When everything else deserts us, the GAA is always there by our sides.
Some say the settling of the All-Ireland hurling and football championships marks the end of it for another GAA year. They’re wrong.
Or else they’re only sunshine supporters. The club kicked off in April but there was only one game then and it’s coming thick and it’s coming fast now.
The club championships are here and they never let us down.
The county stars are back and they’re being hit hard by hungry club players who’ve been waiting all summer for their moment. The lads on the periphery of the county team are out to prove a point. For the exclusive club players, this is their town. For every single one of them, the club matters.
There’s a full round of fixtures in the Dublin SFC this weekend and there were some big games on Saturday. There were senior championship games in Laois, Meath and further afield also.
Here’s SportsJOE’s round-up.
Dublin
His loss may not have been felt too much by Dublin this year, but football purists missed Diarmuid Connolly’s magic dearly this summer. The 30-year-old spent his summer in Boston, where he won a championship with the Donegal football team.
He’s back home in Marino now and even though he wasn’t togged out in St Vincent’s comfortable win over Lucan on Saturday, his name was on the programme and it won’t be long before he’s lacing points off the outside of the boot now.
DC wasn’t togged out this evening, but happily posed for selfies with kids on the terrace while watching Vins secure their win!#DSFC1 #Gaa ↓↓ https://t.co/jdrdRytu0p
— 𝘿𝙪𝙗𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@DubMatchTracker) September 15, 2018
Indeed, Friday and Saturday were decisive days in the Dublin SFC. Vinnies’ win finalised their spot in the quarter finals where they will be joined by Ballyboden St Enda’s, St Sylvester’s, St Jude’s, Castleknock, Ballymun Kickhams, Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna.
The following 8 teams have qualified for the Q.Finals of the Dublin SFC:
• @Bodengaa
• @StVincentsGAA1
• @StSylvestersGaa
• @clgnaomhjude
• @CastleknockGAA
• @BallymunGAA
• @KCrokesGAAClub
• @clgNaFianna #DSFC1 #Allianz #Gaa RT— 𝘿𝙪𝙗𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@DubMatchTracker) September 15, 2018
Na Fianna only just made it the last eight by the skins of their teeth. The north Dublin club were 1/8 shots for their final group game against Skerries Harps. The 13/1 outsiders led the favourites by four at one stage, only to be clawed back late on with an Alaistair Fitzgerald point earning the draw for Na Fianna.
Jonny Cooper received his marching orders late on for the Glasnevin club after two yellows on a day when former Dublin under-21 Stephen Smyth caused him plenty of problems.
Meath
Former Meath senior Peadar Byrne gave a timely reminder of his class when he slotted a peach of a free in injury time to send his club Ballinlough into the intermediate final.
The evergreen Byrne made his Meath debut in 2005, and he still has that touch of class Oldcastle found out to their cost on Saturday in Páirc Tailteann.
Last minute of the game, no pressure, no fuss. Look at how calmly he strolls away from the free. He knew it was going straight over that black spot.
https://twitter.com/Joseph_Blake_67/status/1041024331776761856
Laois
Two quarter finals took place in the Laois SFC on Saturday.
O’Dempsey’s defeated Emo 1-13 to 0-10 while Graiguecullen drew with Killeshin 1-12 apiece.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the goal O’Dempsey’s scored after working the ball patiently up the field from their own full back line.
Carlow
Meanwhile in Carlow, Mount Leinster Rangers pulled off a shock quarter final victory over Tinryland. Rathvilly and St Andrew’s play in the other last eight clash on Sunday.
Éire Óg and Palatine are already through to the semis.
Senior football 1/4 final result:
MLR 3:08
Tinryland 2:07What a win!!
— Mt Leinster Rangers (@MLRangers) September 15, 2018
Kerry
In the Kingdom, Dingle returned to winning ways when they beat St Kieran’s on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-11.
Well done to our Dingle Seniors. Tough luck St. Kieran's, beidh lá eile agaibh gan dabht!
— CLG Daingean Uí Chúis (@DingleGAA) September 15, 2018
While South Kerry defeated Rathmore in Saturday’s only other game.
14 Man South Kerry defeat Rathmore 1-15 to 0-11 with 1-5 from mid fielders Sheehan 1-3 Daly 0-2 an impressive 0-4 from Graham O Sullivan. Two fantastic saves by SK keeper Padraig O Sullivan as well #GAA
— Donal Barry (@BarryDonal) September 15, 2018
Cavan
In Cavan, Castlerahan defeated Kingscourt while Lavey drew with Lacken in the SFC.
FT: Castlerahan 0-12 to 0-7 Kingscourt #hkcnsfc @cavancoboardgaa
— Castlerahan GAA (@Castlerahan_GAA) September 15, 2018
Hotel Kilmore SFC Quarter Final #HKCNSFC
Full time
Lacken: 0-10(10)
Lavey: 0-10(10)— Official Cavan GAA (@CavanCoBoardGaa) September 15, 2018
Leitrim
Mohill are motoring in lovely Leitrim on their quest for two in a row.
Connacht Gold SFC RESULTS
Quarter Finals@MohillGAA 3-17@allengaels 0-8
@glencarmanorgaa 2-11@BallinamoreSOH 2-11
Relegation Semi Final@DrumreillyGAA 0-13@BornacoolaGAA 0-9#LeitrimGAA— Leitrim GAA (@LeitrimGAA) September 15, 2018
Sligo
Coolaney/Mullinabreena defeated Calry St Joseph’s in the only senior game in Sligo.
Belfry Senior Football Championship Quarterfinal
Coolaney/Mullinabreena 1-11 Calry/St Joseph's 0-12
Kennedys Intermediate Football Championship Quarterfinal
Enniscrone/Kilglass 0-10 Ballymote 0-10— Sligo GAA (@sligogaa) September 15, 2018
