Summer stories, autumn drama: how every GAA county championship was won in 2026 - and what happens next
James Durcan of Castlebar Mitchels after his side's victory in Mayo; Glen Rovers' talisman, Patrick Horgan; Dr Crokes' Tony Brosnan. Pics: Sportsfile
For the first time since 2015, St. Mary’s are Sligo GAA SFC champions. They downed holders Shamrock Gaels at Markievicz Park, 1-12 to 1-10. Former Leitrim footballer Emlyn Mulligan came off the bench while Nathan Rooney, son of Leitrim legend Aidan, kicked seven points.
Rooney was Man of the Match in the final and his second-half outside-of-the-boot two-pointer is worth looking up. It was a considerable win, especially since the reigning champions beat St Mary’s earlier in the competition. They face Roscommon champions St Brigid’s at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park on Saturday, November 7 in the quarter-final.
: Naomh Eoin beat Easkey, 0-17 to 1-13 in the final and there weren’t too many county final shocks on a par with this one. Easkey, whose campaign last year ended in an agonising one-point defeat to Kilbrittain in the All-Ireland final, reeled in a five-point deficit with 12 minutes to go, only to be undone by Gerard O’Kelly Lynch’s tenth dead ball score of the day. That gave Naomh Eoin their second county title ever and their first since 2019. In the Connacht JHC they play Leitrim's Carrick Hurling at Markievicz Park on Saturday week.
A sensational Tomo Culhane goal in the last minute broke Maigh Cuilinn hearts as their back-to-back bid fell just short, a thrilling decider finishing Salthill-Knocknacarra 2-12 Maigh Cuilinn 1-14. It was a remarkable finish to a thrilling game. Peter Cooke’s superb two-pointer looked to have secured the tie until one final kickout was claimed by Galway midfielder John Maher. With a sweeping move, they worked the ball to Culhane.
Salthill, managed by Finian Hanley, have a stacked team. Seven of them have played serious championship minutes for Galway: Ruairi Lavelle, Cathal Sweeney, Daniel O’Flaherty, John Maher, Matthew Thompson, Tomo Culhane and Rob Finnerty. The likes of Mark Mannion will also be on Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s radar. They play Ballinamore Sean Ó Heslin's at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada on Sunday, November 8 in the quarter-final.
: Loughrea made it three in a row, beating Tommy Larkins, 0-17 to 0-16 last Sunday in the final. It was a year for either last minute winners or else comprehensive wins in the six Connacht county finals, and the Galway decider was firmly in the former category. Tiernan Killeen was the hero for the last year’s All-Ireland senior finalists, landing his fifth point from play to break the hearts of a Tommy Larkins side that looked to be on the cusp of a first title in 55 years when Jason Flynn nudged them into a one-point lead on the hour mark. They will play the Munster SHC champions on the weekend of December 19th/20th.
It took a replay, but Ballinamore Sean Ó Heslin's claimed their 22nd Leitrim SFC title last month, defeating Fenagh St Caillins 3-14 to 0-15. Two of Leitrim’s most exciting forward prospects were among the goals. Paul Honeyman and Tom Prior, who won the Sigerson Cup with DCU last year, both raised orange and green flags in the decider.
The club lost the previous two finals, including a 2024 penalty shoot-out defeat. They lost the first round of their last Connacht championship in 2021 by two points against Galway’s Mountbellew/Moylough.
They play Salthill-Knocknacarra at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada on Sunday, November 8 in the quarter-final.
: Carrick Hurling beat Cluainín Iomáint, 1-15 to 0-11. Dhani Keane’s goal after 42 minutes set Carrick on the road to their 39th title and won back the championship that they relinquished last year. On the form they showed in a scrappy decider however, it’s hard to see them repeating the heroics of 2018, when they became the only Leitrim club to win a Connacht title. They face Sligo's Naomh Eoin in the provincial JHC semi at Markievicz Park on Saturday week.
: Castlebar Mitchels 1-17 Garrymore 0-12. Back on top. Castlebar Mitchels were comfortable on their way to a first Mayo SFC title in nine years as Garrymore’s hopes of a fairytale first title since 1982 came to nothing.
