Poll: Who will win the Munster and Connacht football finals?
PROVINCIAL SILVERWARE IS up for grabs this weekend as the top prizes in the Munster and Connacht competitions are distributed later today.
For the third year in a row, Kerry and Clare will contest the Munster football final.
Advertisement
The Banner gave Kerry a gritty display last year but could only trouble them for spells as Jack O'Connor's side won their fourth Munster crown on the bounce.
They accounted for Tipperary two weeks ago, with Mark McInerney scoring 2-5 on the way to victory. Kerry were pushed to the wire by Cork in the other semi-final and needed extra-time to progress and keep the Munster defence on the road.
All signs would suggest that Kerry will be crowned Munster champions again later today, but after Meath's shock win over Dublin, could we be treated to another unexpected result in Fitzgerald Stadium?
Meanwhile, Galway and Mayo will battle it out for the Connacht title.
Galway are the reigning three-in-a-row champions who navigated their way past New York and Roscommon to return to the final. Mayo edged out Sligo in a tight battle and had to face down another spirited challenge against Leitrim to get back to the final where they will hope to avenge last year's defeat.
Will Galway complete a provincial four-in-a-row this weekend, or will Mayo regain the Connacht crown for the first time since 2021?
So, who are your picks for the Munster and Connacht finals?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
26 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Cork prove sky's the limit after conquering Munster with display of ferocious intensity
Everything about it was staggering: the suffocating intensity, the twists, the spectacular scores and the crazy misses. Cork and Limerick were locked in a clench deep into a rapturous summer's evening and neither of them knew how to let go. The longest night in the history of the Munster championship ended with a penalty shootout and a season set ablaze. After being eviscerated by Limerick in the round-robin phase, Cork recovered everything they lost three weeks ago. All the revived doubts about their temperament and their stomach for the fight were dismissed. This group of Cork players couldn't afford to fall over again. They stood up to everything Limerick could muster. The cruelty of penalties is a modern phenomenon in the GAA. For an epic contest such as this to be decided by a capricious tiebreaker is a function of the condensed calendar and there will doubtless be another chorus of dissent. There should be. In the event, Limerick missed three times and Alan Connolly's winner was buried with characteristic panache. After nearly 100 minutes of escalating tension and exhaustion, that was the nominal difference: three Cork penalty takers held their nerve. READ MORE The psychological capital for Cork is incalculable. After their late collapse in Ennis and their abject surrender in the Gaelic Grounds three weeks ago, the Rebels' credentials as serious contenders were widely derided. This performance was the only credible answer. Cork's Brian Hayes takes a selfie with supporters after the Munster SHC final. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho In his post-match interview, Cork manager Pat Ryan referred to his team's 'fight' half a dozen times. That was the overwhelming difference between Saturday night and the round-robin game. The adjustments that Cork made in their match-ups and their structure were worthless without sustained aggression. From the start, they stood in the middle of the ring and traded body blows. They flew into contests for ball on the ground, ravenous for turnovers. This was the fundamental stuff that Ryan has demanded for the last three years but had been so painfully absent three weeks ago. With both teams going at each other like rutting stags, the referee was bound to be part of the story The teams were level 17 times in all, but Cork never flinched. Their half-time lead was wiped out 11 minutes into the second half, but against the wind they reclaimed the lead five times in the following 20 minutes, rolling with the punches. There is an obvious cost for Limerick. For the first time since their breakthrough season in 2018, they must navigate a quarter-final in a fortnight's time. It is a tax that an ageing team would prefer not to pay. Manager John Kiely has never made any secret of the store he puts in the month-long break for provincial winners, but they must do without it now. Limerick hurler Cian Lynch at the end of Saturday's thrilling Munster SHC final, which Cork won on penalties. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho In normal time they managed just 28 shots from play when they would usually expect to register that many scores, or more. When Cork beat them in the round-robin game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh 13 months ago, they were the first team to have more shots than Limerick in the Kiely era. They did it again at Croke Park two months later. Here, they exceeded Limerick's total by eight shots in normal time. Limerick closed the gap on that metric in extra-time, but Cork still finished with more shots at the target. For Limerick, a team whose potency is built on volume, this was a consequential systems failure. Primary possession had been a debilitating problem for Cork three weeks ago, but that core issue was addressed too. Between short and long puck-outs, Cork secured 53 per cent of their own ball and restricted Limerick to 55 per cent. Limerick managed to score just 1-8 from their restarts, which was exactly the same total as Cork. Parity in the air gave Cork a platform to compete. Cian Lynch was hounded by the outstanding Ciarán Joyce and a posse of lieutenants. Diarmaid Byrnes was tormented by Séamus Harnedy, just as he was in the game 13 months ago. Eventually, the Limerick wing back was taken off. Darragh Fitzgibbon was the most influential player in the middle third. Cork's Shane Barrett fires to the net past Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Kyle Hayes was magnificent in the opening 20 minutes, but by half-time Shane Barrett had scored 1-3 from play on his watch. For the remainder of the evening, Hayes was just like everybody else, chasing a game that nobody could catch. In a game like this, with both teams going at each other like rutting stags, the referee was bound to be part of the story. During the first half, both managers became increasingly wound up by Thomas Walsh's refusal to penalise obvious fouls. Limerick are usually sanguine about matches where the physical contact is unregulated and Cork clearly came to the Gaelic Grounds with combat on their minds. Walsh granted permission for illegal contact all over the field and both teams went for it. In these situations, everyone loves the spectacle until they're gasping for a free and there's an unpenalised foul in front of the goal for an offence that had also gone unpenalised in the middle of the field. When Walsh left the field with cramp in extra-time, his replacement James Owens elected to apply some of the rules and the character of the game changed. It turned out that there were laws in the jungle. Limerick will feel like they blew it when they consider the chances missed at the end of normal time. They experienced the same feelings against Cork twice last year: thought they should have won but didn't. For Limerick, there is no future in that.
