Club Championships

castletownman

So all eyes in Wexford will be focused on the senior football semi-finals, down for decision this Sunday in what is forecasted to be a showery and windy Innovate Wexford Park.

Castletown v Starlights: two of the most illustrious clubs in the competition's history provide the curtain-raiser. Starlights have nine titles to their name, with their last two coming in 2002 and 2004, while Castletown won their tenth in 2010 after a 29 year-wait, and subsequently lost the following two finals. As may be quite obvious by my username, I will have vested interest in the game as Castletown are my beloved club, and will try to be as balanced as possible when reaching a verdict.

Castletown were outright favourites for the championship before a ball was thrown in, borne out of both their general consistency (having reached every semi-final bar one since 2010), and the fact that Wexford forward Ben Brosnan and Donegal-native Peter Devine came on board. They justified that tag with two wins in the spring, and they also comprehensively brought home the All-County Division One league in the summer, but they kind of stuttered their way through to the quarter-finals thereafter, with their only win in the rest of the group campaign coming against Sunday's opponents by the narrowest of margins, despite Starlights shorn of their two best players that day. But they emphatically returned to form in their 3-15 to 1-10 quarter-final win against Taghmon, with 3-13 of their tally coming from play, and three subs combining for 2-4 when introduced. The recent addition of Pat Roe to the backroom team seems to have restored the hunger.

Starlights themselves have bought in totally to manager Joe Hagan's preferred set-up, and haven't showed an ounce of fear of any of their opponents to date. They have more or less been under-achievers in the football in recent seasons, and even dropped down to Intermediate a few years ago. Heck, they barely survived the relegation play-off against Adamstown last year. So their improvement this year has been remarkable. In Liam Ryan and Kevin Foley, they have two of the finest footballers in the county, but it's that aforementioned tactical approach that has served them best so far- they drop bodies back and collectively defend ferociously, and counter-attack at pace when the opportunity arises. Their victory over St.James' was probably the stand-out display of the quarter-finals, and richly deserved.

The bookies have Castletown priced at 4/6 to win. Seems about right given their experience. But while this will be there fourth semi-final on the spin, they have failed to advance beyond the penultimate hurdle since 2012, and were only defeated by the eventual champions once in those recent semis (last year v Gusserane). The last three years saw them undone by teams with a myriad of attacking threats (Gusserane in 14 and last year, Martin's in between), while they also seem to find it the most difficult to adjust to unfavourable conditions. While Starlights' forward unit as a whole wouldn't be as threatening as Gusserane's has been in recent years, their system is a nightmare to suffocate, particularly when the elements inevitably blow in from the Clonard end. Ultimately though, and I may be letting my heart over-rule my head here, but I can see Castletown winning by a couple of points- their backs are probably the best unit left in the championship, while their strength from the bench may well prove the difference yet again.

St.Martin's v Shelmaliers: a deserved top-billing for two sides very familiar with each other, and two of the most progressive clubs in the county. While they both have been pillars of under-age success over the last five years or so, Shelmaliers have never won a senior football title (their first ever senior title only came in 2014), while St.Martin's won their sole title in 2013.

St.Martin's are the current "bar" in terms of how to generate young talent and feed them through to the adult set-up. Their junior A hurlers won the county title last weekend, their junior footballers are in the county final this Saturday, while their senior hurlers have been tipped by many to topple Oulart. But it could be argued that they have under-achieved in senior football, all things considered. Yes, they made the historic breakthrough in 2013, but they were caught on the hop by St.James' in the replayed final two years ago, and were dismantled by a well-drilled Glynn Barntown side in last year's semi. The general sense is that they routinely stroll through the group stages but end up coming unstuck when trying to juggle both codes at the business end.

Shelmaliers have been pretty consistent since winning the Intermediate title in 2008, but have yet to produce a decent performance in the semi-finals. On paper, they have as good a fifteen as anyone, while under John Hegarty they have developed a bit of a professionalism about how they play. They did dethrone defending champions Gusserane in the quarter-finals, although it wasn't that big a surprise given the problems Gusserane have endured this season. It also must be noted that Shels topped a group containing Castletown, who they beat in round three despite failing to score for the entire first half. So they are in the best fettle they have ever been at this stage.