A considerable crowd had gathered at the home of the All-Ireland champions for a triple-header with the junior, intermediate and senior titles all on the line. However, Castlebar roared out of the blocks early on and led 0-7 to no score.
They have inter-county talent all over the field. Former Mayo goalkeeper Rory Byrne was immense between the posts. Donnacha McHugh, Paddy Durcan, John MacMonagle, Bob Tuohy and Sean Morahan were part of Andy Moran’s squad in 2026. They have heritage in the competition, having won Connacht in 2015. That was the last time a Mayo club has won it. They take on Fulham Irish in Ruislip on Saturday, November 14.
: Tooreen beat Ballyhaunis, 2-29 to 0-20 in the Mayo final.. Anything less than a return to Croke Park has to be considered a failure for Tooreen this winter. They’ve reinforced their superiority locally, teenagers Fionn and David Delaney have been sensational in their free-scoring attack, and with six consecutive titles, their record of ten-in-a-row (1978 to 1987) has to be in their sights. In the Connacht IHC quarter final, they've already beaten Four Roads (5-36 to 0-14) and play Brothers Pearse Saturday Nov 7 at the Connacht COE.
: The beaten All-Ireland finalists St Brigids retained their county title for the first time since 2017 after downing rivals Pádraig Pearses, 1-25 to 2-16 after extra time. The pair have been locked in some epics. In 2025, it took a replay for Brigid’s to win it. They went on to reach the showpiece event, where Dingle beat them after extra-time.
Several players are filtering back into that team. Roscommon midfielder Eddie Nolan came off the bench in the final. This year they are managed by former Mayo coach Damien Mulligan. He takes over from Anthony Cunningham.
They face St Mary’s at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park on Saturday, November 7 in the quarter-final.
: Four Roads beat St. Dominic’s, 1-14 to 2-10 to complete a five-in-a-row in Roscommon. In the county final, St. Dominic’s came from six down to level, only for Oisín Finneran to strike a sensational stoppage time winner. The chasing pack locally isn’t far behind though, while an 11th consecutive ‘one and done’ for the Ros winners in Connacht, by the biggest margin yet, asks the question if a drop to junior is merited. They were overwhelmed by Tooreen in the IHC quarter-final
Fulham Irish earned a fifth ever London SFC title in a mad final that saw them ahead 1-10 to no score after 40 minutes. They eventually beat St Kiernan's 1-10 to 1-8. In dreadful conditions, St Kiernan's fought back to make it a one-score game. The victors have several talented club players in their side. It includes Sean Caffrey, who played in the 2025 Dublin SFC final for Na Fianna against Ballyboden, and Ben O’Connell, who played in the 2025 Galway SFC semi-final for Tuam Stars against Maigh Cuilinn.
They take on Castlebar Mitchels at McGovern Park, Ruislip on Saturday, November 14.
: Treacys’ thrilling extra-time win over two-in-a-row champions St. Gabriel’s in the semi-final suggested that they were coming into form at the right time, and they led by 1-16 to 1-12 going into the closing minutes of this decider. The the Brothers' Paul Kennedy hit four points out of his 0-11 tally to level, and Galway native Malcolm Flannery finished the job with a monstrous strike from deep inside his own half. They play a Connacht IHC semi-final against Tooreen at 1.30pm Saturday Nov 7 at the Connacht COE.
: An 11th county title for Rathvilly who gained revenge for last year's final loss to Old Leighlin. With ex-AFL man Brendan Murphy, 37, still going strong at midfield, and Conor Doyle leading the scoring, Rathvilly beat Old Leighlin 0-14 to 1-8 in an arm wrestle of a final. They will return to Netwatch Cullen Park on November 15 for a Leinster club quarter-final against Laois champions Portarlington.
You have to go back almost six weeks to Mount Leinster Rangers’ successful defence of the Willie O’Connor Cup in Netwatch Cullen Park. Chris Nolan was exceptional for the Borris club, scoring 3-6, as they defied St Mullin’s, 3-16 to 1-18. Conor Kehoe was almost as inspirational for St Mullin’s, scoring 1-10, 1-2 from play. Rangers led by five at the break but Kehoe tied up the game in the closing stages only for Nolan to turn it on again to ensure the victory. Mount Leinster Rangers face Kilmacud Crokes in their Leinster Club SHC quarter-final in Netwatch Cullen Park this Sunday Nov 8 at 2.30pm.
