Sunday August 13
Shannon Blues v Galway 1:45
Shannon Blues v Galway 1:45
First up are Galway and the Shannon Blues. Galway find themselves one game away from
repeating last year’s final appearance.
The westerners field a balanced side and play a fluid style, moving the
ball well when in possession. There are
plenty of finishers in the forward line.
Home based stalwart Kevin Cummins can be relied on to come up with a big
score when needed, while given a half a step of room, Cian McMonagle can put
the ball over the bar from distance. In
the middle of the field Ryan Forde and Cian Darcy form a good midfield
partnership, while Galway U21s Dylan McHugh and Ruairi Greene form part of a
solid defence. The Blues have some players who can open
things up with speed from the half back line and midfield. Brian Fanning and Brian O’Seanachain, as well
as Kevin Coffey, are players capable of launching marauding attacks deep into
enemy territory, while at the front end of the field, Kerry duo Kieran Hurley
and Lee O’Donoghue can provide the finishes.
Limerick native Josh Ryan can also mix it up on the edge of the square
for the Blues. Can Galway make it two
final appearances in a row, or will it be the Blues fulfilling their potential
and earning a final date. The Blues
might be slight favourites as they seem to be hitting form at the right time,
but remember that Galway comeback earlier in the season. Will be an interesting one!
Aidan McAnespies v Donegal 4:15
One of the biggest rivalries in town, Aidan McAnespies and
Donegal are sure to be firing on all cylinders on Sunday afternoon. Donegal have to be the favoured side having
run the table in the league stages.
There is plenty of quality in the team.
Brian Donnelly is a key figure in the middle of the field, the Louthman’s
presence has been key to Donegal’s success.
Alongside him, and a different style of player is Stephen
McBrearty. McBrearty has a great engine
and never wastes possession, and there will be plenty of options up front with
Ted Furman and Enda Varley sure to keep McAnespies defenders hands full. McAnespies have come out ahead in their last
two outings, the last a real character test having pulled out the win after
going to extra time against the Connemara Gaels. The team works hard on the defensive side of
the ball and has the players to spring forward and capitalize on the
breaks. Key for them this year has been
Lifford native, Brian Breslin. Breslin
has the speed and scoring ability that would fit into any team, while Dubliner
Mick Walsh also adds pace. McAnespies
will need to keep the energy levels up for the hour if they hope to turn the
Donegal men, and while a win might be a surprise it is not out of the question.
Saturday Aug 12
Junior B Football Final –
Cork v Donegal - 4:00 (Field B)
It is north v south in the junior B football final when Cork
and Donegal meet on Saturday afternoon.
Cork defeated the Connemara Gaels in the semi-final with room to spare, and
might feel that this year could be the first time since 2012 that the junior B
football trophy returns to rebel hands. The
Cork side features heavily with American Born players. Notably Jack Lynch, whose father Mick
attained legendary status playing both football and hurling with the Cork club
in Boston not so long ago. The
Harrington brothers, Denis and Declan, feature prominently who along with Emmet
Smith, Ryan Connell, and Ryan Hayman form a contingent of 6 local born
players. Captained by the passionate and
quintessential Corkonian, Darren O’Donovan, Cork will be giving it their
all. Defending champions, Donegal, had
an unexpected win over favored Galway last weekend to make it to the final and
will not relinquish the title easily. The
northerners feature seasoned campaigners, Michael McGinty, Paul Boyce, and
Matthew Cutliffe in the lineup. The Uris partnership of Diarmaid Moyne and
Darren Grant pose a formidable scoring threat, while American born Sean Winston
brings some local flavor to the side. It
promises to be an entertaining encounter, with each side fancying their
chances.
Junior A Football Semi-Finals
Saturday Aug 12 – Donegal v Shannon Blues – 5:30
Sunday Aug 13 – Cork v Connemara Gaels – 12:15
Donegal’s junior A’s follow their junior Bs on Saturday in a
semi-final when they face the Shannon Blues.
Donegal were neck and neck with table toppers Cork in the standings. Donegal are defending champions for the Pat
Callaghan Cup. The Tir Chonaill men can
move the ball quickly. With Kieran
McDevitt, Ronan Diver and Sean Hume in the forward line, they will keep the
Blues defence busy with some quick passing and movement. The Blues side contains plenty of experience,
Conor Fitzgerald and Pat Murray are 2 local kids who are now veteran players
for the Blues. Derek O’Brien and Conor
Mullen are two other stalwarts that will not be happy to let Donegal have their
way. This could be a hard fought
contest.
Cork topped the table in the regular season, and having
missed the playoff last year will be eager to make the most of their
chance. A team that includes the stout
defending of Seamus Loftus at the back, some hard running from Colm “Bottles”
Daly in the middle of the field, and the prowess of Cathail Arnold up front, will
be hard to beat. Although they finished
in fourth place the Gaels can put out a strong side. The experience of old campaigners Pat
McNicholas and Tom Sally McDonagh mixes with the energy provided by Ian Heanue,
Paddy McGee and Gavin McCrystal to give the Gaels a good balance of youth and
experience. This one will be close!
Sunday August 13
Junior A Hurling Semi-Final – Fr. Tom Burke’s v Offaly – 1:45
Tom’s meet defending champions Offaly in the junior A
hurling semi-final on Sunday. For the
winner the reward is a meeting with Tipperary in the final the following
weekend. Offaly’s lineup is peppered
with class, Rory Sludds, Jimmy Rigney, Andy McRedmond and Stephen Brown, all
home based and top class hurlers will provide the backbone for Offaly’s
efforts. Tom’s finished ahead of Offaly
in the standings. Tom’s side features
Jack Martin, a youth product playing at a high level of hurling. The scoring is likely to come from Paudge
Egan and Danny O’Connell in the forward line, while James Dooley has put in
some stellar performances in the back line thus far this year. The puck of a ball in this one.
by Rory O'Donnell
No comments:
Post a Comment