St.Martin's price of 2/5 suggests that they are set for a straightforward day's work, but I don't see it going that way at all. I only caught the first half of their quarter-final win over Glynn Barntown but I thought their backs looked vulnerable when ran at, a policy that Shels excel at with Brian Malone and Eoghan Nolan carrying the ball. St.Martin's young guns got an almighty shock in the physical stakes by Buffers Alley in the hurling QF last weekend, and may well be in for some more rough treatment on Sunday. Ciaran Lyng and Daithi Waters will call on all their class and wealth of experience to help guide the younger lads, but I think Shelmaliers may just edge it by two points.

The weekend kicks off with the Intermediate A football final between Crossabeg Ballymurn and Naomh Eanna. Both teams will be the first to admit that hurling is the priority, but how neither of them have won this grade in recent years is beyond me. Have generally cut teams apart this season and it's definitely the dream final pairing. It has all the hallmarks of a high-scoring affair, but I think Crossabeg may sneak it. The winners play the Carlow junior champions in Leinster the following Saturday. Should Naomh Eanna win, it may cause a fixture headache for the authorities, as they are down to play St.Martin's in the senior hurling semi-final that weekend. The junior football final between St.Martin's and Rathgarogue Cushinstown is on Saturday evening. Cushinstown have been more or less a top 3 team in this grade in recent years, and have been unlucky not to win the title, so I tip them to make amends here.

OldMrBrennan83

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Hammer Archer

Meath SHC Final
The senior and intermediate finals were moved to Saturday because the Meath camogie team have their intermediate All Ireland Final replay on Sunday.
It sees Kiltale going for their fourth title in a row. Indeed, if it wasn't for a spectacular collapse in the 2013 semi final against Longwood where they went 8 points up at half time only to lose by 3, they would be going for 7 in a row tomorrow.
They're up against Kildalkey who beat Dunboyne by a point in the semi final and my own club, Ratoath, in the quarter final. Kildalkey are looking for their fifth title overall and their first since 2011.

Kiltale are 1/3 favourites for good reason. With players like Jack Regan, Mark O'Sullivan and Anthony Forde, they've waltzed through the group stages and the semi final and even beat Kildalkey by 6 in the group stages (which, by all accounts, was flattering for Kildalkey). In Leinster after their last three titles, they've been narrowly beaten by the Kilkenny champions each time and there's talk that they're keeping their powder dry for one big push at a Leinster title where they should meet the Kilkenny champions in the semi final once more.

Nothing's ever certain, but to be honest I cannot see anything but a big Kiltale win tomorrow. Depending on the weather tomorrow, it may be worth sticking money on Kiltale to beat the handicap (if one is available).

Bonniedog

Two SFC matches in Parnell tonight. Vinnies v Sylvesters and Castleknock v Kilmacud. Both live in Eir 1 I think but will get big crowd. Not sure if DC can play. Vinnies should win handy but second game be anyone's guess.

Same As

Bonniedog wrote: »

Two SFC matches in Parnell tonight. Vinnies v Sylvesters and Castleknock v Kilmacud. Both live in Eir 1 I think but will get big crowd. Not sure if DC can play. Vinnies should win handy but second game be anyone's guess.

Have Castleknock added a few players this season? Think they massively overachieved last year and would be very surprised if they were to beat Kilmacud tonight. Vins should win handily.

Two better games on tomorrow arguably. Give Cuala a chance against Judes, think the latter are a bit overrated.

Bonniedog

Just checked betting. Crokes are 8/15. On paper they should win given their pool of players, but Castleknock surprised everyone last year. I don't know how much team has changed.

Will be interesting alright to see how Cuala do from now on. Their priority is defending SHC and All Ireland and they have fair few dual players and not really been in serious contention for SFC for a good while. You'd imagine like Vinnies and Boden they will go for one or other.

Kerrydude1981

Bonniedog wrote: »

Two SFC matches in Parnell tonight. Vinnies v Sylvesters and Castleknock v Kilmacud. Both live in Eir 1 I think but will get big crowd. Not sure if DC can play. Vinnies should win handy but second game be anyone's guess.