: After a high quality semi-final win over holders Ballyboden St Enda's, Cuala crushed Castleknock in a one-sided decider to claim a second title in three seasons. Stuffed with inter-county talent - eight Cuala players featured competitively for Dublin in 2026 - they are Leinster and All-Ireland favourites. But it took a late Con O'Callaghan two-pointer to see off Tullamore in the provincial opener. They'll face Sarsfields of Kildare in a quarter-final under lights at Parnell Park on November 14.
The double wasn’t to be for Cuala as their neighbours Kilmacud Crokes had it all too easy in their showdown. A week after they had a facile win over Castleknock in the football final, Cuala were served a taste of their own medicine in the hurling decider. Eleven points, 2-17 to 0-12, was the difference in Parnell Park as Crokes claimed an eighth title having lost the 2024 final to Na Fianna. Ronan Hayes fired 1-6 and the likes of his brother Brian, Oisín O’Rorke, Fergal Whitely and Conal Ó Riain played fine supporting roles. Crokes make the relatively short trip to Carlow town for this weekend’s quarter-final clash with Mount Leinster Rangers.
KILDARE
Con Kavanagh's goal elevated Sarsfields to victory over Maynooth in the county final, securing a record 26th title for The Sash. Maynooth did a lot of heavy lifting to get there, knocking out holders Athy and then Naas after extra time. Sars' dubious reward for a first title since 2019 is a Leinster quarter-final clash with Cuala, away, on November 14. Like Cuala, Sarsfields have power and pace in Karl Hartley, Cathal White and county man Callum Bolton so it could be a cracker.
Naas powered to an eighth straight senior county hurling title with a 3-13 to 0-11 final victory over Maynooth. The roles were reversed in the football semi-final as challengers Maynooth defied the odds in extra-time but Naas’ hurlers were far too good for that trick to be repeated. Darragh Kirwan’s involvement with the hurlers this year has been a major boon for them although he wasn’t involved in the final. Instead, Simon Leacy led the charge with four points from play and Cathal Dowling scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute when he turned over a ball deep in the Maynooth defence. Naas play host to Kilcormac-Killoughey in what should be a tasty provincial opener in Newbridge on Sunday (3.30pm).
: Long before the summer dry spell and the scorched yellow pitches, Kilkenny's football championship wrapped up. Mullinavat retained their title by beating a Tullogher-Rosbercon side, which contained former Kilkenny hurling star Walter Walsh, 1-15 to 0-11 at the start of May. It was their eighth title in 10 seasons. Six months later, they will play a Leinster club IFC Round 1 tie against Meath intermediate winners Duleek-Bellewstown in Callan this Sunday, November 8.
Tullaroan would have expected a lot more from themselves in their first senior final in 32 years. A win would have seen them rejoin Ballyhale Shamrocks at the top of the roll of honour with 21 SHC titles but their opponents were in mean form. The scoreline was a landslide, 2-24 to 0-8, as Shamrocks retained the Tom Walsh Cup. Tullaroan were kept to just four points from play on an afternoon when Shamrocks once again made UPMC Nowlan Park their playground. Shamrocks had 13 scorers in all, chief among them Adrian Mullen with 1-3 followed by TJ Reid with five points, one from play, and Eoin Cody, whose four were all from play. Shamrocks meet Laois’ representative The Harps in Portlaoise in a provincial quarter-final this Sunday (2pm).
: Portarlington needed a replay to beat Courtwood in 2025 but overcame the same opposition easily in this year's final, by 1-19 to 0-8. Under ex-Kildare star Ronan Sweeney, they breezed to a sixth county crown in seven seasons. Now comes the tricky part - transferring that form to Leinster. They lost provincial semi-finals in 2021, 2022 and 2025 and will return to that penultimate stage if they beat Carlow's Rathvilly, in Carlow, on November 15.
