Three club finals down for decision

November 25, 2008
THREE AIB GAA SENIOR PROVINCIAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS ON SUNDAY SCHEDULE Next Sunday is the busiest day of the season on the AIB GAA senior provincial club championship final front with three deciders on the schedule in Leinster, Munster and Ulster. It's hurling final Sunday in Leinster and Munster and football final day in Ulster. Meanwhile, Corofin (Galway) have won the Connacht football title for a fourth time while the pairings for the Leinster and Munster football finals on Sunday week (December 7) will be as follows: Leinster: Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Rhode (Offaly). Munster: Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick). BIG TWO CLASH IN LEINSTER HURLING FINAL Sunday AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Final: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Birr (Offaly), Nowlan Park, 2.00pm. It's the big showdown between the Leinster champions of the past two years in what has all the ingredients to be one of the highlights of the entire provincial campaign. Club is definitely family for this pair who between them have won twelve Leinster (Birr 7, Ballyhale 5) and eight All-Ireland titles. They have each won four All-Ireland crowns, placing them joint leaders at the top of the honours list. Birr are the defending Leinster champions, having beaten Ballyboden St.Enda's (Dublin) in last year's final. Significantly, they beat Ballyhale in the semi-final (1-13 to 1-10), thus avenging the 2006 defeat in the final when the Kilkenny men ran out easy winners. Ballyhale were without top stars, Henry Shefflin and James ,ÄòCha' Fitzpatrick for last year's clash and will be hoping that with such big influences aboard this time they can regain the crown and set their sights on winning another All-Ireland crown. Birr are seeking their 8th Leinster crown, which would push them two clear of closest pursuers Rathnure (Wexford) on the honours table. Ballyhale are chasing their 6th success which, if achieved, would bring them level with Rathnure and just one behind Birr. Both sides will have major family involvement in what should be a great occasion. Birr hero, Brian Whelahan missed his first Leinster or All-Ireland tie since 1991 against St.Martin's in the recent semi-final due to injury but his brothers Simon and Barry made big contributions. His son, Aaron was in the subs while his father Pat Joe manages the team. It represents a remarkable grandfather-son-grandson combination as Birr seek to build on the achievements that have made them such an integral part of the provincial and All-Ireland scene over the past 17 years. The Reid brothers, Eoin, TJ and Patrick fly the family flag for Ballyhale Shamrocks, another club with a great pedigree at county, provincial and All-Ireland level. Paths to the final: Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-18 Rathdowney Errill (Laois) 1-11 (AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final). Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-26 Raharney (Westmeath) 0-9 (AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Semi-Final). Ballyhale, the 2006 Leinster champions (and 2007 All-Ireland champions), cruised to the Leinster final with two easy wins over the Laois and Westmeath champions. Predictably, Henry Shefflin was Ballyhale's top scorer, landing 0-8 against Rathdowney Errill and 0-10 against Raharney. *** Birr 1-17 Ballyboden St.Enda's 0-8 (Dublin) (AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final) Birr 2-19 St.Martin's (Wexford) 2-15 (AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Semi-Final) After extra-time High scoring by the Offaly champions as they easily beat Ballyboden St.Enda's before surviving a tough struggle with St.Martin's which went to extra-time before the Offaly men powered to another final. If Henry Shefflin has been Ballyhale's main marksman, Simon Whelahan has been the equivalent for Birr, scoring 0-6 against Ballyboden and 0-9 against