Three reigning county champions were dumped out at the weekend. One club won their 38th senior title in a row while a GAA legend reminded every one of his class.
It’s GAA JOE team of the weekend time.
Club GAA is officially back. The All-Irelands are all over. It’s time to go back to the grassroots. RTÉ and TG4 are doing their bit, club GAA is about to get more exposure than ever.
It’s about time.
There were thrills, spills and upsets all over in the hurling with three reigning county champions getting their marching orders. Wexford, Offaly and Dublin will all have new SHC champs with Naomh Eanna, Coolderry and Ballyboden St Enda’s licking their wounds.
In the football, Dr Crokes and Corofin are both unstoppable while Derrygonnelly Harps, in Fermanagh, are the first senior county champions of the year.
Team of the weekend
Declan Bonner pushed hard but Cathal Hickey, for Glen Rovers was unbeatable between the sticks. Made some unbelievable saves when Newtownshandrum were pushing hard in the Cork SHC.
Paddy Burke has been a model of consistency for Ruairí Óg Cushendall for the last few years and he was brilliant again on Sunday in their win Antrim SHC semi-final win over Naomh Eoin.
If Burke is a model of consistency, well then Slaughtneil’s Brendan Rogers is a monument of it. Brilliant again against Ballinderry in the Derry SFC.
Ger Cafferkey may have hung up the Mayo inter-county boots but he’s still a wall in the Ballina defence. Played half the game on one leg and still made interception after tackle in their win over Breaffy in the last eight.
Paddy Durcan helped the Mitchels over Aghamore with a typically energetic display while Sean Moran manned the Cuala defence with authority in their win over Ballyboden St Enda’s. Garvan McGinley caught the eye for Derrygonnelly Harps in the Fermanagh final.
Rena Buckley is the dual player of her generation and she’s still at it with her clubs. For Inniscarra camogie she was inspiring on Saturday evening and it was much the same on Sunday with the Donoughmore ladies footballers.
Down in the not so sunny south east, Benny Jordan made light work of the poor conditions with four from play for Ferns St Aidan’s as they knocked out the reigning Wexford SHC champs Naomh Eanna.
In the North Tipperary SHC semi-final, Conor Kenny was unplayable for Borris-Ileigh. One of the most consistent club hurlers in the Premier county, the former county man hit 1-7 from play in their extra-time win over Burgess.
Sinead Ryan helped Ballymacarbry to their 38th, yes you read that right, 38th Waterford SFC title in a row with a stunning 1-9 total.
Numbers don’t matter, it still means just as much! 🙌🏆💙 #purejoy #ballymacabú #clubisfamily pic.twitter.com/PqJdllVT2x
— Michelle Ryan (@ShelRyan1211) September 22, 2019
In Dublin, John Hedgo Hetherton racked up an almighty 0-19 (0-3 from play) in St Vincent’s extra-time Dublin SHC quarter final win over Ballyboden St Enda’s.
Con O’Callaghan got 2-3 for Cuala in the other quarter final while Benny Coulter, that Down legend of years gone by, stepped up with 1-7 for the Mayobridge reserves to win the county title. Just the 37 now, Benny has loads left in him.
Have to say The King @BennyCoulter82 unreal today 1-07 scored in 40 mins then the hamstring plays a note out of tune and its time to sit down @MayobridgeGAC pic.twitter.com/qOoJT2uv9X
— Sports DNA – Brendan Monaghan (@mungo4) September 22, 2019
Meanwhile, Tony Brosnan did what Tony Brosnan does. 1-11 for the Crokes against Rathmore. He spent the summer in Boston and he’s returned as fit as a flea.
So here you have it, the first of many GAA JOE club team of the weekends.
