Gaelic Games PREVIEWS

Leinster club SHC final Cuala (Dublin) v Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly), O’Moore Park, 2pm

IN the immediate aftermath of his team’s rout of Mount Leinster Rangers, Kilcormac-Killoughey manager Stephen Byrne was in little doubt as to how the build-up to this would roll. ‘We are going into a game where we will be completely written off,’ claimed Byrne following his team’s 17-point drubbing of the Carlow champions. It would appear that Byrne’s assessment was on the money as Cuala are 1/6 to retain their Leinster title. That price grossly underestimates the Offaly champions’ chances and the outcome is unlikely to be anywhere near as clear-cut as it might suggest. This is a team backboned by course and distance winners who were there in 2012 when they reached the All-Ireland final. They have already defied the odds in defeating St Rynagh’s in the Offaly final. And the manner of their win over another experienced Leinster Championship winning club in Mount Leinster Rangers demands respect, not least for the fact they were reduced to 14 men when Cillian Kiely was shown a red card before half-time. They have the fire-power to menace the champions — Dan Currams and James Gorman combined to score 2-8 from play in that win — so this promises to be a far stiffer test for the Dublin side than that offered by St Martin’s. And given that this is Cuala’s third Leinster final appearance in a row there is an argument to be made that Kilcormac-Killoughey could be the fresher team here. The flip side to that, though, is that it could also mean that this Cuala team is an exceptional one and all the evidence bears that out. This is a well-balanced team full of quality not least in the O’Callaghan brothers, Cian and Con, posted at opposite ends of the field. Add in the experience of Oisín Gough, Colm Cronin, David Treacy, along with the Schuttes, Paul and Mark, and the champions are a formidable outfit. Meanwhile, already without the suspended Kiely, Kilcormac captain Peter Healion is also a significant fitness concern as he seeks to recover from the ankle injury he sustained in that semi-final win. Still this should be a lot tighter than many, believe. Verdict: Cuala

Galway SHC final Gort v Liam Mellows, Pearse Stadium, 2pm

EVEN allowing for not having a provincial deadline to meet — this doubles as an All-Ireland quarter-final — it is an embarrassment for the Galway County Board that their county final takes place three weeks before Christmas. Gort’s semi-final replay against Craughwell — only secured by Greg Lally’s late point — added to that delay and it is likely that they should make good on that second chance here. Aidan Harte is in sparkling form as evidenced by the 1-4 he scored against a Craughwell side, who incidentally were the only team to defeat Liam Mellows in this year’s championship. And if that form book holds up, Liam Mellows’ first appearance in 47 years will not be a happy one.

Verdict: Gort

Waterford SFC final The Nire v Stradbally, Fraher Field, 2pm

This championship was parked up to facilitate their hurling championship, ensuring that Waterford had no representative in Munster. The Nire, with hurling star Jamie Barron, should amake the wait worthwhile.

Verdict: The Nire