St.Martin's. AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship: Where the titles have gone: 7 - Birr (Offaly) 6 - Rathnure (Wexford) 5 - Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 4 - James Stephens (Kilkenny) 4 - St.Rynagh's (Offaly) 3 - Buffers Alley (Wexford) 2 - Camross (Laois) 2 - Glenmore (Kilkenny) 1 - Crumlin (Dublin) 1 - Fenians (Kilkenny) 1 - Graigue-Ballycallan (Kilkenny) 1 - O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) 1 - St. Martin's (Kilkenny) County breakdown: Kilkenny 15; Offaly 11; Wexford 9; Laois 2; Dublin 1. TWO NEWCOMERS TO AIB MUNSTER GAA HURLING SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Sunday AIB Munster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Final: Adare (Limerick) v De La Salle (Waterford), Semple Stadium, Thurles, 2.00 pm. It will be a historic day for the Munster championship as, irrespective of who wins, new champions will be crowned, bringing to 22 the number of clubs who have won the hurling title since the official launch of the championships in 1971. De La Salle won the Waterford title for the first time this year and are now bidding to join Mount Sion and Ballygunner as Waterford winners of the Munster crown. All Star forward, John Mullane is De La Salle's best known player but they can also call on his county colleagues, Kevin Moran and Brian Phelan to lead what is sure to be a stirring effort to land the big prize. Adare are in the Munster championship for a second successive year but have been more successful this time. They lost to Loughmore-Castleiney in last year's semi-final but gained revenge on Tipperary champions this year when they beat a highly-rated Toomevara side in the semi-final. Mark Foley, Wayne McNamara, Donncha Sheehan and Timmy Houlihan are Adare's best known players on what is a well-balanced squad. Adare are bidding to become the first Limerick club to win the Munster title since Kilmallock were successful in 1994. Kilmallock, Patrickswell and Ballybrown are the Limerick clubs who have won the Munster title so far. Paths to the final: Adare 1-11 Toomevara (Tipperary) 0-10 Conor Fitzgerald shot 0-6 as Adare beat Toomevara in the Gaelic grounds. A blistering start which yielded 1-4 in the first quarter set the Limerick champions on their way to victory and while Toomevara cut the gap to two points in the second half, Adare powered on to earn a place in the Munster final for the first time. De La Salle 0-18 Sarsfields (Cork) 0-16. Brian Phelan scored 0-5 and John Mullane and James Quirke 0-4 each as De Salle clinched a place in the final for the first time. The sides were level on eleven occasions, including half-time (0-9 each). It was equally tight in the second half before De La Salle edged home to complete a great week, having won the Waterford title for the first time seven days previously. AIB Munster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship: Where the titles have gone: 5 - Blackrock (Cork) 3 - St.Finbarr's (Cork) 3 - Sixmilebridge (Clare) 3 - Toomevara (Tipperary) 2 - Glen Rovers (Cork) 2 - Kilmallock (Limerick) 2 - Midleton (Cork) 2 - Mount Sion (Waterford) 2 - Newtownshandrum (Cork) 2 - Patrickswell (Limerick) 2 - St.Joseph's (Clare) 1 - Ballybrown (Limerick) 1 - Ballygunner (Waterford) 1 - Borrisoleigh (Tipperary) 1 - Cashel King Cormacs (Tipperary) 1 - Clarecastle (Clare) 1 - Kilruane McDonaghs (Tipperary) 1 - Moycarkey-Borris (Tipperary) 1 - Loughmore-Castleiney (Tipperary) 1 - Roscrea (Tipperary) 1 - Wolfe Tones (Clare) County breakdown: Cork 14; Tipperary 9; Clare 7; Limerick 5; Waterford 3. CROSSMAGLEN CHASE ELUSIVE TREBLE Sunday AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship final: Ballinderry (Derry) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh), Enniskillen. 