It’s Monday, it’s time for the SportsJOE team of the weekend.
The GAA delivered this weekend, as it always does, with some classic provincial encounters mixed with thrilling local action.
These were the 15 players who made the most pronounced claims for inclusion, and simply couldn’t be ignored.
1. Goalkeeper – Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon Grange, Tipperary)
It’s hard to believe it, but the Premier county legend, and one of the best goalkeepers to have ever played the game, Brendan Cummins, had never won a county Championship with his club. Before Saturday, that was.
Some tally for Cummins from the goals – You can't keep the old dogs down https://t.co/f13WZWtHeg
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 6, 2017
Cummins’ Ballybacon Grange defeated Toomevara in the Tipperary Junior A hurling final, and the iconic net-minder was crucial in his side’s success, notching three long range second half frees.
His pride at the club’s victory was very apparent in a post-match interview with Stephen Gleeson of Tipp FM.
‘Brendan Cummins following Ballybacon Grange's County Junior A Final win’ on #SoundCloud https://t.co/fJihN0Uiuu
— Tipp FM Sport (@TippFMSport) November 5, 2017
2. Left corner back – Shannon McQuaid (St MacCartan’s ladies, Tyrone)
St Macartan’s of Tyrone landed their first-ever Ulster senior title at St Oliver Plunkett Park, Emyvale, on Sunday, bringing Donaghmoyne’s reign as All-Ireland ladies senior club champions to an end.
Shannon McQuaid was a rock at the heart of the Tyrone side’s defence all day, helping to keep the dangerous Monaghan outfit on the periphery for the majority of the game.
SportsJOE’s Pat McCarry was at the game, and he said the defender was “brilliant” throughout, and thoroughly deserved the player of the match award that came her way.
A proud day for our Club Ulster Champions 2017. #stmacs25 #Ulsterchamps #proud pic.twitter.com/CvMzK0Is76
— St Macartans LGFC (@st_macs) November 6, 2017
3. Full back – Barry Coughlan (Ballygunner, Waterford)
One of the tightest man-markers in hurling, Coughlan’s importance, both to Waterford and Ballygunner, is often understated due to his lack of time in possession of the ball.
He is now in his third year as Waterford’s first choice full back, however, and that shows just how highly regarded he is in the Déise.
Ballygunner edged an enthralling Munster quarter-final against Sixmilebridge on Sunday, a game they wouldn’t have won without their secure full back.
Coughlan was up against it, marking the Bridge’s main danger man Shane Golden, but he relishes such challenges, and despite Golden getting some change off him in the first half, Coughlan thundered into the game in the second half.
He made the hooks, blocks and last ditch tackles and interceptions that we now associate with him, but decisively, he also mopped up loose ball after breaking ball after contested ball. Some of the pick-ups he made were done with such composure and confidence that you wouldn’t expect it out of a number three.
Safe as a house.
4. Right corner back – Geoff Morrissey (Ballyragget, Kilkenny)
Began his day in the full back position, but soon was given the freedom of St Conleth’s Park when Kildare’s finest, Ardclough, withdrew a man from their inside forward line to play as a sweeper.
Morrissey gleefully accepted the invitation, and played the role superbly in the Leinster intermediate hurling semi-final, mopping up ball after ball, delivering inch-perfect passes to teammates, and generally hurling the field from between the full and half back line.
His performance was described as “immense” by a spectator in Newbridge, as Ballyragget left the controversy of their county final win behind them to march into a Leinster final.
Just like Carrickshock, winners of last year’s All-Ireland intermediate, these lads will take beating.
5. Left half back – Maria Donnelly (St MacCartan’s, Tyrone)
The Mac’s half back played a crucial role in their landmark victory, holding her position well, and exuding calmness and composure in possession of the ball all day for Ryan McMenamin’s side.
Video: Ricey's hat & 3 goals are among the extended highlights as Tyrone's St Macartans win the Ulster Senior title https://t.co/nVCAQLTQEX pic.twitter.com/sOWURZtzUB
— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) November 5, 2017
6. Centre half back – Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge, Clare)
Had the unenviable task of picking up the hottest forward in the country right now, in Pauric Mahony, but the pacy and physical Clare man proved he was up to the task.
Hassled, harried and just annoyed Mahony all day, restricting him to just one point from play, and his helter skelter style kept the Bridge in the game when their backline was under siege.
