THE MUNSTER COUNCIL have confirmed that Páirc Ui Chaoimh will host this year’s provincial senior club hurling final on November 25th.
The clash will see Waterford’s De La Salle and Tipperary outfit Thurles Sarsfields face off at the Cork venue.
The two clubs previously met at the stadium in 2010 in the Munster final with De La Salle, who defeated Clare’s Newmarket-on-Fergus in last Sunday’s semi-final, getting the better of Thurles Sarsfields, winners of their semi-final against Cork’s Sarsfields on Sunday, by 0-9 to 0-8.
The match on Sunday week will be only the second provincial senior club hurling decider to be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh since 1979.
The venue has also been announced for the Connacht senior club football final with Elvery’s McHale Park in Castlebar set to host the meeting of St Brigid’s of Roscommon and Mayo’s Ballaghaderreen on November 25th.
St Brigid’s, semi-final winners at the weekend against Salthill-Knocknacarra, are bidding for their third successive title while Ballaghaderreen, victors over Sligo team Curry last week, are chasing their first ever title after only appearing in one previous final, in 1972.
Before that there is another programme of key club fixtures this weekend. In Connacht, the focus will be on this year’s Galway club showpiece between 2006 champions Loughrea and first-time finalists St Thomas while the provincial intermediate hurling final is also down for decision.
Sunday November 18th
Connacht IHC club final: Killimordaly (Galway) v Four Roads (Roscommon), Athleague, 2pm, (Ref: Shane Hourigan, Limerick).
Galway SHC final: Loughrea v St Thomas, Pearse Stadium, 2pm, (Ref: Eoin Shaughnessy, Galway).
There is just one major game in Leinster with first senior hurling club semi-final taking place with either Kilcormac-Killoughey or Rathdowney-Errill set to make history by reaching the provincial decider for the first time ever.
Sunday November 18th
Leinster SHC club semi-final: Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) v Rathdowney-Errill (Laois), O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2pm, (Ref: TBC).
In Munster it’s down to the last four in the senior club football championship. Reigning champions Dr Crokes are bidding to reach their third successive Munster final against Clonmel Commercials who are hoping to qualify for their club’s first final since 1994.
The other semi-final sees Castlehaven, last in the final in 1997, against 2004 finalists Stradbally.
Sunday November 18th
Munster SFC club semi-finals
Castlehaven (Cork) v Stradbally (Waterford), Clonakilty, 2pm, (Ref: Derek O’Mahoney, Tipperary).
Dr Crokes (Kerry) v Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary), Lewis Road, Killarney, 2pm, (Ref: Michael Collins, Cork).
And finally in Ulster, the reigning champions Crossmaglen Rangers meet 2002 champions Errigal Ciaran while 2009 winners St Gall’s will face Kilcoo who are chasing their first ever final appearance.
Sunday November 18th
Ulster SFC club semi-finals
Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone), St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, 2.15pm, (Ref: Joe McQuillan, Cavan).
Kilcoo (Down) v St Galls (Antrim), The Athletic Grounds, 2.30pm, (Ref: Martin Sludden, Tyrone).