Was it two yellows Connolly got last week in the hurling?

Bonniedog

Kerrydude1981 wrote: »

Was it two yellows Connolly got last week in the hurling?

Not sure to be honest. Think so. They won't miss him tonight be will need him from now on.

Bonniedog

Ballymun had to come from behind today but own comfortably, they have Crokes in semi final. Other one is Vinnies v Judes.

Stoner

Great end to the game in ballybofey tonight. Getting some nice added value from EIR sport, I'd definitely pay for this great selection of competitive games

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

I dropped them about two months after virgin took over , price increased, extra payment sneaked in, had to involve comreg to leave.

I've saorview , Netflix, freesat, built in Android TV. It's plenty for me.

It's streaming and casting service has been flawless too. Far better than RTE player.

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

Don't know sorry

mjp

TG4 still get first choice of matches. Mostly Saturday matches eir have but they may also have matches at same time as TG4. Their coverage is great with interviews with some of the club players in days leading up to the matches and analysts are very knowledgeable. Found myself watching all 3 matches today rather than premiership which had poor boring matches.

zetecescort

what are TG4 showing tomorrow?

OldMrBrennan83

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zetecescort

Camogie is the Intermediate All Ireland replay, Cork v Meath

OldMrBrennan83

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Bonniedog

zetecescort wrote: »

Camogie is the Intermediate All Ireland replay, Cork v Meath

Awful game.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Naas lose to Ardclough in the Kildare SHC. 2nd year in a row they've lost and they were raging hot favourites today. Very impressive from Ardclough who do it with a somewhat ageing team.

Hammer Archer

Kiltale narrowly beat Kildalkey in the Meath SHC final yesterday. 1-15 to 1-14. They were in deep trouble at half time when they were 4 down. But they came good in the second half and a Peter Durnin winner in injury time was enough to win their 4th title in a row.

KevIRL

Waterford SHC Quarter Finals
Ballygunner v Mount Sion,
Lismore v Abbeyside,
De La Salle v Fourmilewater,
Passage v Dungarvan

Hammer Archer

KevIRL wrote: »

Waterford SHC Quarter Finals
Ballygunner v Mount Sion,
Lismore v Abbeyside,
De La Salle v Fourmilewater,
Passage v Dungarvan

Is Jack Fagan getting many games for De La Salle?

JB81

Tyrone Senior Championship Final
Errigal Ciaran v Omagh

Intermediate
Moy v Derrylaughan

Junior
Tattyreagh v Clogher

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Roscommon SFC semi final results;

St Brigid's 2-6 Western Gaels 0-10

Roscommon Gaels 0-16 Boyle 0-10

Wasn't at the games myself but from what I've heard, St Brigid's were living on their nerves and, as has been their trademark throughout the championship so far, just did enough without setting the world alight. A hugely disappointing end to Western Gaels' championship.

Boyle, despite having the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half, went in level with Ros Gaels at half time, from there on it was going to be extremely tough for them, and so it proved, Gaels racking up a good score of 16 points in difficult conditions.

Final takes place on October 22nd.

Fuerty take on Michael Glavey's in the Intermediate final in 2 weeks.

armaghlad

Armagh JFC 7th October
Ballyhegan v Thomas Davis

Armagh IFC 15th October
Silverbridge v Killeavy St Moninna

Armagh SFC 15th October
Armagh Harps v Maghery Seán Mac Diarmada

Poor_old_gill

Kerry Senior Championship Semi Finals this Saturday:

Kerins O Rahillys v South Kerry
Very hard game to call- KOR are really good going forward but a bit suspect at the back while SK are relatively strong all over but wouldnt have as much firepower as KOR. If Sheehan is fit then it might tip the balance in SK's favour.


Dr. Crokes v West Kerry
If WK can keep it tight in the early stages then they could run Crokes very close- I'd imagine Crokes will try break their spirit early. West Kerry are backboned by AN Gaeltacht- who are in the intermediate final and they also have a couple of other very good club players.


