KIERAN DONAGHY AND JOE McMahon may be All-Ireland winners at inter-county level but next Sunday they’re hoping to land provincial club titles.
We’re getting set for the last weekend in November but there’s still plenty critical GAA questions to will be answered on the club scene.
The big games see Austin Stacks, The Nire, Omagh and Slaughtneil chase AIB provincial senior football club glory while there are three All-Ireland ladies football club finals also down for decision.
Here’s what’s on the agenda.
SATURDAY
Munster
Intermediate football final
Valley Rovers (Cork) v Ardfert (Kerry, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, 2pm
This Cork and Kerry battle sees 2006 Munster intermediate champions Ardfert hoping to regain the title for a second time. The North Kerry club, who won the All Ireland junior title in 2006 and the All Ireland intermediate title in 2007, include John Dowling in their ranks – the player who was the star of this AIB club ad at September’s All-Ireland final.
Valley Rovers can call on Alan Quirke and Fiachra Lynch, All Ireland senior football winners with Cork in 2010. They lost out at the first hurdle at this level in Munster in 2009 against Clare’s Cratloe and will hope to atone this season.
Ulster
Junior football final
Rock (Tyrone) v Urris (Donegal), Owenbeg, 7pm
Tyrone side Rock won this championship in 2007 by 2-8 to 2-6 over Monaghan’s Aughnamullen. Urris are hoping to become the first Donegal side to win this championship in a game that takes place at the Derry venue.
All-Ireland ladies football
Intermediate final
Castleisland Desmonds (Kerry) v Clonbur (Galway), Corrofin, Clare, 1.30pm
Clonbur have been in great form and have the experienced Lorna Joyce who will spearhead their attack. Castleisland have plenty of experience on their side in the form of Kerry senior players Cáit Lynch, Aoife Lyons and Lorraine Scanlon.
All-Ireland ladies football
Junior final
Murroe Boher (Limerick) v St Ciaran’s (Roscommon), Ballinasloe, 1.30pm
SUNDAY
All-Ireland ladies football
Senior final
Mourneabbey (Cork) v Termon (Donegal), Tuam Stadium, 2pm
Mourneabbey are backboned by the four O’Sullivan sisters including Ciara O’Sullivan who recently claimed her second Allstar Award and her sister Doireann who is another of the Cork senior panelists. Termon will rely very much on Geraldine McLaoughlin who has been in sensational form this year providing the vast majority of their scores.
Galway
Senior hurling semi-final
Beagh v Gort, Athenry, 2pm
The long-delayed Galway senior hurling championship is finally nearing conclusion. Beagh defeated Ardrahan in last Sunday’s quarter-final and they now face their near-neighbours Gort in a last four game next Sunday. Gort were last in the final in 2011 when they won it whereas Beagh have never reached a county senior hurling decider.
Munster
Senior football final
Austin Stacks (Kerry) v The Nire (Waterford), Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2pm
There’s been a venue change for this one with Páirc Uí Chaoimh the new setting instead of Páirc Uí Rinn. It’s the first time since 1976 that Austin Stacks have reached this stage of the competition. They won the final that year after losing at the same juncture in 1974 and 1975. The Nire’s previous appearance saw them lose out in the final in 2006 to Dr Crokes.
Inter-county players like Kieran Donaghy, Thomas O’Gorman, Shane O’Callaghan, Liam Lawlor, Shane Walsh, Fearghal McNamara and Maurice O’Gorman will be in action in this one.
Leinster
Intermediate football final
Sean O’Mahony’s (Louth) v Ballinlough (Meath), Drogheda, 2pm
Sean O’Mahony’s will hope to become the second successive Louth club to triumph in this championship after Geraldines won it last year. The last Meath champions were Wolfe Tones back in 2004 and since then Meath clubs have lost three finals. Ballinlough will want to end that losing run.
Tipperary
Senior football quarter-finals
Aherlow v Moyle Rovers, Ardfinnan, 2pm
Cahir v Eire Og Annacarty, Cashel, 2pm
Another long delayed county championship is in the Premier county. The last two senior football quarter-finals are on Sunday with 2010 champions Aherlow playing 2009 champions Moyle Rovers while 2003 champions Cahir take on Éire Óg Annacarty.
Ulster
Senior football final
Omagh (Tyrone) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 3.30pm
Neither club have ever won this Ulster senior title and neither have been in a divisional final before. Justin and Joe McMahon and Ronan O’Neill (all Omagh) and Chrissy McKaigue (Slaughtneil), are the big name Tyrone and Derry seniors in action.
Intermediate football final
Inniskeen (Monaghan) v Warrenpoint (Down), Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 1.30pm
Inniskeen won this Ulster intermediate title in 2005 and went on to win the All-Ireland in 2006. Fellow Monaghan club Truagh won this championship last year. Warrenpoint will try to become the first Down club since Liatroim Fontenoys in 1998 to win the title.