WEEKEND COUNTY FINAL AND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS
Tomorrow (1.30 unless stated) CONNACHT CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS
Aughawillan (Leitrim) v Ballintubber (Mayo), Páirc Sean MacDiarmada Ballintubber are back in action after being put to the pin of their collars by a gutsy Tourlestrane outfit last weekend. The Mayo champions have never won a Connacht title but were in a final in 2014 and with Diarmuid O’Connor in good form they look to have enough. Aughawillan have won three Leitrim titles in the last five years but have struggled to make an impact at provincial level.
Odds: Aughawillan 9/2, Ballintubber 1/6, Draw 12/1
Verdict: Ballintubber Clann na nGael (Roscommon) v Corofin (Galway), Dr Hyde Park,
TG4, deferred
Corofin were brought to a replay in the Galway senior final but made no mistake at the second time of asking to win by six points and complete the six-in-a-row. This will be the fourth weekend on the bounce that the reigning All-Ireland club champions will be in action and they face a Clann side who came through a thorough examination from Tír Chonaill Gaels. The Exiles led after 42 minutes before being caught down the home straight but this is a significant step up for Donie Shine and Co.
Odds: Clann na nGael 4/1, Corofin 1/5, Draw 11/1
Verdict: Corofin
LEINSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS*
St Peter’s Dunboyne (Meath) v Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin), Páirc Tailteann Dunboyne have won the Meath title three times and on the previous two occasions they were also drawn against Crokes in a Leinster quarter-final. The Dublin outfit won both and, given the form of Paul Mannion in the county final they look well-placed to progress. Dunboyne were impressive in the last round but they will be without key forward Donal Lenihan who has gone travelling. Odds: Dunboyne 4/1, Crokes 2/9, Draw 10/1 Verdict: Crokes Moorefield (Kildare) v Portlaoise (Laois), Newbridge
Moorefield didn’t miss a beat when they saw off Westmeath winners Mullingar Shamrocks but they will come up against a very experienced Portlaoise side who have been in three provincial finals since 2011. Moorefield have the likes of Adam Tyrrell in good form and while the Laois men can bring them to the brink, Moorefield look in rude health and can take another step towards defending their title.
Odds: Moorefield 4/5, Portlaoise 13/10, Draw 7/1
Verdict: Moorefield Rhode (Offaly) v Mullinalaghta (Longford), O’Connor Park
Given their recent dominance in Offaly it may come as a surprise that Rhode have yet to get over the line in Leinster. They have contested five finals so far and face a stiff test if they are to keep their hopes of seeing a sixth one alive. They are up against a Mullinalaghta side who have won three Longford titles on the spin and were edged out by St Loman’s last year – who themselves will feel like they left a Leinster crown behind them. This won’t be straightforward for the Offaly men but they might just sneak it.
Odds: Rhode 5/6, M’laghta 5/4, Draw 7/1
Verdict: Rhode Newtown Blues (Louth) v Éire Óg (Carlow), Gaelic Grounds
Éire Óg are no strangers to this level of competition having contested a pair of AllIreland club finals in the 1990s. They will look to AFL target Jordan Morrissey for inspiration against a Newtown Blues side who delivered a brilliant late show to retain their Louth title. They will need Andy McDonnell to lead around the middle third.
Odds: Newtown Blues 4/7, Éire Óg 9/5, Draw 7/1
Verdict: Newtown Blues
MUNSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS
The Nire (Waterford) v St Joseph’s Milltown (Clare), Fraher Field, 1.30
This is a big chance for both sides to make their way to a Munster final, with the Clare men already up and running in the competition after a handsome win over Limerick champions Adare. Dick Guiry’s men will look to Conor Gleeson and Jamie Barron while Milltown will be hoping that Eoin Cleary can repeat his showing in the county final. Odds: The Nire 4/7, St Joseph’s Milltown 9/5, Draw 7/1
Verdict: The Nire Dr Crokes (Kerry) v St Finbarr’s (Cork), Dr Crokes GAA, live, TG4, 1.30
It was very much business as usual as Crokes saw off Tipperary side Moyle Rovers last time out with a typically powerful display. They won’t need reminding that they were dumped out of the Munster race last year by then Cork champions Nemo Rangers and that experience should have them steeled for the visit of a St Finbarr’s side who emerged from Cork after losing eight finals since their last success.
Odds: Dr Crokes 1/6, St Finbarr’s 9/2, Draw 12/1
Verdict: Dr Crokes
ULSTER CLUB SHC FINAL
Ballycran (Down) v Cushendall (Antrim), Athletic Grounds, 3.0
Ballycran are the outsiders with the bookmakers but given that they toppled back-to-back Ulster champions Slaughtneil last time out they can’t be discounted. History suggests that the Antrim champions are usually the strongest team around but this might be tighter than the odds suggest.
Odds: Ballycran 4/1, Cushendall 1/5, Draw 11/1 Verdict: Cushendall
Camogie ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS*
Clanmaurice (Kerry) v Kilmessan (Meath), Nenagh, M Ryan, 2.0
Verdict: Kilmessan
Crosserlough (Cavan) v Four Roads (Roscommon), Edgeworthstown, G Donegan, 2.0
Verdict: Four Roads