Club Championships 2018-19

The Wexford senior football final pits Kilanerin against Shelmaliers this Sunday. It's a novel final pairing, as the sides have only ever met three times in championship before, with Shels holding the edge 2-1. Kilanerin have won the title seven times, most recently in 2008, while it's the first time Shelmaliers have even gotten this far. But both St.Martin's (2013) and St.James' (2015) have won it for the first time in the last six years, so past history doesn't generally mean much. In fact, the last two winners, Starlights and Gusserane bridged thirteen and 41-year gaps respectively.

My username may give my loyalties away, so I will admit here and now that I cannot stomach seeing the noisy neighbours winning the championship

But credit where it's due, Kilanerin have deserved to get this far. Unbeaten in their seven outings thus far (six wins, one draw) since making the step-up from Intermediate is as good as it gets, particularly when they have beaten St.Martin's twice in that run. That said, they had the easiest quarter-final draw against a St.James' side that had no scoring threat and were made work on occasion, while St.Martin's were naive in their containment of Matty Forde in the semi-final. Forde is still the big-name, and is the second top-scorer in the championship so far, but his nephew Sean Forde has really blossomed in the knock-out stages, while Conor Devitt is a real threat inside too, even if he hasn't been as prominent lately. Without embarking in Chinese whispers, but there is reportedly doubts surrounding the availability of one of their key players- his fitness or lack thereof could prove crucial.

Amazingly, Shelmaliers actually possess a better win record than Kilanerin with seven wins from seven. Not alone did they convincingly beat reigning champions Starlights twice , including in the semi-final, but they emerged from the harder group as well (in my opinion). Craig McCabe is the top scorer in the championship, although it could be argued that he doesn't have the same scoring support as Matty does for Kilanerin. But they are chock-a-block with big names in every outfield line, with every neutral in the county willing Brian Malone onto a county title to crown a brilliant career. He has been a driving force around the middle, while Eoghan Nolan is playing the best football of his fleeting career. Eoin Doyle is a very under-rated attacker in my view, AH Lehane has added extra to the forwards, while Conor Hearne and Ross Banville are promising youngsters.

I think it will come down to the form of Malone and Nolan in and around the middle third, while I also feel that Kilanerin's backs lack a bit of pace although that hasn't necessarily been exposed yet. Shelmaliers are abuzz up front, with better class and pace in defence, and tip them to become the newest team on the roll of honour.

I am not blinded by club rivalry, I promise

Patww79 wrote: »

Wicklow SFC Final this weekend, Wicklow Town Vs Rathnew. The latter to win it handy enough.

Leighton Glynn still playing? must 37 or 38?

castletownman wrote: »

The Wexford senior football final pits Kilanerin against Shelmaliers this Sunday. It's a novel final pairing, as the sides have only ever met three times in championship before, with Shels holding the edge 2-1. Kilanerin have won the title seven times, most recently in 2008, while it's the first time Shelmaliers have even gotten this far. But both St.Martin's (2013) and St.James' (2015) have won it for the first time in the last six years, so past history doesn't generally mean much. In fact, the last two winners, Starlights and Gusserane bridged thirteen and 41-year gaps respectively.

My username may give my loyalties away, so I will admit here and now that I cannot stomach seeing the noisy neighbours winning the championship

But credit where it's due, Kilanerin have deserved to get this far. Unbeaten in their seven outings thus far (six wins, one draw) since making the step-up from Intermediate is as good as it gets, particularly when they have beaten St.Martin's twice in that run. That said, they had the easiest quarter-final draw against a St.James' side that had no scoring threat and were made work on occasion, while St.Martin's were naive in their containment of Matty Forde in the semi-final. Forde is still the big-name, and is the second top-scorer in the championship so far, but his nephew Sean Forde has really blossomed in the knock-out stages, while Conor Devitt is a real threat inside too, even if he hasn't been as prominent lately. Without embarking in Chinese whispers, but there is reportedly doubts surrounding the availability of one of their key players- his fitness or lack thereof could prove crucial.

Amazingly, Shelmaliers actually possess a better win record than Kilanerin with seven wins from seven. Not alone did they convincingly beat reigning champions Starlights twice , including in the semi-final, but they emerged from the harder group as well (in my opinion). Craig McCabe is the top scorer in the championship, although it could be argued that he doesn't have the same scoring support as Matty does for Kilanerin. But they are chock-a-block with big names in every outfield line, with every neutral in the county willing Brian Malone onto a county title to crown a brilliant career. He has been a driving force around the middle, while Eoghan Nolan is playing the best football of his fleeting career. Eoin Doyle is a very under-rated attacker in my view, AH Lehane has added extra to the forwards, while Conor Hearne and Ross Banville are promising youngsters.

I think it will come down to the form of Malone and Nolan in and around the middle third, while I also feel that Kilanerin's backs lack a bit of pace although that hasn't necessarily been exposed yet. Shelmaliers are abuzz up front, with better class and pace in defence, and tip them to become the newest team on the roll of honour.

I am not blinded by club rivalry, I promise

Noisy neighbours? 6 titles to Castletowns 1 in the last 25 years.
Castletown are a historically significant club (Don't know how to do a smiley face on the phone). And I am not a Kilanerin man.
For the record I think the Shels will win by about 4-5.

zetecescort wrote:

Clann na nGael 1-9 St. Bridgets 1-7 HT.

Extremely enjoyable game, the two full forwards Lennon for Clann and Kilbride showing some class

Wexford SFC finished a draw: 2-11 apiece. Very enjoyable, end-to-end football throughout.

Shels looked dead and buried when their full-back was given a second yellow card in bizarre circumstances, and Niall Hughes finished off a poor kickout to make it 2-11 to 2-8 with ten minutes to go. But Shels recovered with the last three points, including a ridiculous effort by Simon Donohoe about two metres in from the byline (only he knows whether it was deliberate or not).

Matty Forde was the top scorer with 1-6, with a couple outrageous points from play and a goal in the first half. Hughes got 1-3 from midfield. Simon Donohoe was in inspired form himself with 1-4. Replay is next Saturday in Wexford Park. Shelmaliers seem to have the better fitness levels so may well recover better in the six-day turnaround.

It's a great opportunity for the Wexford County Board to indulge in some nice PR by either having a special ticket valid for both senior finals next weekend (the hurling is on Sunday), or certainly a reduced rate for the replay. But I just know that common sense won't prevail and it will be €20 entrance each day. Costly weekend for the neutral that wants to attend all finals.

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

From watching the Roscommon county final- it seems like that there’s a quota of chubby lads that each team is required to play

It seems to quota for the majority of clubs teams around the country. A good high scoring Roscommon final with some top scores and good skill level on display. Big surprise to see Brigids beaten by such a margin and how good Clann are should be seen in the Connacht championship.

25 for the Intermediate and senior hurling finals today in Cork and a disgraceful 20 for students/OAPS. 22 if bought in advance.

would love if all counties had something like the Tipp county board, 20 euro and attend as many games over the weekend as you like.

Senior B finals in Offaly were 15 euro.