Weekend Football previews: Crossmaglen Rangers may be peaking at just the right time
Crossmaglen’s Odhran Kieran with Daire Dooley of Culloville Blues. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
With holders Athy out - they lost an extra-time quarter-final to Maynooth - Group D winners Naas are strong tournament favourites. Jimmy Higgins' unbeaten Naas overcame Johnstownbridge in the quarter-finals, but weren't terribly convincing and Darragh Kirwan is an injury doubt.
Verdict: Naas
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A 13th consecutive semi-final for Celbridge who have only won three of those dozen outings. Celbridge won whent the teams last contested a semi-final in 2024. But Vinny Walsh's Sarsfields are in form and beat Moorefield 1-20 to 1-7 in the quarter-finals.
Verdict: Sarsfields
With Páirc Tailteann undergoing redevelopment, Donaghmore-Ashbourne have a chance to win the title, a first since the club was reconstituted in 1996, on home soil. They've blazed a trail since their opening round loss to Kells, powering past a fancied Ratoath in the semi-finals. Evan Quinn, Kevin Fenton and Darragh McGovern are stylists and make things happen for Donaghmore-Ashbourne. But the Féis Cup holders will face a well balanced and experienced Tones side managed by former Louth goalkeeper Shane McCoy.
Verdict: Wolfe Tones
It took a replay to separate these south Roscommon rivals last year, St Brigid's eventually shaking off the 2024 champions and marching on to the brink of All-Ireland success. Both clubs have contested Connacht finals in the last two seasons. St Brigid's have enjoyed a relatively smooth path back to the final whereas Pearses needed extra time to win their quarter and semi-final ties. Their 5-22 to 2-27 semi-final win over Boyle, was described as one of the most exciting ever played at Dr Hyde Park, where they'll return to.
Verdict: St Brigid's
This will be a different challenge altogether for Dessie Hutchinson and Gaultier who held Stradbally scoreless for three quarters of last weekend's comfortable quarter-final win. Three-in-a-row champions Rathgormack stand in the way of Gaultier and a first final in 30 years.
Verdict: Rathgormack
Managed by ex-Louth forward Shane Lennon, Crossmaglen are targeting a first title since 2023. With O'Neills - Rian, Oisín and Aaron - all ripping it up, along with Cian McConville, they could be peaking at the right time following two earlier defeats. Rian O'Neill's red card in the semi-final defeat of Clann Eireann was cleared so he'll start. Armagh defender Gareth Murphy, Callum O'Hare and Fergal Boylan are important figures for a Killeavy side managed by Stevie McDonnell and in a first final since 1988.
Verdict: Crossmaglen Rangers
After losing to the eventual winners in each of the last three seasons, St Brigid's beat holders Dunloy, 0-17 to 0-8, to reach a first ever final. It'll be the first all-Belfast decider since 2017 and opportunity equally knocks for Rossa too who last contested a final in 1991. Antrim's Dominic McEnhill is a potential matchwinner for Rossa.
Verdict: St Brigid's
Wexford and Leinster club SHC winners last winner, the St Martin's club chase a rare county SFC crown this weekend. It is a big ask, not just because they won the intermediate title just last year, but because their large dual contingent lost a county SHC semi-final to Rathnure after extra time last weekend. Opportunity knocks then for a fully fit Kilanerin, who beat St Martin's in the round-robin in July. But they will have to shackle St Martin's former AFL player Barry O'Connor.
Verdict: Kilanerin
A potential three-in-a-row for Éire Óg, a potential third final defeat for Kilmurry Ibrickane since they claimed their last title in 2020. That's a negative spin from The Bricks' point of view, of course, and 14 goals scored in just five games and, remarkably, none conceded, Enda Coughlan can feel confident about his team's chances. Evan Talty's coaching nous is a big help too. Éire Óg have Seánie Buckley fulfilling that role, and he's been a big factor in their four titles in five seasons. A county SHC semi-final loss doesn't appear to have affected their 14 dual players.
Verdict: Éire Óg
Fast starts have become St Eunan's calling card but keeping it going for the hour is the hard part. They were almost caught by Gweedore in the semi-finals. Conor O'Donnell and Shane O'Donnell, with 0-44 between them, bring huge athleticism in attack, with Ciarán Moore behind them. And Shaun Patton is the best goalkeeper in the county. But Naomh Conaill, the holders, are the ultimate dogs of war, as they displayed again in the extra-time semi-final win over Glenswilly. Shea Malone is their principal scorer and Ciarán Thompson their main two-point threat. All eyes will be on Glenties centre-back Finnbarr Roarty after his AFL agreement.
