Club Championships 2022/23

PTH2009

https://www.the42.ie/kerry-wexford-hurling-finals-senior-5831200-Aug2022/

Kerry Senior Hurling final kicks off the county final season this coming weekend

castletownman

The Wexford senior championship semi-finals take place this weekend, and pit St.Martin's vs Naomh Eanna (Gorey) followed by reigning champions Rapparees vs. Ferns St.Aidan's

St.Martin's got through a penalty-shootout vs. St.Anne's the last day, although a major talking emerged the following day:

https://twitter.com/ReddBarry/status/1553847325667348484?cxt=HHwWiMC-mZ_6r5ArAAAA

They have generally been towards the top of the betting market almost every year for a while now, and last won in 2019 (lost in 2016, won in 2017, beat in 2018). They have a conveyor belt of young talent coming through, but their marquee player Rory O'Connor has been absent all season, and unfortunately suffered a recurrence of a knee injury the last day. His brother Jack would be another recognizable name, and they have probably the best free-taker in the county in Joe Coleman.

Naomh Eanna won their only county title in 2018 (beating Martin's), and also beat Martin's last year on penalties. They are similar to their opponents in that they generally produce strong underage teams in the top divisions. Conor McDonald is their star man, and I think overall Gorey have the better supporting cast. They started the season with three wins on the bounce, lost the following two, but eliminated favourites Shelmaliers in the quarters.

Rapparees sauntered to the county final last year, and got through a battle with Faythe Harriers on Sunday despite playing with 14 men. Led by Liam Ryan and Kevin Foley, they have the sweeper system down to a fine art, although I think they have the least threatening forward unit left in contention.

Ferns St.Aidan's beat Rapps in the group stages, and have arguably been the team of the championship so far. They have shown a good knack of scoring goals and have perhaps the best attacking sextet. Strong defensively too. Paul Morris would be their biggest name, but they had as many as six players in with the county set-up this year, more than any other club.

The four semi-finalists have won seven county titles between them (Martins-4, Rapps-2, Gorey-1), and represents a continuing changing of the guard in the county. Oulart were the last team to go back-to-back, in 2016, but have since been relegated to intermediate, although are odds-on to bounce back up on the first attempt. Incidentally, they take on great rivals Buffers Alley in the intermediate semi-final on Saturday- between them they have 25 senior titles (Oulart won their 13th last time), but the Alley last won it in 1992. Meanwhile, the record title-winners, Rathnure, have been senior since 1941- incredible record really, but face a relegation final against Cloughbawn on Friday. They haven't won a senior title since 2006, but have yet to win any game in the championship thus far this year.

Billy Ocean

Rumour is Rathnure have flown Guiney back for the game, suppose we'll find out tomorrow, will be a bitter pill to swallow for the loser been relegated by the big local rival.

C4000

The Limerick senior championship started last weekend. The standout result was Kilmallock’s 14 point win over Patrickswell, in a repeat of last year’s county final. After conceding two early goals, Kilmallock dominated the rest of the match and were worth the margin. Shane O’Brien and Conor Hanley Clarke are additions to their starting line-up this year and both were excellent. Hanley-Clarke played in goals for the Limerick under-20s this year and played centre-forward here, he has some range of skills and is a beautiful striker of a ball. Oisin O’Reilly resumed his form from last year’s campaign, literally running rings around opposition defenders at times.

The Well are missing some key players at the moment, including Cian Lynch, Josh Considine and Calvin Carroll. I’m not sure what other options they have in goals after Brian Murray’s retirement, but they are losing an awful lot by playing Jason Gillane there as he was their best forward last year.

Na Piarsaigh left it late to overcome Doon, but two late goals from David Dempsey and Conor Boylan turned what looked like a defeat into a victory. Doon clearly have all the talent necessary to win a county title, but just haven’t managed to get over the line in recent years. Losing the 2020 final by 27 points was a real blow to the team.

Adare and Ahane played out a draw in the other Group A game, with Tom Morrissey outstanding by all accounts. Probably not an ideal result for either of them in their efforts to break into a top four qualifying spot.

