GAA – AIB Club Championship Previews

Four AIB GAA Provincial Finals On Weekend Agenda

The cancellation of the AIB Connacht GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final due to the bad weather last Sunday means that there will be four deciders across the four provinces on the programme this afternoon

Corofin (Galway) and Charlestown (Mayo) face each other in the re-fixed Connacht football final while it’s Loup (Derry) v St. Gall’s (Antrim) in the Ulster football final.

In senior hurling, it’s final day in Leinster and Munster. Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) will take on Tullamore (Offaly) in the Leinster final while it’s Newtownshandrum (Cork) v Ballygunner (Waterford) in the Munster final.

A decision on the re-fixed Clara (Offaly) v Portlaoise (Laois) Leinster senior football semi-final, which was abandoned in the second half last Sunday due to the bad weather, will be announced later.

AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Final

Sunday: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Tullamore (Offaly), O’Connor Park,Tullamore, 2.15.

Ballyhale are bidding to win the title for the third time in four seasons and for the seventh time overall. If they achieve that, they will join Birr (Offaly) at the top of the Leinster honours title with seven titles, having previously triumphed in 2008-2006-1989-1983-1980-1978.

Tullamore are appearing in the final for the first time, having made the breakthrough in Offaly after a 45-year wait. Led by player-manager, former Offaly star, Kevin Martin and with current inter-county star, Shane Dooley as their top scorer they are hoping to make it another special day in what has already been a great year for the club. They beat Clonkill (Westmeath) to reach the final whereas Ballyhale have had two outings, beating Oulart-the-Ballagh (Wexford) in extra-time and Ballyboden-St.Enda’s (Dublin).

Paths to the final:

Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-20 Oulart the Ballagh 1-21 (Wexford) (after extra-time)
Ballyhale Shamrocks 4-18 Ballyboden St.Enda’s (Dublin) 0-18
Ballyhale Top Scorers
Henry Shefflin….1-13
TJ Reid…………….3-6
Eoin Reid………….1-6
***
Tullamore 1-12 Clonkill (Westmeath) 1-9
Tullamore Top Scorers
Shane Dooley……….0-8
Francis Kerrigan…1-1

Previous Leinster final appearances:

Tullamore will be making their first appearance in the final but Ballyhale have been there eight times before. What’s more they have an excellent record in Leinster finals, winning six and losing two.

2008: Ballyhale 2-13 Birr (Offaly) 1-11
2006: Ballyhale 1-20 Birr 1-8
1991: Birr 2-14 Ballyhale 0-3
1989: Ballyhale 2-11 Cuala (Dublin) 0-7
1988: Buffers Alley (Wexford) Ballyhale 1-9
1983: Ballyhale 3-6 Kinnitty (Offaly) 0-9
1980: Ballyhale 3-10 Coolderry (Offaly) 1-8
1978: Ballyhale 1-13 Crumlin (Dublin) 1-6

AIB LEINSTER GAA HURLING SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:

Where the titles have gone

7 – Birr (Offaly)
6 – BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS (Kilkenny)
6 – Rathnure (Wexford)
4 – James Stephens (Kilkenny)
4 – St.Rynagh’s (Offaly)
3 – Buffers Alley (Wexford)
2 – Camross (Laois)
2 – Glenmore (Kilkenny)
1 – Crumlin (Dublin)
1 – Fenians (Kilkenny)
1 – Graigue-Ballycallan (Kilkenny)
1 – O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny)
1 – St. Martin’s (Kilkenny)

County breakdown: Kilkenny 16; Offaly 11; Wexford 9; Laois 2; Dublin 1.

AIB Munster GAA Hurling Senior Final

Sunday: Final: Ballygunner (Waterford) v Newtownshandrum (Cork), Semple Stadium, Thurles, 2.0.

It’s Cork v Waterford at its most intense as Newtownshandrum take on Ballygunner in what promises to be a great contest. Newtownshandrum, led by Cork stars, Ben and Jerry O’Connor, Cathal Naughton and Pat Mulcahy, are bidding for their third title (the previous two successes were won in 2003 and 2005) while Ballygunner, with inter-county stars, Shane O’Sullivan, Paul Flynn and Fergal Hartley aboard, won their only Munster title in 2001.

