimear Keane and Sabina Rabbitte are prominent, are a solid fancy.

Verdict: Athenry.

AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Camogie final:

Ballincollig (Cork) v Camross (Laois), Croke Park, 2pm (J. Mullins, Clare) RTÉ Player.

As mentioned in these pages during the week, Ballincollig’s decision to drop a grade was a tough one but they have embraced it and are now faced with the prospect of the club’s first-ever All-Ireland final. Camross are a goal-hungry side – eight goals in their last two games – but Ballincollig can negate a lot of what will be thrown at them.

Verdict: Ballincollig.

AIB All-Ireland Ladies Club JFC final:

Cromane (Kerry) v Muckalee (Kilkenny), Parnell Park, 12pm (E. Cuthbert, Down).

The way Cromane absorbed what Cavan Gaels threw at them in the second half of their semi-final indicates they are in a good place ahead of this decider.

Verdict: Cromane.