In Group B (from which the top two qualify for quarter finals) newly promoted Mungret got off to an impressive start, beating Kildimo-Pallaskenry despite the best efforts of Kyle Hayes. South Liberties had a narrow win against Garryspillane and Ballybrown saw off Blackrock. Ballybrown were unlucky to be relegated from Group A last year and its not beyond the bounds of possibility that you could get a decent run for your money if you backed them at 33/1 outright.

The highlight of this weekend is Na Piarsaigh against Kilmallock, the match will be available online. The bookies have Na Piarsaigh as firm favourites, but Kilmallock were very impressive last week and it could be a great match.

castletownman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119431069#Comment_119431069

Just seen he is named at 11 in the programme anyway. Not exactly a secret now it seems.

PTH2009

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119425542#Comment_119425542

Did Oulart struggle this year ?

Seemed to always be in the final is the 2000s

cosatron

In galway. St Thomas looked very good against sarsfield. I don't think anyone will stop them apart from sarsfield funnily enough in a semi final. Thomas's don't lose finals.

castletownman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119434550#Comment_119434550

They got relegated from senior last year. Probably a tad unfortunate as two teams went down instead of the usual one to make up for there being no relegation in the covid-hit 2020 championships, and they drew St.Martin's.

They have sauntered through the intermediate field so far, hammering a few teams on the way, and are odds-on to go straight back up.

Rathnure survived the drop after, and will play senior for the 82nd consecutive year in 2023. That is some kind of scorcery, considering they'd be a rural club and would have relied on bands of brothers on most of their successful teams. Large families wouldn't be as prevalent these days of course, although the Redmonds and O'Connors seem to be back-boning the current team.

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119435466#Comment_119435466

Harsh on Cloughbawn to a certain extent as they won twice in the group stages, I'm never a fan of teams bringing in players for one match only from abroad to keep them up. Never seems conductive to long term sustainability or success. I see Adamstown somehow managed to stay up in the Intermediate Championship, such a rubbish team for most of the Championship but they always just do enough to stay up.

castletownman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119435480#Comment_119435480

Adamstown were lucky to come up against a team even worse than themselves. Despite beating the Alley in the group, Ballygarrett were horrid all year.

Desperately tragic news emerging out of Tipp. Can't even comprehend it. Really makes sport trivial.

PTH2009

Didn't know oulart got relagated to intermediate

Could be big favourites for the Leinster and All Ireland intermediate title if they come through Wexford

supernova5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119435466#Comment_119435466

82 consecutive years in senior, that's just an astounding achievement, wonder if its some kind of record for a club in senior hurling within the whole 32 counties

castletownman

The Wexford senior hurling championship final takes place on Sunday, and I cannot wait for it.

St.Martin's defeated over-rated and under-achieving Naomh Eanna quite comfortably in the first semi-final last Sunday, with Ferns St.Aidan's dethroning champions Rapparees after extra-time in the other. Ferns have been the most entertaining side in the whole campaign to date, rattling in goals and having both a power-packed forward unit and an impactful bench. They came from six points down, playing with fourteen men to force extra-time vs Rapps, and just about got over the line then (although Rapps were very aggrieved not to have what looked a legit point awarded just before Ferns late equaliser).

Martin's have been more business-like in their progression, and have got this far without Rory O'Connor, with his big brother Jack in the treatment room now. After defeating Oulart in the relegation final last year, they are back in the decider for the first time since winning in 2019, having won in 2017 and lost in 2018 too. County final appearances are rarer for Ferns, they pushed Oulart all the way when they completed a historic five-in-a-row in 2013, but haven't featured in one since. Weight of history will be on their shoulders as they have never won it before, but they have come through enough battles this year to suggest they will get the job done. And by golly, if they do, there'll be some scenes.

Speaking of Oulart, they take on surprise-packets Taghmon in the intermediate final on Saturday. Oulart destroyed them by 28 points or something like that in the group stages, but it should be closer this time around as Taghmon have since dumped out Fethard in the quarter-finals and were impressive vs. Askamore in the semi-finals. Can't look past Oulart getting promoted, however.

My own club, Liam Mellows, have a county final to look forward to tomorrow as well. We take on old adversaries Horeswood in the intermediate A final (third tier). The sides have a modern rivalry in football, with Horeswood beating Castletown in the senior finals of 2006 and 2011. Both of them have been impressive throughout this campaign, compiling big scores along the way. Mellows lost last year's decider, while Horeswood won the junior championship and got promoted, so it should be a humdinger.