Should be 2 very good games:

Same As

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Kerry Senior Championship Semi Finals this Saturday:

Dr. Crokes v West Kerry
If WK can keep it tight in the early stages then they could run Crokes very close- I'd imagine Crokes will try break their spirit early. West Kerry are backboned by AN Gaeltacht- who are in the intermediate final and they also have a couple of other very good club players.

Agree with how you're reading this one, I think the pace of the WK forwards could expose the frailties of the Crokes defence. Haven't been in anyway impressed with Crokes their last 3 outings.

Poor_old_gill

Same As wrote: »

Agree with how you're reading this one, I think the pace of the WK forwards could expose the frailties of the Crokes defence. Haven't been in anyway impressed with Crokes their last 3 outings.

Alan Fitz for West Kerry is a really top forward at this level so I can see him causing problems for Crokes

What do you think on the first game?

castletownman

Starlights are the only team through to the Wexford senior football final so far (their first since 2007), after defeating my club Castletown by 2-12 to 1-12 in the semi-final on Sunday. After having three days to absorb the result, ultimately their game-plan was a lot more fluid and concise than Castletown's, and they were deserving winners by that factor alone.

Castletown had about five wides early on when generally on top, and should have been more than 0-5 to 0-1 in front heading for half-time. Starlights had compiled eight wides by that juncture (some of them among the worst you're likely to see), but built a bit of head of steam with the last two points of the half to go in only 0-5 to 0-3 behind. Castletown seemed happy to play down the clock and stick to short kickouts, which I cannot fathom as all their most productive passages came when they ran directly at the cover. Starlights' could have a goal when one such short-kickout was turned-over, but they eventually did net not long after to turn the game on it's head.

In fairness to Castletown, they battled back to draw level with a goal of their own in the final quarter, and twice restored parity once more when falling two points behind, but Aaron Dobbs' brilliantly taken goal right near the end was worthy to win a match at any level.

While I cannot have any complaints about losing to the better team, I felt we shot ourselves in the foot somewhat with some of our tactics- for example, we were getting cleaned-out in midfield, and yet kept our best midfielder shoe-horned in at full-back minding a fella pushing 40.

The other match between St.Martin's and Shelmaliers finished a draw, with the replay fixed for the weekend after next. Now I didn't stay for that one (wasn't able to stomach any more football ) but by all accounts St.Martin's were rattled for long segments of the contest, yet at the same time pulled it out of the fire with the last three scores of the game. If anything though, the advantage should lie with Shels in the replay as St.Martin's have a senior hurling semi-final this Sunday, whereas Shelmaliers have the weekend off. Being out every weekend since August is bound to have a detrimental effect on the legs sooner rather than later.

As for the hurling semi-finals this weekend, there is a growing sense within local circles that Naomh Eanna have a decent chance of defeating St.Martin's on Sunday. Now, Martin's dished out a bit of a hammering on them in the under-21 premier hurling final a few weeks ago, but it was a lot closer when the met in the group stages before that, and St.Martin's were spooked somewhat by Buffers Alley's physical approach in the QF. In contrast, Naomh Eanna put in an impressive display against a quietly-fancied Oylegate side to qualify for the penultimate round for the first time in 33 years. I am looking forward to it with intrigue.

Rapparees have also impressed in reaching the semi-finals, and seem to be feeding off the positive energy from their football camp (Starlights is their football club). But Oulart are to my mind still the standard-bearers in the county, and I expect them to qualify for yet another county final.

thesultan

Waterford hurling championship was held up.from late April to second week of September. Group stage only finished now. Whoever gets to the final will have played six weeks in a row with the Munster club being the seventh the following..

jr86

thesultan wrote: »

Waterford hurling championship was held up.from late April to second week of September. Group stage only finished now. Whoever gets to the final will have played six weeks in a row with the Munster club being the seventh the following..

Very hard to avoid though given they went through back door and made AIF.

Same As

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Alan Fitz for West Kerry is a really top forward at this level so I can see him causing problems for Crokes

What do you think on the first game?

Other game is a toss of coin tbh. KOR haven't coped well with being favourites in recent years. If Sk are missing Sheehan and Young as is being mooted then it's KOR to lose really.

