TODAY’S CLUB FINAL PREVIEWS
KERRY SHC FINAL BALLYDUFF v LIXNAW, AUSTIN STACK PARK, 3pm
The significance of a win here will not be lost on Ballyduff as it will put them back at the head of hurling’s roll of honour — they are currently tied with Kilmoyley on 24 titles. However if they have tradition on their side, Lixnaw can lean on form. VERDICT: Lixnaw
ROSCOMMON SHC FINAL FOUR ROADS v PÁDRAIG PEARSES, ATHLEAGUE, 3PM
Form side Four Roads go in search of their seventh title this decade. VERDICT: Four Roads
CARLOW SFC FINAL ÉIRE ÓG v RATHVILLY NETWATCH CULLEN PARK, 3.45pm
Brendan Murphy was at his brilliant best in Rathvilly’s semi-final win over Old Leighlin, but that result was left in the shade by Éire Óg’s win over three-ina-row chasing Palatine, showing they have the defence and smarts to close out big games. VERDICT: Éire Óg
CAVAN SFC FINAL CASTLERAHAN v CAVAN GAELS KINGSPAN BREFFNI PARK, 3.30pm
Cian Mackey, who kicked the winning point in the semi-final against Ramor United gets another shot at winning that elusive county medal but his Castlerahan team are up against unbeaten Cavan Gaels. VERDICT: Cavan Gaels
LEITRIM SFC GLENCAR-MANORHAMILTON v MOHILL PÁIRC SEÁN MAC DIARMADA, 3.30pm
It is likely to be just as tight this time as two years ago when it took a replay to declare Mohill winners. Glencar-Manorhamilton are marginal outsiders but showed well in their emphatic win over Seán O’Heslin’s last time out. VERDICT: Glencar-Manorhamilton
LONGFORD SFC ABBEYLARA v MULLINALAGHTA GLENNON BROS PEARSE PARK, 4PM
Repeat of last year’s final which saw Mullinalaghta bridge a 66-year gap to become champions and they will start as favourites to put back-to-back titles together for the first time. Mullinalaghta were put to the pin of their collar by Clonguish in the semi-final, but their response in the replay was so emphatic that they left little room for doubt as to the fact that they are the best team in the county.
VERDICT: Mullinalaghta ULSTER CLUB SHC SEMI-FINALS SLAUGHTNEIL (DERRY) v DUNLOY (ANTRIM) OWENBEG, 2.30PM
With Slaughtneil’s footballers also in the Ulster final action once again, it would defy belief if the Derry men find the energy to do a back-to-back provincial double. VERDICT: Dunloy
BALLYGALGET (DOWN) v LISBELLAW CORRIGAN PARK, 2.30pm
Cynics might suggest that this is the equivalent of two bald-men fighting over a comb, but even so the gulf in standards here should leave little doubt as to which one will end up holding it. VERDICT: Ballygalget