GAA PREVIEWS

TODAY

LEITRIM SHC FINAL Carrick v Cluainín Iomáint, Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 3.0 Cluainin Iomáint are holders and gracing this stage for the fourth time in six years. Carrick were runners-up last year, and a similar fate is likely to await them.

Odds: Cluainín Iomáint 4/7, Carrick 8/5, Draw 8/1

Verdict: Cluainín Iomáint

TOMORROW

ANTRIM SFC FINAL Lámh Dhearg v St John’s, Glenavy, 3.15 St John’s have won more Antrim titles than any other club but they haven’t tasted success since 1998. Their last final was five years ago and they’re up against

2015 runners-up, Lámh Dhearg, whose famine dates back to 1992.

Odds: St John’s evens, Lámh Dhearg

11/10, Draw 13/2

Verdict: St John’s ARMAGH SFC FINAL Armagh Harps v Maghery, Athletic Grounds, 5.0 Maghery are defending champions and scalped the fabled Crossmaglen Rangers en route to the final. They’re up against Armagh Harps, who haven’t won the title since 1991, although they were runners-up most recently in 2015 and 2014.

Odds: Maghery 8/15, Armagh Harps 15/8, Draw 15/2 Verdict: Maghery CORK SFC FINAL Nemo Rangers v St Finbarr’s, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.45, TG4 (deferred) Both of these clubs know what it’s like to win Munster and All-Ireland titles, but Nemo have the better recent form. They won the Cork crown two years ago but St Finbarr’s haven’t tasted victory since 1985. Nemo are favourites but the Barrs can’t be discounted.

Odds: Nemo Rangers 8/15, St Finbarr’s 15/8, Draw 15/2

Verdict: Nemo Rangers DONEGAL SFC FINAL Kilcar v Naomh Conaill, MacCumhaill Park, 4.0 For a club that has produced so many quality county players, it’s almost incredible to think that Kilcar haven’t been county senior champions since 1993. They lost last year’s final to Michael Murphy’s Glenswilly, while opponents Naomh Co na ill were champions two years ago. This could be the day when Kilcar finally bridge a 24-year gap.

Odds: Kilcar 1/3, Naomh Conaill 3/1, Draw 15/2

Verdict: Kilcar GALWAY SFC FINAL Corofin v Mountbellew-Moylough, Tuam Stadium, 4.0 The five-in-a-row beckons for Corofin, who will start as favourites against Mountbellew-Moylough. It’s a repeat of the 2015 final, which Corofin won by ten points, and Mountbellew’s long wait for a fifth Galway crown, which stretches back to 1986, looks set to continue.

Odds: Corofin 2/5, Mount bellew Moylough 5/2,D raw 8/1

Verdict: Corofin KILDARE SFC FINAL Celbridge v Moorefield, Newbridge, 3.30 Celbridge, in just their second final, take on Moorefield, who have appeared in three of the last four. Moorefield were winners most recently in 2014, while Celbridge won their only final appearance back in 2008, after a replay. Moorefield, managed by former stalwart Ross Glavin, have gone about their task in business-like fashion to date and can give Ronan Sweeney a fitting playing farewell.

Odds: Celbridge 11/10, Moorefield evens, Draw 7/1

Verdict: Moorefield LAOIS SFC FINAL Ballylinan v Portlaoise, O’Moore Park, 3.30 Ballylinan manager Paul Julian was nine when the club last contested a county senior football final, back in 1987. They lost on that occasion against tomorrow’s opponents, Portlaoise, suffering a heavy 0-5 to 3-16 defeat. The odds are stacked against them again, as Portlaoise won nine in a row before Stradbally shocked them last year.

Odds: Ballylinan 13/2, Portlaoise 1/10, Draw 14/1

Verdict: Portlaoise LOUTH SFC FINAL Dundalk Gaels v Newtown Blues, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30 Dundalk Gaels are back in a county final for the first time since 1992. Victory over Newtown Blues would spark wild celebrations, as the club hasn’t won the title in 66 years. They have their work cut out against Newtown Blues, who have won the competition 20 times, the most recent victory in 2013.

Odds: Newtown Blues 8/15, Draw 15/2, Dundalk Gaels 15/8

Verdict: Newtown Blues MONAGHAN SFC FINAL Magheracloone v Scotstown, Clones, 3.30 Scotstown are gunning for a third successive Farney crown and they’re hot favourites to see off Magheracloone, who have won the competition just once, in

2004. Magheracloone last contested a final in 2010, while they also lost finals in

2006 and 2005. They’ll need a massive performance to topple the champions, who have the Hughes brothers, Darren and Kieran, in their ranks, as well as in-form attacker Conor McCarthy.

Odds: Magheracloone 11/4, Scotstown

4/11, Draw 8/1

Verdict: Scotstown OFFALY SFC FINAL Clara v Rhode, O’Connor Park, 3.30 Holders Rhode are appearing in their sixth straight Offaly decider, and pre-match underdogs Clara will take comfort from their up-and-down recent record. They’ve won the title in 2012, 2014 and 2016, but lost the 2013 and 2015 finals. Clara will remember their 2009 final victory over Rhode, but the tables were turned in 2012 when the clubs last met in the Faithful County showpiece.

