Today’s GAA
Éire Netwatch CARLOWÓg v RathvillyCullenSFC FINALPark, 3.15pm REPLAY Rathvillythat this wentwill be to kickinga replay themselvesas they concededthe first game.a numberWith Brendanof soft frees Murphyin leading enough the this way, time they around. should have
Verdict: Rathvilly CORKNemo RangersSFC FINALv St REPLAY Finbarrs, Páirc Given Uí that Chaoimh,Barrs fought1pm back from an eight-pointat the death deficitlast week,to draw the the feeling game is thatcan eradicate momentum the is jitterswith them.that spoiledIf they their first-half performance the last day, they can edge this.
Verdict: St Finbarrs KERRY SFC FINAL Dr Crokes v South Kerry, Austin Stack Park, 3pm Dr Crokes are looking for their 12th county title, which will see them join Austin Stacks and Laune Rangers at the top of the Kerry roll of honour. Given the reigning All-Ireland champions hammered West Kerry in the semi-final, Colm Cooper looks primed to capture his sixth title of this decade.
Verdict: Dr Crokes LIMERICK SFC FINAL Adare v Newcastle west, Gaelic Grounds, 4pm The first ever all-west Limerick football final will be a novel affair. Newcastle West get the nod to reclaim the title they last won in 2015.
Verdict: Newcastle West LONDON SFC FINAL Fulham Irish v Tír Chonaill Gaels, Ruislip, 2.30pm Bit of a fairy-tale in south-west London as Fulham, the city’s newest club, take on a traditional giant. Managed by Down All-Ireland winner Gregory McCartan and with Owen Mulligan in attack, they might give this story a happy ending.
Verdict: Fulham Irish MAYO SFC FINAL Ballintubber v Castlebar Mitchels, MacHale Park, 3.30pm Hardly seems fair on Castlebar that they have to play a county final four days after edging past Garrymore in a semi-final replay. With the O’Connors and Alan Dillon, Ballintubber should be savvy enough to prey on that. Verdict: Ballintubber ROSCOMMON SFC FINAL Roscommon Gaels v St Brigid’s, Hyde Park, 4pm Frankie Dolan is in charge of a Brigid’s side seeking their 16th county title, but they won’t have it all their own way against the Gaels who seek a return to the top for the first time since 2004. Still with the likes of Senan Kilbride and Peter Domican, the 2013 All-Ireland champions should find a way to claim the silverware.
Verdict: St Brigid’s SLIGO SFC FINAL Eastern Harps v Tourlestrane, Markevicz Park, 4pm This may pass as an audition for the county job for Éamonn O’Hara. If he can lead Tourlestrane to two county titles in a row, his credentials may be hard to ignore.
Verdict: Tourlestrane CORK SHC FINAL Blackrock v Imokilly, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm Putting 4-17 on Sarsfields in last weekend’s semi-final replay shows the firepow-er of east Cork divisional side Imokilly. Séamus Harnedy and Paudie O’Sullivan proved to be an unstoppable combination, bagging 2-3 each in a pivotal week for Cork hurling. A huge crowd is expected as the news of John Meyler’s appointment has minds already turning to next spring and summer. Blackrock’s first final appearance in 14 years lends this a novel feel but it’s Imokilly are currently on the crest of a wave.
Verdict: Imokilly WATERFORD SHC FINAL Ballygunner v De La Salle, Walsh Park, 3pm (Live TG4) Ballygunner have a fourth consecutive title in their sights and the wobble against Lismore last weekend should lead to the necessary refocusing. Any team with Kevin Moran or John Mullane on it though won’t go down without a serious fight.
Verdict: Ballygunner CLARE SHC FINAL REPLAY Clooney-Quin v Sixmilebridge, Cusack Park, 3.30pm Not just a one-man team insisted the Clooney-Quin management after the drawn game, on a day when Peter Duggan accounted for 10 points. Evergreen Niall Gilligan made an important cameo last time and Sixmilebridge look to have more of a scoring spread.
Verdict: Sixmilebridge WEXFORD SHC FINAL Oulart-the-Ballagh v St Martin’s, Innovate Wexford Park, 3.30pm Plenty of familiar faces in the Oulart side that have dominated the local scene. Another big ask for St Martin’s.
Verdict: Oulart-the-Ballagh SLIGO SHC FINAL Calry-St Joseph’s v Western Gaels, Markievicz Park, 2pm Calry-St Joseph’s are the undisputed kingpins, contesting 13 out of the last 14 finals and the obvious fancy to complete a seven-in-a-row.
Verdict: Calry-St Joseph’s ULSTER CLUB SHC FINAL Ballygalget (Down) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Athletic Grounds, 4pm Over 6,000 turned up to see Slaughtneil power past Dunloy in the semifinal with Cormac O’Doherty’s dead-ball striking just one impressive element. A bumper crowd expected as the rise of the proud dual Derry club continues.
Verdict: Slaughtneil