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De La Salle's John Mullane under pressure from Padraic Maher and David Maher of Thurles Sarsfields. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: GAA club championship action

There was club silverware on the line today in Munster hurling and Connacht football along with key games in Leinster. Here’s how all the action unfolded.

It may have been the last Sunday in November but there was no respite in the club championship action.

There was five games on the agenda this afternoon and we were keeping an eye on how it all unfolded.

Send us your thoughts and comments on today’s games in the AIB club championships. E-mail fintan@thescore.ie, tweet us @TheScoreGAAfind us on Facebook, or leave a comment below.

RESULTS
Munster Club SHC final:
Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 1-21 De La Salle (Waterford) 1-16.
Connacht Club SFC final: St Brigid’s (Roscommon) 1-12 Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) 1-6.
Leinster Club SFC semi-finals: Portlaoise (Laois) 1-11 Emmett Óg Killoe (Longford) 2-5; Ballymun Kickhams (Dublin) 1-8 Sarsfields (Kildare) 0-5.
Leinster Club SHC semi-final: Postponed - Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) Oulart-The-Ballagh (Wexford)
Munster Club IFC final: Finuge (Kerry) 1-5 St Vincent’s (Cork) 0-5.
Leinster Club JFC final: Castleknock (Dublin) 1-10 St Fintan’s (Wexford) 1-5. 

It’s the last Sunday in November and the 2012 GAA season is winding down to its winter slumber. Yet the action continues in the AIB Club Championships with some interesting games on the cards this afternoon. We’ll be keeping an eye on how it all unfolds. Welcome along.

Okay so what’s on the agenda then? Well, the two major games are where the silverware is being handed out. In Páirc Uí Chaoimh the battle in the Munster Club SHC final takes place between Tipperary’s Thurles Sarsfields and Waterford’s De La Salle. And in Castlebar, it is the meeting of Mayo’s Ballaghaderreen and Roscommon’s St Brigid’s in the Connacht Club SFC final. Both those games throw in at 2pm and we’ll be concentrating in particular on those ties.

But we won’t be neglecting the action in Leinster either. And there’s plenty of it to command the interest. Down in Wexford Park, Oulart-The-Ballagh will welcome Kilkenny kingpins Ballyhale Shamrocks for the Leinster Club SHC semi-final tie. Offaly’s Kilcormac-Killoughey are already safely through to the final but who will join them?

Breaking news, we’re down to four games this afternoon as the Leinster club hurling semi-final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Oulart-The-Ballagh has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch in Wexford Park.

But there is still football action in Leinster with the club SFC semi-finals also taking place. Portlaoise enjoy home advantage in O’Moore Park against Longford’s Emmett Óg Killoe while in Newbridge, Sarsfields will welcome Ballymun Kickhams to St Conleth’s Park. Throw in at 2pm in those three matches as well.

Meanwhile there was silverware handed out yesterday in Munster hurling at intermediate level. In Semple Stadium, Silvermines of Tipperary were crowned champions with a 0-14 to 0-8 final victory over Ballyduff of Kerry.

You may have noticed above that we described Ballaghaderreen as a Mayo club yet while they are affiliated to the county in GAA terms, the town’s geographical location is in Roscommon. And with Mayo legends Kevin McStay and Liam McHale part of the management setup of Roscommon opponents St Brigid’s, there is plenty intrigue ahead of this game. Read our preview of proceedings here.

And anyone getting a sense of deja vu about the decider in Munster? That’s probably because it’s only two years since Thurles Sarsfields and De La Salle faced off in such an encounter. It was De La Salle who won the day on that occasion by 0-9 to 0-8. Here’s some pre-match thoughts on that clash.

There are other provincial finals at the lower grades to consider today. In the Munster intermediate football championship, it is Finuge, who look set to be without Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice (injury) and Kerry attacker Paul Galvin (suspension) in action against St Vincent’s, who will have former Cork senior goalkeeper Paddy O’Shea on board. Throw in for that final is 2pm in Mallow.

While in the Leinster junior football championship final, it is Castleknock of Dublin, who must manage without Hawthorn’s latest AFL recruit Ciaran Kilkenny, up against St Fintan’s of Wexford at 2pm in Parnell Park.

