No fewer than eleven games, including football and hurling finals in Connacht, are down for decision in another hectic weekend of AIB club championship action. Two games will be shown by TG4, starting with the Connacht football final between Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) and St.Brigid's (Roscommon) which will be transmitted live from Pearse Stadium, Galway (throw-in 2.0). The Newtownshandrum (Cork) v Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) Munster hurling semi-final will be screened in a delayed telecast at 3.40. SATURDAY AIB Munster SF quarter-final (replay) St.Senan's (Clare) v Monaleen (Limerick), Cooraclare, 2.15 Muiris Gavin's pointed free with the last kick of the game earned Monaleen a second chance in the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday. Monaleen led by 1-6 to 0-7 at one stage in the second half before St.Senan's kicked three points to edge them in front. However, Limerick star, Gavin saved the day with a crucial late kick. SUNDAY AIB Connacht SF final Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) v St.Brigid's (Roscommon), Pearse Stadium, 2.0 (Live on TG4) Will Salthill-Knocknacarra win the AIB Connacht football title for the first time since 1990 or will St.Brigid's capture their very first provincial crown. The answer will be provided next Sunday when Pearse Stadium hosts the Connacht final. Salthill beat a highly-rated Crossmolina team in the semi-final, edging home by two points while St.Brigid's saw off Leitrim champions, Kiltubrid in a replay. Roscommon stars, Shane Curran, Karol Mannion, who scored 1-1 in the replay win over Kiltubrid, Frankie Dolan and John Tiernan will lead the St.Brigid's charge while Salthill will be looking to Michael Donnellan, in his first season with the club after switching from Dunmore MacHales, dual star, Alan Kerins, Galway full-back, Finian Hanley and former Mayo star, Maurice Sheridan to lay the foundations for their efforts. Paths to the final Salthill-Knocknacarra 0-9 Crossmolina (Mayo) 0-7 St.Brigid's 0-9 Kiltubrid (Leitrim) 0-9 St.Brigid's 1-11 Kiltubrid 1-7 (replay) AIB CONNACHT FOOTBALL WINNERS (1970-2004) 1970/71 - Fr.Griffin's (Galway) 1971/72 - Claremorris (Mayo) 1972/73 - Fr.Griffin's (Galway) 1973/74 - Knockmore (Mayo) 1974/75 - Roscommon Gaels 1975/76 - Roscommon Gaels 1976/77 - Killererin (Galway) 1977/78 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 1978/79 - Killererin (Galway) 1979/80 - St.Grellan's (Galway) 1980/81 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 1981/82 - Garrymore (Mayo) 1982/83 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1983/84 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 1984/85 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1985/86 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1986/87 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1987/88 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1988/89 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1989/90 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 1990/91 - SALTHILL (Galway) 1991/92 - Corofin (Galway) 1992/93 - Knockmore (Mayo) 1993/94 - Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 1994/95 - Tuam Stars (Galway) 1995/96 - Corofin (Galway) 1996/97 - Knockmore (Mayo) 1997/98 - Corofin (Galway) 1998/99 - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 1999/2000 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 2000/2001 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 2001/2002 - Charlestown (Mayo) 2002/2003 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 2003/2004 - Caltra (Galway) 2004/2005 - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) ROLL OF HONOUR 7 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 3 - Corofin (Galway) 3 - Crossmolina (Mayo) 3 - Knockmore (Mayo) 3 - St.Mary's (Sligo) 2 - Killererin (Galway) 2 - Fr.Griffin's (Galway) 2 - Roscommon Gaels 2 - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 1 - Caltra (Galway) 1 - Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 1 - Charlestown (Mayo) 1 - Claremorris (Mayo) 1 - Garrymore (Mayo) 1 - Tuam Stars (Galway) 1 - SALTHILL(Galway) 1 - St.Grellan's, Ballinasloe (Galway) County breakdown: Mayo 12, Galway 11, Roscommon 9, Sligo 3. No titles: Leitrim SUNDAY AIB Leinster SF semi-finals Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Rhode (Offaly), Portlaoise, 2.30 Mattock Rangers (Louth) v Sarsfields (Kildare), Navan, 2.30 Kilmacud slipped up in last year's semi-final, losing to eventual Leinster champions, Portlaoise so they will be determined to take a step closer to the title this time. Rhode also lost to Portlaoise last