Classy Scotstown are in line to claim fourth title on trot
Monaghan SFC final
Scotstown v Ballybay, Clones, 3.30 A star-studded line-up, chasing a fourth title in a row and faced by challengers who are appearing in their first final in six years should make this all very straightforward for Scotstown. However, in a season where Monaghan football reached new heights, the likelihood is that their showpiece could prove to be every bit as competitive as their county team. While Ballybay are back in the final for the first time since their 2012 success, few will be surprised that they have made it this far, not least Scotstown. In last year’s semi-final, the champions had to come from behind to force a replay and there is enough quality, not least in All-Star nominees Drew and Ryan Wylie – who along with their brother Brett – make up the full-back line, while Thomas Kerr, Christopher McGuinness and former county star Paul Finlay ensure they have a cutting edge in attack. Still, this is an exceptional Scotstown side – they are chasing a fifth title in six years – with the Hughes’, Kieran and Darren, Conor McCarthy and the exceptional Rory Beggan leading their charge. How Ballybay cope with the latter, off the kicking tee and from placed balls, will dictate much, but it is difficult to see how they can get a handle on him. Verdict: Scotstown
Carlow SFC final
Éire Óg v Palatine, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3.45 Éire Óg have not impressed as reigning champions, but then their defensive game-plan is not meant to be easy on the eye. It is effective, though, and while Palatine will seek to find a way through, the likelihood is that they won’t.
Verdict: Éire Óg
Longford SFC final
Abbeylara v Mullinalaghta, Pearse Park, 4.0 This represents Abbeylara’s fourth final in a row but the main reason they have nothing to show for it is down to Mullinalaghta, who are seeking to become the first club since 1998 to win three-in-a-row. It will be tight – Abbeylara have lost in their three previous finals in one-score games (the last two to Mullinalaghta) and their luck is unlikely to change here. Verdict: Mullinalaghta
Laois SHC final
Camross v Rathdowney-Errill, O’Moore Park, 4.0 Such is the democratic nature of this championship that it is 16 years since any club made a successful defence of the county title. Camross, with Zane Keenan in flying form, might just defy that pattern this time against a Rathdownney-Errill side whose last championship title came in 2014. Verdict: Camross
Meath SHC final
Kiltale v Trim, Páirc Tailteann, 3.30 Victory here will see Kiltale become the first club to rack up five county titles in a row since Kilmessan on the way to six in a row back in 1947. Faced with that kind of momentum, the chances of Trim winning a first title in 17 years look less than slim.
Verdict: Kiltale
Offaly SHC final
Coolderry v Kilcormac Killoughey, O’Connor Park, 4.0 Kilcormac-Killoughey needed a late goal from Thomas Geraghty to keep their title defence on track in the semifinal against St Rynagh’s, while Coolderry had to stave off a fierce Belmont comeback in the other semi-final. This looks tight.
Verdict: Kilcormac-Killoughey
Roscommon SHC final
Athleague v Four Roads, Athleague, 3.0 After losing in their last two final appearances, Four Roads are due success.
Verdict: Four Roads
Waterford SHC final
Abbeyside v Ballygunner, Fraher Filed, 3.30 It is easy to believe that Abbeyside, a club who have never won the title and are appearing in their first final in 10 years, were a little shaken as they watched Ballygunner trounce Passage by 25 points in the semi-final. The champions are hunting a fifth title in a row, and with Pauric Mahony in red-hot scoring form, the challengers have all kinds of reasons to be fearful. Verdict: Ballygunner