Preview: Weekend’s senior club championship finals:
Saturday 25th October
Ted Murtagh Trim Clothing & Footwear Meath SHC Final replay
Kiltale v Ratoath, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm
Ratoath went into last weekend’s drawn match as warm favourites but in the end needed a last-gasp Padraig O’Hanrahan point to force this replay after Fearghal McCabe looked like he had won it with an injury-time goal for Kiltale
It was a hugely entertaining math that finished Ratoath 4-16 Kiltale 3-19, and more attacking fireworks are expected this time around.
Favourites tend come out on top in replays, and you get the feeling that Ratoath have more room for improvement than Kiltale. Their full-forward line of Bryan McMahon, Cian Rogers, and Gavin McGowan scored a combined 4-4 last weekend and can be match-winners here if they get the same supply of ball again.
Go Ahead Dublin SHC Final
Lucan Sarsfields v Na Fianna, Parnell Park, 7.15pm
Reigning All-Ireland champions, Na Fianna, will be warm favourites to win a third Dublin SHC title in a row against a Lucan Sarsfields team playing in just their second final ever.
The underdogs will take heart through from the fact that they gave Na Fianna a very good game in the group phase before losing by four points.
Na Fianna have gone from strength to strength in the knock-out rounds, though, with their best performance of the campaign thus far coming in the semi-final when they beat a strong Kilmacud Crokes team by 11 points.
A potent Na Fianna attack that includes clinical finishers like Donal Burke, Colin Currie, AJ Murphy, Sean Currie, and Tom Brennan will be difficult to contain for the Lucan defence.
Mannok Fermanagh SFC Final replay
Derrygonnelly Harps v Erne Gaels, Belleek, Brewster Park Enniskillen, 6.30pm
Reigning champions Erne Gaels came back from five points down with five minutes to play in last weekend’s drawn final to force this replay.
Derrygonnelly may not be too disheartened by that though considering they played most of the game with 14 men after the early sending off of Rian McGovern.
They’ll believe that if they can keep their full complement on the field for the full 60 minutes plus injury time they can dethrone the champions.
Ultan Kelm was relatively quiet for Erne Gaels in the drawn match by his high standards. If he plays to his full potential here he can be a decisive influence.
Bon Secours Galway SFC Final
Maigh Cuilinn v Salthill-Knocknacarra, Pearse Stadium, 7.30pm
Salthill-Knocknacarra haven’t won a Galway SFC since 2012 whereas Maigh Cuilinn were champions in 2022 and 2020 and are appearing in their fifth final in six years.
Nevertheless, it is the sea-siders who go into this match as favourites based on the respective form of both teams.
Salthill stopped Corofin’s drive for three-in-row in the semi-final yet it was a curate’s egg of a performance as they roared into a 13-point lead at half-time but barely hung on for a two-point win in the end.
John Maher was stretchered off injured before the Corofin rally, and if he’s ruled out for this game that’s a huge loss for Salthill.
They’ll believe though that if in-form attackers like Rob Finnerty, Matthew Thompson, Daniel O’Flaherty, and Charlie Power get a decent supply of ball they’ll build a winning total.
Laois Shopping Centre Laois SFC Final replay
Portarlington v Courtwood, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 6.30pm
The drawn game between these two was a classic over and back contest that could have gone either way.
A Courtwood team appearing in their first ever final came agonisingly close to pulling off a shock against a Portarlington side bidding to win a fifth title in six years.
When you let a hot favourite off the hook in a final you tend to regret it in the replay, and Portarlington will feel like the have the greater room for improvement.
Forwards like Colm Murphy, Rioghan Murphy and Daragh Galvin didn’t quite play to their potential in the drawn game and if they do this time around it will be difficult for Courtwood to contain that Portarlington attack.
Connacht Gold Mayo SFC Final replay
Ballina Stephenites v Westport, MacHale Park Castlebar, 3pm
The drawn match was a classic that both teams will feel they could have won.
Westport will probably be the more disappointed though considering the Cup was wrested from their grasp by the concession of a two-point free converted by Frank Irwin with the last kick of the game.
