Weekend GAA previews: Inagh-Kilnamona have size to trump Thurles

Elsewhere St Finbarr's could take advantage of tiring Gaultier

Sean Rynne makes his way onto the pitch before the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final match between Glen Rovers and Inagh-Kilnamona. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

SATURDAY 

AIB Munster Club Senior final: St Finbarr’s (Cork) vs Gaultier (Waterford), FBD Semple Stadium, 1.30pm. Live Clubber

It’s the one question people have been asking – just how much last weekend’s provincial football final extra-time draw with Aghada has taken out of the Gaultier’s dual players? They will have parked thoughts of the replay and focused on recovery but a talent-laden St Finbarr’s have no such distractions and Gaultier’s difficulty can be their opportunity. 

Verdict: St Finbarr’s.

AIB Munster Club JHC semi-finals: Caherline (Limerick) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Caherconlish, 1.15pm (P. O’Mahoney, Cork). Live Clubber

The Killarney men won their first intermediate county title in six years back in early August and it’s asking a lot of them to defy what should be a sharper team on their own soil. 

Verdict: Caherline.

Fethard (Tipperary) v Kilshannig (Cork), Fethard GAA, 1.15pm (E. O’Leary, Clare). Live Clubber

Fethard will be thankful for the challenge they were presented by Ennistymon in the quarter-final. Kilshannig’s dramatic county win over St Catherine’s was only a few weeks ago and there should be enough in the tank to edge another win. 

Verdict: Kilshannig.

AIB Connacht SFC semi-final: Fulham Irish (London) v Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo), McGovern Park, 1pm.

Complacency is the one thing the visitors have to be mindful of here. Fulham Irish were tanked by Ballina Stephenites in Castlebar three years ago but in Ruislip they should be able to make a better fist of this even if the result doesn’t go their way. 

Verdict: Castlebar Mitchels.

AIB Leinster Club SFC quarter-final: Cuala (Dublin) v Sarsfields (Kildare), Parnell Park, 4.45pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath) Live RTÉ2.

That testing game against Tullamore was the ideal way for the Dublin champions to prepare for the visits of Kildare bluebloods Sarsfields. It served as a reminder that they won’t have everything their own way in Leinster but would have done wonders for their preparations. 

Verdict: Cuala.

SUNDAY 

AIB Munster Club SHC semi-finals: Inagh-Kilnamona (Clare) v Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary), Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 1.15pm (T. Walsh, Waterford) Live TG4.

Given how disappointing Glen Rovers were in the quarter-final in Páirc Uí Rinn, it is difficult to assess if Inagh-Kilnamona were as good as it appeared they were. There is no question they have quality all over the field and the physical presence to combat Thurles Sarsfields, whose young turks like Euan Murray are really firing. The visitors have plenty of nous themselves and Ronan Maher is a fitter man than he was in the middle of October but Inagh-Kilnamona’s size may be the margin. 

Verdict: Inagh-Kilnamona.

Ballygunner (Waterford) v Kilmallock (Limerick), Azzurri Walsh Park, 1.15pm (N. Malone, Clare) Live Clubber.

If the Kilmallock management are focused, they will lean into the fact that TG4 plumped for the other semi-final rather than theirs featuring the All-Ireland champions. Eleven weeks may have passed since Ballygunner’s last outing but the Limerick winners are considered quarry here. There are some exciting potential match-ups here – Dessie Hutchinson v Jackie Dwane and Ian Kenny v Shane O’Brien to name but two. Kilmallock didn’t cover themselves in glory the last time they faced Ballygunner in the 2021 Munster final but they should give a better account here albeit a losing one. 

Verdict: Ballygunner.

AIB Munster Club IHC semi-finals: Abbeydorney (Kerry) v St Mary’s, Clonmel (Tipperary), Austin Stack Park, 2pm (S. Scanlon, Cork). Live Clubber

Abbeydorney are looking to become the first Kerry team to reach the provincial intermediate final since Kilmoyley five years ago and only the second in 11 seasons. Beating Ballincollig like they did, St Mary’s have to be full of confidence. Peter McGarry and Seamus Kennedy, who recently stepped away from the inter-county scene, can guide them to the final. 

Verdict: St Mary’s, Clonmel.

Dromin-Athlacca (Limerick) v Clarecastle (Clare), Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, 1.15pm (C. O’Donovan, Tipperary). Live Clubber

Dromin-Athlacca know they can’t afford to be hanging on for dear life for the second game in a row. Will they get to that position, is the question. The Davids, Breen and Reidy, have been excellent and will need to be again to stunt a Clarecastle side who powered to an intermediate title in Clare and have a variety of scoring options. 

Verdict: Clarecastle.

AIB Connacht SFC semi-final: Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) v St Brigid’s (Roscommon), ECC Pearse Stadium, 3.15pm Live TG4.

It’s understandable that St Brigid’s are favourites when they breezed through their quarter-final whereas Salthill-Knocknacarra had more of a game of it in Carrick-on-Shannon. But it’s not just that – they have players who are versed in this stage. There’s no question from midfield up that Salthill-Knocknacarra can compete with anybody but St Brigid’s appear the more balanced since with the Stacks defence. 

Verdict: St Brigid’s.

AIB Leinster Club SFC quarter-finals: The Downs (Westmeath) v Kilanerin-Ballyfad (Wexford), TEG Cusack Park, 1.30pm (A. Nolan, Wicklow). Live Clubber

The hosts pack quite a punch in their attack with Luke Loughlin back to his best and Niall Mitchell. It will take a massive effort for Kilarnein-Ballyfad to take them down. 

Verdict: The Downs.

Wolfe Tones (Meath) v An Tóchar (Wicklow), Donaghmore-Ashbourne GAA, 1.30pm (K. Williamson, Offaly). Live Clubber

The quality of teams An Tóchar saw off to win an historic Wicklow SFC title can’t be sniffed at but this is a considerable step-up and Wolfe Tones know better than most how to get the job done. 

Verdict: Wolfe Tones.

Rathvilly (Carlow) v Portarlington (Laois), Netwatch Cusack Park, 2.30pm (I. Howley (Dublin). Live Clubber

Portarlington are at the stage where they must be asking themselves are they going to make their county dominance translate to anything more. Rathvilly are a doughty bunch but Portarlington to advance.

Verdict: Portarlington.

AIB Ulster Club SHC semi-final: St Patrick’s, Portaferry (Down) v Dunloy Cuchullains (Antrim), Box-It Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm (T. Conway, Derry).

An awkward enough semi-final for Dunloy. Portaferry have put it up to Slaughtneil and Cushendall the last few seasons. Any type of win will do the Antrim men. 

Verdict: Dunloy Cuchullains.