: As manager and/or coach, Ken Hogan has worked the oracle with several teams – Birr, Coolderry and St Rynagh’s – and despite suffering from tonsilitis was able to so again when in his first year in charge of The Harps he brought them to a first ever SHC title. They steamrolled Camross in the final, 2-23 to 0-13, in Portlaoise in the middle of last month. From Eoghan Murphy in the half-back line all the way up to Justin and James Duggan in the corners, there were scoring contributors. Ballyhale Shamrocks will provide quite the provincial baptism in Laois Hire O’Moore Park this weekend.
: Clonguish didn't show holders Killoe much respect in the county final, storming to a 14-point win. County man Michael Flynn capped a strong campaign with 1-9, all but a point of that delivered from open play. Matthew Carey, Conor Smith and Jamie Dorr are three more county players that featured in the narrow Leinster club loss to The Downs last weekend. Flynn delivered 0-10 as Clonguish pushed the 2022 finalists all the way.
: In early September, Longford Slashers were 10-point victors over Wolfe Tones, 1-22 to 1-12, in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. After losing to Tones in the 2024 final, they have beaten them at the last stage these last two seasons. There were only three points between the teams with 10 minutes of normal time remaining but Slashers turned the screw with four points, among them Reuben Murray’s ninth point of the afternoon. David Buckley capped the triumph with an additional time goal. They meet European champions Amsterdam in an intermediate provincial quarter-final in Longford town this Saturday (1.30pm).
: Drogheda outfit Newtown Blues required a replay to beat St Mochta's and maybe those exertions cost them when it came to playing in Leinster a week later. They were surprisingly beaten by Kilanerin-Ballyfad of Wexford in Round 1. Crammed with inter-county talent, including All-Star nominee Ciarán Downey, the Blues definitely expected more. It was Downey that fired the dramatic two-point score the previous weekend which eventually saw off Mochta's after two gruelling games.
: The Paddy Kelly Cup exchanges hands as St Fechin’s reversed the 2025 result, defeating Naomh Moninne 2-18 to 2-16. Ryan Walsh was the hero for Fechin’s in a wire-to-wire victory for the Termonfeckin men. He produced 2-4 and Paddy Lynch sent over five frees on a day when Naomh Moninne rued a significant amount of erratic shooting and indiscipline – they had two men sent off to St Fechin’s one. A point was the difference going into the final quarter but Lynch was in excellent form from general play in the closing stages to see St Fechin’s exact revenge. Last month, they exited the Leinster junior championship, narrowly losing to Clanna Gael Fontenoy in late October, 1-12 to 1-13, in Dublin’s O’Toole Park.
: A first county SFC title for Wolfe Tones in five years came as a surprise. Holders Summerhill - who Tones beat in the semi-final - Ratoath and Dunshaughlin were all fancied ahead of them. Final opponents Donaghmore-Ashbourne had home advantage in Ashbourne for what was their first decider in a decade. Tones, managed by former Louth goalkeeper Shane McCoy, were in control throughout a 1-19 to 0-12 win. They will return to Ashbourne to play Wicklow champions An Tóchar in a November 15 Leinster quarter-final.
: In their first final appearance in 13 years, Kilmessan made it count with a 0-22 to 0-15 win over neighbours Kiltale, who suffered a final defeat for the second season in succession. Played in Trim’s St Loman’s Park, it was title No30 for the most honoured hurling club in the county. Kilmessan finished this final in style, their eight consecutive points between the third and fourth quarters breaking Kiltale. Lorcan Byrne produced six points as the Jubilee Cup returned to Kilmessan who clash with Laois’ Castletown in a Leinster intermediate quarter-final at the Trim venue on Saturday (1.30pm).
: In the fourth consecutive county final between Tullamore and Ferbane, the outcome was a familiar one, Tullamore getting it done. The six-point margin was their largest in that period as they cruised to a four-in-a-row, their fifth title in six seasons. They did it without AFL recruit Cillian Bourke while former captain Johnny Moloney played in the Galway final for Moycullen. Those two losses were felt in last weekend's two-point Leinster club SFC defeat to Cuala.