Interestingly, Ballygunner and Newtownshandrum clashed in the 2005 Munster final with the Corkmen edging to victory by a single point (0-16 to 1-12) in a fascinating contest. Newtownshandrum beat Thurles Sarsfields and Adare to reach the final while Ballygunner accounted for Cratloe.

Paths to the final:

Ballygunner 1-14 Cratloe (Clare) 0-15
Ballygunner’s top scorers
Paul Flynn 1-5
Barry Mullane 1-0

Newtownshandrum
Newtownshandrum 0-19 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 1-15
Newtownshandrum 1-17 Adare (Limerick) 1-14
Newtownshandrum’s top scorers
Ben O’Connor 0-18
Jerry O’Connor 0-6

Previous Munster final appearances:

Ballygunner are in the final for the fifth time, having won one and lost three of their previous four. Newtownshandrum have been in two finals, winning both.

Ballygunner
2005: Newtownshandrum 0-16 Ballygunner 1-12
2001: Ballygunner 2-14 Blackrock (Cork) 0-12
1999: St. Joseph’s (Clare) Ballygunner 3-8
1996: Wolfe Tones (Clare) 4-9 Ballygunner 4-8

Newtownshandrum
2005: Newtownshandrum 0-16 Ballygunner 1-12
2003: Newtownshandrum 2-18 Patrickswell (Limerick) 2-9

AIB MUNSTER GAA HURLING SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:

Where the titles have gone

5 – Blackrock (Cork)
3 – St.Finbarr’s (Cork)
3 – Sixmilebridge (Clare)
3 – Toomevara (Tipperary)
2 – Glen Rovers (Cork)
2 – Kilmallock (Limerick)
2 – Midleton (Cork)
2 – Mount Sion (Waterford)
2 – NEWTOWNSHANDRUM (Cork)
2 – Patrickswell (Limerick)
2 – St.Joseph’s (Clare)
1 – Ballybrown (Limerick)
1 – BALLYGUNNER (Waterford)
1 – Borrisoleigh (Tipperary)
1 – Cashel King Cormacs (Tipperary)
1 – Clarecastle (Clare)
1 – De La Salle (Waterford)
1 – Kilruane McDonaghs (Tipperary)
1 – Moycarkey-Borris (Tipperary)
1 – Loughmore-Castleiney (Tipperary)
1 – Roscrea (Tipperary)
1 – Wolfe Tones (Clare)

County breakdown: Cork 14; Tipperary 9; Clare 7; Limerick 5; Waterford 4

AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Final

Sunday: Final: Loup (Derry) v St.Gall’s (Antrim), Newry, 2.30.

St.Gall’s last won the Ulster title in 2005, two years after Loup recorded their sole success. Coincidentally, Loup beat St.Gall’s (0-11 to 1-5) in the 2003 final before losing to Caltra (Galway) in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The Antrim champions have already won three games in Ulster this term, beating Cavan Gaels, Pearse Og and Clontibret. CJ McGourty and Rory Gallagher have been in fine scoring form for St. Galls’s, notching a total of 3-16 between them. St.Gall’s put 2-15 past Clontibret in the semi-final to run out easy winners whereas Loup had just one point to spare over Down champions, Kilcoo in their semi-final. With former Derry stars, Johnny McBride and Paul McFlynn and current county men, Shane McGuckian and Paul Young very much to the fore, Loup are well primed for their attempt to bring the Ulster crown back to Derry. However, they will need to be at their very best against a well-balanced St.Gall’s side who are attempting to bring the title back to the club for the third time.

Paths to the final:

Loup 1-12 Kilcoo (Down) 1-11
Loup 1-10 Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) 1-6
Loup’s top scorers
Paul McFlynn 0-7
Paul McVey 0-5
Paul Young 1-2
***
St. Gall’s
St. Gall’s 2-15 Clontibret (Monaghan) 0-11
St. Gall’s 0-10 Pearse Og (Armagh) 0-8
St.Gall’s 1-12 Cavan Gaels 1-10
St.Gall’s top scorers
CJ McGourty 1-10
Rory Gallagher 2-6

Previous Ulster final appearances:

Loup are appearing in the final for the second time, having beaten next Sunday’s opponents in the 2003 final. St. Gall’s are in the final for the seventh time, having won two, lost three and drawn one of the previous six.