The underdogs will have to plan without the talismanic Lee Keegan for this replay after he was forced off injured in the drawn game. Westport performed admirably without him the last day, but his absence certainly weakens them.
A Ballina team going for a third title in a row look like they have a bit more room for improvement than Westport do.
Sunday 26th October
St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny SHC
Ballyhale Shamrocks v O’Loughlin Gaels, UPMC Nowlan Park, 3pm
Ballyhale’s form-line is the more convincing one coming into this Kilkenny SHC Final.
They produced excellent performances to beat Erin’s Own and defending champions Thomastown, and also got the better of Dicksboro despite playing with 14 men for most of the game.
O’Loughlins on the other hand struggled to beat both Clara and Mullinavat and are weakened by the injury absence of David Fogarty and Cian Loy.
It’ll be a ferociously contested match, but the scoring power of TJ Reid, Eoin Cody, and Adrian Mullen could give Ballyhale Shamrocks an edge.
Morgan Fuels Down SHC Final
Ballygalget v Portaferry, Páirc Esler, 3.30pm
Portaferry are bidding to win a fourth Down SHC in a row for the first time in the club’s history.
They’ll go in to the game as warm favourites to repeat last year’s final victory over the same opponents, Ballygalget.
With forwards like Tom McGrattan and Eoghan and Daithi Sands, the Portaferry attack will be very difficult to contain for the underdogs.
Pettitts Supervalu Wexford SHC Final
St. Martin’s v Rathnure, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3.30pm
Intermediate champions in 2024, Rathnure have proven they belong in the top tier by making it all the way to the final on their return to the senior grade.
They’ll go in as underdogs against reigning champions St. Martin’s, but have reached this game on the back of an unbeaten run so won’t lack for confidence.
St. Martin’s have also won all seven matches they’ve played in the championship to date, and with forwards like Rory O’Connor, Barry O’Connor and Mikey Coleman all in good form they may have a greater cutting edge than Rathnure.
FBD Insurance Tipperary SHC Final
Loughmore Castliney v Nenagh Éire Óg, FBD Semple Stadium 3.45pm
Reigning champions Loughmore-Castleiney go into this game as favourites but Nenagh are capable of causing an upset.
They were very impressive when beating Drom-Inch in the semi-final and in players like Jake Morris, Sam O’Farrell, and Barry Heffernan have players of the very highest calibre.
Loughmore’s greater experience of the big day and an attack led by John McGrath that has been putting up bigger numbers than Nenagh’s should give them an edge.
Armagh SFC Final
Madden v St. Patrick’s, Cullyhanna, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm
Both Madden and Cullyhanna are bidding to win their first ever Armagh SFC title.
Both teams pulled off semi-final surprises with Cullyhanna beating Crossmaglen and Madden getting the better of Clann Eireann.
When these two teams met in the first round of the championship Cullyhana won by a point and another tight match is anticipated here.
In a match of very fine margins, Madden’s superb midfield partnership of Niall Grimley and Cahal Donnelly could give them an edge.
McCarthy Insurance Group Cork SFC Final
Nemo Rangers v St. Finbarr’s, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30pm
St Finbarr’s have lost all four previous finals they’ve played against Nemo Rangers and not beaten them in the championship since 2012 which was their only victory over them in the past 36 years.
Tradition doesn’t favour them then in this final, but form does. They were seriously impressive when beating Carrigaline by 19 points and then banging six goals past reigning champions Castlehaven.
Nemo Rangers on the other hand laboured for long stretches of their semi-final against Newcestown before eventually dispatching the underdogs after extra-time.
Those respective form-lines suggest St. Finbarr’s can buck the trend of history against Nemo on this occasion.
Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SFC Final
Dingle v Austin Stacks, Austin Stack Park 1.45pm
This has the makings of a real humdinger of a game between two really well-matched teams.
The Austin Stacks midfield partnership of Joe O’Connor and Ben Murphy has excelled in recent weeks and if they can dominate again then you’d fancy the Tralee club.
But if Mark O’Connor can produce the sort of display he did in the middle third for Dingle against Mid-Kerry and help his team at least break even in that battle-zone, then forwards like Paul Geaney and Conor Geaney can give Dingle the edge.