How do you think today’s club games will go? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us @TheScoreGAA

News reaching us that there is heavy fog in Castlebar for the Connacht club final yet the game is set to start at this stage. Ballaghaderreen have a late withdrawal in Andy Hanley with Cormac Doohan coming in as his replacement.

We’re nearly set to go in the four matches today which take place in Páirc Ui Chaoimh, St Conleth’s Park, O’Moore Park and Elvery’s McHale Park. The Leinster hurling semi-final in Wexford Park has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Caoimghin McDonnell is a late addition to the Sarsfields team for their Leinster semi-final battle with Ballymun Kickhams in Newbridge.

Connacht Club SFC final: Latest – Ballaghaderreen 0-1 St Brigid’s 0-0: Barry Kelly grabs the opening point of the game for the Mayo champions.

Munster Club SHC final: Latest – Thurles Sarsfields 0-1 De La Salle 0-1: Tipperary defender Michael Cahill raised the first white flag in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but that has been cancelled out by a point from De La Salle’s Jake Dillon.

Munster Club SHC final: Latest – Thurles Sarsfields 1-1 De La Salle 0-1: Early drama as centre-forward Jim Corbett breaks through to smash home a terrific goal for Thurles Sarsfields in the 4th minute.

Connacht Club SFC semi-final: Latest – St Brigid’s 0-2 Ballaghaderreen 0-1: The reigning champions are in the ascendancy now in Castlebar thanks to points from Richard Blaine and Frankie Dolan.

Munster Club SHC final: Latest – Thurles Sarsfields 1-2 De La Salle 0-3: Jake Dillon fires over a brace of frees for De La Salle with Lar Corbett clipping over a score from the left wing in reply.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Portlaoise 0-2 Emmett Óg Killoe 0-0: Laois senior Paul Cahillane has helped get Portlaoise off the mark as they move in front in O’Moore Park.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Ballymun Kickhams 0-1 Sarsfields 0-0: Dublin senior James McCarthy bounds through the middle and displays the composure to split the posts and edge Ballymun Kickhams ahead.

Munster Club SHC final: Latest – Thurles Sarsfields 1-3 De La Salle 0-4: Jake Dillon is leading the way in attack so far for De La Salle as he has grabbed his fourth point of the game but Pa Bourke has just notched a 13th minute free for Thurles Sarsfields.

Connacht Club SFC final: St Brigid’s 0-4 Ballaghaderreen 0-2: St Brigid’s beginning to make their mark in Castlebar and it is their leading attacking lights Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride who are both displaying their prowess in front of goal.

Munster Club SHC final: Thurles Sarsfields 1-7 De La Salle 0-5: 18 minutes gone in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with points from Bourke, Johnny Enright (from a free), Michael Gleeson and Lar Corbett for Thurles Sarsfields as Jake Dillon grabbed one in response for De La Salle, his fifth of the game. The Tipperary side are on top.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Portlaoise 0-3 Emmett Óg Killoe 1-0: The Longford champions get their first score of the game and it is a great finish by Ronan McGoldrick to the net that has their supporters in full voice in O’Moore Park.

Munster Club SHC final: Thurles Sarsfields 1-9 De La Salle 0-8: Plenty scores in this clash with Dean Twomey grabbing the latest point for De La Salle. They nearly raised a green flag as well but Jake Dillon’s shot hit the butt of the upright. 22 minutes gone and four points in it.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: 20 mins – Ballymun Kickhams 0-4 Sarsfields 0-1: Paul Curran’s Ballymun side are more economical in front of goal so far in Newbridge with Sarsfields ruing some early wides.

Connacht Club SFC final: St Brigid’s 0-5 Ballaghaderreen 0-3: St Brigid’s still in command with a two-point advantage in Castlebar.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Portlaoise 0-5 Emmett Óg Killoe 1-0: Portlaoise have responded well to the setback of conceding that goal with Conor Boyle and Brian McCormack both on target as they registered points. They continue to dominate possession as well.

