Today’s previews
FOOTBALL Connacht Club SFC final
Corofin (Galway) v Pádraig Pearses (Roscommon), Tuam Stadium, 2pm TG4 Deferred
PÁDRAIG PEARSES may be rank outsiders, at 9/2 to win today, but it is unlikely that Corofin will take the first-time finalists for granted.
After winning their first Roscommon title, it would have been understandable if their focus was a little blurred going into the provincial campaign – they looked particularly vulnerable against Tourlestrane who themselves had designs on reaching a Connacht final.
Putting the Sligo champions to the sword was a powerful statement of intent while they also made light work of a potentially tricky fixture against London champions Tír Chonaill Gaels last time out.
Their cause has been aided by a clarity of purpose, facilitated by manager Pat Flanagan.
‘We’ve a lot of guys here that are winners,’ he explained this week.
‘I said the first night we came back training that what we’ve achieved is history. Do we want to live in what was, or do we live in what can be?
‘I think there is an awful lot more in this team and I think there is an awful lot more for this team. That was the approach we took and I think it’s paid off,’ added Flanagan.
That attitude is underpinned by serious quality – not least in county players, Niall, Conor and Ronan Daly as well as David Murray and Hubert Darcy – but also in the form of Paul Carey who is set to earn an invite from Anthony Cunningham in the New Year.
Pearses’ obvious qualities aside, the resolve and the talent of champions Corofin appears limitless as they chase a fourth Connacht title in a row.
The quality they showed against Ballintubber, with Liam Silke to the fore, allowed them to build a comfortable lead in the third quarter of their semi-final against the Mayo champions, but their resolve was also tested and they dug in when it was put up to them near the end.
Just a week after defeating Tuam Stars in a replay to secure their seventh title in a row, their legs emptied coming down the home straight and a six-point lead was whittled down to one.
They might have buckled, but with their eyes on history as a first All-Ireland three-in-a-row beckons, they would not let it go. And they won’t today either.
Verdict: Corofin
Leinster Club SFC semi-final
Garrycastle (Westmeath) v Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin), TEG Cusack Park, 1.30pm DUBLIN’S dominance of this championship is such that you have to go back to 1980 for the last time the capital went three consecutive seasons without being represented in the provincial decider.
That is the challenge facing Ballyboden today and they take on Westmeath opponents who are unlikely to be overawed given that Garrycastle’s only provincial win came at the expense of Dublin’s St Brigid’s in 2011.
More to the point, their form has been impressive this winter, trouncing Longford champions Killoe in the quarter-final and while they had only two points to spare over Ratoath in the semifinal, the final scoreline flattered the Meath champion.
Indeed, Garrycastle held a ninepoint lead deep in the second half but eased off in the final quarter and were given the kind of fright which should stand to them.
However, it is hardly one they will need given that complacency will not be an issue against Ballyboden, who have been in cruise control since overcoming Na Fianna in the Dublin semifinal.
The form of the Basquel brothers, Ryan and Colm, has been central to that, with the latter drawing the ultimate compliment in the build-up to today’s game from Garrycastle boss
Gary Dolan.
‘Colly in my eyes is probably better than Diarmuid Connolly in some respects and it’s amazing not to see him in the Dublin panel,’ he said.
The chances of that situation being addressed are good but the likelihood of him playing in a Leinster final before that happens is even better.
Verdict: Ballyboden
HURLING Munster Club SHC final
Borris-Ileigh (Tipperary) v Ballygunner (Waterford), Páirc Uí Rinn, 2pm TG4 Live
BORRIS-ILEIGH seek a second Munster title 33 years after winning their first, but they are unlikely to be lighting bonfires prematurely in Tipperary.
To be fair, they showed admirable focus in grounding themselves within a week of winning a county final to defeat Glen Rovers in the semi-final more emphatically than the 1-17 to 3-8 scoreline suggested.
Driven on by the imperious Brendan Maher and with Conor Kenny in red-hot scoring form, there is no doubting their quality but this tie represents a step up.
Ballygunner are hardly going to be spoiled by last year’s provincial title success and their ambition is likely to extend to winning their first All-Ireland crown. They look even better equipped this time with the return of Dessie Hutchison adding edge to a forward line in which Michael Mahony has also been on fire this term. And with last year’s success comes a belief that was not always there.
‘The expectation in the club every year is to win a county and get back to a Munster final.
‘It’s a fourth in five years which is a phenomenal achievement but we’re all about trying to get back to back Munster titles and please God we can do that,’ claimed Ballygunner boss Darragh O’Sullivan after the emphatic win over Patrickswell.
Verdict: Ballygunner