There were some classic games in the weekend’s GAA, and some class individual performances.
Isn’t it class that the GAA only gets better and better as the year goes on? Club GAA is the gift that keeps on delivering, and this weekend was no different.
Here’s our SportsJOE team of the weekend.
1. Goalkeeper – Shane Murphy (Dr. Crokes, Kerry)
Were it not for Shane Murphy, Dr. Crokes’ losing margin to Nemo Rangers would have been much greater. He made some outstanding saves in the first-half, surely staking a claim for the Kingdom number one spot next year.
Just watching deferred coverage of nemo and dr crokes on @GAA_BEO shane Murphy kept crokes in the game in the first half.some outstanding saves
— Joe Hayes (@1JoeH) November 26, 2017
One of his stops from Nemo livewire Luke Connolly was something special.
2. Right corner back – Treise Moran (Clanmaurice camógs, Kerry)
Moran lead a stout defensive effort as the Kerry side played out a low-scoring 1-4 to 1-4 draw with Meath champions Kilmessan in the All-Ireland Junior camogie final.
Her tough tackling, and relentless work-rate kept the Meath forwards at bay for most of the day.
3. Full back – Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil, Derry)
Despite fracturing a knuckle in the first half, Rogers was solid as a rock at number three. Nullified the influence of the Gaels danger-man Seanie Johnston, who didn’t register from open play.
Has been a part of Slaughtneil’s beautiful journey for every step of the way, a central part.
Pacy, strong and good in the air – a full forward’s nightmare.
4. Left corner back – Liam Silke (Corofin, Galway)
Lined up at corner back, but Silke was everywhere for the Galway champions in their Connacht Final victory over Castlebar Mitchels on Sunday.
Maith thú a Liam @silkeliam @CorofinGAA Laoch na hImeartha AIB/TG4 pic.twitter.com/L8CScUrmAa
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 26, 2017
Made countless lung-bursting drives forward, and some crucial interceptions, too. His influence on the game only grew in extra-time, and it was no wonder when he was named man-of-the-match.
5. Right half back – Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht, Kerry)
The Kerry senior panellist set the tone for the Gaeltacht club with a first minute goal against St. Senan’s in the Munster final. He lead the charge, and the rest of his teammates followed his example as they cruised to the All-Ireland stages of the competition.
Munster Inter Club Final (1st,1m) An Ghaeltacht 1-1 St Senans 0-0 #GAA CÚL!! Brian Ó Beaglaoich goal
— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) November 26, 2017
His forward drives and tenacity in defence was evident throughout the game.
6. Centre back – Chrissy McKaigue (Slaughtneil, Derry)
Chrissy McKaigue did what Chrissy McKaigue does. Mr. Dependable, just like teammate Rogers.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb-XiRrnilZ/?taken-by=mckaigue_chrissy
Was a hurricane of energy at centre back, but that’s just standard for McKaigue.
7. Left half back – Tracy King (Kilmessan Camógs, Meath)
The All-Ireland junior camogie Championship final between Kilmessan and Clanmaurice was as tight as it was exciting. The scoring was low, the defending was dogged. The sides will have to do it all again, after a late Kilmessan goal ensured a share of the spoils at 1-4 to 1-4.
Without the defensive foundation laid by leader and captain king, the Royal county representatives wouldn’t have had a chance to rescue it at the death.
@Clanmauricecamo Capt Treise Moran @kilmessancc CaptTracy King with referee Conor Quinlan (Galway) @radiokerrysport @OfficialCamogie 💚⚫️🏆 pic.twitter.com/pOsD9mDNGE
— Kerry Camogie (@kerrycamogie) November 26, 2017
8. Midfield – Matty Forde (Kilanerin, Wexford)
The 38-year-old Wexford legend scored four of the last five points of the game as Kilanerin won the Leinster intermediate club final. The best players do it when it mattered most. Forde was a beast when it mattered most.
Finished his afternoon with six of his side’s thirteen points. He hasn’t lost it.
9. Midfield – Micheal Lundy (Corofin, Galway)
It was an achievement for Lundy to line out on Sunday, given that he underwent an Appendix Operation just ten days earlier. The diminutive Galway man showed no ill-effects of the operation, scoring a first half goal.
Michael Lundy was never going to miss the @CorofinGAA game 💪 #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/ZyaiUJeqNX
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 27, 2017
As always, his energy and work-rate was piggish. His influence, massive.
10. Right half forward – Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers, Cork)
Connolly kicked ten of the finest as Nemo Rangers produced a surprise victory over Dr. Crokes to win their first Munster title since 2010.
Kept the umpires warm with 45s, frees and some cracking efforts from play. The Kerry backline couldn’t cope with his prowling movement.
Could be the forward Cork are missing. Could be the man they build their team around.
11. Centre half forward – Shane McGuigan (Slaughtneil, Derry)
Scored 1-6, with 1-4 coming from open play as the Slaughtneil machine made it three Ulsters in a row. McGuigan broke onto the team last year. Ever since, his hunger, drive and determination to make a mark has made him a fixture in their 15.
Slaughtneil become Ulster Club Senior Football Champions as they beat Cavan Gaels on a scoreline of 1-15 to 10 points, with the all important goal from Shane McGuigan. #TheToughest #GAA pic.twitter.com/CJY7webOkf
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) November 26, 2017
He was on fire against Cavan Gaels. Strong, direct, fast and skillful. He couldn’t be stopped.
12. Left half forward – Cathal ‘The Bull’ Ryan (Whitehall Colmcille, Dublin)
‘The Bull’ lived up to his name as Whitehall Colmcille won the Dublin under-21 B hurling final. The robust half forward was a beast in the air. His radar was on, too, as he notched four points from play for the North Dublin side.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb9XZFplmk4/?taken-by=cormyryan1
13. Right corner forward – John Heslin (St. Loman’s, Westmeath)
Same story, different day.
John Heslin kicked six crucial scores as the Westmeath champions put Simonstown Gaels to the sword to reach the Leinster final.
He never seems to have a bad day in a Loman’s jersey. He always delivers the goods.
14. Full forward – Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo)
Douglas didn’t deserve to come out on the losing side of Sunday’s Connacht final. He was a constant outlet for the Mayo side at full forward. His movement, trickery and low centre of gravity gave Corofin’s last line plenty of problems. His score-taking and probing kept Mitchels in the game.
What an asset he could prove to be but he hasn't really gotten the shot yet https://t.co/0UU3iE1kKt
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 27, 2017
Another reminder that he deserves a chance for Mayo.
15. Left corner forward – Colin Currie (Na Fianna, Dublin)
Na Fianna won their second Dublin under-21 A hurling Championship in a row at the weekend. Their corner forward Colin Currie played a blinder, notching 1-9. He was deadly on the frees and lively from open play. Left the Ballyboden St. Enda’s defence with nightmares.
Congrats to our U21A Hurlers on championship final win F/t NaF 2-17 @Bodengaa 2-14 #NAFABÚ pic.twitter.com/kkT2EVYJ9J
— CLG Na Fianna (@clgNaFianna) November 25, 2017
