Saturday was heavenly and Sunday was hellish.
And even though, as was the case in Antrim on Sunday, when Creggan Kickhams took on O’Donovan Rossa, it was more like a mud-bath than a football pitch – there were still stars and stand-out performances in both codes and on both days.
It was one of the first weekends when you could clearly see that, all over Ireland, this club season is really kicking into gear. From Doon’s late, late show against Patrickswell on Saturday to Crossmaglen Rangers’ battling brilliance against Silverbridge on Sunday – there were some great games and great displays.
Here’s our GAA JOE Team of the weekend.
1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
Saved Aussie’s penalty, along with two more point blank saves. What more do you want?
2. Donal Newcombe (Castlebar)
One of the tightest markers in the county scored 0-3 from play… from corner back in their win over Davitts.
3. Rory Brickenden (Westport)
Safe as a house at full back in their convincing win over Ballintubber in the Mayo SFC.
4. Ian Kenny (Ballygunner)
Didn’t give Mount Sion an inch in the Waterford SHC final.
5. Jamie McCann (Creggan Kickhams)
0-3 frees in the most outrageous of conditions in Antrim to help his club qualify for the county semi-finals.
6. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
Dominated the centre for the Cork club in their SHC quarter final win over Douglas.
7. Patrick Cummins (Doon)
Scored the injury time goal that takes Doon through to the knock-out stages of the Limerick SHC.
A two point lead…it's the most dangerous lead in hurlingpic.twitter.com/zcfImin5T6
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) September 11, 2022
8. Peter Cooke (Moycullen)
0-3 from play and 0-1 long range free in a big win for Moycullen over Tuam Stars.
9. Cathal Naughton (Newtownshandrum)
The 35-year-old former Cork hurling star is back from Australia, back with a bang, and he helped his club into their first county SHC semi-final in 11 years with a 0-4 haul from midfield.
10. Paul Towey (Charlestown)
He lit it up in America during the summer and he’s doing the same on home soil now, with a 0-10 tally, 0-5 from play against Garrymore.
11. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo Pallaskenry)
0-10 from play. Next.
Nothing much, just Kyle Hayes causing absolute wreck, scoring 0-10 from play in a Limerick SHC gamepic.twitter.com/TZS8Hq5nQ0
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) September 11, 2022
12. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
Silvermines had a big extra-time win over Carrick Swan in the Tipperary senior B quarter final and Forde, predictably, was on fire, racking up 0-17, 0-5 from play and one-sideline.
13. Cian McConville (Crossmaglen Rangers)
That pass was worth the entrance fee alone… but the lively McConville surely turned a certain Mr. McGeeney’s head with that display.
What an outrageous pass by Cian McConville of @crossrangers 📌pic.twitter.com/A8I9R802rY
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) September 11, 2022
14. John Hetherton (St Vincent’s)
3-9 (3-2 from play). Vinnie’s lost out to Kilmacud Crokes but ‘Hedgo’ was unplayable. And he’ll take watching in their upcoming quarter final clash.
15. Robbie Cotter (Blackrock)
1-5 from play for the young Cork star in their SHC quarter final win over Imokilly.
