Tonight Antrim SFC final St Gall’s v St John’s, Casement Park, 7pm
St Gall’s are certainly the standard-bearers in the Saffron county as they chase a sixth successive county senior football crown and their 11th in 12 years.
The reigning champions showed no signs of sluggishness last weekend as they warmed up for victory by claiming the Kilmacud Crokes FBD 7′s title. It may be a different game but the form of CJ McGourty, Kevin Niblock, Colin Brady and Kevin McGourty suggested they are in a strong position.
St John’s are top of the county senior honours list with 24 crowns but they last claimed a title in 1998 and last contested a final in 2001. Their current side is spearheaded by the products of the club’s successful recent minor teams. The Gearoid Adams coached side will strive to compete after an impressive semi-final dismantling of Ahoghill but it is difficult to see past the champions.
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Verdict: St Gall’s Betting: St Gall’s 1/8, St John’s 11/2, Draw 12/1.
Paths to final
Preliminary round: St Gall’s 0-14 Lámh Dhearg 0-11.
Quarter-final: St Gall’s 1-16 Creggan Kickhams 1-8; St John’s 0-12 O’Donovan Rossa 1-5.
Semi-final: St Gall’s 2-9 Cargin 0-7; St John’s 3-13 Ahoghill 0-5.
Tomorrow Fermanagh SFC final Lisnaskea Emmet’s v Tempo Maguires, Brewster Park, 7pm
This match is certainly overshadowed by the tragic death of Lisnaskea player Brian Óg Maguire, the Fermanagh county star who passed away recently. It should be a momentous occasion for Lisnaskea, last year’s All-Ireland club intermediate winners, who have not won a county senior crown since 1994 and last figured in the final in 1996. But the loss of Maguire means it has been a difficult time for their club.
They qualified for this stage by emerging from tight battles against Devenish, Newtownbutler and St Patrick’s with Mark Little and Daniel Kille key elements of their challenge. Tempo last featured in the decider in 1997 and last triumphed in 1973. County man Daryl Keenan is the figurehead of their attacking efforts.
Paths to final
Preliminary round: Lisnaskea Emmet’s 3-10 Devenish 3-8; Tempo Maguires 1-14 Belcoo 2-7.
Quarter-final: Lisnaskea Emmet’s 0-10 Newtownbutler 0-7; Tempo Maguires 1-14 Derrygonnelly 0-.
Semi-final: Lisnaskea Emmet’s 1-12 St Patrick’s (Donagh) 1-11; Tempo Maguires 1-11 Erne Gaels 1-4.
Lisnaskea Emmet’s player Mark Little. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Sunday Cavan SFC final Kingscourt Stars v Mullahoran, Kingspan Breffni Park, 1.45pm
This is certainly a novel occasion in the Breffni county. Of the last twelve finals Cavan Gaels have emerged victorious on eight occasions and remarkably contested all twelve of those deciders.For the first time since 1999 they will be marked absent on county final day and it will be either 2006 champions Mullahoran or 2010 winners Kingscourt Stars who will claim the title.
Mullahoran may be without captain Dermot Sheridan who would be a major loss if he is sidelined with a hip injury. Renowned handballer Paul Brady, Enda O’Reilly and Daniel Smith will be key to their cause. Kingscourt Stars are huge favourites having claimed a series of convincing victories to reach this stage with centre-back Alan Clarke, centre-forward Philip Smith and full-forward Barry Reilly, captain of the county U21 team this year, all in fine form.
Titles on the line in Antrim SFC, Cavan SFC and Fermanagh SFC
Tonight
Antrim SFC final
St Gall’s v St John’s, Casement Park, 7pm
St Gall’s are certainly the standard-bearers in the Saffron county as they chase a sixth successive county senior football crown and their 11th in 12 years.
The reigning champions showed no signs of sluggishness last weekend as they warmed up for victory by claiming the Kilmacud Crokes FBD 7′s title. It may be a different game but the form of CJ McGourty, Kevin Niblock, Colin Brady and Kevin McGourty suggested they are in a strong position.
St John’s are top of the county senior honours list with 24 crowns but they last claimed a title in 1998 and last contested a final in 2001. Their current side is spearheaded by the products of the club’s successful recent minor teams. The Gearoid Adams coached side will strive to compete after an impressive semi-final dismantling of Ahoghill but it is difficult to see past the champions.
Verdict: St Gall’s
Betting: St Gall’s 1/8, St John’s 11/2, Draw 12/1.
Tomorrow
Fermanagh SFC final
Lisnaskea Emmet’s v Tempo Maguires, Brewster Park, 7pm
This match is certainly overshadowed by the tragic death of Lisnaskea player Brian Óg Maguire, the Fermanagh county star who passed away recently. It should be a momentous occasion for Lisnaskea, last year’s All-Ireland club intermediate winners, who have not won a county senior crown since 1994 and last figured in the final in 1996. But the loss of Maguire means it has been a difficult time for their club.
They qualified for this stage by emerging from tight battles against Devenish, Newtownbutler and St Patrick’s with Mark Little and Daniel Kille key elements of their challenge. Tempo last featured in the decider in 1997 and last triumphed in 1973. County man Daryl Keenan is the figurehead of their attacking efforts.
Verdict: Lisnaskea Emmet’s
Betting: Tempo Maguires 5/6, Lisnaskea Emmet’s 5/4, Draw 13/2.
Lisnaskea Emmet’s player Mark Little. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Sunday
Cavan SFC final
Kingscourt Stars v Mullahoran, Kingspan Breffni Park, 1.45pm
This is certainly a novel occasion in the Breffni county. Of the last twelve finals Cavan Gaels have emerged victorious on eight occasions and remarkably contested all twelve of those deciders. For the first time since 1999 they will be marked absent on county final day and it will be either 2006 champions Mullahoran or 2010 winners Kingscourt Stars who will claim the title.
Mullahoran may be without captain Dermot Sheridan who would be a major loss if he is sidelined with a hip injury. Renowned handballer Paul Brady, Enda O’Reilly and Daniel Smith will be key to their cause. Kingscourt Stars are huge favourites having claimed a series of convincing victories to reach this stage with centre-back Alan Clarke, centre-forward Philip Smith and full-forward Barry Reilly, captain of the county U21 team this year, all in fine form.
Verdict: Kingscourt Stars
Betting: Kingscourt Stars 4/9, Mullahoran 9/4, Draw 7/1.
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Antrim GAA Cavan GAA County Finals Fermanagh GAA Gaelic Football Silverware