Preview: Weekend's senior club championship finals
Pictured ahead of the PTSB Dublin Hurling Championship Senior Final between Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes are Seán Brennan and Dara Purcell. PTSB is proud to sponsor the PTSB Dublin Leagues and Championships across all four codes within Dublin GAA, Dublin LGFA and Dublin Camogie, from minor level upwards.
Friday 23 October
Connolly’s of Moy Tyrone senior football final replay
Edendork v Errigal Ciarán, O’Neill’s Healy Park, Omagh, 7.30pm
A stunning equaliser by Darren McCurry earned Edendork a second bite of the cherry in the drawn match. That experience of playing in their first ever final should stand to Edendork for this replay against an Errigal Ciarán team that has won two of the last four titles.
Saturday 24 October
PTSB Dublin senior hurling final
Cuala v Kilmacud Crokes, Parnell Park, 7.15pm – RTÉ 2
Cuala dethroned champions Na Fianna in their semi-final and have an exciting young team that’s spearheaded by prolific forwards Liam Murphy and Conall O’Toole. Crokes have been the stronger team in recent years though and the impact of their potent bench could be telling.
Bon Secours Hospital Galway senior football final
Salthill Knocknacarra v Maigh Cuilinn, Pearse Stadium, 7pm
This is a repeat of last year’s final which Maigh Cuilinn won by two points and another close battle is anticipated here. Maigh Cuillin certainly impressed when hammering Annaghdown in the semi-final and Mountbellew-Moylough in the quarter-final, but Salthill might be more battle-hardened after coming through a tough encounter with Corofin in their semi-final.
Connacht Gold Leitrim senior football final
Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins v Fenagh St Caillin’s – Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, 3.30pm
Fenagh looked set to win the drawn match until a late Tom Prior goal earned Ballinamore another bite. The big question is whether a young Fenagh team can overcome that disappointment and raise their level again. These two teams also went to a replay in last year’s semi-final so there’s not much between them
Anchor Tours Louth senior football final replay
Newtown Blues v St Mochta’s, Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, 3.30pm
St. Mochta’s showed great character to come from five points down to force this replay with veteran Declan Byrne landing a late two-pointer. Ciaran Downey was uncharacteristically quiet for the Blues the last day, and if he plays to his full potential it could tip the scales.
Sunday 25 October
McCarthy Insurance Group Cork premier senior football final
Nemo Rangers v St Finbarr’s – SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm
This is a repeat of last year’s final which St. Finbarr’s won by a point. That was a third county final defeat in a row for Nemo, who look like an extremely hungry team this year. If they’re to dethrone the champions they’ll need to somehow limit the scoring influence of Steven Sherlock.
O’Neill’s Sportswear Derry senior football final
O’Donovan Rossa Magherafelt v Sean O’Leary’s Newbridge, Find Insurance Celtic Park, 3.30pm
When these two teams met in last year’s Final it was Newbridge who came out on top by two points and another ferocious battle is expected between two teams that are both unbeaten in the championship to this point. In a game of fine margins, the in-form Conall Higgins could be a match-winner for Magherafelt.
Mannok Fermanagh senior football final
Derrygonnelly Harps v Erne Gaels Belleek, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 3.30pm
Erne Gaels are gunning for a third county title in a row but a Derrygonnelly Harps team with a nice blend of youth and experience are certainly capable of stopping them. The form of Ryan Lyons and the Kelm brothers makes the reigning champions slight favourites.
Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry senior football final
Dr Crokes v Kenmare Shamrocks, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, 2pm
A first ever Kerry senior final for a Kenmare Shamrocks team inspired by Kerry star Sean O’Shea. They’ve impressed en route to their maiden final but it’s hard to look beyond the experience of a Dr. Crokes team stacked with multiple county title winners.
UPMC Kildare senior hurling final
Maynooth v Naas, Cedral St Conleth’s, Newbridge, 3pm
Maynooth have played some great hurling this year but they’ll go in as rank underdogs against a Naas team bidding to win an eight title in a row and with a frankly ridiculous average winning margin so far in this year’s campaign of 39 points.
St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny senior hurling final
Shamrocks Ballyhale v Tullaroan, UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.4pm, TG4.
A first senior final since 1994 for a Tullaroan team looking to win the club’s 21st title which would bring them level on the roll of honour with their opponents Ballyhale. Even though they’re the two most successful clubs in the county, this is the first time they’ve contested the final. A Ballyhale forward line that includes Eoin Cody, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen and Niall Shortall has been racking up big scores all year and are warm favourites to complete a League and Championship double.
Whitebox Property Developments Ltd Limerick senior hurling final
Kilmallock v Na Piarsaigh, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm, TG4.
Reigning champions Na Piarsaigh have been the dominant force in Limerick in recent times and are bidding for an eight title in 12 years here. Kilmallock are in their first final since 2022 when they couldn’t match Na Piarsaigh’s firepower, and a similar story could unfold this time around too.
Connacht Gold Mayo senior football final
Castlebar Mitchels v Garrymore, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, 3.30pm
This is likely to be a match decided by very fine margins. Castlebar have a greater spread of natural scorers in their attack than a Garrymore team quite reliant on Darren Quinn, but the Garrymore defence has been the best in the championship to date. If Garrymore can make the middle third a scrappy battlefield they can come out on top, but if Castlebar can even break even their then their slicker attack can give them the edge.
JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford senior football final
The Nire v Rathgormack, 2.30pm Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
This is the fifth time in six years these two teams have contested the Waterford SFC Final. Rathgormack have had the better of the rivalry – they’re going for a fourth title in a row – and if can get a good supply of ball into Stephen Curry you’d fancy them to come out on top again.
Pettitt’s Wexford senior hurling final
Rathnure St Anne’s v Shelmaliers, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3.30pm
Rathnure are fancied to win a first Wexford SHC title in 20 years here. They dethroned reigning county and provincial champions, St. Martin’s, in the semi-final, and will have learned a lot from their defeat in last year’s county final.