Odds: Clara 9/2, Rhode 1/6, Draw 12/1

Verdict: Rhode TIPPERARY SFC FINAL Clonmel Commercials v Killenaule, Semple Stadium, 3.30 Uncharted territory for Killenaule, as they prepare for a very first county senior football final. They’ ve played in two senior hurling deciders, in 1932 and 1942, but lost both. County hurler John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer is in good scoring form for the club’s footballers, with evergreen Declan Fanning still going strong. Commercials are holders, and favourites, with Michael Quinlivan leading their attacking charge.

Odds: Commercials 3/10, Killenaule 3/1, Draw 9/1

Verdict: Commercials TYRONE SFC FINAL Omagh v Errigal Ciarán, Omagh, 4.0 Both clubs came through stern semi-final tests, and while Omagh will start as favourites, there’s not much to separate the finalists. Errigal Ciarán last won the Tyrone crown back in 2012, with Omagh champions most recently in 2014. Peter Harte will lead the Errigal Ciarán charge, with Ronan O’Neill and semi-final hero Joe McMahon spearheading the Omagh challenge.

Odds: Omagh 4/5, Errigal Ciarán 13/10, Draw 7/1 Verdict: Omagh WICKLOW SFC FINAL Blessington v Rathnew, Aughrim, 3.0 The big question in Wicklow is how Blessington will cope with the big day. They’re contesting a county final for the first time since 1988, and haven’t won it since 1983. That’s in marked contrast to 33-times champions Rathnew, who won three in a row from 2013-2015. It’s a tall order for Blessington but they’ve shown good form en route to the final, and will prove no pushovers.

Odds: Blessington 21/10, Rathnew 1/2, Draw 7/1 Verdict: Rathnew AIB ULSTER SFC FIRST ROUND Kilcoo (Down) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Páirc Esler, 2.30 Slaughtneil are Ulster champions and in last year’s provincial final, they beat Kilcoo by three points to create history. That suggests there’s not much between the sides but Kilcoo will have the obvious revenge factor as huge motivation. Kilcoo have already sparked the mind games ahead of the fixture, with suggestions from the Down champions’ camp that Slaughtneil’s forwards are adept at engineering frees.

Odds: Kilcoo 15/8, Slaughtneil 4/7, Draw 7/1 Verdict: Slaughtneil CARLOW SHC FINAL Mount Leinster Rangers v Naomh Eoin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3.45 Mount Leinster Rangers captured the nation’s imagination when they went all the way to the All-Ireland club final in

2014. Curiously, they haven’t lifted the Carlow title since 2013 and were beaten finalists in each of the last two seasons. Naomh Eoin were last winners in 2005 and have suffered final defeats in 2014 and

2011, the latter against Mount Leinster. Odds: Mount Leinster Rangers 2/7, Naomh Eoin 3/1, Draw 11/1

Verdict: Mount Leinster Rangers CLARE SHC FINAL Clooney-Quin v Sixmilebridge, Cusack Park, 3.0 Clooney-Quin have won the Clare SHC just once, way back in 1942. It’s the first final in 73 years and Sixmilebridge, who have Niall Gilligan still shining, should win their second Banner title in three seasons. As Ballyea proved last year, there could be more glory to come for the Clare champions.

Odds: Sixmilebridge 1/6, Clooney-Quin 9/2, Draw 14/1 Verdict: Sixmilebridge KERRY SHC FINAL REPLAY Ballyduff v Lixnaw, Austin Stack Park, 3.0 Ballyduff and Lixnaw go at it again after a draw last weekend. Lixnaw needed a stunning sideline cut from Shane Conway to force a replay, and will fancy their chances at the second time of asking.

Odds: Lixnaw evens, Ballyduff 11/10, Draw 13/2

Verdict: Lixnaw LIMERICK SHC FINAL Na Piarsaigh v Kilmallock, Gaelic Grounds, 4.0, TG4 This clash will revive memories of the

2014 final between the clubs, when Kilmallock prevailed. Na Piarsaigh hit back a year later to win the county title, before going all the way to Croke Park and All-Ireland glory. They’re hot favourites to win this one, too, but Kilmallock won’t mind the underdogs tag. A Munster semifinal with the Cork champions is on offer for the winners.

Odds: Na Piarsaigh 8/15, Kilmallock

7/4, Draw 9/1

Verdict: Na Piarsaigh LONDON SHC FINAL Robert Emmetts v Kilburn Gaels Ruislip, 2.30 Robert Emmetts have their sights firmly set on a third successive London crown, and it’s going to take a massive effort from Kilburn Gaels to stop them. Kilburn Gaels won this competition in 2014 and 2010, and it’s the first time the clubs have met in the final in 11 years. A 14th London title beckons for Robert Emmetts.

Odds: Robert Emmetts 4/7, Kilburn Gaels 13/8, Draw 8/1

Verdict: Robert Emmetts