Today’s Previews
COMPILED BY MICHEAL CLIFFORD & PHILIP LANIGAN
HURLING
CO-OP SUPERSTORES CORK PREMIER SHC FINAL Sarsfields v Midleton
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4.00
The shadow of Cork icon Teddy McCarthy falls over this one as Sarsfields look to honour one of their greats with a county title. His untimely passing this year adds another layer of emotion to a fixture billed as the little AllIreland and one that always resonates strongly with the Cork hurling public.
Sarsfields will be only too aware of the influence Conor Lehane had in the final two years ago when Midleton were victorious. That’s just one of the key match-ups that is likely to be crucial to deciding this. If Midleton can produce a spread of scorers and get a healthy return from the likes of Cormac Beausang, the title could be theirs. But there is a sense of a driven Sarsfields team that has the talent and capability to stand on the shoulders of former great teams. Verdict: Midleton
FBD INSURANCE COUNTY TIPPERARY SHC FINAL Kiladangan v Thurles Sarsfields Semple Stadium, 4.00
Just one title doesn’t do full justice to Kiladangan’s emergence as a force in Tipperary the last seven seasons or so and they will be desperate to add to their 2020 success. The mental game will be so important as they face off against the kingpins in terms of the roll of honour and a club that knows how to win finals.
Verdict: Kiladangan
OFFALY SHC FINAL Kilcormac-Killoughey v Shinrone Birr, 3.00
The Birr venue adds a layer of added history and tradition to this one. The future of Offaly hurling is represented by the likes of Adam Screeney and a KilcormacKilloughey side bolstered by the county’s next wave of stars can atone for last year’s final defeat. Verdict: Kilcormac-Killoughey
BATHSHACK ANTRIM SHC FINAL Ruairí Óg Cushendall v Loughgiel Shamrocks
Corrigan Park, 2.30
A chance to showcase the best of Antrim hurling in a big week when Casement Park was listed as a host venue for Euro 2028, fast-tracking its redevelopment. Ruairí Óg have the added motivation of trying to make up for last year’s final defeat and look poised to do just that.
Verdict: Ruairí Óg Cushendall
KILDARE 2023 UPMC SHC FINAL Coill Dubh v Naas
Manguard Park Pitch 1, 3.30
Naas have raised the bar for Kildare club hurling this past five years, winning a Leinster club intermediate title and pushing Ballyhale Shamrocks all the way at senior level last year. Coill Dubh will present gritty opposition but hard to look past holders. Verdict: Naas
TED MURTAGH CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR, TRIM MEATH SHC FINAL
Kildalkey v Ratoath
Páirc Tailteann, 4.00
Ratoath showed real character to edge out defending champions Trim in the semi-final after a number of near misses in recent years and have the huge motivation of landing a second county title 60 years after the milestone 1963 success.
The nature of Kildalkey’s semifinal beating of Kiltale though was also seriously impressive and Ratoath having to regroup with so many dual players after last Sunday’s football final defeat doesn’t make things any easier. Verdict: Kildalkey
LIGHTNING PROTECTION IRELAND WICKLOW SHC FINAL
Bray Emmets v Carnew Emmets Echelon Park, Aughrim, 3.00
For the defending champions, it has been all about the drive for five and the form line suggests Bray Emmets can make their own bit of history.
Verdict: Bray Emmets
LONDON MCALEER & RUSHE SHC FINAL
Robert Emmetts v Brothers Pearse
McGovern Park, 3.00
A dramatic penalty shoot-out was needed before Robert Emmetts squeezed through an epic semifinal against St Gabriel’s. Enough to suggest their name might be on the cup.
Verdict: Robert Emmetts
ARMAGH SHC FINAL
Céide Lámh Dhearg v Middletown GAA
BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 6.00
Middletown have been the dominant force for the guts of a decade now but Keady keep threatening to knock them off their perch. Verdict: Middletown
FOOTBALL DOWN SFC FINAL Burren v Kilcoo Pairc Esler, 2.15
Kilcoo’s 12th successive appearance in the county final, winning 10 of the previous 11 provides overwhelming evidence of their dominance in Down football.
Donegal All-Ireland winner Karl Lacey’s presence as manager has freshened things up this year, but their run to the final has not been without contention, and an end of match brawl in the semi-final against Colduff saw Niall Brannigan issued with a red card while the club issued a statement condemning malicious accusations levelled against their players on social media.
And as dominant as they are, it hasn’t been a cakewalk in recent seasons, taken to extra-time in the final by Warrenpoint last year, while they had only two points to spare over Burren last year. Verdict: Kilcoo
LAOIS SFC FINAL
St Joseph’s v Portlaoise Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 3.30
St Joseph’s are seeking to bridge a 22-year title famine in their first final appearance since 2002, and will fancy their chances.
Portlaoise may well be Laois football’s dominant force but they have undergone something of a transition in recent seasons. Verdict: St Joseph’s
CLARE SFC FINAL Cratloe v St Breckan’s Cusack Park, 3.15
For a town associated with matches made in heaven, Lisdoonvarna will hope this is the day romance kisses St Breckan’s as they seek their first county title.
Indeed, it is 27 years since they were last in a final but in latter times Cratloe have had the greater pedigree and will seek to add a third title to those they won backto-back in 2013 and 2014.
Verdict: Cratloe
WEXFORD SFC FINAL Castletown v Shelmaliers Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3.30
A rematch of last year’s final which Castletown won by four points to move to the top on their own in Wexford’s roll of honour.
Hard to call but Shelmaliers, who include former Dublin star Eoghan O’Gara in their number, could be primed for revenge. Verdict: Shelmaliers
LONGFORD SFC FINAL
Emmet Óg Killoe v Clonguish Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3.00
Clonguish, appearing in their first final since 2011, are seeking to complete the double after their hurlers saw off the Longford Slashers in last month’s county decider.
And in a campaign that saw them beat fancied Dromard and Mullinalaghta sides, they will fancy their chances but they may find their neighbours Killoe, who comfortably dethroned St Colmcille’s in the semi-final, to be on a different level.
Verdict: Emmet Óg Killoe