A football final in Connacht, a hurling final in Leinster, plus football semi-final action in Leinster, Munster and Ulster. That's the exciting AIB provincial club line-up next Sunday when no fewer than seven games will be down for decision. A FIRST FOR ST.BRIGID'S OR A THIRD FOR COROFIN? SUNDAY AIB Connacht SF final: St.Brigid's (Roscommon) v Corofin (Galway), Dr.Hyde Park, 2.0. Is the Connacht AIB football title heading back to Galway for the third time in four seasons or will it be wintering in Roscommon for the first time since 1989 when Clann na nGael won a 6th successive crown. The answer will be provided on Sunday in what promises to be an intriguing final at Dr.Hyde Park. Corofin, the 1998 All-Ireland champions, are seeking their fourth Connacht crown, having been previously successful in 1991-95-97. St.Brigid's, who are bidding for their first Connacht crown (they lost to Salthill-Knocknacarra in last year's final) have a strong Galway connection as their manager is Anthony Cunningham, a former All-Ireland senior, U-21 and minor hurling medal winner with Galway while John O'Mahony, who coached Galway to success in the 1998 and 2001 All-Ireland championships and who has just been appointed Mayo manager, is also in the backroom team. St.Brigid's, for whom Karol Mannion and Frankie Dolan are top class experienced hands, have already won two games in the Connacht campaign, beating Curry by a point before having four to spare over a highly rated Crossmolina side in the semi-final. St.Brigid's are in the lucky position of having a third successive Connacht championship game in Dr.Hyde Park. Corofin had an easy win over Mohill in the other semi-final. They have plenty big names aboard, including Galway stars, Kieran Fitzgerald, Damien and Alan Burke and Gary Sice. Paths to the final St.Brigid's 1-9 Curry (Sligo) 1-8 St.Brigid's 0-13 Crossmolina (Mayo) 1-6 St. Brigid's Top Scorers David O'Connor... 1-5 Frankie Dolan....... 0-8 Corofin 1-11 Mohill (Leitrim) 1-2 Corofin's Top Scorers Kieran Comer...0-4 Trevor Burke....1-0 PREVIOUS AIB CONNACHT SF WINNERS 1970/71 - Fr.Griffin's (Galway) 1971/72 - Claremorris (Mayo) 1972/73 - Fr.Griffin's (Galway) 1973/74 - Knockmore (Mayo) 1974/75 - Roscommon Gaels 1975/76 - Roscommon Gaels 1976/77 - Killererin (Galway) 1977/78 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 1978/79 - Killererin (Galway) 1979/80 - St.Grellan's (Galway) 1980/81 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 1981/82 - Garrymore (Mayo) 1982/83 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1983/84 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 1984/85 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1985/86 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1986/87 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1987/88 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1988/89 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1989/90 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1990/91 - Salthill (Galway) 1991/92 - COROFIN (Galway) 1992/93 - Knockmore (Mayo) 1993/94 - Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 1994/95 - Tuam Stars (Galway) 1995/96 - COROFIN (Galway) 1996/97 - Knockmore (Mayo) 1997/98 - COROFIN (Galway) 1998/99 - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 1999/2000 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 2000/2001 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 2001/2002 - Charlestown (Mayo) 2002/2003 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 2003/2004 - Caltra (Galway) 2004/2005 - Ballina-Stephenites (Mayo) 2005/2006 - Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) AIB MUNSTER SF SEMI-FINALS SUNDAY AIB Munster SF semi-final: Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Dr.Crokes (Kerry), Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2.45. Nemo Rangers are by a distance the most successful club in the 35-year history of the AIB football championships, having won the All-Ireland title seven times and the Munster title 13 times. That's quite an achievement and now the Cork champions - and defending Munster kingpins - are on the title trail again having easily beaten Eire Og (Clare) in the Munster quarter-final. Nemo won by 1-9 to 0-3 with Cork star, James Masters scoring 1-1. Now, they head into a semi-final clash against the Colm Cooper, Eoin Brosnan- led Dr. Crokes. The Killarney club lost the Kerry final to South Kerry, who aren't eligible to participate in the