The Irish Mail on Sunday

Today’s previews

Compiled by Micheal Clifford

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Football Cavan SFC final

Castleraha­n v Ramor United, Kingspan Breffni, 3.45pm A repeat of the 2016 final which Ramor won after a replay – one of three finals in a row which Castleraha­n lost – but this time the latter go in as champions.

Verdict: Castleraha­n

Down SFC final

Kilcoo v Warrenpoin­t, Páirc Esler, 4pm Warrenpoin­t will lean heavily on attacking ace Ross McGarry, who scored 1-11 in their semi-final mauling of Ballyholla­nd, as they seek to end a 66-year title famine.

However, after last year’s lapse, Kilcoo will be keen to get back to winning ways as they seek a seventh title this decade,

Verdict: Kilcoo

Laois SFC final

Killeshin v Portlaoise, O’Moore Park, 4pm This represents a first final appearance for Killeshin as they take on the county’s top dogs.

Portloaise go in search of a three-in-a-row and a 12th county title in 13 years.

Verdict: Portlaoise

Leitrim SFC final

Ballinamor­e v GlencarMan­orhamilton, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 3pm Ballinamor­e aim to halt a 29-year title drought in their first final appearance since 1998.

Motivation won’t be an issue, but GlencarMan­orhamilton lost three finals on the bounce from 2015 to ’17 – and that could be the real spur.

Verdict: Glencar-Manorhamil­ton

Louth SFC final

Newtown Blues v Naomh Mairtin, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30 Newtown Blues have designs on a three-in-a-row but their opponents have revenge in mind.

Naomh Mairtin have yet to win a county title but they should have put that record straight last year when a late collapse saw Newtown scrape out a one-point win.

Verdict: Naomh Mairtin

Offaly SFC final

Rhode v Ferbane, O’Connor Park, 3.30pm Rhode are aiming to become the first club to win four-in-a-row since Ferbane put five together from 1986-90.

However, the latter’s chances of pulling the brakes on the Rhode bandwagon appear slim, given that 11 points separated the teams when they met in last year’s final.

Verdict: Rhode

Roscommon SFC final

Pádraig Pearses v Roscommon Gaels, Dr Hyde Park, 4.00 pm Pádraig Pearses will be hoping that after seven losing final appearance­s – three in this decade – it will be eighth time lucky.

Verdict: Pádraig Pearses

Tyrone SFC final

Errigal Ciarán v Trillick, Healy Park, 4pm Darragh Canavan’s semi-final goal against Carrickmor­e sealed Errigal Ciarán’s first final appearance since their last county success in 2012.

But Trillick, spearheade­d by the Donnelly brothers, Mattie and Richard, will make for tough opposition, while Lee Brennan has the perfect stage to remind county boss Mickey Harte of his worth.

Verdict: Trillick

Westmeath SFC final

Garrycastl­e v St Loman’s, TEG Cusack Park, 3.30pm These sides last met in a final in 2009 when Garrycastl­e romped to an 11-point win.

But that dynamic has changed in the interim and Loman’s, led by the inspiratio­nal John Heslin, go in search of their fifth title this decade.

Verdict: St Loman’s

Wexford SFC final

Castletown v Gusserane, Innovate Wexford Park, 3.15pm Gusserane are in pursuit of a first title since 2016 but with a young team they face a daunting challenge against a Castletown outfit which leans heavily on the experience and quality of Ben Brosnan.

Verdict: Castletown

Wicklow SFC final

Arklow Geraldines­Ballymoney v St Patrick’s, Aughrim, 3.30pm Arklow Geraldines­Ballymoney have made it to their first final since 1963 the hard way; surviving a penalty shoot-out in the drawn semi-final against Blessingto­n, while coming back from eight points down in the replay.

However, it is all likely to count for nought against the champions.

Verdict: St Patrick’s

Hurling Clare SHC final

Cratloe v Sixmilebri­dge, Cusack Park, 3.30pm A first final meeting for these neighbours, but the Bridge, who include Davy Fitzgerald in their management team, have traditiona­lly held the upper hand.

Cratloe, hurting from last year’s final defeat to Ballyea, will hardly be fazed.

Verdict: Cratloe

Longford SHC final

Clonguish Gaels v Longford Slashers, Pearse Park, 3.30pm Slashers are seeking their first title since 2001 but after last Sunday’s defeat to Killoe in the football decider, face the prospect of losing two finals inside a week.

Verdict: Clonguish Gaels

Mayo SHC final

Castlebar Mitchels v Tooreen, MacHale Park, 2.30pm Castlebar are seeking their first title but will find it hard to dislodge three-in-a-row chasing Tooreen.

Verdict: Tooreen

Sligo SHC final

Easkey v Naomh Eoin, Markievicz Park, 4pm Easkey aim for their first title since 1963, but Naomh Eoin, beaten finalists last year, should prevail.

Verdict: Naomh Eoin

Waterford SHC final

Ballygunne­r v De La Salle, Walsh Park, 3pm Ballygunne­r are seeking a sixth title in a row which amounts to a level of dominance not witnessed since Mount Sion racked up eight on the bounce from 1954-61.

Verdict: Ballygunne­r

 ??  ?? LEADER: Trillick’s Mattie Donnelly
LEADER: Trillick’s Mattie Donnelly

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