Preview: Weekend's senior club championship action

GAELIC FOOTBALL

Saturday November 1

AIB Leinster Club SFC Round One

Old Leighlin (Carlow) v Portarlington (Laois), Netwatch Cullen Park, 6.15pm

Old Leighlin will be eager to test a talented Portarlington outfit on Saturday evening.

Cathal Coughlan supplied a sweet Carlow SFC Final winning point against Rathvilly to illustrate Old Leighlin's potential.

Aaron Amond and Seán Bambrick are other influential figures for a gritty Old Leighlin team, who will know all about the threat posed by Portarlington.

Having gleaned five Laois titles in six years, Portarlington are well versed in these type of matches, and they showed battling qualities against an improving Courtwood.

Colm Murphy and Rioghan Murphy are able attackers for Pat Roe's charges.

AIB Ulster Club SFC Preliminary Round

Newbridge v Dunloy, Owenbeg, 6pm

These are encouraging times for these two progressive clubs.

Retaining the Derry SFC crown in a highly competitive environment shows the distance travelled by Newbridge in recent years.

The nature of the 1-17 to 1-15 win over Magherafelt proved that Newbridge are a durable and dynamic outfit.

Newbridge continue to be inspired by the McGrogans, while Conor McAteer and Eamon Young clipped vital scores in the Derry decider.

Dunloy produced a brilliant attacking display to secure a first Antrim SFC title in 89 years, beating Erins Own Cargin in the final.

Dual star Keelan Molloy carries a potent threat, while Nigel and Seaan Elliott were other prominent figures in that stirring triumph.

Roscommon SFC Final Replay

St Brigid's v Padraig Pearses, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2.30pm

This replay should be lively. A compelling match unfolded at the Hyde last Sunday when two accomplished teams couldn't be separated.

An equally tense and thrilling match is anticipated following Brian Stack's last gasp equaliser for St Brigid's.

During the past decade Pearses have competed impressively in Roscommon with the Dalys, David Murray, Jack Tumulty, and Paul Carey enjoying many productive outings.

A new generation of talent has been developed by Brigid's, though, and they feature plenty of past and present inter-county stars too.

Conor Carroll, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Eddie Nolan, and Ben O'Carroll are influential figures for Brigid's.

Sunday November 2

AIB Leinster Club SFC Round One

Summerhill (Meath) v Killoe Emmet Óg, Páirc Tailteann, 1.30pm

Another attractive match beckons in Navan, involving two clubs, who are keen to generate momentum in Leinster.

Eoghan Frayne's sweet kicking style was evident in the Meath showpiece when Summerhill edged out Ratoath.

Conor Frayne and Liam Shaw also rifled over vital scores in that victory for Summerhill, who will treat Killoe's challenge with the utmost respect.

Ronan McGoldrick's fisted point in the dying embers of a keenly contested Longford SFC Final was sufficient to earn Killoe a narrow win.

Cian Farrelly, Mickey Quinn, and Daniel Mimnagh excelled for Killoe in that clash and will need to be similarly effective once more.

Baltinglass (Wicklow) v Athy (Kildare), Echelon Park, 1.30pm

With a first Wicklow SFC success attained since 2020, Baltinglass now face a decent Athy team in Aughrim.

Athy dethroned Naas in stunning fashion with Barry Kelly contributing a splendid performance in the Kildare final.

Former Tyrone player Cathal McCarron, Kevin Feely, and Niall Kelly supply guile and experience for Athy.

Baltinglass, though, will be looking to Mark Jackson , John McGrath, and Adam McHugh for inspiration.

Waterford SFC Final

Rathgormack v The Nire, Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, 2pm

Rathgormack, who are seeking a third Waterford SFC title on the spin, face The Nire, who they beat in the 2023 decider.

Before that The Nire had enjoyed two final victories over Rathgormack in 2021 and 2022.

Undoubtedly, Rathgormack learned many lessons from those narrow loses, and they won an absorbing semi-final against Abbeyside-Ballinacourty.

A Stephen Curry goal was followed by a Jason Curry pointed free for Rathgormack.

The Nire edged out Gaultier in the penultimate round as Aaron and Dermot Ryan took the scoring honours.

HURLING

Saturday November 1

Galway SHC Final

Loughrea v St Thomas', Pearse Stadium, 6pm

There will be no shortage of sub plots when Loughrea and St Thomas collide in Salthill.

Loughrea won a third ever Galway SHC title last year following a burst of St Thomas' excellence.

Since 2012, Thomas have being triumphant in the west on eight occasions, showing a real ability to deliver in finals.

In recent weeks Loughrea have shown good battling qualities, especially in the quarter-finals when recovering from a seven point deficit to beat Clarinbridge, courtesy of a Tiernan Killeen effort.

Loughrea beat Turloughmore in the last four with the Killeen brothers, Darren Shaughnessy, and Kieran Hanrahan effective.

St Thomas' were resilient when overcoming Tommy Larkins in a hard fought quarter-final before enjoying a convincing win over Craughwell.

Fintan Burke, Shane Cooney, David Burke, Conor Cooney, and the in form Victor Manso are all key figures for Thomas'.

Sunday November 2

AIB Munster Club SHC Quarter-Final

Na Piarsaigh v Ballygunner, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.30pm

Two of the most decorated teams in the AIB Munster Club SHC clash on Sunday.

Ballygunner have won five provincial titles, but they travel to Limerick for a revealing clash against four time victors Na Piarsaigh.

Indeed, Ballygunner defeated Na Piarsaigh in the 2018 Munster final.

That the Waterford standard bearers have remained so classy and consistent underlines their sheer quality.

Twelve Waterford championships in a row have been won with the latest victory over Mount Sion another statement.

Pauric Mahony nailed 11 points, Dessie Hutchinson clipped 1-6, and Patrick Fitzgerald scored 1-3 with Stephen O'Keeffe, Ian Kenny, and Philip Mahony still going strong.

Na Piarsaigh finished with a real flourish against Doon as Conor Boylan, Peter Casey, Adrian Breen, and Kevin Downes delivered important moments.

Shane Dowling, Jerome Boylan, Mike Casey, and Ronan Lynch are other key performers for Na Piarsaigh, who will relish the upcoming battle.