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462962#Comment_119462962

I'd be hopeful Ferns will win with the Martins missing both the O'Connors but neither team should be there really, both teams benefited from very controversial decisions in the knockout rounds.

Castletown vs Horeswood should be a cracker, slight preference for Castletown but Horeswood rise in hurling has been impressive.

PTH2009

Another 1 point win in a final, magical moments and really shows how great the club scene can be. Some games can litterly go down to the final seconds

Big congrats to Ferns, always nice to see clubs wins there first title. Village be rocking for weeks. Bad misjudgement by the St Martin's player near the end for not realising that time was up and pointing instead of hitting it in

callaway92

Not that it matters much, but I actually thought the standard in that Wexford Final was really poor

Like you said though, always great for a club to win their first title

PTH2009

Waterford Senior Hurling final Ballygunner vs Mount Sion taking place next Sunday the 11th

Ballygunner going for a incredible 9 in a row, a record in which they will equal there opponents Mount Sion and Erins Own (who play in the Eastern Intermediate Championship nowadays) senior title wins in a row

callaway92

Ballygunner with teams in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior A finals

PTH2009

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119577232#Comment_119577232

Must be a record ?

Hammer Archer

Dunboyne, who lost last years Meath football final, finished bottom of their group and are in the relegation playoffs. They'll play Navan O'Mahonys who themselves have had a fall from grace in recent times. Also involved in the relegation playoffs are the other Navan side Simonstown Gaels (who won the Keegan Cup in 2017 & 2018) and Donaghmore/Ashbourne who were in the semi finals last year.

Pick of the quarter finals looks to be reigning champions Wolfe Tones and Gaeil Colmcille from Kells. Last year's intermediate champions, Trim, will play Na Fianna with Summerhill facing Skryne (who are now 85 years at senior level without being relegated) and 2019 & 2020 champions Ratoath play Moynalvey.

PTH2009

The Munster Club Hurling and Football finals have been fixed for the weekends of 3/4 Dec (H), 10/11 Dec (F) but on the Master Fixtures plan the All Ireland Semi Finals in each code are set for those weekends.

passremarkable

Watching Offaly football final here

really poor final from two experienced teams

PTH2009

Slaughtneil become senior hurling champions in Derry for the 10th year in a row. If they get through Ulster they won't fear the Galway champions in the AI semi finals

Fair play to Clonoulty Rossmore for batteling on this season and making it to the Tipp QFs.

Can't say I recognise any of the names in the Tipp semi final lineup.

supernova5

Slaughneil are a savage club, they live and breath GAA

windy shepard henderson

Brilliant performance by Anton sullivan and the mcnamees for Rhode in the Offaly final , really good game , tullamore probably kicked it away with some bad wides in the second half

PTH2009

The All Ireland club hurling semi finals have been fixed for the weekend of 17th/18th December (Munster Champions vs Leinster Champions). Be some Christmas for those clubs

Football semi finals are set for the weekend of 7th/8th Jan 2023

Hammer Archer

In the Meath football championship, 2021 champions Wolfe Tones play Summerhill while 2019 & 2020 champions Ratoath play Na Fianna. Ratoath are favourites to win it outright, but I think the winner will come from the other semi final.

In the hurling, Trim will play Ratoath in a repeat of the 2020 final (played early last year). Trim were outsiders that time but came through in extra time but they'll be big favourites this time around.

Clane will play Naas in the Kildare football final, their first time making the final since 1998. Naas will be going for their second double in a row after winning the hurling final against Maynooth yesterday. Will be interesting to see how Naas do in Leinster now and in the future as they'll play in the senior championship for the first time. Naas have hugely improved recently and I wouldn't bet against them making a big impact at some point in the future.

TheRiverman

Watching Cavan semi final Gowna v Crosserlough on RTE 2. Damian Lawlor and pundits pronouncing Crosserlough as Crusherlaw. Is that the way it is pronounced in Cavan ? It seems a strange way to pronounce it. Damian also needs to brush up on his 'th's'.

tanko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119690413#Comment_119690413

Yeah, it is.

celt262

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119690574#Comment_119690574

Never heard it called that.

supernova5

big shout out to Shinrone winning Offaly senior for first time ever, Joe McKenna should be happy