year but bounced back to retain the Offaly title this season and have also shown impressive form in the Leinster campaign, beating Rathnew (Wicklow) by 2-6 to 1-3 and Stradbally (Laois) by 1-6 to 0-6. Kilmacud had the easiest of starts to their Leinster campaign last Sunday, beating Meath champions, St.Peter's Dunboyne by 1-14 to 0-3. Dublin star, Ray Cosgrove scored 1-10 (1-5 of which came from play) in what was a very impressive performance by the Dublin champions. ***** Mattock Rangers, managed by former Louth boss, Paddy Clarke have two wins over their belts, having beaten The Downs (Westmeath) by 1-8 to 0-9 and Horeswood (Wexford) by 1-9 to 1-8 in last Sunday's quarter-final. The Louth champions are an impressive outfit but they will need to be at full power against a rapidly-improving Sarsfields side. Sarsfields struggled early on against Eire Og (Carlow) last Sunday and trailed by three points but they were back level at half-time and with midfielders, Dermot Earley and Alan Barry in superb form, they pulled away in the second half to win by 1-12 to 0-8. SUNDAY AIB Ulster SF semi-finals Mayobridge (Down) v St.Gall's (Antrim), Newry, 2.30 Bellaghy (Derry) v Cavan Gaels, Omagh, 2.30 Beaten by Crossmaglen Rangers in last year's AIB Ulster final Mayobridge are determined to capture this season's title and got their bid off to a great start last Sunday week when they beat Glenties (Donegal) by 0-10 to 1-5. A strong finish by a Brendan Grant-inspired defence enabled Mayobridge, for whom Down veteran, Mickey Linden came on as a sub to edge home by two points. Tyrone champions, Carrickmore, started as favourites to beat St.Gall's in the quarter-final but had no answer to the power and precision of the Antrim champions for whom Karl Stewart scored 1-3. Bellaghy's win (0-11 to 0-9) over Crossmaglen Rangers in the quarter-final was one of the most significant wins of the 2005 provincial series to date as the Armagh champions really fancied their chances of retaining the Ulster title. However, Bellaghy, who scored all 11 points in the first half held their nerve against a star-studded Crossmaglen side in the second half to carve out a famous victory on a day when Joe Cassidy kicked 0-4. Cavan Gaels withstood a late charge by Latton (Monaghan) to win their quarter-final tie by 0-12 to 1-7 last Sunday to reach the semi-finals for the second successive year. They lost to Crossmaglen Rangers in last year's semi-final. SUNDAY AIB Munster SH semi-finals Ballygunner (Waterford) v Clarecastle (Clare), Walsh Park, 2.30 Newtownshandrum (Cork) v Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary), Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2.30 Ballygunner, bidding for their first Munster title for four years, made an impressive start to the 2005 campaign with a hard-earned 2-12 to 1-11 win over Garryspillane (Limerick) in the quarter-final. Waterford star, Paul Flynn scored 2-4 (1-2 from play) while Tommy Power landed 0-4 as Ballygunner recovered from a shaky start before easing themselves into a winning position. Clarecastle, who last won the Munster crown in 1997, are having their first outing in this season's campaign, having regained the Clare title with a two point win (0-9 to 0-7) over Wolfe Tones in the final. Clare county panellists, Conor Plunkett and Jonathon Clancy bring big time experience to a squad that has displayed a solid rate of improvement this year. ******** Newtownshandrum, the 2004 All-Ireland champions, are back on the title trail after regaining the Cork title with an 0-15 to 0-9 win over Cloyne in the final. It was their third Cork title in five years. Inspired by the O'Connor brothers, Ben and Jerry, Pat Mulcahy and Paul Morrissey, Newtownshandrum are a very well-balanced outfit but will need all their experience to cope with a rejuvenated Thurles Sarsfields side. Sarsfields, who won the Tipperary title this season for the first time since 1974, began their Munster campaign with a 2-15 to 3-8 win over Lixnaw (Kerry) with Johnny Enright, Ger O'Grady and Lar Corbett contributing 2-8 between them. SUNDAY AIB Leinster SH semi-finals James Stephens (Kilkenny) v Castletown (Laois), Dr.Cullen Park, 2.15 Oulart-The-Ballagh v UCD (Dublin), Nowlan Park, 2.15 Fresh from their three-point win over Naomh Eoin (Carlow) in the quarter-final last Sunday, James Stephens will be attempting to record their 7th successive victory in Leinster and All-Ireland action in the past 12 months. The reigning All-Ireland champions, led by Kilkenny stars, Peter Barry, Jackie Tyrrell, Philip Larkin, Eoin Larkin and Brian McEvoy will start as favourites to continue Kilkenny's dominance over Laois, although