By John Harrington

It’s the most significant weekend of club championship action yet this year with 11 county senior finals being played.

There are senior football finals in Antrim, Donegal, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Westmeath, and Wicklow, and senior hurling finals in Mayo, Meath, and Down.

The Antrim Final between Cargin and St. Mary’s, Aghagallon is being billed as a David v Goliath clash with good reason because St. Mary’s are trying to win a first ever Antrim SFC title whereas Cargin have won the Padraig McNamee Cup five times in the last seven seasons.

St. Mary’s have made steady progress since winning the Antrim Intermediate Championship in 2016, culminating in their first ever senior final appearance last year when they were beaten by Creggan.

They showed tremendous character to defeat Portglenone courtesy of a last-gasp extra-time goal in the semi-final, but will need to improve their performance level if they’re to make history on Sunday.

Cargin defeated reigning champions Creggan in their semi-final by a single point, and will feel like they have room for improvement.

Creggan defeated St. Mary’s easily in last year’s decider so that form-line suggests Cargin are favourites on Sunday with good reason, but the invaluable experience gained from that match should stand to St. Mary’s.

The Donegal SFC Final between St Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill is a replay of last year’s decider which St. Eunan’s won to claim the Dr. Maguire Cup for the first time in seven years.

In doing so, they prevented Naomh Conaill from winning a third title in a row, but it wasn’t an entirely unpredicted result because St Eunan’s were mining a rich seam of talent from a series of successful underage teams.

What was less predictable was just how comfortably St. Eunan’s triumphed on the day, on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-4, which seems like a big gap for Naomh Conaill to close a year later.

The Glenties outfit have an injury doubt over their play-maker, Ethan O’Donnell, who would be a big loss if he were absent. On the other side of the coin, Peter McEniff is an injury doubt for St. Eunan’s.

Naomh Conaill are appearing in their sixth Final in a row and are a hugely experienced outfit who will be fired up to make amends for last year’s heavy defeat.

But you get the feeling that St. Eunan’s are the team plotting an upward graph and will prove it again on Sunday.

In Kildare, Naas are bidding to win back to back senior football championships whereas Clare are hoping to win their first since 1997.

Naas will go into the match as favourites because they’ve backed up last year’s title win in such impressive fashion. They’ve come through some seriously tough battles and shown the mark of champions to find a way to win regardless of the circumstances.

Their success has been founded on bringing through a series of successful underage teams, and now Clane are plotting the same graph. They have a huge academy and now the conveyor belt of talent is making an impact at senior level.

The canny management of Tom Cribbin is a big factor too, this Clane team are a very well-drilled outfit who played to a defined tactical system and are difficult to break down.

No team in the county possesses quite the same cutting edge that Naas do in attack though, so if the reigning champions can break even around the middle third they’ll fancy their chances of building a winning score.

The Laois Senior Football Final between reigning champions Portarlington and O’Dempseys should be a cracker if their Round 2 clash is an accurate barometer. That day Portarlington prevailed by a single point, 0-16 to 1-12, in what was arguably the match of the championship so far.

The defending champions have made a habit this year of coming through tight matches, also defeating Ballyroan and Portlaoise by a point in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively.

In both of those matches their shooting was off-key, and for that to happen in two matches in a row should be a source of concern, particularly as O’Dempsey’s have been racking up big scores.

They’ve scored 12-72 in their last five championship matches which equates to 22 points per match. That’s definitely a big factor in their favour against a Portarlington team with a scoring average of 17 points per match, but the defending champions will believe their greater experience of the big day in recent years combined with a mean defence will be enough to see them squeeze home.

The Longford SFC Final between neighbours Mullinalaghta and Colmcille is one many people predicted because both clubs have performed with such consistency this year.

They’re also due to meet in the Leader Cup Final and have already met in the Division League Final where Colmcille won out by 2-11 to 1-10. That was a really tight match until a Cathal McCabe goal in injury-time clinched the win for Colmcille, and another hard battle is expected on Sunday.

