SEASON'S FIRST AIB GAA FOOTBALL SENIOR PROVINCIAL FINAL FOR PEARSE STADIUM The first AIB GAA football senior provincial final of the season takes place in Pearse Stadium, Salthill next Sunday when Corofin (Galway) and Eastern Harps (Sligo) clash for the Connacht title. Ballinderry (Derry) and Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) have qualified for the Ulster football final and barring draws, the finalists will be known in Leinster and Munster next Sunday which features semi-finals in both provinces. COROFIN'S 4th OR A FIRST FOR EASTERN HARPS? Sunday AIB Connacht GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final: Corofin (Galway) v Eastern Harps (Sligo), Pearse Stadium, 2.00pm. Eastern Harps are bidding to win the Connacht title for the first time while Corofin are seeking their 4th title which would move them into second place behind Clan na nGael (Roscommon) on the honours table. Corofin previously won the title in 1991-95-97 and went on to win the All-Ireland title in 1998. Corofin last reached the Connacht final two years ago but lost out to St.Brigid's (Roscommon) who struck for a late winning goal. Eastern Harps are bidding to become the first Sligo club to win the Connacht title since St.Mary's won the last of their three titles in 1983. St.Mary's are the only Sligo club to have won the Connacht title so it would be a huge achievement for Harps if they landed the big prize. Paths to the final: Eastern Harps 1-15 Glencar-Manorhamilton (Leitrim) 1-5. Eastern Harps 0-12 Ballaghadereen (Mayo) 0-9. Corofin (Galway) 1-14 Castlerea (Roscommon) 0-8. Paul Taylor has been Eastern Harps' main inspiration, scoring 1-6 against Glencar-Manorhamilton and 0-8 against Ballaghadereen. That's 1-14 of their 1-27 total so the vastly experienced full-forward will be occupying much of Corofin's time as they plan their defensive strategy. Corofin have a high-class defence with inter-county stars Kieran Fitzgerald, Michael Comer, Damien and Alan Burke very much to the fore while further afield another Galway regular, Gary Sice is also a key figure. The Corofin defence were extremely secure against Castlerea-St. Kevin's (Roscommon) in the semi-final, conceding just eight points. Harps' defence has been very tenacious too, conceding a total of just 1-14 in the Connacht quarter and semi-final. Sligo stars, Ross Donovan, Paul McGovern and Brendan Philips have led the defence with great authority and Harps' supporters will be hoping they will prove equally effective against a Corofin attack for whom Alan O'Donovan (1-3), David Hanly (0-4) were in fine form against Castlerea. Eastern Harps will be encouraged by the memory of their win over Corofin (1-8 to 0-10) in the Connacht quarter-final in 2002 and can expect to bring a big support to the seaside venue. AIB CONNACHT GAA SENIOR FOOTBALL - WHERE THE TITLES HAVE GONE: 7 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 3 - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 3- Corofin (Galway) 3 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 3 - Knockmore (Mayo) 3 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 2 - Fr.Griffin's (Galway) 2- Killererin (Galway) 2- Roscommon Gaels 2- Salthill (Galway) 1 - Caltra (Galway) 1- Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 1 - Charlestown (Mayo) 1- Claremorris (Mayo) 1- Garrymore (Mayo) 1- St. Bridget's (Roscommon) 1 - St.Grellan's (Galway) 1 - Tuam Stars (Galway) County Breakdown: Mayo 13; Galway 12; Roscommon 10: Sligo 3; Leitrim 0. AIB LEINSTER GAA FOOTBALL SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS: Sunday Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Navan O Mahonys (Meath), Parnell Park, 2.00pm: Eire Og (Carlow) v Rhode (Offaly), Dr.Cullen Park, 2.00pm Whatever the age or grade, Dublin v Meath football clashes always hold a special fascination, a scenario which will continue next Sunday when Kilmacud Crokes and Navan O'Mahonys clash for a place in the Leinster final. It really does promise to be a great encounter as both sides showed excellent form when winning their