A hectic Semi Final weekend is upon us at all grades of the Connacht Senior Club Football Championships, aswell as a historic Hurling Championship game across the pond.
All Ireland Club Champions Corofin make their bow in the Connacht Senior Club Championship this Sunday in Dr Hyde Park against Roscommon kingpins Clann na nGael, throw in 1.30pm. The Galway men were pushed all the way in their Replayed County Final against Mountbellew/Moylough so they will come into the game battle hardened, as they embark on their quest to join Crossmaglen Rangers (twice), St Finbars and UCD as back to back All Ireland Club Champions. Between them and a Connacht Final are Clann, fresh off a stern test from Tír Chonaill Gaels of London in the Quarter Final last weekend, only coming good in the last quarter to secure a 1-15 to 1-10 victory.
On the other side of the draw Ballintubber face Leitrim Champions Aughnawillan in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday at 1.30pm. The Mayo men scraped past Sligo side Tourlestrane in the last round in a dour battle in Quigbar 0-6 to 0-5 so they will know they need to be more dangerous going forward if they are to put it up to Aughnawillan this weekend, who have had the luxury of planning exclusively for this game for a month after they won their county final.
The first Intermediate Semi Final of the weekend takes place in Tuam on Saturday at 1.30pm as An Spidéal meet Béal an Mhuirthead in the battle of the Gaeltachts of Mayo and Galway. The winners of this game will face the winners of Shamrock Gaels of Sligo and Fuerty from Roscommon in the Final the following weekend, who meet in Coolooney at 1.30pm n Sunday. Shamrock Gaels came back from the dead to pip Fenagh from Leitrim 2-11 t0 2-10 last weekend in the Preliminary Round courtesy of a last gasp Dylan Willis goal.
Balla and Easkey face off in Quigbar on Saturday at 1.30pm in the first of the Junior Semi Finals. Easkey were very impressive beating Glenfarne from Leitrim 2-17 to -19 in their Quarter Final which sets up this contest nicely to be an intriguing battle. On Sunday Naomh Padraig, An Fhairche of Galway face off against Kilglass Gaels from Roscommon in Tuam at 1.30pm to complete the weekends programme of football action. The Semi Final winners will meet in the Connacht Junior Championship Final the following Saturday, the 17th with time and venue TBC.
In the small ball, Tooreen of Mayo, last years Connacht Intermediate Champions, cross the Irish Sea this weekend to take on London Senior Hurling Champions St Gabriels in Ruilsip on Saturday at 1pm. It will be the first time a London club has competed in the Connacht Hurling Championship and promises to be a great occasion and a cracking game.
Follow @ConnachtGAA for updates and reports from around all the grounds all weekend to stay up to date with the action!
Brían Mangan
By briangaa Fri 9th Nov