3.45pm Will it be another exciting chapter in the remarkable Crossmaglen Rangers' saga or will Ballinderry wreck the Armagh champions' provincial treble ambitions? The answer will emerge in Brewster Park, Enniskillen on Sunday in what promises to be a fascinating clash between two former All-Ireland champions. Crossmaglen are seeking their 7th Ulster title in twelve years (they also won four All-Ireland titles which is a truly remarkable record). Their provincial title wins were in 1996-1998-1999-2004-2006-2007 while they won All-Ireland titles in 1997-1999-2000-2007. Led by such household names as Francie Bellew, Paul Hearty, Oisin McConville, the Kernan and McEntee brothers, Crossmaglen's consistency is further underlined by their dominance in Armagh where they have won 13 consecutive county titles. Ballinderry last won the Ulster title in 2001, en route to their first All-Ireland crown in 2002. They also won the Ulster title in 1981. Enda Muldoon, Niall McCusker and Conleth Gilligan are Ballinderry's best know performers in a squad that has shown real substance so far. Paths to the final: Ballinderry 1-11 Latton (Monaghan) 0-10 (AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final) Ballinderry 0-17 Cavan Gaels 0-7 (AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Semi-Final) Yet to concede a goal, Ballinderry have been extremely sound defensively while also averaging over 15 points at the other end. It's a formidable combination which will leave them quite optimistic about their prospects of ending Crossmaglen's reign in Ulster. Raymond Wilkinson 35th minute goal set them on their way to victory over Latton while a powerful second half performance enabled them to race away >from Cavan Gaels in the semi-final. *** Crossmaglen Rangers 0-13 St. Patrick's (Fermanagh) 0-6 (AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final) Crossmaglen Rangers 0-11 St.Eunan's 0-8 (Donegal) (AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Semi-Final) Like Ballinderry, Crossmaglen have yet to concede a goal (they have yet to score one either) in the Ulster campaign. Their defence has conceded a low average of 0-7 while the attack has averaged 0-12. Oisin McConville, an enduring presence in the Crossmaglen attack for many years, scored 0-9 of the 0-24 total over the two games. Crossmaglen had a tough contest in the semi-final, where they trailed by two points at one stage against St.Eunan's before increasing momentum in the second half to edge home by three points. AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship: Where the titles have gone 6 - Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 5 - Burren (Down) 4- Scotstown (Monaghan) 3 - Bellaghy (Derry) 3 - Clan na nGael (Armagh) 2 - Ballinderry (Derry) 2 - Castleblayney (Monaghan) 2 - St. Gall's (Antrim) 2 - Errigal Ciarain (Tyrone) 2 - Lavey (Derry) 1 - Ballerin (Derry) 1 - Bryansford (Down) 1 - Dungiven (Derry) 1 - Loup (Derry) 1 - Mullaghbawn (Armagh) 1- St. John's (Antrim) 1 - St.Joseph's (Donegal) County breakdown: Armagh 10; Derry 10; Down 6; Monaghan 6; Antrim 3; Tyrone 2; Donegal 1; Cavan 0; Fermanagh 0. AIB GAA INTERMEDIATE AND JUNIOR CLUB FIXTURES Saturday Football AIB Ulster GAA Football Intermediate Club Championship Final: Greenlough (Derry) v Trillick (Tyrone), Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 7.00pm. Sunday Football AIB Munster GAA Football Intermediate Club Championship Final: St.Michael's, Foilmore (Kerry) v Kilmihill (Clare), Mallow, 2.00pm. AIB Munster GAA Football Junior Club Championship Semi-Finals: Bruff (Limerick) v Cappawhite (Tipperary), Bruff, 2.00pm; Skellig Rangers (Kerry) v Ballyduff Upper (Waterford), Venue to be finalised, 2.00pm. AIB Ulster GAA Football Junior Club Championship Final: Drumhowan (Monaghan) v Lissan (Derry), Enniskillen, 2.00pm Hurling AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Junior Club Championship Final: Tullogher Rosbercon (Kilkenny) v Clongeen (Wexford), Nowlan Park, 12.15pm. AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Special Junior Club Championship Final: Ratoath (Meath) v Naomh Barrog (Dublin), Ratoath, 2.00pm. AIB GAA SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 2008: Connacht October 19: Quarter-finals: Eastern Harps (Sligo) 1-15 Glencar-Manorhamilton (Leitrim) 1-5, Markievicz