2003: Loup 0-11 St.Gall’s 1-5
***
St. Gall’s
2007: Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 1-9 St. Gall’s 1-6
2005: St.Gall’s 1-8 Bellaghy (Derry) 0-8
2003: Loup 0-11 St.Gall’s 1-5
1983: Burren (Down) 1-4 St.Gall’s 0-5 (Replay)
1983: Burren 0-7 St.Gall’s 0-7
1982: St.Gall’s 0-15 Roslea (Fermanagh) 2-3

AIB ULSTER GAA FOOTBALL SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:

Where the titles have gone

7 – Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh)
5 – Burren (Down)
4- Scotstown (Monaghan)
3 – Bellaghy (Derry)
3 – Clan na nGael (Armagh)
2 – Ballinderry (Derry)
2 – Castleblayney (Monaghan)
2 – ST.GALL’S (Antrim)
2 – Errigal Ciarain (Tyrone)
2 – Lavey (Derry)
1 – Ballerin (Derry)
1 – Bryansford (Down)
1 – Dungiven (Derry)
1 – LOUP (Derry)
1 – Mullaghbawn (Armagh)
1- St. John’s (Antrim)
1 – St.Joseph’s (Donegal)

County breakdown: Armagh 11; Derry 10; Down 6; Monaghan 6; Antrim 3; Tyrone 2; Donegal 1; Cavan 0; Fermanagh 0.

Corofin’s 5th Or Charletown’s Second? »

Sunday
AIB Connacht GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final:
Charlestown (Mayo) v Corofin (Galway), Charlestown, 2.00.

Corofin moved into second place on the Connacht honours table behind Clan na nGael (Roscommon) when they won the title for the fourth time last year, having previously won it in 1991-95-97. Charlestown are bidding for their second title, having won their first in 2001 when they beat Galway champions, Annaghdown by two points in the final.

The Connacht title has gone to Galway and Mayo 13 times each so next Sunday’s winners will not only claim the crown but also push their county into the lead on the honours’ table.

Corofin will be trying to become the first Galway club to beat Mayo opposition in the Connacht final since Killererin beat Castlebar Mitchels in 1978. Since then it’s 3-0 to Mayo in final clashes with Galway opposition as Crossmolina beat Corofin in 2000, Charlestown by Annaghdown in 2001 and Ballina beat Killererin in 2004.

Paths to the final:

Charlestown 1-9 Castlerea (Roscommon) 0-11 (after extra-time)
It took 80 minutes to separate the sides with only the minimum between them at the end after they finished level (1-6 to 0-9) after an hour. Charlestown kicked three points in the first period of extra-time but Castlerea pared two back in the second period but couldn’t force the equaliser.

Captained by Aidan Higgins, Charlestown, who have Mayo star Tom Parsons at midfield and former star forward, John Casey in goal, are well primed for action as they attempt to bring the trophy back to Mayo for the 14th time.

Corofin 2-13 Glencar Manorhamilton (Leitrim) 0-9
The Leitrim champions led by 0-5 to 0-3 after 13 mins but Corofin won the remaining 47 minutes by 2-10 to 0-4 to keep their two-in-a-row ambitions very much alive. Captain, Kieran Comer scored 1-3 for a team that also features other Galway inter-county players in Damien and Alan Burke and Gary Sice. Corofin beat Eastern Harps (Sligo) in last year’s final.

AIB CONNACHT GAA FOOTBALL SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:

Where the titles have gone

7 – Clan na nGael (Roscommon)
4- COROFIN (Galway)
3 – Ballina Stephenites (Mayo)
3 – Crossmolina (Mayo)
3 – Knockmore (Mayo)
3 – St.Mary’s (Sligo)
2 – Fr.Griffin’s (Galway)
2- Killererin (Galway)
2- Roscommon Gaels (Roscommon)
2- Salthill (Galway)
1 – Caltra (Galway)
1- Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo)
1 – CHARLESTOWN (Mayo)
1- Claremorris (Mayo)
1- Garrymore (Mayo)
1- St. Bridget’s (Roscommon)
1 – St.Grellan’s (Galway)
1 – Tuam Stars (Galway)

County Breakdown: Galway 13 (7 clubs); Mayo 13 (7 clubs); Roscommon 10 (3 clubs): Sligo 3 (1 club); Leitrim 0