: Maybe Kilcormac-Killoughey expected it to be as tricky as it was but for most neutrals the four-in-a-row chasers were fancied to see off Ballinamere with ease in Glenisk O’Connor Park last month. The 0-19 to 0-17 scoreline perhaps flattered the challengers who were six points in arrears going into additional time. Brian Duignan’s placed ball expertise saw Ballinamere close the gap but a goal was required and it never came. Kilcormac-Killoughey had played within themselves although Adam Screeney was excellent on frees, scoring seven, and there was a healthy share of scoring from around the middle of the field. Their quarter-final against Naas in Cedral St Conleth’s Park on Sunday should be a cracker.
: The Downs are a resilient bunch, that's for sure. Jonathan Lynam and Luke Loughlin both fast tracked their recoveries from serious knee and hamstring injuries to help their club retain the county title. Loughlin scored seven points in the final. They beat John Heslin's St Loman's by a single point and went to war again with Clonguish of Longford in Round 1 of Leinster, winning that game by two points last weekend. It's Kilanerin-Ballyfad next, in Mullingar, on November 15.
: Whoever won this year’s final, there was going to be some element of novelty. Raharney hadn’t won the Westmeath Examiner Cup in three years, while Lough Lene Gaels were hoping to bridge a 24-year to the previous success. They did so on a tight scoreline, 1-16 to 0-16. The only goal was scored by captain David Williams from a penalty. He amassed 1-10 in total, all but one from placed balls. Raharney’s Jamie Mulkearns was shown a second yellow card for fouling Marcus Kennedy for the foul and the Collinstown men jumped into a five-point lead. But back Raharney came and there was just a solitary point between them prior to the Gaels, who also lost Kennedy to a red card, securing the win. Shelmaliers are their senior quarter-final opponents in TEG Cusack Park on Sunday Nov 8 (1.30pm).
: Prior to last month, Kilanerin hadn't won a county SFC title since 2008, when Matty Forde was in full flow. Páraic and Niall Hughes are their county stars now and both converted two-pointers in their 1-15 to 0-12 final win over St Martin's. Substitute Seán Forde, Matty's nephew, scored the match winning point in last weekend's surprise Leinster club Round 1 win over Newtown Blues. That was a rare win for a Wexford club and they'll travel to Mullingar to play The Downs in a quarter-final next weekend.
: Former Kilkenny star Richie Power is quickly growing a reputation as a coach and manager and his Shelmaliers side caused an upset when they dismissed Rathnure St Anne’s in last month’s decider in Chadwick Wexford Park, 1-18 to 2-13. Rathnure had claimed the scalp of 2024 and ’25 champions St Martin’s in the semi-final but they left it too late against Shelmaliers, who had previously tasted success in 2014 and ’20. Shelmaliers had threatened to blow Rathnure away when they led 1-15 to 1-4 almost 10 minutes into the second half. Backed by the wind, Rathnure returned fire but Shelmaliers, led by Ross Banville (0-12, eight frees) and goal-denying Simon Donohoe, held out to lift the Dr Bowe Cup. They travel to Mullingar to face Lough Lene Gaels in provincial fare this weekend.
: Roundwood's An Tóchar took the concession of an early goal in their stride to beat Blessington comfortably in the county final, 0-21 to 1-7. It was their first Wicklow success since 1995 but with Tailteann Cup winners Gavin Fogarty, Darragh Fee, Matt Nolan, John Paul Nolan and Conor Fee all involved, they surely won't have to wait as long again. Conor Fee hit 0-10 from play and will be a marked man when they travel to face Meath's Wolfe Tones in Leinster next weekend.
The opposition may have changed from last year but the outcome was the same for Carnew Emmets as they successfully defended the O’Donoghue Cup, beating Glenaly 0-15 to 0-12. This win in Aughrim’s Echelon Park was as tough, if not tougher than the previous season’s win over Bray Emmets. Carnew led by four at the break, 0-10 to 0-6, and Pádraig Doran’s free-taking was crucial in them keeping ahead of Glenealy, who relied too much on frees. Carnew scored 11 points from play to Glenealy’s six as Emmets landed a 21st title. It’s Parnell Park next for them on Saturday as they take on Fingallians in a Leinster IHC last-eight clash (1.30pm).