Mullinalaghta have been the dominant force in Longford in recent years, winning four of the last six titles, and that experience should stand to them against a Colmcille team appearing in their first final for 14 years.

Colmcille produced an excellent performance when beating Longford Slashers by 11 points in the semi-final though, and if they can get to that level or surpass it, they’re capable of springing a shock.

In Louth, both Newtown Blues and St. Mary’s Ardee bring considerable momentum into Sunday’s Senior Football Final.

The Blues defeated Geraldines by 1-13 to 1-2 to book their place in the county final for the first time since 2019 and while St. Mary’s only had a point to spare over Naomh Máirtín, the nature of that win will have put some serious wind in their sails.

Naomh Máirtín were bidding for a third title in a row, so it was a serious feat for St. Mary’s to clip them, but the win was all the more impressive for the nature of it.

Despite not scoring until the 27th minute of the first half and having trailed by two points when the match slipped into injury-time, it said a lot about the perseverance of this St. Mary’s team that they still found a way to win it.

It’ll be interesting to see now how they handle the final. They haven’t won a title since 1995, whereas the Blues won three-in-a-row from 2017 to 2019 and will hope that experience will give them an edge.

Having won the semi-final in the manner they did, though, St. Mary’s won’t lack for confidence either.

The Westmeath SFC Final between St. Loman’s and The Downs should be a cracker, with both teams committed to open, attacking football.

St. Loman’s have the greater pedigree in recent years, they’re gunning for a third title in a row and a seventh in 10 years, whereas The Downs are contesting their first final for 17 years.

They’re very much here on merit though and won’t lack for confidence, particularly as they’ve already hammered St. Loman’s in championship action this year, on a scoreline of 3-14 to 0-11 when the teams met in the second round-robin game.

St. Loman’s were without key man John Heslin that day, but The Downs were also without two regulars in Charlie Drumm and Kevin O’Sullivan, so it’s a result that stands on its merits.

The fact that The Downs have already won the League title this year is another point in their favour, but the stakes are higher now and St. Loman’s are far more accustomed to the big occasion.

It’s all set up nicely to be an intriguing and potentially high-scoring affair between two teams capable of turning on the style.

The Wicklow Senior Football Final between Baltinglass and St. Patrick’s should be another hard-fought affair.

Baltinglass have the greater pedigree of late winning the 2020 Final and losing last year’s Final to Blessington by a single point, but St. Patrick’s are still backboned by the players that won titles in 2018 and 2019 so won’t lack for belief either.

If their respective matches against a talented An Tóchar team can be taken as an accurate barometer, there won’t be too much between these sides.

Baltinglass defeated them by two points in the semi-final, while St. Patrick’s needed extra-time to get the better of them in Round 2.

The Mayo hurling final features the familiar pairing of Tooreen and Ballyhaunis who have contested 12 of the last 14 deciders.

Tooreen have had the better of things of late, winning four of the last five county finals with their 2020 defeat to their great rivals regarded as something of an upset.

Connacht Intermediate champions in 2021, they should have the quality to repeat their victory over Ballyhaunis in last year’s county final.

Trim and Ratoath do battle in the Meath SHC Final and everyone will be hoping it will be a repeat of the classic these two teams produced when they met in the 2020 decider.

On that occasion Trim prevailed on a scoreline of 1-26 to 1-25 after extra-time and they’re slight favourites to repeat the dose on Sunday.

That assessment is largely based on what happened when the teams met in the group phase – Trim triumphed by 4-13 to 0-18 – but Ratoath’s season has been a bit of a slow-burner that now threatens to ignite at the best time possible.

They won just one of their five group games but still qualified and have been much improved in the knock-out rounds on the way to this Final.

Their chances of springing what would be regarded as a slight upset probably rest largely on how they can handle James Murray, who scored 3-5 when the teams last met.

In Down, Portaferry and Ballycran contest the county senior hurling final for the fifth year in a row. Ballycran have won three of the previous four meetings, but they’ve all been very competitive matches.

