Today’s Previews
HURLING
FBD Insurance Tipperary SHC final replay
Kiladangan v Thurles Sarsfields FBD Semple Stadium, 15:00
Kiladangan will have to find a way to curb the influence of Ronan Maher who continues to be such a pivotal figure for Thurles Sarsfields. It required a nerveless 70 -metre point from Willie Connors to force a replay, a sign maybe that Kiladangan can put past near misses behind them.
Verdict: Kiladangan
St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny SHC final
Ballyhale Shamrocks v O’Loughlin Gaels
UPMC Nowlan Park, 14:00
‘The level of skill we have, on a dry day, we can make the ball talk.’ TJ Reid captured the quality of his team in vivid fashion after the 5-19 to 0-14 rout of James Stephens. Now, another shot at history in the shape of what would be a record six-in-a-row. Another chance then to confirm the status of a special team, and a special bunch of players.
Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks
Brooks Galway SHC final Turloughmore v St Thomas’ Pearse Stadium, 14:00
With Conor Cooney putting up big tallies and David Burke back in the mix, it’s like the good times of old for St Thomas’. Just like Ballyhale, St Thomas’ go in search of a six-in-a-row. While the nature of Turloughmore’s win over Sarsfields suggests they will make it the most testing of challenges, the holders to make their own bit of history.
Verdict: St Thomas’
Go Ahead Dublin SHC final Na Fianna v Ballyboden St Enda’s
Parnell Park, 16:25
That Na Fianna are back in a final again without the injured Donal Burke says everything about their character and determination to finally get over the line. Liam Rushe has parachuted back in after his time out to add a wealth of experience to the defence while AJ Murphie and Colin and Sean Currie carry such a scoring threat. Simon Lambert has been a key figure in Ballyboden’s path to the final while Paul Ryan’s ball-striking is as sharp as ever. The width of a post though only prevented Ballyboden from going out in extra-time against St Vincent’s so maybe this is the afternoon the stars align for Na Fianna.
Verdict: Na Fianna
FOOTBALL
Mayo SFC final: Ballina Stephenites v Breaffy, Castlebar, 4.15
Breaffy were not fancied this year, but the form of Jack Livingstone has has made light of Robbie Hennelly’s absence in goal, Matthew Ruane and Conor O’Shea are a formidable partnership at midfield, while the resurgence of Aidan O’Shea’s form at intercounty level has transferred seamlessly to the club.
It is likely that his county team-mate Padraig O’Hora will be tasked with keeping tabs on the big man, while veteran goalkeeper David Clarke will organise a Ballina defence in which Sam Callinan has excelled.
It will be right and cagey, but when it is done Breaffy’s wait will go on. Verdict: Ballina Stephenites
Derry SFC final: Glen v O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt, Celtic Park, 3.30
After the heartbreak of last January’s controversial loss to Kilmacud, Malachy O’Rourke has Glen up and running again as they seek to complete three-in-a-row. They may also have some business to sort with Magherafelt, who beat them by a point in the 2019 final, while Glen have already showed in the semi-final against Slaughtneil they can dig deep when asked to do so.
Verdict: Glen
Tyrone SFC final, Trillick v Errigal Ciaran, Omagh, 3.30
Driven by the Canavan siblings, Darragh and Ruairi, along with county team-mate Joe Orguz, Errigal Ciaran’s defence of their title has been untroubled, evidenced by their 18-point hammering of Ardboe in the semi-final. In former Tyrone star Lee Brennan, Trillick has a forward who can keep the scoreboard ticking over, but he will need help and a lot of it.
Verdict: Errigan Ciaran
Cork SFC final: Castlehaven v Nemo Rangers, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 3.00
Nemo Rangers have never lost a county final they went into as defending champions – indeed they have lost only four finals ever – which encapsulates the challenge that Haven face. And yet the men from the west will travel with more than hope, not least on the back of beating St Finbarr’s in the semi-final where Michael Hurley excelled, and was backed up by his brother Brian and All-Star nominee Rory Maguire. Nemo, as expected, cruised past Duhallow but their perfect record as defending champions in a final has rarely faced a threat as big as this.
Verdict: Castlehaven
Waterford SFC final: Rathgormack v The Nire, Fraher Field, 3.30
This pairing has a familiar ring to it with good reason, with The Nire edging out Rathgormack in one score games in the last two finals. Indeed, Rathgormack have lost three consecutive finals and this might be as good a time as any to call a stop.
Verdict: Rathgormack
Wicklow SFC final replay: Blessington v Rathnew, Aughrim, 2.30
It can be argued on the strength of their comeback last weekend that the momentum is with Rathnew. But that should not skew the narrative that Blessington looked to have the edge in quality for most of the game and they should bring that to bear.
Verdict: Blessington
London SFC final: Tir Chonaill Gaels v Fulham Irish, McGovern Park, 2.00
Tir Chonaill Gaels cruised to a double scores win over North London Shamrocks in the semi-final, but in seeing off St Kieran’s – the team they had lost to in back to back semi-finals – Fulham Irish came through the much tougher side.
Verdict: Fulham Irish