1. Joe Kernan back on the club title hunt
In 1996 Crossmaglen Rangers ended a 10-year wait for an Armagh county senior title.
Joe Kernan was at the helm for that significant win and then presided over a brilliant run of success before he stepped down after their third All-Ireland club victory in four years in 2000.
Crossmaglen Rangers have not slipped back since then. On Sunday they chase their 17th county title in 18 years against Cullyhanna.
The team has been shorn this year of lynchpins like Jamie Clarke, Paul Kernan and James Morgan. But there is a familiar face in the bainisteoir bib.
14 years after winning his last county final as a manager, Joe Kernan is back on the beat for Crossmaglen.
2. Clare’s All-Ireland winning coach to feature in Limerick football final
On the Sunday morning after Clare’s All-Ireland win last month, the Banner camp woke in celebration at the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin.
One of their members had made an early departure from the team hotel. Clare’s innovative coach Paul Kinnerk was on a train on route to Limerick for a playing engagement of his own.
His club Monaleen were in a county senior football semi-final with Kinnerk, who was battling injury, whipped off the bench to help them grind out a 0-15 to 0-14 win over St Patrick’s.
On Sunday Kinnerk and his teammates head to Newcastlewest for the decider. Dromcollogher-Broadford stand in Monaleen’s path from claiming a third title in four years.
Paul Kinnerk in action for Monaleen
Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
3. Loughmore-Castleiney continue on the road to dual success
It’ s a small community, situated between Thurles and Templemore, but Tipperary outfit Loughmore-Castleiney churn out remarkably talented teams.
Last Sunday they were celebrating a county SHC crown with victory over Nenagh Éire Óg in a frenetic decider. They savoured that success and a Munster club date with Na Piarsaigh awaits them on Sunday week.
But before that they are embarking on football endeavours. The reigning champions Clonmel Commercials are the obstacle at the county semi-final stage on Sunday.
Yet Loughmore’s bid for a first ever double is still alive.
4. The dominant forces in Kerry football, Laois football and Wexford hurling
On Sunday Dr Crokes bid for their 10th county senior football title. What is more significant is the chance for them to do four-in-a-row for the first time in the club’s history and the first time in Kerry since the great John Mitchels side of the ’60′s.
In Laois, there is the prospect of Portlaoise climbing to the winners podium for the seventh successive year. That’s an unparalleled level of dominance for a club in the county.
While in Wexford, Oulart-the-Ballagh are attempting to become the first club in the county to string together five senior hurling titles.
The trio’s consistent pursuit of excellence should be applauded. What’s striking is that all three have been thwarted in their drive for glory outside of their counties in recent years, which must be fueling their motivation.
Dr Crokes are in action on Sunday.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
5. Na Fianna close in on novel triumph in Meath
On Sunday in Navan, Na Fianna are chasing their first ever Meath senior football title. In their first ever Meath county senior final. Just 12 months after they won the intermediate crown in the county.
It’s a remarkable achievement by the Enfield-based club. They’ve been in freescoring form this season, most notably at the quarter-final stage when they put seven goals past Moynalvey.
Oponents on Sunday are neighbours Summerhill. And there is spice added to the game by the fact that Summerhill man John Lyons is now the manager of Na Fianna.
6. Plenty at stake amongst last four in Cork hurling
For reigning champions Sarsfields, Sunday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh offers the chance to reach a familiar date in their hurling calendar. Victory in their semi-final will propel them to a fifth final appearance in six years.
But for the other three teams, there is a chance to take a novel step. For instance Sarsfields opponents Ballymartle, who lost their opening two rounds in this year’s championship, last contested a senior final in 1906.
While the second semi-final sees Midleton, who were last finalists in 1994, take on Na Piarsaigh, who were champions in 2004. It’s a day of opportunities then.
Sarsfields chase a fifth Cork final appearance in six years on Sunday
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
