Today’s previews
Football Antrim SFC final
Cargin v Lamh Dhearg, Corrigan Park, 3.30pm The big question is can Lamh Dhearg recover from an exhaustive trilogy of games against Portglenone – a saga which only concluded on Monday night – for what is a daunting challenge against the defending champions.
The latter have been in impressive form, putting St Gall’s to the sword in the semi-final, as they seek a fourth title in five years.
Meanwhile, Lamh Dhearg are looking to regain the title they last won in 2017. If they do, it will register as a moment of history with John Finucane becoming the first Belfast Lord Mayor to lift the Cup.
Verdict: Cargin
Carlow SFC final
Eire Og v Palatine, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3.45pm Eire Og are aiming to become the first club to complete the three in a row since their Carlow town neighbours O’Hanrahans pulled off that trick between 1999 and 2001.
This is a repeat of last year’s low-scoring final which Eire Og won on a 0-9 to 0-5 scoreline, but Palatine will do well to keep the Carlow town club to single digits this time.
Their high-powered attack racked up an astonishing 1-30 when putting Bengalstown to the sword in the semi-final.
Verdict: Eire Og
Longford SFC final
Longford Slashers v Killoe Emmet Óg, Pearse Park, 4.0pm Longford Slashers are appearing in their first final since their last county success in 2013 and, while they have a young team, they have a serial winning manager in Noel O’Brien, who achieved considerable success with his native St Brigid’s.
That said, they left it late to make it this far, trailing in injury time against Abbeylara. Late points from Sean Clarke and Andrew Kelly proved decisive in that game.
Killoe are seeking their first title win since 2015 and claimed the impressive scalp of Colmcille – who dethroned Leinster champions Mullinalaghta in the quarter-final – in their semi-final thanks to a brace of goals from Ronan Goldrick.
They look the more likely to lift what would represent a 12th title.
Verdict: Killoe Emmet Og
Hurling Kildare SHC final
Coill Dubh v Naas, Newbridge, 3.30pm Naas will try to bridge a 17-year gap to become champions, but more to the point they are hardly shy in experience as they appear in their final for the third time in four years.
Coill Dubh are back in the final for the first time since their last title success in 2015, but Naas may just have paid their dues.
Verdict: Naas
Limerick SHC final
Na Piarsaigh v Patrickswell, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30pm It is hard to imagine that at the start of this decade Na Piarsaigh did not have a county senior title to their name, but a win tomorrow will chalk up a sixth championship.
They are also going for the three in a row (last achieved by Adare 2007-09) and they got the perfect pre-final boost after centre-back Ronan Lynch had the red card shown in the semi-final rescinded.
Despite suffering that blow against Kilmallock, they still managed to gather themselves to record a five-point win, which was all the more noteworthy given the absence of Shane Dowling and Peter Casey.
While Dowling will miss tomorrow’s game, Casey will add some menace to the Na Piarsaigh attack in what is an eagerly awaited decider.
In their only previous final clash in 2015, Na Piarsaigh scraped past the ‘Well on a 1-22 to 4-12 score-line.
There is a huge prize at stake for Patrickswell who, if they win their first title since 2016, will edge ahead of Ahane to go clear at the top of Limerick’s roll of honour. But the force is with Na Piarsaigh.
Verdict: Na Piarsaigh
Meath SHC final:
Kildalkey v Kiltale, Páirc Tailteann, 3.30pm Kiltale are trying to become just the second team in history to win six in a row – in the process emulating Kilmessan (1943-48) – but there were some signs in the semi-final win over Trim that time is beginning to catch up on them.
They had just a point to spare when they met Kildalkey in the decider two years ago but with history in their grasp they will hardly blink now.
Verdict: Kiltale
Roscommon SHC final:
Athleague v Four Roads, Athleague, 2.30pm This represents a 12th consecutive final appearance for Four Roads, but they lost last year’s decider to Athleague by a single goal.
Perhaps, it is time for the natural order to be restored.
Verdict: Four Roads
Wicklow SHC final:
Bray Emmets v Glenealy, Aughrim, 3.30pm Glenealy are chasing three in a row and they had seven points to spare over Bray when they last met in the final two years ago.
Verdict: Glenealy