Park. November 9: Semi-finals: Corofin (Galway) 1-14 Castlerea (Roscommon) 0-8, Kiltoom Eastern Harps 0-12 Ballaghadereen (Mayo) 0-9, Markievicz Park. Nov 23: Final: Corofin 0-11 Eastern Harps 0-6, Pearse Stadium. Leinster Nov 2: First round: Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 0-13 Celbridge (Kildare) 0-8, Parnell Park Eire Og (Carlow) 3-10 Kiltegan (Wicklow) 1-12, Dr. Cullen Park Navan O'Mahony's (Meath) w/o Kilanerin (Wexford)* Nov 9: Quarter-finals: Rhode (Offaly) 2-9 Portlaoise (Laois) 1-10, Tullamore Kilmacud Crokes 1-13 Newtown Blues (Louth) 1-9, Parnell Park Eire Og (Carlow) 2-4 Colmcille (Longford) 0-10 (after extra-time), Dr. Cullen Park Navan O'Mahonys 1-17 Castledaly (Westmeath) 0-4, Navan. Nov 16: Quarter-final replay: Eire Og 0-9 Colmcille 0-8, Pearse Park (after extra-time) Nov 23: Semi-finals: Rhode 3-9 Eire Og 0-4, Dr. Cullen Park; Kilmacud Crokes 1-11 Navan O'Mahonys 0-7, Parnell Park. Dec 7: Final: Kilmacud Crokes v Rhode *Wexford champions, Kilanerin did not compete. Munster Quarter-final: Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) w/o Waterford* Nov 9: Quarter-final: Nemo Rangers (Cork) 2-12 Kerins O'Rahillys (Kerry) 0-12, Pairc Ui Chaiomh. Nov 23: Semi-finals: Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) 2-6 Galtee Rovers (Tipperary) 0-4, Quilty Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick) 0-7 Nemo Rangers 0-6, Gaelic Grounds. December 7: Final: Dromcollogher-Broadford v Kilmurry-Ibrickane. *Waterford were not represented in this year's championship due to the late completion of their championship. Ulster October 19: Preliminary round: St.Gall's (Antrim) 0-12 Mayobridge (Down) 2-5, Newry. Nov 2: Quarter-finals: Ballinderry (Derry) 1-11 Latton (Monaghan) 0-10, Ballinascreen St.Eunan's (Donegal) 2-10 Clonoe (Tyrone) 1-8, Coalisland Cavan Gaels (Cavan) 1-7 St.Gall's (Antrim) 0-7, Casement Park. Nov 9: Quarter-final: Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 0-13 St.Patrick's (Fermanagh) 0-6, Crossmaglen. Oct 16: Semi-finals: Ballinderry 0-17 Cavan Gaels 0-7, Athletic Grounds Crossmaglen Rangers 0-11 St.Eunan's 0-8, Enniskillen. Next Sunday: Final: Ballinderry v Crossmaglen Rangers, Enniskillen. HURLING Leinster Nov 2: Quarter-final: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 1-18 Rathdowney Erill (Laois) 1-11, Nowlan Park. Nov 8: Quarter-final: Birr (Offaly) 1-17 Ballyboden St.Enda's (Dublin) 0-8, Parnell Park. Nov 15: Semi-final: Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-26 Raharney (Westmeath) 0-9, Mullingar. Nov 16: Semi-final: Birr 2-19 St.Martin's (Wexford) 2-15, Tullamore (after extra-time). Next Sunday: Final: Ballyhale Shamrocks v Birr, Nowlan Park. Munster Nov 2: Quarter-final: Sarsfields (Cork) 0-26 Clonlara (Clare) 0-10, Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork). Nov 16: Semi-finals: Adare (Limerick) 1-11 Toomevara (Tipperary) 0-10, Gaelic Grounds De La Salle (Waterford) 0-18 Sarsfields 0-16, Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Next Sunday: Final: Adare v De La Salle, Thurles. Ulster Oct 12: Semi-finals: Cushendall (Antrim) 3-11 Dungiven (Derry) 2-8, Casement Park Ballygalget (Down) 4-13 Keady (Armagh) 0-12, Casement Park. Oct 19: Final: Cushendall 1-14 Ballygalget 1-13 Connacht Portumna (Galway) automatically crowned champions. Follow the link below to hear Club and Inter-county GAA stars and members of the AIB family talk about what the club means to them: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=D2sLvcy1N9E TG4 - Live AIB GAA Club Championship coverage - Sunday 30 November: 1:30pm- GAA BEO coverage begins LIVE - Game 1 AIB Munster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Final- Adare (Limerick) v De la Salle (Waterford) Live from Semple Stadium, Thurles Throw-in: 2:00pm LIVE - Game 2 AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final- Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v Ballinderry (Derry) Live from Brewster Park, Enniskillen Throw-in: 3:45pm

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