Walsh adds real class to Crokes’ bid for glory
Dublin SFC final
Kilmacud Crokes v Na Fianna, Parnell Park, 4.30pm
It is 21 years since Na Fianna were last champions but their blistering form, underlined by the manner of their semi-final mauling of Ballyboden, gives them a fighting chance of bridging that gap. That door of opportunity has opened a little wider with the absence of the injured Paul Mannion from the Kilmacud line-up, but what fate has taken away, the transfer system has given back with Shane Walsh showing all his class when shooting eight points in the last-four win over Thomas Davis.
VERDICT: Kilmacud Crokes
Meath SFC final
Ratoath v Summerhill, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm
The ease with which Summerhill dethroned Wolfe Tones in the semifinal was something of a surprise, and would suggest they have more than a fighting chance of a first title in nine years.
Ratoath, seeking a third championship in four years, are hot favourites for a number of reasons, not least their potent forward unit.
Losing last weekend’s hurling final adds further motivation. VERDICT: Ratoath
Monaghan SFC final
Ballybay Pearse Brothers v Scotstown, Clones, 3pm
When these teams met in the final two years ago, Scotstown romped to a 10-point win.
It is fair to suggest that the gap may have narrowed in the interim. Ballybay veteran forward Paul Finlay (right) is in good form but Scotstown have made it to their 10th final appearance in a row and have won seven of the previous nine.
They remain a force apart.
VERDICT: Scotstown
Cavan SFC final
Gowna v Killygarry, Kingspan Breffni, 4pm
A momentous day for Killygarry could turn out to be a historic one if they can clinch their first Cavan title. As it is, this is just their second appearance in the final and comes 51 years after their first. It affords one of Cavan’s great modern servants, Martin Reilly (below), a well deserved shot at a first senior medal.
However, Gowna, bristling from last year’s final defeat to Ramor United, will hardly be giving way to sentiment.
VERDICT: Gowna
Down SFC final
Kilcoo v Warrenpoint, Páirc Esler, 4pm
There is a sense that Warrenpoint have a golden ticket in this year’s championship having beaten both Burren and Loughlinisland in two penalty shoot-outs inside a week to reach the final
But you need more than luck when facing the All-Ireland champions, even if Kilcoo have not always found winning this competition easy and they had only a point to spare when they beat Warrenpoint in the 2019 decider.
Still, they look good to win a 10th title in 11 years.
VERDICT: Kilcoo
Sligo SFC final
St Mary’s v Tourlestrane, Markievicz Park, 3.30pm
Tourlestrane’s dominance is such that a win here will mean a seventh county title in a row.
Little wonder, then, they are oddson favourites but there have been signs over the last couple of months of the pack reeling them in and they had just two points to spare over Shamrock Gaels in the semifinal.
However, St Mary’s might view such a margin as a comfortable one as they were forced to live on their nerves in a penalty shoot-out against Drumcliffe-Rosses Point.
VERDICT: Tourlestrane
Tipperary SFC final
Clonmel Commercials v Upperchurch-Drombane, FBD Semple Stadium, 3.15pm
Upperchurch-Drombane have progressed to the final for the first time in their history, having dethroned Loughmore-Castleiney in a last-four clash.
For all of that, the market is utterly unmoved with Clonmel, appearing in their fourth consecutive final, and they are 1/10 to regain the title they lost last year.
VERDICT: Clonmel Commercials
Wexford SFC final
Castletown v Shelmaliers, Chadwicks Wxford Park, 4pm
A win would give Castletown a 12th title and send them back on top of the roll of honour on their own —they currently share it with St John’s and Starlights — but that looks one step too far.
Shelmaliers’ defence of their title has been an emphatic one to this point, which might explain why they are overwhemling favourites.
VERDICT: Shelmaliers
Leitrim SFC final
Mohill v St Mary’s, Kiltoghert, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 3pm
It took a save from Seán Reynolds in a penalty shoot-out to book St Mary’s their place in the final, after Fenagh St Caillins took them to the wire in the semi-final.
It has also set up a rematch of the 2020 decider, which Mohill won by five points.
And after the heart-break of last year’s loss to Seán O’Heslins, the latter will not lack for a cause.
VERDICT: Mohill
London SFC final
Fulham Irish v St Kiernans, Ruislip, 1pm
A rematch of last year’s final when St Kiernans created something of a shock, but were well worth their fourpoint win at the final whistle.
Fulham Irish, whose recent dominance in London is reflected in theis being their sixth final appearance in a row, are likely to be all the more dangerous for that.
VERDICT: Fulham Irish
Louth SFC final replay
Newtown Blues v St Mary’s, Ardee, Clan na Gael GFC, Dundalk, 2pm
There was little surprise this was not decided at the first time of asking, so little is there to choose between the teams.
Dáire McConnon’s last-gasp equaliser might suggest the momentum is with St Mary’s, but in coming back from a six-point deficit early in the game, Newtown can also lay claim to that.
A tough one to call but the Drogheda men get the nod.
VERDICT: Newtown Blues
HURLING
Cork Premier SHC final Blackrock v St Finbarr’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4.00pm
For a time, the Cork championship belonged to the city clubs and this pair used to slug it out regularly like two familiar heavyweights. That it’s 40 years now since they last met in a final says a lot about the shift in the power dynamics of Cork hurling.There is a sense again of the wheel turning and that perhaps it will be a sign of Cork bringing back the Liam MacCarthy Leeside for the first time since 2005. The form of Ben Cunningham, Brian Hayes (top) and the Cahalanes is just one reason why the Barrs hope to end a long wait but the 3-21 Blackrock posted in the semi-final over Erin’s Own suggest a high-scoring thriller that could go down to the wire.
VERDICT: St Finbarr’s
Kilkenny SHC final
James Stephens v Ballyhale Shamrocks UPMC Nowlan Park, 2.30pm (Live TG4)
It didn’t take Brian Cody long to wind up, once again, as part of a big day for Kilkenny hurling. Back involved with James Stephens, the challengers have been so impressive in how they’ve turned their season around and come good just at the right time. Conor Browne’s second half goal was key to the semi-final win over Dicksboro but it was ominous in how Ballyhale Shamrocks coasted through in their own semifinal. With Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody and TJ Reid (above) cutting up, they had 15 points to spare over Clara and look hungry to mark the club’s milestone 50th anniversary year in style.
VERDICT: Ballyhale Shamrocks
Armagh SHC final
Céide Lámh Dhearg v Seán Treacy’s Athletic Grounds, 4.00pm
After Middletown completed a hat-trick of county titles in 2021, this pairing has a fresh look to it and Céide Lámh Dhearg are on course to do it after a tough semifinal passage.
VERDICT: Céide Lámh Dhearg