1. All-Ireland football champions St Brigid’s march forward
A fourth consecutive Roscommon title. A seventh crown in nine years. And now a chance to embark on a bid for a four-in-a-row in Connacht.
There was a familiar tale escaping from Dr Hyde Park yesterday of St Brigid’s dominance. They had seven points to spare over Western Gaels in their latest success.
But after scaling the heights in Croke Park last St Patrick’s Day, St Brigid’s will be training their sights higher that their county domain. Their first provincial assignment is a clash against the Sligo champions on October 27th.
St Brigid’s are bidding to be the first side since Roscommon neighbours Clann na nGael in the 80′s to do four-in-a-row in Connacht. The Galway and Mayo champions will be the main challengers but St Brigid’s are deserved favourites right now.
2. All-Ireland hurling champions St Thomas hang on
St Brigid’s All-Ireland winning counterparts from last March are still in contention to retain their title. But only just after yesterday’s semi-final tussle in Galway.
They needed to draw on all of their reserves to claw back a six-point interval deficit against Portumna, fire home a late goal through Richie Murray and then require a Conor Cooney free to secure a replay.
The competitive nature of Galway’s club hurling scene and the challenge of raising your game after winning an All-Ireland for the first time, meant this season would always be tough for St Thomas. They’re still standing though ahead of next Saturday’s replay at Kenny Park.
St Thomas forward Conor Cooney
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
3. Is there a growing gulf at club football level in Kerry?
They participated in the classic inter-county Gaelic football game of 2013, but at grassroots level Kerry’s club scene is not brimming with quality on the evidence of yesterday’s semi-final ties.
Four-in-a-row chasing Dr Crokes were first to stroll into the decider with a ten point win over Kerins O’Rahillys before Austin Stacks followed suit with 18 points to spare over Feale Rangers.
To put it in another context the cumulative score of the winning teams for yesterday’s double-header was 3-26 while the losing sides only mustered 0-7 between them.
Dr Crokes have demonstrated their superiority in recent years while Austin Stacks are contesting their second final in four seasons. The pair should serve up a decent final but the other results do not paint a picture of a cut-throat environment in the Kingdom.
Dr Crokes players
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
4. 38 year-old Tucker perseveres for Nenagh Éire Óg
Nenagh Éire Óg progressed to this year’s Tipperary senior hurling decider with a merited eight-point win over Kildangan. Their replay victory propels them to a final meeting with Loughmore-Castleiney next Sunday.
It’s a significant moment for the Nenagh club who last won honours in Tipperary in 1995 and have lost two deciders in the interim in 1999 and 2006. But they’ll have a survivor from that triumphant team of 17 years ago.
Kevin Tucker won an All-Ireland U21 title with Tipperary in 1995 and played a few seasons after that for the county senior side. Since then the club has been his focus.
And he’s still impacting too at the age of 38. Yesterday he hit 0-5 for Nenagh Éire Óg to be an hour away from grabbing his second Tipperary senior medal.
5. Ballinderry conquer Derry and look to replicate that in Ulster
Ballinderry’s victory in yesterday’s Derry county senior final was not a novel occurrence. It was their third successive crown. Indeed the club were participating in their 11th final over the last 15 years, claiming their seventh title in that time frame.
Converting those county wins into Ulster wins has proved a tricky task though. They won the 2001 decider, and went on to claim All-Ireland honours, but since then have been frustrated.
Given their Derry dominance, Ulster must be the frontier they now seek to cross. A preliminary round tie against the Tyrone champions beckons on Sunday October 20th.
Ballinderry players celebrate yesterday
Pic: INPHO/Presseye/Lorcan Doherty
6. Limerick and Offaly produce similar hurling champions
Na Piarsaigh and Kilcormac-Killoughey were both celebrating in Limerick and Offaly today after their respective county final wins yesterday. It was Na Piarsaigh’s second title win in three years and Kilcormac-Killoughey’s second successive crown.
The latest triumphs must be hugely satisfying for both. 2011 was Na Piarsaigh’s first crown and similarly last year was Kilcormac-Killoughey’s maiden win. The latest victories point to consistency after both had endured their fair share of heartbreak before that.
And they both have a taste for building on this as well. Na Piarsaigh have regrets over losing the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final to Loughgiel Shamrocks in Parnell Park.
Kilcormac-Killoughey still have fresh hurt over losing the All-Ireland final to St Thomas last March. They will both have atonement on their minds over the winter.
Action from the Kilcormac-Killoughey and Birr game
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
7. Big names bow out in Dublin, Tyrone and Mayo
As the club season progresses, the number of contenders are whittled down and the provincial picture looks clearer. The senior football situation developed in Dublin, Tyrone and Mayo over the weekend and claimed some big name casualties as well.
2009 All-Ireland champions Kilmacud Crokes lost in the 2nd round in Dublin in controversial fashion. Reigning county champions Errigal Ciaran bowed out at the semi-final stage in Tyrone.
While in Mayo there were exits for the trio who have carved up five of the last six titles, in Ballintubber, Ballaghaderreen and Ballina. The departure of big names creates a novel void to fill.