The 2020 final required a replay to settle, and last year’s encounter went to extra-time, so another tight battle is expected on Sunday.

This year’s form-line favours Portaferry, as they defeated Ballycran in the group phase of the championship.

A full list of this weekend's fixtures can be viewed below.

Friday October 7

Armagh Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Crossmaglen Rangers v Maghery Seán MacDiarmada, Athletic Grounds, 7:30pm

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Clashmore/Kinsalebeg v Kilmacthomas, Fraher Field, 7:30pm

· Portlaw v St Saviour’s, St Molleran’s, 7:30pm

Saturday October 8

Armagh Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final Replay:

· Céide Lámh Dhearg v Cuchulainn Hurling Club, Middletown, 7:00pm

Clare Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Cratloe v Ballyea, Cusack Park, TBC

O’Neill’s Derry Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Sean O’Leary GAC Newbridge v Glen, Owenbeg, 6:45pm

Go Ahead Dublin Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· *Ballyboden St Endas v Kilmacud Crokes*, Parnell Park, 7:30pm *LIVE ON RTÉ*

Mannok Fermanagh Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Derrygonnelly Harps v Enniskillen Gaels, St.Patrick’s Park, Tempo, 4:00pm

Bon Secours Hospital Galway Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Salthill-Kncknacarra v Tuam Stars, Tuam Stadium, 2:30pm

· Mountbellew/Moylough v Corofin, Tuam Stadium, 4:15pm

Bon Secours Hospital Galway Senior Football Championship Relegation Play Off:

· An Spidéal v St. James, Pearse Stadium, 1:15pm

Garvey's SuperValu Kerry County Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Feale Rangers v Austin Stacks, Austin Stack Park, 5:30pm

· Dr Crokes v Dingle, Austin Stack Park, 7:30pm

St Canice's Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Shamrocks Ballyhale v Tullaroan, UPMC Nowlan Park, 3:30pm

Bons Secours Hospital Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final:

· Doon v Kildimo Pallaskenry, Killmallock, 3:30pm

Tom Earley Cup Mayo Junior A Hurling Championship Final:

· Westport v Toreen ‘B’, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, 4:00pm

Greenfield Foods Monaghan Senior Football Championship Relegation Round 3:

· Castleblayney Faughs v Carrickmacross, Inniskeen, 4:30pm

· Donaghmoyne v Aughnamullen, Castleblayney, 4:30pm

Sligo Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Naomh Eoin v Coolera Strandhill, Sligo GAA Centre of Excellence, 4:00pm

FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Relegation Final:

· Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill v Templederry Kenyons, Holycross, 3:00pm

LLC Tyrone Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Clonoe O`Rahilly's CLG v Domhnach Mór Naoimh Pádraig, Páirc Arthur Mallon, Edendork, 1:00pm

· An Charraig Mhor Naomh Colmcille v Loughmacrory St. Teresa's, Pomeroy, 3:45pm

Writech Westmeath Intermediate Football Final:

· Shandonagh v Tubberclair, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 4:00pm

Clarke’s Bar Westmeath Junior 1 Football Final:

· Multyfarnham v Bunbrosna, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 2:00pm

Darcy Sand Wicklow Intermediate Football Championship Final

· Annacurra v Eire Óg Greystones, Aughrim, 4:30pm

Sunday October 9

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Final:

· Clann na hÉireann Carraigin v St. Mary’s Aghagallon, Corrigan Park, Belfast, 3:00pm

Armagh Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Granemore v Killeavy St Monnina, Athletic Grounds, 2:00pm

Clare Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Éire Óg Ennis v Sixmilebridge, Cusack Park, TBC

Co-Op Superstores Cork Senior Hurling Championship Final:

· Fr.O’Neills v Courcey Rovers, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4:00pm

Co-Op Superstores Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship Final:

· Cloughduv v Dungourney, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2:00pm

Michael Murphy Sports Donegal Senior Football Championship Final:

· *Naomh Conaill v St Eunans*, Páirc Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill, 4:30pm *LIVE ON GAA BEO, TG4*

