GAA JOE Team of the weekend

Niall McIntyre

It’s almost provincial final-time.

After a Super Sunday of GAA, the Munster hurling, Ulster hurling, Connacht football and Leinster football championships have now been whittled down to the final two.

There are still some semi-finals to be played next weekend but after that, provincial silverware will be up for grabs everywhere.

After yet another dramatic weekend of thrills and spills, Kilmacud Crokes and Ballygunner are still on course to make it three provincial championships in a row while Corofin and Ruairí Óg are looking to re-claim their crown as kings of the province.

Here’s our GAA JOE team of the weekend.

1 Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)

Blocked a point in the first half and showed his alertness at the death, when Na Piarsaigh threatened for a late, levelling goal.

2 Paddy McDermott (Naas)

His direct and hard-running caused untold problems for St Loman’s, especially as the game headed into extra-time.

3 Dylan McMahon (Clonlara)

A rock in the Clonlara defence who displayed great composure under pressure against Kiladangan.

4 Ronan Stack (St Brigid’s)

Scored a point of his own and had a hand in the game-changing goal, which was finished to the net by Ciaran Sugrue.

5 Dylan McHugh (Corofin)

The Corofin captain led by example, scoring points just as his team were coming under pressure. His speed and directness on the ball is a nightmare for opponents and Ballina, as many others have before them, struggled to deal with it.

6 Philip Mahony (Ballygunner)

Mr. Consistent.

Stepped up late on, when Na Piarsaigh threw the kitchen sink at them with a flurry of long, high deliveries. Mahony came out with two of them.

7 Declan McGrath (Kiladangan)

Backed up his brilliant county final performance with another slick display. Picked off three points and delivered some pinpoint ball into the Kiladangan forwards. An injury forced him off late on, when Kiladangan were leading, and his presence was missed in those crucial final moments.

8 Patrick Egan (Corofin)

A Galway under-20 this year, Egan has had a huge impact on this Corofin team. Has a serious engine and also popped up with two brilliant points.

9 Neil McManus (Ruairí Óg)

What’s new? McManus continues to deliver for Ruairí Óg. Ended his day with 1-14, while his game-saving 21 yard free was the stuff of legend.

"It's do!" 😂

The @RuairiOgCLG fans had faith in their talisman!@Neilmcmanus88 didn't let them down 🎯#BBCGAA pic.twitter.com/iMdU0JXBiP

— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) November 19, 2023

10 Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes)

Scaored a tremendous array of points in a brilliant first half performance, ending his day with 0-5 from play.

11 John Conlon (Clonlara)

A man inspired this year. Fresh from collecting his All-Star, Conlon scored four from play before catching and coming out with a late delivery as Kiladangan searched for an equaliser.

12 Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)

Was outstanding against Na Piarsaigh. Shot 0-11, including three from play as he won his second Munster final man-of-the-match in a row.

13 Darragh Kirwan (Naas)

1-6 from play. What more do you say? The goal was different class.

14 David Clifford (Fossa)

See the highlights.

While he was on the losing side today, the 2023 Footballer of the Year, David Clifford, put in some performance for @FossaGaa in the @Kerry_Official IFC Final 🙌

12 points, some of them were simply incredible 🏳️😅

Watch back that CRACKING Final, here👇
📺https://t.co/8RTIDVIpju pic.twitter.com/rXrkwBROqD

— Clubber (@clubber) November 19, 2023