PTH2009

Waterford SHC QFs take place this weekend
Sat 7th Oct
Mount Sion vs Ballygunner
Lismore vs Abbeyside

Sun 8th Oct
De La Salle vs Fourmilewater
Passage vs Dungarvan

Semis too take place next weekend and final the weekend after (Sun 22nd Oct).Waterford Champs face The Tipp champs in the Munster QF on the Sunday 29th Oct

zetecescort

Cork Senior hurling semi finals this weekend, Blackrock v Na Piarsaigh and Imokilly v Sarsfields.

St. Finbarrs and Nemo Rangers in the Senior football final on the 15th.

djPSB

Ballygunner beat Mount Sion 0-29 to 0-9.

BoroMan32

Three Kilkenny SH Quarter Final replays resulted in wins for James Stephens, Dicksboro and Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Those three teams and O'Loughlin Gaels will go into the hat for the semi final draw tomorrow.

Benildus

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Kerry Senior Championship Semi Finals this Saturday:

Dr. Crokes v West Kerry
If WK can keep it tight in the early stages then they could run Crokes very close- I'd imagine Crokes will try break their spirit early. West Kerry are backboned by AN Gaeltacht- who are in the intermediate final and they also have a couple of other very good club players.

Same As wrote: »

Agree with how you're reading this one, I think the pace of the WK forwards could expose the frailties of the Crokes defence. Haven't been in anyway impressed with Crokes their last 3 outings.

5-13 to 0-14.

Same As

Benildus wrote: »

5-13 to 0-14.

Crokes were back on form yesterday, no doubt. The loss of Tomas O Se and the sending off dented any chance of a competitive game.

Poor_old_gill

Benildus wrote: »

5-13 to 0-14.

Did you put your money where your mouth was?

Benildus

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Did you put your money where your mouth was?

Eh? I didn't post on this topic before

Tsipras

Anyone know what matches are on tg4 today?

zetecescort

Tsipras wrote: »

Anyone know what matches are on tg4 today?

Junior Ladies football All Ireland replay followed by the Tipp hurling county final at 3:30

feargale

zetecescort wrote: »

Junior Ladies football All Ireland replay followed by the Tipp hurling county final at 3:30

Followed by delayed cast of Carlow football final.

Rathvilly v. Eire Og ( why don't the latter call themselves something original, like Sarsfields or Pearses? )

Mantis Toboggan

Sars v borrisleigh should be a decent game, if borris can keep it tight Early on they may have a chance.

theoneeyedman

2 in a row for Mullineaghta St Columba in Longford football, with a 3 point win over Abbeylara for the second successive year. One would have to have a little sympathy for Abbey, who also lost the 15 final by 3 points. Mullineaghta were always in control, but were wasteful at times and following a converted penalty, the game was level entering the last quarter, but a more efficient Mullineaghta held out for deserved 13 to 1-7 win. Abbey tried to rough up the defending champions at times, but quality won out in the end.
CLUB football in Longford is not usually that strong, but St Columba went deep in leinster last year, reaching the semi final IIRC, so we might hear more from them before the year is out,depending on the leinster draw

feargale

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Sars v borrisleigh should be a decent game, if borris can keep it tight Early on they may have a chance.

I hope Poor_old_gill doesn't see your post. He will be challenging your financial standing with the bookies.

blowitupref

theoneeyedman wrote: »

CLUB football in Longford is not usually that strong, but St Columba went deep in leinster last year, reaching the semi final IIRC, so we might hear more from them before the year is out,depending on the leinster draw

They play the Carlow winners next if they win that its a Quarter final against the Westmeath champions. The winner of that Quarter final will play the Wexford or Meath champions in the semi final.

Kerrydude1981

County senior hurling final down here ended in a draw for the second year in a row,replay next Sunday,Mark Foley is involved with Lixnaw and ex Cork hurler Ger Manley is involved with Ballyduff

Ballyduff 2-15 Lixnaw 1-18

It was a shootout between Ballyduff's Padraig Boyle who got 2-11 and Lixnaw's Shane Conway who got 1-10,the two of them put a great show and watching them was well worth the entrance fee

Conway brought the game to a draw when he put a sideline cut over the bar in injury time,he is a class act.