provincial campaign because of the divisional rule. Dr.Crokes, who are having their first outing in this year's Munster competition, last reached theMunster final in 1991. Aherlow (Tipperary) v The Nire (Waterford), Cashel, 2.0. Aherlow, appearing in the AIB Munster club championship for the first time, made a winning start to the campaign, beating Fr.Casey's (Limerick) by 1-7 to 0-6 in the quarter-final. Left full-forward, Barry Grogan scored 1-5 (1-2 from play) for the Tipperary champions as they powered to victory with a fine second half-performance. They are bidding to become the first Tipperary side to reach the final since Fethard in 2001 where they lost to Nemo Rangers. The Nire are having their first outing in this year's campaign, having dethroned reigning champions, Stradbally in the Waterford final on a 1-5 to 0-3 scoreline. Stradbally were going for their sixth successive crown but couldn't match The Nire, who had lost four of the previous five finals. WHO WILL JOIN RHODE IN AIB LEINSTER SF FINAL? SUNDAY AIB Leinster SF semi-final: Tyrrellspass (Westmeath) v Moorefield (Kildare), Mullingar, 2.0 Offaly champions, Rhode are already through to the final but will it be the Westmeath or Kildare champions to join them? Both have already played three games in this year's Leinster campaign so they're well tuned for this interesting test. Moorefield beat St.Patrick's (Wicklow) and drew with Horeswood (Wexford) before winning the replay. Tyrrellspass beat Abbeylara (Longford), drew with Arles-Killeen (Laois) and beat them in the replay last Saturday, thanks to late points from the Glennon brothers, Denis and David. Paths to the semi-final MOOREFIELD Moorefield 0-12 St.Patrick's (Wicklow) 0-8. Moorefield 0-10 Horeswood (Wexford) 1-7. Moorefield 3-8 Horeswood 1-5 (replay) TYRRELLSPASS Tyrrellspass 1-10 Abbeylara (Longford) 1-6. Tyrrellspass 1-7 Arles-Killeen (Laois) 0-10 Tyrrellspass 0-7 Arles-Killeen 0-5 (replay) AIB ULSTER SEMI-FINAL DAY IN ULSTER SUNDAY Clontibret (Monaghan) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh), Breffni Park, 2.0. Crossmaglen are competing in their 11th successive AIB Ulster championship and are bidding for their 5th provincial crown. They have already had two wins in this year's Ulster championship, beating Gweedore (Donegal) by 0-12 to 1-4 in the preliminary round and Mullahoran (Cavan) by 2-13 to 1-7 in the quarter-final. Oisin McConville is again Crossmaglen's top scorer, kicking 0-5 against Gweedore and 2-4 against Mullahoran. Clontibret are in action for the third successive week, having had two clashes with Cargin (Antrim) in the quarter-final. They drew the first day but Clontibret for whom Noel Morgan, Rodney Gorman and Vincent Corey all scored goals, ran out seven point winners in last Sunday's replay. Replay: Errigal Chiarain (Tyrone) v Ballinderry (Derry), Casement Park,1.45 (Extra-time if necessary) The second instalment of a fascinating duel between the best of Tyrone and Derry. They drew 0-10 each last Sunday after Peter Canavan kicked the levelling point from a free for Errigal. Conleth Gilligan kicked 0-5 for Ballinderry while Eoin Gormley scored 0-4 for Errigal who had beaten Enniskillen Gaels in the first round. Ballinderry beat Mayobridge (Down) in the first round. Ballinderry are attempting to reach the final for the first time since 2001 while Errigal last reached the final in 2002. BIRR OR BALLYHALE? LEINSTER CRACKER IN STORE SUNDAY AIB Leinster SH final: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Birr (Offaly), Portlaoise, 2.0 THE AIB Leinster hurling title has been shared by Kilkenny and Offaly for the past seven seasons and the trend is set to continue on Sunday when Ballyhale Shamrocks take on Birr at O'Moore Park. Ballyhale are seeking their first Leinster title since 1989 and their 5 th in all while Birr are chasing their 7th title and their first since 2002. Led by county stars, Henry Shefflin and James ‘Cha' Fitzpatrick, Ballyhale replaced last year's Leinster champions, James Stephens as Kilkenny champions before eliminating Rathnure of Wexford in the semi-final by seven points. Birr, who took the Offaly title for the 20th time this year, also had seven points to spare in their semi-final win over Craobh Chiarain and are now determined to regain the Leinster title. Ironically, Ballyhale Shamrocks were Birr's victims when the Offaly men won the Leinster title for the first time in 1991. Brian Whelahan captained Birr to that success and is