AIB All-Ireland Club Final (Croke Park) [All live on TG4]
Saturday
IHC: Castle Lions (Cork) v Thomastown (Kilkenny), Croke Park, 7.0 – Between them, Cork and Kilkenny have won more than half of these titles, but these clubs have endured a trying road to get here and experienced many disappointments. Both enjoyed provincial success – Castlelyons’ Anthony Spillane returned from Dubai to score a hat-trick in the Munster final, while Thomastown were largely unchallenged. The Cork side have seasoned defenders in Niall O’Leary and Colm Spillane, but their expertise will be needed against a strong and in-form John Donnelly-led attack, which they announced 11 years ago. This could be added to the junior title he won in 2016. verdict: thomas town
JHC: St. Catharines (Cork) v Taloghagh Rosbelcon (Kilkenny), Croke Park, 5.0 – The county has won 16 of 19 Cork vs Kilkenny fixtures in the Championship, 10 against Kilkenny and 6 against Cork. Tullogher were here in 2009 but lost narrowly to another Cork team, Dripsey. Walter Walsh, 17, started the game and now supports a talented, veteran attacking line. Catharines are coached by former Cork player and manager Dennis Walsh and are led by Sean O’Donoghue. verdict: Taroger Rosbelcon
Sunday
IFC: St Patrick’s Cullyhanna (Armagh) v Cyr na Maltola (Cork), Croke Park, 3.30 – Curryhanna’s campaign combines a relaxed life in the county with a more stressful outing than ever since. But they survived and face another tough afternoon against the Cork champions, managed by former senior All-Ireland winning coach John Evans, who led the Lone Rangers to victory in 1996. Tajig Ó Corcora is a reliable player in defence, while Michel Ó Desna and Daniel Ó Duinin are lively forwards for the Gaeltacht club. But Curriehanna brings plenty of unique firepower to the table with County Armagh standouts Aidan Nugent and former AFL recruits Ross McQuillan and Jason Duffy. They defeated Johnny Doyle’s Allenwood in the semi-final and could become Armagh’s first All-Ireland winner. verdict: St. Patrick’s Callihanna
JFC: Listowel Emmets (Kerry) v Alba (Cavan), Croke Park, 1.30 – An exciting revamp of the Kerry vs. Cavan All-Ireland rivalry takes on a hugely impressive Alva side, strengthened by Ciaran Brady’s return to fitness and former captain Johnny McCabe’s return from Australia. However, Listowel are the heirs to a strong Kerry tradition and are also helped by the Championship structure, with clubs in the county winning more than half of the All-Ireland competitions this academic year. They were coached by former player of the year Marc aux Se, and the reliable free form of full-forwards Brian Sweeney and David Keane saw them sacked. The consensus, even within Cavern, is that Alba have been as good as they’ve been, but that this may be a step too far. verdict: listowel emmets
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