respective county titles before stepping up to the mark in the Leinster quarter-finals. O Mahonys romped to the easiest of wins (1-17 to 0-4) over Castledaly (Westmeath) while Kilmacud beat Newtown Blues (Louth) by 1-13 to 1-9. Kevin Reilly, Stephen Bray, Mark Ward, Cormac McGuinness and Neill McKeigue all bring vast experience to the Navan outfit. Kilmacud Crokes are well endowed in the experience department too with Dublin stars Paul Griffin, Kevin Nolan, Darren and Johnny Magee, Mark Vaughan and Ray Cosgrove, plus Longford ace, Brian Kavanagh leading a strong outfit. They beat Newtown Blues by four points in the quarter-final with Vaughan (1-8) and Kavanagh (0-4), enjoying an especially good day. Rhode v Eire Og also has the ingredients for a real thriller. Eire Og have a had a hectic schedule since mid-October having had draws and replays in the Carlow final and the Leinster quarter-final as well as beating Kiltegan (Wicklow) in the Leinster first round. Their quarter-final clash with Colmcille went to extra time in both the draw and replay before the Carlow champions edged home by a point (0-9 to 0-8) last Sunday. Rhode, captained by former Offaly star, Roy Malone, got a bye into the Leinster quarter-final where they produced an excellent performance to beat a highly-rated Portlaoise side by 2-9 to 1-10 in Tullamore. Shane Sullivan, Alan and Niall McNamee, Pascal Kelleghan and Niall Darby were all in fine form as Rhode moved into the semi-final. AIB MUNSTER GAA FOOTBALL SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS: Sunday Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Galtee Rovers (Tipperary), Quilty, 2.00pm. Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick) v Nemo Rangers (Cork), Dromcollogher, 2.00pm Galtee Rovers are back in the Munster senior championship after a 27-year absence, having won the Tipperary title for the first time since 1981. They beat Cahir (0-7 to 0-5) in the county final. Kilmurry-Ibrickane, the 2004 Munster champions, beat Liscannor by 0-11 to 0-5 to regain the Clare title on a day when Odran O'Dwyer scored 0-5 for the winners. Nemo Rangers, the most successful club in the history of the championships, showed that their appetite is as strong as ever when they beat a highly-rated Kerins O'Rahillys (Kerry) team by 2-12 to 0-12 in the Munster quarter-final. Paul Kerrigan scored 2-5 for Nemo while James Masters landed 0-4 as the Cork champions ran out comfortable winners. Dromcollogher-Broadford regained the Limerick title, beating Ballylanders by 2-15 to 1-8. Michael Reidy scored 0-8 and Garreth Noonan 1-3 for the winners who will be hoping that home advantage will prove crucial against the powerful Cork champions. AIB GAA JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES: Sunday Hurling AIB Munster GAA Hurling Intermediate Club Championship final: Blarney (Cork) v Broadford (Clare), Bruff, 2.00pm. AIB Munster GAA Hurling Junior Club Championship Semi-Final: Monagea (Limerick) v Dripsey (Cork), Newcastlewest, 2.00pm AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Intermediate Club Championship Final: Erin's Own (Kilkenny) v Kilmessan (Meath), Nowlan Park, 2.00pm. AIB Leinster Special GAA Hurling Junior Club Championship Final: Ratoath (Meath) v Sarsfields (Kildare), Ratoath, 2.00pm Fr.Dalton's (Westmeath) v Naomh Barrog (Dublin), Ballymore 2.00pm Football AIB Connacht GAA Football Junior Club Championship Final: Kilglass Gaels (Roscommon) v Killala (Mayo), Dr.Hyde Park, 1.30pm AIB Munster GAA Football Junior Club Championship Quarter-Finals: Cappawhite (Tipperary) v Eire Og (Cork), Cashel, 2.00pm Ballyduff Upper (Waterford) v Kildysart (Clare), Venue to be announced, 2.00pm. AIB Leinster GAA Football Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Finals: Ballyroan Abbey (Laois) v St.Brigid's (Offaly), Ballyroan, 2.00pm. James Stephens (Kilkenny) v St.Ultan's (Meath), James Stephens Grounds, 2.00pm. AIB Leinster GAA Football Junior Club Championship Semi-Finals: Rochfortbridge (Westmeath) v Killeshin (Laois), Rochfortbridge, 2.00pm Moynalvey (Meath) v Mooncoin (Kilkenny), Navan, 2.00pm. AIB Ulster GAA Football Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Final: Erne Gaels (Fermanagh) v Trillick (Tyrone), Enniskillen, 2.00pm AIB GAA SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 2008 FOOTBALL Connacht October 19: Quarter-finals: Eastern Harps (Sligo) 1-15 Glencar-Manorhamilton (Leitrim) 1-5, Markievicz Park. November 9: Semi-finals: Corofin (Galway) 1-14 Castlerea (Roscommon) 0-8, Kiltoom; Eastern Harps 0-12 Ballaghadereen (Mayo) 0-9, Markievicz Park. Next Sunday: Final: Corofin v Eastern Harps, Pearse Stadium Leinster Nov 2: First round: Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 0-13 Celbridge (Kildare) 0-8, Parnell Park Eire Og (Carlow) 3-10 Kiltegan (Wicklow) 1-12, Dr. Cullen Park Navan O'Mahony's (Meath) w/o Kilanerin (Wexford)* Nov 9: Quarter-finals: Rhode (Offaly) 2-9 Portlaoise (Laois) 1-10, Tullamore Kilmacud Crokes 1-13 Newtown Blues (Louth) 1-9, Parnell Park Eire Og (Carlow) 2-4 Colmcille (Longford) 0-10 (after extra-time), Dr. Cullen Park Navan O'Mahonys 1-17 Castledaly (Westmeath) 0-4, Navan. Nov 16: Quarter-final replay: Eire Og 0-9 Colmcille 0-8, Pearse Park (after extra-time) Next Sunday: Semi-finals: Eire Og v Rhode, Carlow; Kilmacud Crokes v Navan O'Mahonys, Parnell Park. Dec 7: Final *Wexford champions, Kilanerin did not compete. Munster Quarter-final: Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) w/o Waterford* Nov 9: Quarter-final: Nemo Rangers (Cork) 2-12 Kerins O'Rahillys (Kerry) 0-12, Pairc Ui Chaiomh. Next Sunday: Semi-finals: Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Galtee Rovers (Tipperary), Quilty. Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick) v Nemo Rangers, Dromcollogher. December 7: Final *Waterford were not represented in this year's championship due to the late completion of their championship. Ulster October 19: Preliminary round: St.Gall's (Antrim) 0-12 Mayobridge (Down) 2-5, Newry. Nov 2: Quarter-finals: Ballinderry (Derry) 1-11 Latton (Monaghan) 0-10, Ballinascreen St.Eunan's (Donegal) 2-10 Clonoe (Tyrone) 1-8, Coalisland Cavan Gaels (Cavan) 1-7 St.Gall's (Antrim) 0-7, Casement Park. Nov 9: Quarter-final: Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 0-13 St.Patrick's (Fermanagh) 0-6, Crossmaglen. Oct 16: Semi-finals: Ballinderry 0-17 Cavan Gaels 0-7, Athletic Grounds Crossmaglen Rangers 0-11 St.Eunan's 0-8, Enniskillen. November 30: Final: Ballinderry v Crossmaglen Rangers. HURLING Leinster Nov 2: Quarter-final: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 1-18 Rathdowney Erill (Laois) 1-11, Nowlan Park. Nov 8: Quarter-final: Birr (Offaly) 1-17 Ballyboden St.Enda's (Dublin) 0-8, Parnell Park. Nov 15: Semi-final: Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-26 Raharney (Westmeath) 0-9, Mullingar. Nov 16: Semi-final: Birr 2-19 St.Martin's (Wexford) 2-15, Tullamore (after extra-time). Nov 30: Ballyhale Shamrocks v Birr. Munster Nov 2: Quarter-final: Sarsfields (Cork) 0-26 Clonlara (Clare) 0-10, Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork). Nov 16: Semi-finals: Adare (Limerick) 1-11 Toomevara (Tipperary) 0-10, Gaelic Grounds De La Salle (Waterford) 0-18 Sarsfields 0-16, Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Nov 30: Adare v De La Salle. Ulster Oct 12: Semi-finals: Cushendall (Antrim) 3-11 Dungiven (Derry) 2-8, Casement Park Ballygalget (Down) 4-13 Keady (Armagh) 0-12, Casement Park Oct 19: Final: Cushendall 1-14 Ballygalget 1-13 Connacht: Portumna (Galway) automatically crowned champions. TG4 - Live and deferred AIB GAA Club Championship coverage - Sunday 23 November: 1:30pm- GAA BEO coverage begins 2:00pm- LIVE - AIB Connacht GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final: Corofin (Galway) v Eastern Harps (Sligo) Live from Pearse Stadium, Galway 3:45pm- DEFERRED - AIB Leinster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Semi-Final: Navan O'Mahonys (Meath) v Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin. Venue: Parnell Park, Dublin Tweet

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