Castletown are very experienced at this level. The Laois champions ran out six point winners (2-16 to 2-10) over Glenealy (Wicklow) in the quarter-final. James Stephens got quite a fright last Sunday when they trailed Naomh Eoin by a point with five minutes remaining but they held their nerve and tacked on four points to clinch a semi-final place. UCD, who lost last year's Leinster final by a point to James Stephens will be hoping to reach another final when they take on Oulart-The-Ballagh, who last year's semi-final to the Kilkenny champions. UCD were easy winners over Killyon (Meath) in the first round but it was their performance when beating Birr last Sunday that really caught the imagination. They beat the former All-Ireland champions by 1-12 to 1-7 after trailing at half-time. Oulart, for whom Wexford veterans, Martin Storey and Liam Dunne, are still playing a major part were easy winners (6-21 to 0-9) over Knockbridge (Louth) in the quarter-final SUNDAY AIB Connacht SH final Four Roads (Roscommon) v Portumna (Galway), Athleague, 2.0 Will Portumna capture the Connacht title for the second time in three seasons or can Four Roads win their first crown for 17 years? They last won it in 1988 when they beat Abbeyknockmoy of Galway by 3-5 to 1-8. Four Roads beat St.Mary's (Leitrim) by 1-9 to 0-5 in the semi-final while Portumna, led by the Canning brothers, Ollie and Joe (who scored 1-11), Damien Hayes (who scored 2-6), Kevin Hayes and Andrew Smyth won the Galway final last Sunday, beating Loughrea by 3-21 to 3-14 in a cracking contest. AIB CONNACHT HURLING WINNERS 1970/71 - Liam Mellowes (Galway) 1971/72 - Tommy Larkin's(Galway) 1972/73 - Castlegar (Galway) 1973/74 - Castlegar (Galway) 1974/75 - Ardrahan (Galway) 1975/76 - Ardrahan (Galway) 1976/77 - Tremane (Roscommon) 1977/78 - Four Roads (Roscommon) 1978/79 - Ardrahan (Galway) 1979/80 - Castlegar (Galway) 1980/81 - Sarsfields (Galway) 1981/82 - Gort (Galway) 1982/83 - Kiltormer (Galway) 1983/84 - Gort (Galway) 1984/85 - Castlegar (Galway) 1985/86 - Turloughmore (Galway) 1986/87 - Killimordaly (Galway) 1987/88 - Athenry (Galway) 1988/89 - Four Roads (Galway) 1989/90 - Sarsfields (Galway) 1990/91 - Kiltormer (Galway) 1991/92 - Kiltormer (Galway) 1992/93 - Sarsfields (Galway) 1993/94 - Sarsfields (Galway) 1994/95 - Athenry (Galway) 1995/96 - Sarsfields (Galway) 1996/97 - Athenry (Galway) 1997/98 - Sarsfields (Galway) 1998/99 - Athenry (Galway) 1999/2000 - Athenry (Galway) 2000/2001 - Athenry (Galway) 2001/2002 - Clarinbridge (Galway) 2002/2003 - Athenry (Galway) 2003/2004 - Portumna (Galway) 2004/2005 - Athenry (Galway) AIB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 2005/2006 FOOTBALL CONNACHT Oct 16: 1st round: Kiltubrid (Leitrim) 0-9 Coolera-Strandhill (Sligo) 0-4. Semi-finals: Nov 6: Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) 0-9 Crossmolina (Mayo) 0-7; Kiltubrid (Leitrim) 0-9 St.Brigid's (Roscommon) 0-9. Nov 12: St.Brigid's 1-11 Kiltubrid 1-7 (replay). LEINSTER Nov 6: 1st round: Eire Og (Carlow) 0-12 Dromard (Longford) 0-4; St.Peter's (Meath) 0-16 Muckalee (Kilkenny) 1-5; Mattock Rangers (Louth) 1-8 The Downs (Westmeath) 0-9; Rhode (Offaly) 2-6 Rathnew (Wicklow) 1-3. Nov 13: Quarter-finals: Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 1-14 St.Peter's 0-3; Mattock Rangers 1-9 Horeswood (Wexford) 1-8; Rhode 1-6 Stradbally (Laois) 0-6; Sarsfields (Kildare) 1-12 Eire Og 0-8. MUNSTER Nov 13: Quarter-finals: Nemo Rangers (Cork) 1-13 Ardfinnan (Tipperary) 0-6; Monaleen (Limerick) 1-7 St.Senan's (Clare) 0-10. ULSTER Oct 30: 1st round: Carrickmore (Tyrone) 2-10 Teemore (Fermanagh) 0-5. Nov 6: Quarter-finals: Mayobridge (Down) 0-10 Glenties (Donegal) 1-5; Bellaghy (Derry) 0-11 Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 0-9; St.Gall's (Antrim) 1-11 Carrickmore 0-8. Nov 13: Cavan Gaels 0-12 Latton (Monaghan) 1-7. HURLING LEINSTER Oct 30: 1st Round: UCD (Dublin) 3-25 Killyon (Meath) 1-3; Glenealy (Wicklow) 2-14 Castlepollard (Westmeath) 1-10; October 31: Knockbridge (Louth) 1-14 Clonguish (Longford) 1-5; Nov 6: Naomh Eoin (Carlow) 3-14 Celbridge (Kildare) 0-12 Quarter-finals: Nov 5: Castletown (Laois) 2-16 Glenealy (Wicklow) 2-10; Nov 6: Oulart-The-Ballagh (Wexford) 6-21 Knockbridge (Louth) 0-9. Nov 13: UCD 1-12 Birr (Offaly) 1-7; James Stephens (Kilkenny) 1-16 Naomh Eoin 1-13. MUNSTER Nov 6: Quarter-finals: Ballygunner (Waterford) 2-12 Garryspillane (Limerick) 1-11; Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 2-15 Lixnaw (Kerry) 3-8. ULSTER Oct 30: Final: Ballygalget (Down) 1-18 Cushendall (Antrim) 3-8. CONNACHT Oct 30: Semi-final: Four Roads (Roscommon) 1-9 St.Mary's (Leitrim) 0-5. Tweet

Most Read Stories