Anchor Tours Louth SFC Final
Naomh Mairtin v Newtown Blues, Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, 2.45pm
When these two teams met in the group phase Naomh Mairtin came from six points down to win by one, and another tight battle is anticipated here.
Newtown Blues have improved since that defeat, and notably stopped the four-in-a-row aspirations of St. Mary’s in the quarter-final when they stormed to a six-point victory.
They were convincing semi-final victors as well over Dundalk Gaels, whereas Naomh Mairitin needed a replay to beat Pats of Lordship in the quarter-final and weren’t that fluid either when beaten Dreadnots in the semi-final.
That form-line favours Newtown Blues.
Monaghan SFC Final
Scotstown v Inniskeen, Clones, 2.30pm
A 13th successive Monaghan SFC Final for Scotstown who have won the Mick Duffy Cup nine times at the previous 12 times of asking.
Inniskeen haven’t won a Monaghan SFC title since 1948 but got within three points of Scotstown when they played them in the 2023 Final and they’ve matured as a team since then.
They were very impressive in their 11-point semi-final victory over Magheracloone and are boosted by the return to fitness of talented forward Donal Meegan who has missed most of the campaign to date.
Scotstown’s greater experience makes them favourites, but this might just be Inniskeen’s year.
Hodson Bay Group Roscommon SFC Final
Padraig Pearses v St. Brigid’s, King & Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, 2pm.
This should be a high quality contest between reigning champions Pearses and 2023 champions St. Brigid’s.
Pearses struggled for form earlier in the campaign but looked to have timed their run nicely based on their very impressive 18-point demolition of St. Faithleach’s in the semi-final.
St. Brigid’s weren’t quite so impressive in their semi-final win over Clann nan Gael, but there was a lot to admire nevertheless with how they went about their business.
If their dangerous full-forwards line of Ben O’Carroll, Brian Derwin, and Eoghan Derwin gets a decent supply of ball they’re potential match-winners.
Homeland Sligo SFC Final replay
Coolera-Strandhill v Shamrock Gaels, Enniscrone/Kilglass, 3pm
Underdogs Shamrock Gaels showed great character to come from eight points down in the drawn game to bring this match to a replay.
They’ll feel like they could even have won it had they taken a couple of good goal chances that came their way in the second-half.
A Coolera-Strandhill team gunning for a third title in a row played in fits and starts rather than with their usual fluency over the hour, and could have the greater room for improvement, though another tight battle is anticipated.
Tyrone SFC Final
Trillick v Loughmacrory, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 4pm
First-time finalists Loughmacrory go into this match as underdogs against a Trillick team that were champions as recently as 2023.
Trillick dethroned reigning county and provincial champions Errigal Ciaran in the semi-final, and are a very well organised team at both ends of the pitch.
Loughmacrory shouldn’t be underestimated though, they showed a lot of quality and character to beat Carrickmore in the semi-final despite conceding four goals.
Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC Final
The Downs v Coralstown-Kinnegad, TEG Cusack Park, 3.15pm
Coralstown Kinnegad are hoping to end an 29-year wait for a county title whereas The Downs were champions as recently as 2023.
The Downs will go into the game as warm favourites given their form throughout the campaign, but Coralstown Kinnegad seem to be peaking at just the right time based on their semi-final win over reigning champions St. Loman’s.
If they are to pull off a surprise they’ll have to somehow limit the influence of Luke Loughlin who has been in red-hot form all year for the Downs. That’s easier said than done.
Monday 27th October
Slevin’s Coaches Westmeath SHC Final replay
Castletown-Geoghegan v Lough Lene Gaels, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
These two teams produced a cracker in last weekend’s draw and another fiercely contested clash is anticipated here.
Reigning champions Castletown-Geoghegan went into the drawn game as warm favourites but Lough Lene Gaels really rose to the occasion with David Williams especially impressive in attack.
You’d imagine that Castletown-Geoghegan have a bit more room for improvement because forwards like Niall O’Brien, Jack Gallagher, and Aonghus Clarke didn’t hit the heights they normally do in the drawn match.