Verdict: Naomh Conaill
This will be Ulster champions Scotstown's 14th county SFC final in a row. They are targeting a four-in-a-row to match their 2015 to 2018 winning streak. They met Truagh Gaels in the 2021 final, bouncing back from a slow start to win by six. All their big names are still flying - Rory Beggan, Ryan O'Toole, the Hughes brothers, Conor McCarthy, Jack McCarron - but veteran defender Damien McArdle missed the semi-final and is a fitness doubt. Truagh battled hard - three players were treated for blood injuries - in their 4-16 to 2-19 semi-final win over Clontibret.
Verdict: Scotstown
The Blues have lost two finals, in 2025 and 2022, since completing a three-in-a-row of wins in 2019. Led by the evergreen Andy McDonnell, and rising star Conor MacCriosta, they took out heavyhitters Ardee in the last four. In a preview event for the final, Blues and Louth attacker Ciarán Downey described Mochtas as 'a proper team'. But the Louth Village club will need big performances from ex-AFL player Ciaran Byrne and county U-20 Shane Lennon to capture a first-ever title. Particularly so as 2024 All-Star Craig Lennon (ACL) remains absent.
Verdict: Newtown Blues
A familiar final pairing with 13 of the last 14 titles carved up between the clubs. Clonmel topped their group so Loughmore-Castleiney, who finished second in Group 3, had an game extra and scored five goals against JK Brackens, apparently igniting their title charge. They scored two more when coming from behind to defeat Kilsheelan-Kilcash narrowly while Clonmel, powered by captain Séamus Kennedy, Seán O'Connor and Peter McGarry, were more comfortable six-point semi-final winners against Moyle Rovers. Clonmel will be desperate to claim the new Philly Ryan Cup, commissioned in honour of their late clubmate.
Verdict: Clonmel Commercials
A repeat of the 2025 decider which Old Leighlin won by 1-11 to 0-13, courtesy of Cathal Coughlan's winning point. The holders stumbled in the group, losing three games in a row - including a 17-point drubbing by Rathvilly - and only beat Bagenalstown in the final round because of an incorrectly awarded two-pointer. They beat the same team by eight points in a quarter-final and then took out Éire Óg. Rathvilly, with ex-AFL man Brendan Murphy back involved, are unbeaten and should have Carlow defender Colin Byrne available after a hand injury.
Verdict: Rathvilly
Gowna's campaign started with a draw but they built momentum and marched through the knock-out stages with big wins over Ramor United and Crosserlough. Their first-half display against Crosserlough - they led by 14 points at half time - underlined their quality. Ex-Monaghan manager Vinny Corey is in charge, with Laois' Ross Munnelly coaching. Oisín Pierson, Ryan Donohoe and Conor Brady are a selection of their stars. Kingscourt, significantly, beat Gowna in last year's final. Meath's Jordan Morris remains their biggest asset.
Verdict: Gowna
All logic points to Cuala, All-Ireland champions as recently as last year, clinching a third Dublin SFC title in three seasons. They edged a ferocious, hugely physical and high-quality semi-final against holders and reigning Leinster champions Ballyboden St Enda's. Worryingly, Con O'Callaghan wasn't even close to his best. Dublin's Eoin Kennedy was their key man that day. Michael Fitzsimons is still going strong at full-back too with Dublin's Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne at midfield. It's a shot to nothing for 2016 finalists Castleknock who have veteran Ciaran Kilkenny quarter-backing for them. They finished their semi-final strongly, outscoring Thomas Davis 0-12 to 0-2 down the home straight.
Verdict: Cuala
Big names trip off the tongue when you start listing off Edendork's leaders; Niall Morgan, Darren McCurry, Conn Kilpatrick. Yet the club has never contested a final whilst opponents Errigal Ciarán have taken two of the last four titles, and 11 in total. They're managed by Enda McGinley and required a stoppage-time penalty save to see off holders Loughmacrory in the semi-finals. Morgan fired six points in Edendork's semi win over Donaghmore.
Verdict: Errigal Ciarán
Another commanding display like their quarter-final whitewashing of An Rinn would go down well for Benji Whelan's Abbeyside/Ballinacourty.
Verdict: The Nire
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