still a key member of the side along with his brothers Simon and Barry. Indeed it could turn out to be a special day for the Whelahans as Brian's son, Aaron is also a member of the panel and made an impressive contribution when introduced as a second half sub in the Leinster semi-final. Interestingly, both Ballyhale and Birr won their semi-finals on the exact same scoreline, 2-14 to 1-10. Paths to the final Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-14 Rathnure (Wexford) 1-10 Ballyhale's Top Scorers Henry Shefflin...1-3 Patrick Reid.......1-1 *** Birr 2-14 Craobh Chiarain (Dublin) 1-10 Birr's Top Scorers Gary Hanniffy...1-1 Simon Whelehan...1-1 AIB LEINSTER SH WINNERS 1970/71 - St.Rynagh's (Offaly) 1971/72 - Rathnure (Wexford) 1972/73 - St.Rynagh's (Offaly) 1973/74 - Rathnure (Wexford) 1974/75 - Fenians (Kilkenny) 1975/76 - James Stephens (Kilkenny) 1976/77 - Camross (Laois) 1977/78 - Rathnure (Wexford) 1978/79 - BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS (Kilkenny) 1979/80 - Crumlin (Dublin) 1980/81 - BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS (Kilkenny) 1981/82 - James Stephens (Kilkenny) 1982/83 - St.Rynagh's (Offaly) 1983/84 - BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS (Kilkenny) 1984/85 - St.Martin's (Kilkenny) 19855/86 - Buffers Alley (Wexford) 1986/87 - Rathnure (Wexford) 1987/88 - Rathnure (Wexford) 1988/89 - Buffers Alley (Wexford) 1989/90 - BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS (Kilkenny) 1990/91 - Glenmore (Kilkenny) 1991/92 - BIRR (Offaly) 1992/93 - Buffers Alley (Wexford) 1993/94 - St.Rynagh's (Offaly) 1994/95 - BIRR (Offaly) 1995/96 - Glenmore (Kilkenny) 1996/97 - Camross (Laois) 1997/98 - BIRR (Offaly) 1998/99 - Rathnure (Wexford) 1999/2000 - BIRR (Offaly) 2000/2001 - Graigue-Ballycallan (Kilkenny) 2001/2002 - BIRR (Offaly) 2002/2003 - BIRR (Offaly) 2003/2004 - O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) 2004/2005 - James Stephens (Kilkenny) 2005/2006 - James Stephens (Kilkenny) AIB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 2006/2007 FOOTBALL CONNACHT Oct 15: 1st round: St.Brigid's (Roscommon) 1-9 Curry (Sligo) 1-8. Nov 12: Semi-finals: Corofin (Galway) 1-11 Mohill (Leitrim) 1-2; St.Brigid's 0-13 Crossmolina (Mayo) 1-6. LEINSTER Oct 22: 1st round: Moorefield 0-12 St.Patrick's (Wicklow) 0-8. Oct 29: 1st round: Wolfe Tones (Meath) 0-12 St.Joseph's (Louth) 0-6. Nov 5: 1st round: Tyrrellspass (Westmeath) 1-10 Abbeylara (Longford) 1-6. Nov 5: Quarter-finals: Rhode (Offaly) 1-11 Palatine (Carlow) 2-7;Moorefield 0-10 Horeswood (Wexford) 1-7. Nov 12: Quarter-finals: Replay: Moorefield 3-8 Horeswood 1-5; Arles/Killeen (Laois) 0-10 Tyrrellspass 1-7; UCD (Dublin) 1-11 Wolfe Tones 0-11. Nov 18: Quarter-final replay: Tyrrellspass 0-7 Arles/Killeen 0-5. Nov 19: Semi-final: Rhode 2-6 UCD 1-8. MUNSTER Nov 12: Quarter-finals: Nemo Rangers (Cork) 1-9 Eire Og (Clare) 0-3; Aherlow (Tipperary) 1-7; Fr.Casey's (Limerick) 0-6. ULSTER Oct 29: Preliminary round: Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 0-12 Gweedore (Donegal) 1-4. Nov 12: Quarter-finals: Crossmaglen Rangers 2-13 Mullahoran (Cavan) 1-7; Cargin (Antrim) 0-12 Clontibret (Monaghan) 1-9; Ballinderry (Derry) 0-15 Mayobridge (Down) 0-1; Errigal Chiarain (Tyrone 0-7 Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) 0-6. Nov 19: Quarter-final (replay): Clontibret 3-8 Cargin 0-10; Semi-final: Ballinderry 0-10 Errigal Chiarain 0-10. HURLING CONNACHT Oct 22: 1st round: St.Mary's (Leitrim) 1-13 Tubbercurry (Sligo) 1-9. Oct 30: 1st round: Athleague (Roscommon) 1-11 Ballyhaunis (Mayo) 1-7. Nov 4: Semi-final: Athleague 3-11 St. Mary's 1-7. Nov 19: Final: Loughrea (Galway) 2-16 Athleague 2-3. LEINSTER Oct 29: Quarter-finals: Craobh Chiarain (Dublin) 2-9 Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) 0-9; Rathnure (Wexford) 2-13 Rathdowney-Errill (Laois) 0-14. Nov 12: Semi-finals: Birr (Offaly) 2-14 Craobh Chiarain 1-10; Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-14 Rathnure 1-10. MUNSTER Nov 5: 1st round: Wolfe Tones (Clare) 1-14 Bruree (Limerick) 0-5; Toomevara (Tipperary) 3-16 Ballyduff (Kerry) 3-7. Nov 19: Semi-finals: Toomevara 1-10 Mount Sion (Waterford) 0-11; Erin's Own (Cork) 1-10 Wolfe Tones 1-5. ULSTER Oct 22: Semi-final: Kevin Lynchs (Derry) 1-12 Portaferry (Down) 0-11. Nov 4: Final: Cushendall (Antrim) 1-13 Kevin Lynchs (Derry) 2-10. Nov 12: Replay: Cushendall 1-15 Kevin Lynchs 1-7. Tweet

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