Club Championships 2018-19

https://wexfordweekly.com/2018/10/15/video-evidence-dunbar-should-be-allowed-play-county-final/

This is the big talking point in Wexford ahead of the weekend's senior hurling final. Personally, I don't see how it warranted a red card, but at the same time it may set a dangerous precedent if his suspension is overturned. Of course, conspiracy abounds, with the linesman involved formerly of Oylegate, and retaining strong connections with the area as his son is seemingly joining the club next year.

The appeal has gone to Leinster Council as it stands. What is clear, is he will be a huge loss for Gorey if the ban is withheld- they simply don't have the depth on the bench.

No less than seven county finals, including the two senior and two intermediate, down for decision in Wexford this weekend.

St.Martin's and Naomh Eanna Gorey contest the senior hurling final on Sunday. I have stressed my belief elsewhere that Gorey don't have the strength in depth to match St.Martin's so will need career-best displays from a host of players to pull off the shock. All the focus has been on Cathal Dunbar's red card in the semi-final and the subsequent appeal, and it has taken the shine off what has been a breakthrough year for Naomh Eanna as they are playing in their first ever final at this level. His transfer seems to have drawn the most ire from neutrals, although at this stage it's easier to name clubs that haven't had an import of some description.

They have young players as good as anyone else in the county (Eoin Molloy, Jack Cullen, Aodhan Doyle and Charlie McGuckin have flourished as the season has gone on), but St.Martin's are the standard-bearers, even if there are fitness doubts surrounding a couple of starters. I forecast an open game with plenty of exhibition scoring, but see Martin's winning by about 3-4 points to claim back-to-back titles for the first time in their history. Incidentally, either Buffers Alley, Oulart the Ballagh or Rathnure have won 41 of the championships since 1968, but only two of the last five regardless of the winner here. Furthermore, the Alley's last came in 1992, while it's ten years since Rathnure last won, so we are going through a changing of the guard so to speak.

As regards to the senior football replay on Saturday evening, I feel there is a higher ceiling for improvement in Shelmaliers than in Kilanerin. Shels finished the original fixture stronger, and didn't have any bodies strewn on the floor with cramp. Kilanerin didn't score for the last ten minutes plus injury-time despite playing with an extra man, and were only ahead in the first place when a misplaced kick-out was seized upon by Matty and finished to the net by Niall Hughes. Without stating the obvious too much, if either Hughes (1-3) or Simon Donohoe (1-4) match their scoring feats from the first day, their respective side will win. But I think Shelmaliers forwards have more in them to show, and tip them to get the job done eventually. Oddly enough, their first ever hurling title triumph in 2014 also came after a replay.

A strange quirk in the two intermediate finals is that neither of the four finalists played in the grade last year. Horeswood (football) and Cloughbawn (hurling) were relegated from senior last year, while Crossabeg Ballymurn (football) and Fethard (hurling) won the Intermediate A championships. Horeswood and Cloughbawn are the favourites in the respective codes, but the challengers are vibrant, young teams confident of causing a stir. Fethard lost the All Ireland junior hurling final after extra-time in March and go in knowing that the weight of expectation will be on Cloughbawn to make an immediate return to the top table. Horeswood have called back a few veterans (including London manager Ciaran Deely) to bring experience to a couple of the younger lads, but were made work in their semi-final against St.Mary's Rosslare. In contrast, Crossabeg were comfortable winners against HWH Bunclody, who brought senior finalists Kilanerin to extra-time in last year's intermediate county final. The favourites should still win, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there is a shock in both.

My prediction of a Shelmaliers win came true anyway, although a lot more emphatically than anyone could have envisioned. 4-14 to 1-7 it finished up, with Matty Forde burying a late sympathetic penalty, and Shels pointing one themselves from the second-last kick of the game. Shels cut them open time and time again, and were very impressive. Then again, I have had my reservations about the strength of Kilanerin's defence for a while now, and they were cruelly exposed this time.

One would have to question whether Kilanerin learned from the first day at all though. Simon Donohoe kicked 1-4 from wing-back in the drawn game, so surely to god the message was not to let him get on the ball and drive forward early on? Yet he popped up unmarked to plant an early goal after only a minute. Conversely, Matty was kept under wraps (although he was given very little supply), and Niall Hughes, scorer of 1-3 from midfield the last day, was outshone by Eoghan Nolan.