Marauded forward to score a cracking goal, that eventually turned out to be a consolation, but he didn’t deserve to lose that game.
https://twitter.com/HurlingHotspot/status/927217723360317440
7. Right half back – David Kenny (Tooreen, Mayo)
Tooreen recorded a historic victory in the Connacht intermediate hurling final on Sunday, becoming the first Mayo side to ever win the competition, and in doing so, they condemned the victors of the Galway section to their first ever defeat in the province.
The former Mayo football panellist Kenny was in top form all day, reading the game well and distributing inviting balls to the blues’ forwards.
His determination and physicality in the tackle negated the influence of his Ballindereen opponent.
Thanks to @TheOakCafBar1 for feeding all the sick men to set them up for the day. #connaght @TooreenHurlers @fergboland1 @MayoGAA @coyner01 pic.twitter.com/xfd2Fr6gTs
— kenny feeney (@KingerFeeney) November 6, 2017
8. Midfield – Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge, Clare)
Stood out like a county player should in the Munster club quarter final. Shanahan roared into the game when it was in the melting pot in the closing stages of the second half.
His two stunning quickfire points from play with fifty minutes on the clock looked like they would pave the way for a Sixmilebridge victory, but Ballygunner, driven on by years of hurt in Munster, eventually outmuscled them.
https://twitter.com/HurlingHotspot/status/927219273675825152
Their midfield powerhouse wasn’t to blame for that, though, with his vision, clean striking and killer first touch standing out throughout.
9. Midfield – Darragh O’Connell (Cuala, Dublin)
One of the most direct runners in the game, O’Connell has it all. His fitness and speed allows him to drop deep into the Cuala backline to pick up possession, and when he gets it into his hand, the whole team begins to tick.
https://twitter.com/HurlingHotspot/status/927537704547602432
Was at his very best against Dicksboro on Sunday. He got on so much ball, and his distribution was always perfect, playing the simple pass to a man in a better position than him.
10. Left half forward – Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick)
Scored 15 points in the Munster senior hurling quarter final against Blackrock. What more could you ask for?
From frees, 65s, sidelines and from play – Deadly.
11. Centre half forward – Ted Joyce (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow)
The Carlow champions were put to the pin of their collar against Laois side Camross on Sunday. At half-time, it was tit-for-tat, there was nothing between the sides with Rangers leading by the bare minimum.
Youngster Joyce was introduced in the 32nd minute, and he raised three quickfire white flags in the early stages of the second half, three points that brought the Camross momentum to a halt and gave Mount Leinster Rangers the belief to stride to a 0-19 0-13 victory.
Leinster Senior Hurling Club Semifinal :
Kilcormac Killoughey v Mt Leinster Rangers 19.11.2017 O’Connor Park
Tullamore 2.00pm— Mt Leinster Rangers (@MLRangers) November 6, 2017
12. Right half forward – Shane Boland (Tooreen, Mayo)
Scored 0-7 on his way to a man-of-the-match award in the Tooreen hurler’s historic provincial triumph. Boland, along with brother Fergal was central to all of their good forward play.
Congrats @TooreenHurlers in todays @ConnachtGAA Club Intermediate Final! Follow link to more photos #ConnachtChamps https://t.co/J42Cysh9cW pic.twitter.com/KdeNRw8Luv
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) November 5, 2017
13. Left corner forward – Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone, Tipperary)
After suffering a cruciate ligament injury in last year’s Tipperary senior hurling semi-final, many feared Kelly’s days were numbered in the green and red of Mullinahone. He made his comeback as a half-time substitute against St Mary’s Clonmel on Sunday in the South Tipp Junior B final.
The 35-year-old showed his class, raising five white flags and winning valuable possession as they strode to glory.
14. Full forward – Niall O’Brien (Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath)
The Castletown Geoghegan sharpshooter was on fire against Kilcormac Killoughey on Sunday, notching 1-8 of his side’s 1-12 total.
In the absence of injured talisman Aonghus Clarke, O’Brien stepped up to the mark, terrorising Kilcormac Killoughey full back Ger Healion throughout, and displaying skill, craft and class along the way.
15. Right corner forward – Olivia Divilly (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
The Galway senior star didn’t deserve to be on the losing side of the Connacht senior ladies final on Sunday. She scored 0-8, and her powerful running game was a constant thorn in the Carnacon defence.
