Intriguing Leinster and Connacht Finals Ahead

 

 There are some superb games in prospect this weekend in the LGFA Club Championships. The last Provincial Finals take place this weekend as the Connacht and Leinster deciders take place as well as the Ulster Junior and Intermediate finals.

Kiltubrid from Leitrim will hope to end the reign of Kilkerrin/Clonberne in Connacht whilst in Leinster there is very little to choose between Mountmellick Sarsfields and Foxrock Cabinteely.

Saturday, November 7^th

Leinster Senior Club Championship Final

Foxrock Cabinteely (Dublin) v Sarsfields Mountmellick (Laois)

13:00 Clane GAA Ground (S. McNulty)

 

The Leinster championship final serves up what will be a fascinating encounter between two strong sides. Foxrock Cabinteely boast a very strong side full of individual talent but Sarsfields have a great history in the Leinster championship as well as having a very well organised and well balanced team.

 

Foxrock made light work of the Dublin County Championship including an impressive win over a strong St. Brigid’s side in the Dublin county final before going on to account for a fancied Shelmaliers side in the Leinster semi finals. There is great depth to this Foxrock team that is lead by Westmeath star, Fiona Claffey. Sinead Goldrick is a three time All Star and will be key to her sides hopes as will fellow Dublin senior stars Amy Connolly, Hannah Noonan, Niamh Collins and Niamh Ryan.

 

Sarsfields had a very tough campaign to emerge from a very strong Laois championship that saw them needing a replay to claim their county title but a haul of 4-15 in their semi final meeting with Newbridge Sarsfields despite missing the influential Clare Conlon showed their credentials. Laois senior star Laura Marie Maher is the player to watch especially after a scoring display of 1-07 in their semi final with 1-04 coming from play.

 

This will be a very even tussle that should go right down to the wire but in recent years it has tended to be the Laois side that has held the advantage althoutgh they might not have faced a side with the depth of talent of this Foxrock team before.

 

 

LGFA All Ireland Junior Club Championship Quarter Final

 

Oisín’s (Manchester) v Maigh Cuilinn (Galway)

12:30 Oisín’s Machester (J. Flood)

 

Galway’s Maigh Cuilinn face the tricky journey to Manchester to face Oisín’s Manchester in a match that is fraught with difficulty. It has already been a historic year for the Galway club but they should still have enough quality to make it a very difficult day for the home side.

 

LGFA All Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Quarter Final

 

Dunedin Connolly’s (Edinburgh) v Glenamaddy/Williamstown (Galway)

13:00 Dunedin Connolly’s, Edinburgh (Y. Duffy)

 

Glenamaddy/Williamstown have been handed a very tough task as they face a trip to Edinburgh to play a Dunedin Connolly’s side that is brimming with experience. Scotland reached the TG4 Junior All Ireland Final earlier this year and that side was backboned by this Dunedin team including players like Player’s Player of the Year nominee, Rosanna Heeney. No fewer than 13 of the team that took the field in Croke Park are from Dunedin with 2 more on the sideline. The Galway club have been improving rapidly in recent year and will call on Galway senior stars Johanna and Noelle Connolly who will both need to be on top form if they are to progress through to the semi finals.

 

 

 

Sunday, November 8^th

 

Connacht Senior Club Championship Final

 

Kilkerrin/Clonberne (Galway) v Kiltubrid (Leitrim)

15:00 Kilglass Gaels GAA, Roscommon

 

Kilkerrin/Clonberne will enter the Connacht Final as heavy favourites to retain their Connacht title. The Galway club have enjoyed remarkable progress in recent years having been in the Intermediate ranks only 2 years ago. This is side that is packed full of intercounty talent including the remarkable Ward twins, Nicola and Louise along with Sarah Gormally, Lisa Gannon and their legendary midfielder, Annette Clarke. They overcame Cora Staunton and Carnacon to reach this stage but they will know that their work is far from done.

 

Kiltubrid have already had a wonderful year as they claimed the Leitrim championship and went on to win the Senior Shield at the All Ireland Club 7’s. The Tighe sisters are the backbone of this team but in All Star and Player’s Player of the Year nominee they possess one of the most talented attackers in the game.

 

Kilkerrin/Clonberne are favourites for this title but they know that they will have to be at their very best to defeat a determined and talented Kiltubrid side.

 

 

Ulster Junior Club Championship Final

 

O’Neill’s Shamrocks (Monaghan) v Steelstown (Derry)

13:00 Killyclogher, Tyrone (Y. Duffy)

 

 

Ulster Intermediate Club Championship Final

 

Glenelly (Tyrone) v Donaghmoybe B (Monaghan)

14:30 Killclogher, Tyrone (M. Farrelly)