Shels were earmarked early on in the year as potential champions, and gradually improved as the season progressed and are richly deserving of their first ever senior football title.

TCM wrote: »

Do you u ever get out?

According to the GF, not near enough!

Kinda strange that replays in Longford and Wexford were won by such large margins. Hard to believe so much can change in a week. Not saying it is dodgy, just more curious than anything.

LoughNeagh2017 wrote: »

In the Antrim football final Cargin beat Creggan 5 points to 4 points, it was 2-2 at half time.

Creggan hadn't been in the final since the 70s and last won in the 50s I think.

They are neighbours, you could walk from one pitch to the other

Sounds like a thriller :rolleyes::rolleyes:

History made in Wexford as Naomh Eanna in their first ever senior hurling crown with a 2-11 to 0-13 victory over holders and favourites St.Martin's.

Not a classic by any means but still entertaining in its own way. Conor Mac will gain some the plaudits with 2-1, his second goal coming eight minutes from time to essentially seal the deal. Cathal Dunbar ran St.Martin's ragged in the first half, and finished with 0-4, including their last point. His overturned suspension was worth the distraction of an appeal after all. Collectively, Gorey's backs were outstanding, especially in the last ten minutes when they seemed to catch every ball that came their way. Wing-back Jack Cullen was my MOTM, but the award was officially given to Eoin Molloy at corner-back- those lads are just 18/19 and are set for a bright future. Special mention to Charlie McGuckin (son of Offaly All-Ireland winner Shane) though who I thought swept up a mountain of ball around the middle.

St.Martin's seemed to approach the game with a laissez-faire attitude, and have generally exuded an arrogant demenour over the last couple of years. Patrick O'Connor is usually one of the most under-rated backs in the county, but got cleaned out today, while their midfield wasn't as vibrant as usual. They also missed at least four placed-balls that they usually convert, and must have hit more wides today than they have all championship. A tame enough way to relinquish their crown.

Full credit to Gorey though. It is hard not to get swept up in the emotion on the pitch afterwards. They are the first town team since Faythe Harriers in 2001 to have won the title, and it is surely a huge fillip to the game in the wider community. St.Martin's seem to get all the praise for their underage structures and success, but at least they had a tradition to work off. There was hardly even a club in Gorey town half a century ago, and this was their first ever senior county final appearance, so they deserve the spoils now after a decade of hard work at developmental level.

Say Your Number wrote: »

Seeing how County finals are being played roughly around the same time as last year, has bringing the Inter-County season forward a few weeks made a blind bit of difference.

Just talking about that after the Dublin final. Same old, same old and it can't be blamed on county teams.

This all started with clubs in most counties inventing reasons for not playing senior championship in April despite there being no inter county league. Curiously worst offenders were teams already out of contention in league. Some of them were also out of championship in June and are still making a hames of the whole thing.

Now, we are back into the same routine of needless fixture clashes and county champions potentially missing out on provincial competition.

Of course some will still blame, Cody, Mick Ryan, Harte, Gavin, Kingston and so on and so forth.

Another video doing the rounds after Kerry semi-final today. More bans on the way.

Castlerahan, the Mayo of Cavan GAA, won their first Cavan Senior Championship in their 4th final in a row.

Some of their players like Ronan Flanagan, Cian Mackey and Sean Brady we’re playing in their sixth final and had five defeats to date.

Crossmaglen won Armagh after a gap of two years in an enjoyable final played in a positive spirit. Some great scores, no fighting whatsoever.
Some highlights here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gaelic-games/45934053

Is the dublin final online?

Jude13 wrote: »

Is the dublin final online?

TG4's website?

Patww79 wrote: »

I thought I'd missed it. What time is it on?

Start delayed by extra time in Ballyfermot/Ranelagh junior final.

djPSB wrote: »

In the Dublin hurling final, the tackle by the BB keeper was career ending stuff. Studs into the thigh. Hope the Crokes number 14s injury wasn't too bad.

It was a throwback to Hells' Kitchen days alright.

Howard hobbled back from dressing room during second half. Think main impact was on knee which was strapped. Maguire certainly lucky not to walk.