WEEKEND PREVIEWS
TODAY CAVAN SFC FINAL
Crosserlough v Kingscourt, Kingspan Breffni Park, 5pm (live on Cavstream) Mark Stuart’s nerveless equaliser for Crosserlough rounded off a dinger of a drawn game. Given the way Crosserlough dominated the first half, the club certainly have the capability of ending a 48-year wait.
KILDARE SFC FINAL
Athy v Moorefield, Newbridge, 4.30pm (live stream on Kildaregaa.ie) A pity that Moorefield’s presence in the county final is being overshadowed by the fall-out from Celbridge’s contentious semi-final defeat and a one-sided free count which threatens to have repercussions for the county team.
DONEGAL SHC FINAL
Setanta v St Eunan’s, O’Donnell Park, 4pm (live stream on Donegalgaa.ie) A hat-trick of goals were the key to Setanta’s victory in last year’s final and they come with all the big match know-how.
TOMORROW GALWAY SFC FINAL
Mountbellew-Moylough v Moycullen, Pearse Stadium, 4pm (live stream on galwaygaa.ie) The ripple effect of Corofin’s dethroning is still being felt. Eoin Finnerty was just one bright light as Mountbellew-Moylough shocked the team with a 49-game unbeaten run, shooting six points, and they now have to finish off the job.
MEATH SFC FINAL
Gaeil Colmcille v Ratoath, Páirc Tailteann, 2.15pm (Live TG4) After making an historic breakthrough under Davy Byrne last year and winning the club’s first senior football title, Ratoath are back in the final again and meet a well-drilled Kells outfit who haven’t lifted the Keegan Cup themselves since 1991 when Terry Ferguson was captain.
DERRY SFC FINAL
O’Donovan Rossa v Slaughtneil, Bellaghy, 4.30pm (live stream on www.247.tv/gaa) Last year’s decider saw emotional scenes at the final whistle as Magherafelt bridged a gap all the way back to 1978. Sean Cassidy’s early goal set up an emphatic Slaughtneil win over Ballinderry last time out though and they are in freescoring form.
OFFALY SFC FINAL
Rhode v Tullamore, O’Connor Park, 4pm (live stream on www.247.tv/gaa) The Offaly championship is already memorable for the incredible drama that surrounded the semi-finals with both matches going to extra time and Tullamore making history by sealing a place in the final via penalties. The evergreen Niall McNamee is still doing it too for Rhode with a match-deciding goal.
CORK SHC FINAL
Blackrock v Glen Rovers, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm (live TG4) There will be a special symmetry if Glen Rovers can be victorious this year, the centenary celebration of Christy Ring. Especially with his grandson Simon Kennefick as a living, breathing link to that storied past.
GALWAY SHC FINAL
Turloughmore v St Thomas, 2pm (live stream on galwaygaa.ie) Daithi Burke’s dual ambition may have died but there’s a sense that Turloughmore are a team on a mission this year, as they make a first final appearance in 30 years.
WESTMEATH SHC FINAL
Castletown-Geoghegan v Clonkill, TEG Cusack Park, 4pm (live Iarmhi TV) A repeat of last year’s final when a Brendan Murtagh-inspired Clonkill made it back-to-back titles and they will be eyeing up a hat-trick.