Munster Club SHC final: Thurles Sarsfields 1-10 De La Salle 1-8: There’s a superb contest developing in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with Paudie Nevin just hammering a shot into the top corner of the net for De La Salle in the 27th minute. But De La Salle have just been hit with a major blow as John Keane has been shown a red card.

Connacht Club SFC final: St Brigid’s 0-6 Ballaghaderreen 0-5: An outstanding point by Ballaghaderreen’s leading attacker Barry Regan and another by David Drake have helped cut the gap in Castlebar.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: 24 mins – Ballymun Kickhams 0-5 Sarsfields 0-1: And Ballymun continue to be in an advantageous position in Newbridge with a 16th minute point by Alan Smith the only score that Sarsfields have posted. Eight wides for the Kildare champions to date.

Munster Club SHC final: Half-Time: Thurles Sarsfields 1-11 De La Salle 1-9: John Mullane and Michael O’Brien trade points before the break as Thurles Sarsfields lead by two at the halfway mark. But De La Salle must play with 14 men for the second-half following John Keane’s sending-off.

Connacht Club SFC final: Half-Time – St Brigid’s 0-6 Ballaghaderreen 0-5: Evenly-balanced in Castlebar with Ballaghaderreen after grabbing a couple late points to cut the gap.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Half-Time – Ballymun Kickhams 0-5 Sarsfields 0-2: Finally some joy for Sarsfields before the interval in Newbridge in attack as Alan Smith kicks the last point of the half yet Ballymun enjoy a three-point cushion at the break.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Half-Time – Portlaoise 0-6 Emmett Óg Killoe 1-2: Portlaoise dominated the opening period yet Emmett Óg are still in the hunt at the break largely thanks to Ronan McGoldrick’s goal against the run of play.

The clashes are tight around the country with just a point separating the teams in O’Moore Park and Castlebar, two points in it in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and three points in it Newbridge. We’re getting set shortly for the second-half action.

Ian Kilbride of St Brigid’s and Peter Kelly of Ballaghadereen in action in the first-half of today’s Connacht final. Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy

Connacht Club SFC final: St Brigid’s 0-8 Ballaghaderreen 0-5: Early stages of the second-half in Castlebar with Darren Dolan and Ronan Stack both after grabbing points for St Brigid’s. The fog is starting to descend again in Elvery’s McHale Park.

Munster Club SHC final: Latest – Thurles Sarsfields 1-13 De La Salle 1-12: Pa Bourke edges Thurles Sarsfields in front after De La Salle had hit three points on the bounce to draw level.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Emmett Óg Killoe 1-4 Portlaoise: What a turnaround in O’Moore Park with Emmett Óg Killoe gone ahead for the first time in the game after Seanie McCormack converted a free.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Ballymun Kickhams 0-5 Sarsfields 0-3: The gap is down to two in Newbridge after Padraig Brennan swings over a point for Sarsfields.

Munster Club SHC final: Thurles Sarsfields 1-15 De La Salle 1-13: Pa Bourke from a free and substitute Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady send Thurles Sarsfields two clear after they shot over points. 40 minutes have elapsed in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Munster Club SHC final: Thurles Sarsfields 1-16 De La Salle 1-14: The marksmanship is top-class in this match with Jake Dillon and Michael Gleeson after trading points. Thurles Sarsfields are still ahead by two.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Emmett Óg Killoe 2-4 Portlaoise 1-6: Major drama in O’Moore Park. Firstly Brian Smith found the net for Portlaoise but then Emmett Óg hit back with a goal of their own from midfielder Simon Kiernan after a mistake by defender Cahir Healy resulted in Portlaoise coughing up possession.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Ballymun Kickhams 0-5 Sarsfields 0-4: Ray Cahill hits a point for Sarsfields to trim the deficit to the minimum but then they suffer a major blow with star attacker Alan Smith forced to go off through injury.

Connacht Club SFC final: Latest – St Brigid’s 1-11 Ballaghaderreen 0-6: The defending champions St Brigid’s look firmly on course now for their third successive title as they lead by eight points with 11 minutes left.

