The first of the county finals are taking place this weekend.
TG4 will be up in Monaghan for the senior football final on Sunday and that’ll be followed by deferred coverage of the Offaly senior hurling final.
In total, there are seven county finals taking place on Sunday. Longford are the only other county having their football decider this early while there are hurling finals in Laois, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon and in Waterford.
It’s peak club season now and here’s SportsJOE’s weekend accumulator to add a bit of spice to the action.
Clonoulty/Rossmore 4/5 to beat Toomevara in Tipp SHC semi
Toomevara showed all of their nous to get past the Drom and Inch challenge last weekend but fortune favoured them in Nenagh. West champions Clonoulty Rossmore didn’t require any such fortune in Dolla with the Hammersley brothers, Conor and Timmy, as well as Enda Heffernan and Fiachra and John O’Keeffe comprehensively out-playing Kiladangan.
Clonoulty Rossmore are a fit team, they are a young team and they should have too much in hand for Toomevara in the first of the double-header clashes in Semple Stadium.
Thurles Sarsfields 1/2 to beat Nenagh in Tipp SHC semi
The five-in-a-row seeking Sars stuttered over Kilruane McDonaghs last weekend but they’ve got their warning now and on home turf in the home of hurling, they’re tipped to return to form.
Éire Óg have flattered to deceive in recent years and it will take a massive performance from Jake Morris and Michael Heffernan for them to progress. It’s more likely that Paudie Maher will keep them at bay and Pa Bourke, Aidan McCormack and John Maher will do the damage.
Kilcormac/Killoughey 8/11 to beat Coolderry in Offaly SHC final
The Special Ks have no injury problems and they are primed for this one. They won this competition last year despite a host of injury issues and they’ve looked a rejuvenated outfit in the Faithful County this year.
Coolderry, on the other hand, are an ageing outfit and they’re still very reliant on old heads like Brian Carroll and Kevin Brady. The Special Ks for two-in-a-row.
Eoghan Rua Coleraine 2/5 to beat Ballinascreen in Derry SFC semi-final
It takes a special team to put it up to Slaughtneil once, it takes a brilliant team to put it up to them twice and eventually beat them. The only concern is that Eoghan Rua may have some tiredness in the legs after Wednesday’s battle, but Coleraine, with all their McGoldricks on form should take Ballinascreen.
Ardboe 17/10 to beat Killyclogher in Tyrone semi-final
Ardboe haven’t won a Tyrone title since 1998 but they’ve as good a chance as they’ve ever had this time around. Their run to the last four has seen them take care of Trillick and Clonoe comfortably and if David Mulgrew and Shay McGuigan hit top form, then Gavin Wylie’s men will be hard to keep out.
Is there any championship more competitive than the @TyroneGAALive club championship? https://t.co/brjtkXFsK6
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 1, 2018
Ballybay 2/1 to beat Scotstown in Monaghan decider
Scotstown are bidding for four Monaghan titles in a row but the 2012 champions Pearse Brothers Ballybay are well positioned to put it up to them.
They’ve lost five semi-finals in the last six years and they’ve plenty of motivation built up for this one. The presence of Drew and Ryan Wylie ensures they’re sturdy in defence while Paul Finlay is still causing problems in attack as is Monaghan senior Dessie Ward.
“Hopefully, we’ll get over the line and give them a good rattle,” said Ryan Wylie on Thursday’s GAA Hour podcast.
We’re backing them to do the job.
Graigue Ballycallan 8/11 to beat Glenmore in Kilkenny Intermediate Championship
Only Ballyragget were better than Graigue Ballycallan in the Kilkenny intermediate championship last year and they’re tipped to get the better of Eoin Murphy’s club, Glenmore here. Graigue Ballycallan have plenty of young talent in their squad, with Kilkenny senior Billy Ryan the main man while St Kieran’s College player Jesse Roberts is another budding star.
John Lockes evs to beat Tullogher in Kilkenny intermediate championship
The Callan club were only promoted from junior last year but they’ve been in flying form to date. They were brilliant two weeks ago when they ground out a one point victory over Tullaroan in the League final and with twins Sean and James Power hurling well, they might just keep that run going here.
The key of course, will be stopping the human cherry picker that is big Walter Walsh.
All told, the acca works out at 182/1. Worth a euro.
