Final places up for grabs in provincial club championships
December 10, 2021
Clough-Ballacolla and Kilmacud Crokes collide at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Final placings in the provincial club football and hurling championships will be confirmed over the weekend with some intriguing clashes in store.
Laois champions Clough-Ballacolla and Dublin dual dynamos Kilmacud Crokes go head-to-head in Portlaoise tomorrow evening in the first Leinster club SHC semi-final, a fixture that is being televised live by RTÉ. Saturday's action throws-in in the afternoon when Padraig Pearses (Roscommon) and Mountbellew-Moylough (Galway) face each other in the rescheduled Connacht club SFC semi-final ar Dr Hyde Park, the winners of that game will be pitted against Knockmore in the New Year. Naas manager Tom Mullally will be looking to put one over his home side Glenmore in the Leinster club IHC as Tooreen hurlers chase a third Connacht intermediate crown.
Loughmore-Castleiney have produced one remarkable performance after another this year, and a mouthwatering Munster club SHC semi-final tie against Ballygunner awaits Tipperary's double champions next in Dungarvan on Sunday. For Loughmore, this will be their 19th senior championship match in 19 weeks while, in contrast, Ballygunner have had only one competitive outing since winning an eight Waterford title in-in-a-row on October 3. The other semi-final between Kilmallock (Limerick) and Midleton (Cork) takes place earlier in the day at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. TG4 will show live coverage of both of those matches.
Also on Sunday, Michael Fennelly is sure to be an interested spectator at Bord na Mona O'Connor Park where his native Ballyhale Shamrocks, the reigning All-Ireland champions, take on St Rynagh's of Offaly for a place in the Leinster club SHC final. Fennelly captained Ballyhale to back-to-back All-Ireland titles before hanging up his boots to manage Offaly, whom he led to Christy Ring Cup glory in August. The Ulster club SHC final is a repeat of the last one between holders Slaughtneil (Derry) and Dunloy (Antrim).
Saturday 11 December
Football
Connacht club SFC semi-final
Padraig Pearses (Roscommon) v Mountbellew-Moylough (Galway), Dr Hyde Park, 1.30pm
Connacht club IFC semi-final
Naomh Anna, Leitir Mor (Galway) v Mayo Gaels (Mayo), Pearse Stadium, 1.30pm
Ulster club JFC semi-finals
Denn (Cavan) v Desertmartin (Derry), Clones, 1pm
Downings (Donegal) v Sean McDermott's (Monaghan), Ederney, 1pm
Hurling
Leinster club SHC semi-final
Clough-Ballacolla (Laois) v Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin), Portlaoise, 6.15pm - RTÉ2
Connacht club IHC final
Tooreen (Mayo) v Moycullen (Galway), Athleague, 12.15pm
Leinster club IHC semi-finals
Naas (Kildare) v Glenmore (Kilkenny), Newbridge, 1pm
Oylegate-Glenbrien (Wexford) v Clodiagh Gaels (Offaly), Bellefield, 2pm
Munster club IHC semi-final
Mungret St Paul's (Limerick) v Courcey Rovers (Cork), TUS Gaelic Grounds, 1.30pm
Connacht club JHC final
Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) v Easkey (Sligo), Bekan, 2pm
Leinster club JHC semi-finals
Maynooth (Kildare) v Shamrocks (Offaly), Kildare Centre of Excellence, Hawkfield, 11am
Tara Rocks (Wexford) v Mooncoin (Kilkenny), St Patricks Park, Enniscorthy, 12.30pm
Munster club JHC semi-final
Skeheenarinky (Tipperary) v Ogonelloe (Clare), Mallow, 1pm
Ulster club JHC semi-finals
Con Magee's, Glenravel (Antrim) v Craobh Rua (Armagh), Davitts, 1pm
Na Magha (Derry) v Carrickmacross (Monaghan), Eire Og, Carrickmore, 1pm
Sunday 12 December
Hurling
Leinster club SHC semi-final
St Rynaghs (Offaly) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Bord na Mona O'Connor Park, 1pm
Munster club SHC semi-finals
Kilmallock (Limerick) v Midleton (Cork), TUS Gaelic Grounds, 1.15pm - TG4
Ballygunner (Waterford) v Loughmore-Castleiney (Tipperary), Fraher Field, 3.15pm - TG4
Ulster club SHC semi-final
Dunloy (Antrim) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Athletic Grounds, 4pm
Munster club IHC semi-final
Dunhill (Waterford) v Kilmoyley (Kerry), Pairc Ui Rinn, 1.30pm
Ulster club IHC semi-finals
Middletown Na Fianna (Armagh) v Banagher (Derry), Corrigan Park, 1pm
Eire Og Carrickmore (Tyrone) v Lisbellaw St Patrick's (Fermanagh), Clones, 1.45pm
Munster club JHC semi-final
Ballygiblin (Cork) v Caherline (Limerick), Kildorrery, 1.30pm