Munster Club SHC final: Thurles Sarsfields 1-18 De La Salle 1-15: In Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Thurles Sarsfields are still managing to remain in front with ten minutes left.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Ballymun Kickhams 1-5 Sarsfields 0-4: Significant score in Newbridge with Ted Furman rattling the net for Ballymun Kickhams for the first goal of the game.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Portlaoise 1-8 Emmett Óg Killoe 2-4: Portlaoise are back in front in O’Moore Park with Adrian Kelly amongst their point-scorers. The floodlights have been turned on at the venue.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Ballymun Kickhams 1-5 Sarsfields 0-5: Back to three points in St Conleth’s Park with Ray Cahill pointing for Sarsfields.

Munster Club SHC final: 54 mins – Thurles Sarsfields 1-18 De La Salle 1-16: Terrific long-range point for De La Salle by Kevin Moran. The Waterford champions are continuing to battle on.

Connacht Club SFC final: 59 mins – St Brigid’s 1-12 Ballaghaderreen 0-6: Senan Kilbride taps over a free for St Brigid’s and it was the Roscommon attacker who had earlier grabbed the only goal of the game. Entering the closing stages in Castlebar.

Munster Club SHC final: 58 mins – Thurles Sarsfields 1-19 De La Salle 1-16: That could be a key score as Pa Bourke smashes the ball between the posts for Thurles Sarsfields in what has been a superb encounter.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Portlaoise 1-10 Emmett Óg Killoe 2-5: Portlaoise clinging to a two-point lead late on in O’Moore Park.

Munster Club SHC final: Full-Time – Thurles Sarsfields 1-21 De La Salle 1-16: That’s it and Thurles Sarsfields are Munster champions with late points from Richie Ruth and Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady sealing their success.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Portlaoise 1-11 Emmett Óg Killoe 2-5: Portlaoise’s Brian McCormack sends his side ahead by three points.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Latest – Ballymun Kickhams 1-6 Sarsfields 0-5: That could be the insurance score for Ballymun Kickhams as Dean Rock fires over a point.

Connacht Club SFC final: Full-Time – St Brigid’s 1-12 Ballaghaderreen 0-6: Once again it is St Brigid’s who reign supreme in the Connacht decider with nine points seperating the teams at the final whistle in Castlebar.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Full-Time – Ballymun Kickhams 1-8 Sarsfields 0-5: The Dublin champions have progressed in Newbridge with Dean Rock firing two late points and captain Davy Byrne hitting another to secure a six-point success for them.

Leinster Club SFC semi-final: Full-Time – Portlaoise 1-11 Emmett Óg Killoe 2-5: And the home side have prevailed in O’Moore Park with Portlaoise withstanding a fierce challenge by the Longford outfit to win by three points.

Elsewhere I can tell you that Finuge are the Munster club intermediate football champions after they defeated St Vincent’s by 1-5 to 0-5 in today’s decider in Mallow. While in the Leinster club junior football final, there was victory for Dublin’s Castleknock in Parnell Park by 1-10 to 1-5 against St Fintan’s of Wexford.

So to recap here’s the main talking points from today’s GAA club action.

Thurles Sarsfields are Munster Club SHC champions for the first time in their history after they defeated De La Salle by 1-21 to 1-16 in a cracking final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

St Brigid’s are Connacht Club SFC champions for the third successive year with a 1-12 to 0-6 success against Ballaghaderreen in Castlebar.

The Leinster Club SFC final will be contested by Ballymun Kickhams and Portlaoise. In Newbridge, Ballymun Kickhams were 1-8 to 0-5 winners over Sarsfields while in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise enjoyed a 1-11 to 2-5 victory against Emmett Óg Killoe.

The Leinster Club SHC semi-final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Oulart-The-Ballagh was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch in Wexford Park.

We’ll leave you with some images from today’s games. Thanks for joining us this afternoon.

Thurles Sarsfields’ Padraic Maher attempts to gather possession while under pressure from De La Salle players. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Senan Kilbride of St Brigid’s and David Drake of Ballaghderreen. Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy

Sarsfields’ Padraig Brennan and Davy Byrne of Ballymun Kickhams. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

A waterlogged pitch at Wexford Park. Pic:INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan


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