Preview: Weekend’s AIB Club Championship action:
Saturday 13th January
AIB All-Ireland Club IHC Final
Castlelyons v Thomastown in Croke Park at 7pm, TG4
AIB All-Ireland Club JHC Final
St Catherine’s v Tullogher-Rosbercon in Croke Park at 5pm, TG4
Castleyons and Thomastown have experienced similar journeys recently.
Plenty of local heartbreak before finally crossing the line. That both clubs have subsquently flourished on the provincial and national stages suggests Saturday’s decider should be lively.
Niall O’Leary, Colm Spillane, and Leo Sexton have been key figures in defence for Castlelyons with Anthony Spillane netting vital goals.
Stephen Donnelly’s 1-8 in the Kilkenny IHC Final illustrated his class, while John Donnelly, Jack Holden, and Robbie Donnelly have been prominent contributors too.
The first match in Saturday’s double is another attractive clash featuring Cork and Kilkenny outfits.
Beaten in the Cork junior decider by Erins Own second team, St Catherine’s, managed by Denis Walsh, have responded impressively.
Seán O’Donoghue has been prolific, while Shane Cotter supplies valuable experience.
Inevitably Tullogher-Rosbercon will look to Kilkenny star Walter Walsh for inspiration.
Cian O’Donoghue has been in excellent form too and Catherine’s will be aware of his potent threat.
Sunday 14th January
AIB All-Ireland Club IFC Final
Cill na Martra v St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna in Croke Park at 3.30pm, TG4
AIB All-Ireland Club JFC Final
Arva v Listowel Emmets in Croke Park at 1.30pm, TG4
John Evans’ passion has been a great fit for Cill na Martra, who have embarked on a daring adventure.
St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna, though will enter GAA headquarters armed with hope and momentum.
A narrow semi-final win over Allenwood has that sort of positive impact. Aidan Nugent has been in brilliant form for the Armagh and Ulster intermediate champions, while Ross McQuillan and Jason Duffy bring further class.
Armagh forward Nugent remains a key performer for Cullyhanna, who have competed in two county senior finals in 2013 and 2016.
Cill na Martra eventually secured silverware in Cork, but the progress made in Munster augurs well.
Victories over Kilmhill, Milltown/Castlemaine, Mungret St Paul’s, and Castlerea St Kevin’s were secured in dynamic fashion.
Micheál Ó Deasúna and Daniel Ó Duinnín have been efficient for Cill na Martra.
The junior showpiece features a couple of talented teams also.
Arva, prompted by the splendid Ciarán Brady, were hugely effective against Milltown at the penultimate stage.
Kevin Bouchier and Barry Donnelly continue to supply scores in attack, while Tristan Noack Hofmann is another capable performer.
Listowel Emmets, with the decorated Marc Ó Sé part of the backroom team, cruised to an emphatic semi-final win over Lahardane MacHales.
David Keane has been sharp in attack throughout the campaign, while Jack McVeigh, Bryan Sweeney and Cormac Mulvihill are other prominent figures for Listowel.