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: The red grip of Éire Óg Ennis has tightened further. Three-in-a-row and a fifth Jack Daly Cup in six seasons. Not since the five-in-a-row by Kilrush during the second half of the 1970s has a club football team in Clare exerted such dominance. The 2-15 to 1-10 final scoreline against Kilmurry-Ibrickane marked their largest winning margin of the five Banner crowns they’ve accumulated this decade alone.
Given the inter-county pedigree running throughout their team, including Manus Doherty, Aaron Fitzgerald, Ciaran Russell, Ronan Lanigan, Ikem Ugwueru, and Mark McInerney, if the Ennis outfit can manage a successful road trip to Dungarvan this weekend, where Rathgormack will provide the welcome, they’ll fancy an upset when hosting Dr Crokes next time out.
: A historic first Canon Hamilton Cup for Inagh-Kilnamonatarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">. And not content with that first set of local ribbons, they’ve since gone down to Páirc Uí Rinn where they outworked and outthought the Glen for a maiden Munster victory at the first attempt. With home advantage theirs for the Nov 15 semi-final against Thurles Sars, Eugene Cullinan’s charges will know a first Munster final appearance - which would make them the fourth Clare club to reach the decider over the past five years - is a real possibility.
And while James and Fred Hegarty, Seán Rynne, and David Fitzgerald have all been so impressive at different junctures along the still ongoing road, leading the journey is Aidan McCarthy. Each display has been a notice to Brian Lohan that Clare cannot do without him in 2027.
: After an opening day setback to Newcestown and a group campaign where they were plagued by injuries to key players Colin Molloy, Mark Cronin, Bryan Hayes, Barry Cripps, and Conor Horgan, Nemo Rangerstarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> survived and proceeded to turn in a most authoritative knockout phase - in true Nemo style - where they outplayed Castlehaven in the quarters and outfought the Barrs on the concluding Sunday to avoid a fourth consecutive county final defeat.
Mark Cronin said after the 1-19 to 2-12 pillar-to-post final victory that, in his mind, the 2022 county had been tainted by their inability to back it up two weeks later against Clonmel Commercials in the Munster quarter-final. Their latest Munster opener is again at home to Tipp opposition, Loughmore-Castleiney visit Páirc Ui Rinn this Sunday (1.15pm).
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: Three years after they were relegated from the top-flight of Cork hurling for the first time in the club’s famed history, those responsible for Glen Rovers’ darkest hour redeemed themselves and consigned the 2023 relegation chapter firmly into the rearview mirror with a first Little All-Ireland since 2016.
Their county final line-up showed six players who hadn’t started the relegation play-off defeat to Kanturk three years earlier, and it was two of these first-team newcomers, midfielder Rhys Dunne and corner-back Eoin Varian, who achieved headline status in the 2-20 to 0-23 throwback all-city final victory over the Barrs. Dunne rose three white flags, had a hand in two more, and assisted both goals. Eoin Viaran, meanwhile, floated off the field so content with his tagging of William Buckley. It was another youngster, Eoin O’Leary, who stood above all, notching 2-2 from play for an overall championship total of 5-13.
The Glen’s foray into Munster was brief. Beaten comprehensively by first-time Clare champions Inagh-Kilnamona at the quarter-final stage, it meant a 15th Munster defeat in 18 outings for the Cork champions going all the way back to 2009. A shocking record.
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: Dr Crokes righted a wasteful club final defeat to Rathmore by going the distance in the county championship five weeks later. Nine unanswered points between the 55th and 60th minute turned a two-point deficit into a 1-23 to 2-13 lead and, in the process, denied Kenmare Shamrocks a first-ever Bishop Moynihan Cup. Beat Austin Stacks 3-26 to 3-21 in the game of the championship in the last eight. Edmund O’Sullivan’s charges are away to Éire Óg Ennis or Rathgormack in the Munster semi-final on November 22.
: Abbeydorney completed a first three-in-a-row of Kerry SHC titles since Ballyduff at the beginning of the last decade. It was an utterly convincing defence, with no team coming closer than five points of them across the championship.
Beaten Munster Intermediate semi-finalists in ‘24 and beaten quarter-finalists in ‘25, last weekend’s Michael O’Leary-led victory over Clashmore-Kinsalebeg has presented them with the opportunity to reach the provincial decider at the third attempt when they host St Mary’s of Clonmel on Sunday week.