Michael Murphy Sports Donegal Senior B Championship Final:

· Naomh Conaill v St Eunans, Páirc Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill, 2:30pm

O’Neill’s Derry Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Lavey v Slaughtneil, Owenbeg, 6:45pm

Morgan Fuels Down Senior Hurling Championship Final:

· Ballycran v St.Patrick’s GAC, Portaferry, Páirc Esler, Newry, 4:00pm

Go Ahead Dublin Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Cuala v Na Fianna, Parnell Park, 4:00pm

Mannok Fermanagh Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Brian Borus v Erne Gaels Belleek, Canon Maguire Park, Derrygonnelly, 4:00pm

Bon Secours Hospital Galway Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· St. Michael’s v Annaghdown, Pearse Stadium, 2:15pm

· Maigh Cuilinn v Claregalway, Pearse Stadium, 4:00pm

Bon Secours Hospital Galway Senior Football Championship Relegation Play Off:

· Caherlistrane V Monivea-Abbey, Corofin, 1:00pm

Garvey's SuperValu Kerry County Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Mid Kerry v Templenoe, Austin Stack Park, 1:00pm

· *East Kerry v Kenmare Shamrocks*, Austin Stack Park, 2:45pm *LIVE ON GAA BEO, TG4*

Joe Mallon Motors Kildare Senior Football Championship Dermot Bourke Cup Final:

· Clane v Naas, Newbridge, 3:30pm

Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship Final:

· O’Dempsey’s v Portarlington, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 4:00pm

Laois Shopping Centre Junior Football Championship Final:

· Portlaoise v Barrowhouse, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 2:00pm

Bons Secours Hospital Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final:

· Tobar Phadraig v South Liberties, Killmallock, 2:00pm

Peter Hanley Motors Longford Senior Football Championship Final:

· Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s v Colmcille, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 4:00pm

Peter Hanley Motors Longford Intermediate Football Championship Final:

· Fr. Manning Gaels v Ballymahon, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2:00pm

Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship Final:

· Ardee St.Marys v Newtown Blues, Clann na Gael, Dundalk, 4:00pm

TJ Tyrrell Cup Mayo Senior Hurling Championship Final:

· Tooreen v Ballyhanunis, Adrian Freeman Park, Tooreen, 2:00pm

Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim Meath Senior Hurling Championship Final:

· Trim v Rathoath, Páirc Tailteann, 2:30pm

Hodson Bay Hotel Group Roscommon Senior Football Championship Semi Finals:

· Roscommon Gaels v Strokestown, Dr. Hyde Park 2:00pm

· Boyle v St. Brigid’s, Dr. Hyde Park, 4:15pm

Connacht Gold Sligo Junior A Championship Final:

· St Molaise Gaels v Shamrock Gaels, Markievicz Park, 1:30pm

Connacht Gold Sligo Intermediate Championship Final

· St Molaise Gaels v Easkey, Markievicz Park, 4:00pm

FBD Insurance Tipperary County Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals:

· Upperchurch-Drombane v Kilruane MacDonaghs, FBD Semple Stadium, 2pm

· Drom-Inch v Kildanagan, FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, 3:45pm

LLC Tyrone Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Omagh St Enda's v An Droim Mór Naoimh Damhnait, Páirc an Locha, 1:00pm

· Errigal Ciaran v Dungannon Thomas Clarke GAA, Páirc Colmcille, Carrickmore, 3:45pm

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Stradbally v Brickey Rangers, Fraher Field, 1:45pm

· Kilrossanty v An Rinn, Fraher Field, 3:30pm

Shay Murtagh Westmeath Senior Football Final:

· The Downs v St Lomans, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 4:00pm

Dominic Smith Expert Electrical Wexford Senior Football Championship Semi Finals:

· Castletown v St. James’, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2:00pm

· Shelmaliers v St. Anne’s Rathangan, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4:00pm

Boom & Platform Hire Wicklow Senior Football Championship Final:

· Baltinglass v St. Patrick's, Aughrim, 3:00pm