: Where it was Kyle Hayes’ Kildimo-Pallaskenry who, en route to a first-ever final appearance, had beaten the three clubs - Mungret St Paul’s, Newcastle West, and Adare - to share the last 10 Limerick football crowns between them, it was Fr Casey’s who ultimately were last men standing.
Last weekend’s 0-16 to 2-8 win marked the Abbeyfeale club’s first county in 20 years. The next gap they will attempt to bridge, albeit a much shorter one, is a first Munster Club victory by the Limerick football champions since Newcastle West’s semi-final win over Clonmel in 2022. To do so, they’ll have to win away to either Nemo or Loughmore-Castleiney. Tough, tough ask.
: Shane O’Brien and Pierce Connery were mascots when Kilmallock ruled locally in 2012 and ‘14. On the October Bank Holiday weekend, the pair top-scored - 1-10 was their combined total - to dethrone Na Piarsaigh and deliver Kilmallock their 13th Treaty title. Ballygunner, at Walsh Park on Sunday week, is an incredibly difficult Munster assignment. In the 2021 provincial final, Ballygunner whacked them 3-20 to 1-12.
: A phenomenal 10th Tipp triumph since 2013, across both codes, for the tireless dual operators of Loughmore-Castleiney. Add in the 2007 hurling success and the recent 0-15 to 0-13 win over back-to-back chasing Clonmel delivered an 11th county senior medal for Noel McGrath.
Can they this Sunday on Leeside correct a poor Munster record which has seen all those recent football forays outside Premier borders deliver just a solitary victory, that the 2024 semi-final over Éire Óg Ennis.
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: Moycarkey-Borris brought the colour and the crowd to Tipp’s concluding Sunday. They brought 42 years of waiting and a freshly penned song. There was to be no fairytale, though. Thurles Sarsfields torpedoed all such sentimental notions. A ruthless capturing of their 37th Tipp crown and an end to their nine-year famine. In a line-up containing four Stakelum brothers, it was Eoin Purcell and his 1-4 from play that stood out in the 1-19 to 1-11 relative stroll.
The curtain lifts on their five-week lay-off the weekend after next when traveling to Ennis to face Inagh-Kilnamona
: A first-ever four-in-a-row for Rathgormack. Their nine-point winning margin over the Nire, who they also bested 12 months previously, represented their most comprehensive victory of the quartet.
None of the three most recent Munster campaigns have brought a victory. Can they rectify that losing run at home to Éire Óg Ennis (Fraher Field) this Sunday?
: Copy and paste from 12 months ago. Copy and paste from the past 12 years. A 13th Déise title on the trot for unmatched Ballygunner. Trailing Fourmilewater by three on 53 minutes, the All-Ireland champions had to summon all their experience to find an unanswered and decisive 1-4 down the stretch. Mark Hartley’s injury-time goal was the clincher for a 1-16 to 0-15 defence. The campaign for a fifth Munster crown this decade begins with a semi-final at home to Kilmallock on November 15.
: St Brigid’s, only formed in 1998, won a first ever title with a 0-21 to 1-16 win over Rossa in a novel final, with JJ Higgins and Ronan McGrady kicking a combined 0-13. St Brigid’s have a first ever Ulster game against Edendork on Sunday, November 8, in Dungannon’s O’Neill Park.
: Dunloy beat Cushendall 1-19 to 1-13 to land the Volunteer Cup for a 17th title since their first in 1990. Conal Cunning clipped 10 points as they took home the silver for the first time since 2022. Their prize is a date with Portaferry on Sunday, November 15 in the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
: They belted out the familiar “the Rangers once again” song as Crossmaglen picked up a 48th title at the expense of local rivals Killeavy, 1-19 to 0-17. Pearse Blessing finished the game’s only goal in a team backboned by the scoring return of the O’Neill brothers. Cross go in search of a 12th Ulster title when they take on Gowna on Saturday, November 7 in Kingspan Breffni Park.
: Conor Corvan led Keady to a first since 2018 as they overcame arch-rivals Middletown (0-17 to 0-15). They opened their Ulster intermediate campaign with victory over Newry Shamrocks last weekend to set-up a semi-final with Cushendun on Saturday, November 14.
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: Gowna are champions in Cavan thanks to a superb team performance in the final that ended Kingscourt’s reign as champions, 4-17 to 0-14. Oisin Pierson hit 1-3 in a team littered by various sets of Brady and Madden brothers. They welcome Crossmaglen to Kingspan Breffni on Saturday, November 7.
: Cootehill Celtic landed their 10th title this year, beating East Cavan Gaels in the final by 3-24 to 3-8. Their Ulster junior hopes were dashed last weekend, going down to a fancied Sarsfields side form Antrim, 4-19 to 1-17.
: Magherafelt dethroned Newbridge with Conall Higgins kicking 0-9 in a 3-17 to 0-20 victory. The ‘Bridge pulled a 12-point deficit back to just two points but goals from Aidan McCluskey and Cormac Murphy steered them home. They now face reigning Ulster champions Scotstown on Sunday, November 8, in Clones.
: Reigning Ulster champions Sleacht Néill won a staggering 14th title in a row. Brendan Rogers was sent off early in the final against Kevin Lynch’s but Cormac O’Doherty steer the champions to victory. They will play Dunloy or Portaferry in the Ulster final on Sunday, November 29.
: It was the late, late show from Niall O’Donnell and Ciarán Moore who shot St Eunan’s to glory in the final against Naomh Conaill, 1-16 to 1-15. O’Donnell’s two pointer levelled matters before Moore kicked the winner. They take on Erne Gaels in Ulster on Saturday, November 7, in Brewster Park.
: It was the same late story here. St Eunan’s needed extra time to steer clear of champions Setanta. Fearghal Delaney’s extra time goal helped them to a 1-18 to 1-17 win. They beat Castleblayney in Ulster intermediate race last weekend and now face last year’s beaten champions Lisbellaw in the semi-final on Saturday, November 14.
: Clonduff ended a 26-year gap to take home the Frank O’Hare Cup. Burren had knocked Kilcoo out but they came up short in the final. Clonduff were 1-14 to 1-10 winners with Eamon Brown leading the charge with seven points. Their Ulster run was short-lived, losing last weekend to Edendork 0-17 to 0-12 but it has been a year to remember.
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: In a year when they lost sporting icon Ciara Mageean, Portaferry won a fifth successive title. They had Tom McGrattan back and he hit 0-13 in 2-28 to 1-17 win over Ballygalget. They now face Dunloy in the Ulster semi-final in the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Sunday, November 15.
: With Ultán Kelm picking up his third successive man of the match award in the final, Erne Gaels made it three titles in a row with victory over Derrygonnelly, 1-21 to 1-12. Kelm bagged 1-7 and they now step into Ulster. They take on St Eunan’s on Saturday, November 7 in Brewster Park.
Hurling: Lisbellaw were once again the top side in the county and went straight into the Ulster intermediate Championship. They were two-point winners over Dungannon last weekend, setting up a semi-final with St Eunan’s on Saturday, November 14.
: With a mix of younger guns freshening their pack, Scotstown were comfortable winners over Truagh in the final. Rory Beggan and Max Maguire were the main scorers with Ryan O’Toole hitting the net in a 1-22 to 0-10 win. They put their Ulster title on the line against Magherafelt in Clones on Sunday, November 8.
: It was a 36th title for Castleblayney with a 2-17 to 1-14 win over Truagh. Their challenge for an elusive first Ulster intermediate title ended last weekend at the hands of St Eunan’s.
: Edendork followed on from Loughmacrory by lifting the O’Neill Cup for the first time. It took a replay and Niall Morgan’s late two-point free in a 1-14 to 1-13 win. Darren McCurry was also on form as they marked a magical night. They continued their dream season with victory over Clonduff in Ulster. They now face St Brigid’s on Sunday, November 8 in O’Neill Park in Dungannon.
: Eoghan Ruadh Dungannon beat last year’s Ulster intermediate champions Éire Óg Carrickmore 1-16 to 2-10. Their hopes of following in Carrickmore’s footsteps in Ulster were dashed in defeat to Lisbellaw last weekend.
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