The Irish Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Kilkenny survive late Galway surge to claim sixth straight Leinster hurling title
THE MORNING after the night before is never as fun. Hurling hit Saturday night fever when 2 Kilkenny bagged their sixth Leinster title in a row after the win over Galway on Sunday 2 TJ Reid starred as Kilkenny held off a late fightback from Galway But The Cats romped to their sixth Bob O'Keeffe Cup in a row in a game that lacked intensity and quality at times, but Derek Lyng's men got the It looked all over when TJ Reid's goal and Paddy Deegan's quickfire point sent them 2-19 to 0-12 ahead with 57 minutes on the clock. But a spirited Galway revival reeled them in again - as a blistering final quarter from the Maroon made a game of it from nothing. read more on gaa Cathal Mannion - who scored 0-10 - caused havoc when he was moved to the edge of the square, and his quick free saw Brian Concannon hit the net. Tiernan Killeen's brilliant cameo yielded 0-2 and a team deft of ideas suddenly had plenty. They fired 1-6 without reply to get back within four - but Mossy Keoghan's lucky second goal at the death sealed it when stopper Darragh Walsh missed Luke Hogan's ball and the Tullaroan man stroked home. Stalwart Reid, 37, showed no signs of stopping with 1-4 to bag his 14th Leinster crown. Most read in GAA Hurling Adrian Mullen and Billy Ryan shone and fired 0-3 each as full-back Huw Lawlor starred all day long to make sure Galway's fightback was in vain. Their impressive rally just came too late, as they failed to score from the play for 25 minutes in the second half as RTE GAA pundits argue over who started halftime row as Cork eventually topple Limerick in Munster epic final But Micheál Donoghue's men were right in the game until Keoghan's first goal on the break. Paddy Deegan's runs up the left flank were causing problems, and his wonderful crossfield ball was fetched by TJ Reid. The stalwart eyeballed the bottom corner and Eanna Murphy wonderfully saved - but Keoghan pounced to lash in the rebound to open up a four-point cushion at the interval. It should have been more, but they racked up eight wides. It was a triple whammy for Galway, as stand-in stopper Murphy was injured by Keoghan in the process and was replaced by third-choice Walsh at the break. Key defender Fintan Burke was marking TJ - and also had to go off when he sustained an injury in the lead-up to the green flag. The Tribes started brilliantly, and exploded from the blocks when Johnny Murphy threw in the ball, and hassled and harried the Cats relentlessly. Skipper Conor Whelan reverted to the half-forward line once more and was tracked by Deegan as they went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead thanks to Kevin Cooney, Cathal Mannion and TJ Brennan. But Kilkenny soon found rhythm, as every long Galway ball was mopped up by the brilliant Lawlor and the Tribe's efficiency started to wander. Lyng's men fired 0-3 on the bounce thanks to some slick forward movement, as John Donnelly fed Keoghan to fire a beauty over the shoulder. John Donnelly fired over thanks to selfless work from TJ Reid and Jordan Molloy followed suit a minute later when Lawlor fetched another high ball and raced forward like a train. But Galway just about stayed afloat in the Kilkenny storm, as Mannion started coming into his own and fired over two rockets from play, the second of which he had no right to score before the killer blow. Deegan's ball was far from simple for Reid to gather, but he composed himself and eyed up his target, before Murphy saved it and Keoghan made no mistake from close range. With Darach Fahy suspended and Murphy injured, Walsh came out to mind the sticks after the restart but his outfield players totally lost their way. Workmanlike Kilkenny could sense it, and thrived on it without even hitting top gear. Aimless ball was gathered by Lawlor and Richie Reid and each failed Galway delivery seemed to result in a Cats score. Mikey Carey, TJ and Billy Ryan turned the screw as Cathal Mannion began to do it all himself for Galway, and planted over a free from his own 45'. But their lack of scoring threat outside their star forward was stark, as Kilkenny kept the board ticking over from all over the pitch. Cian Kenny sparked a flurry of 1-5 without reply that left Galway on life support. Keoghan and Stephen Donnelly turned the screw before Reid's fifth goal of the championship, when Keoghan selflessly played him in and the finish was never in doubt. But Donoghue's men produced a stunning revival out of nowhere, but they should have rallied earlier. The Cats nodded off this time, and the Maroon fired 1-6 without reply as their bench gave them a new lease of life. Killeen injected badly needed pace into their attack, Mannion moved closer to goal and Ronan Glennon started to settle the ship in the middle. Mannion got the ball rolling before Killeen's super double, and Mannion was the man again when he gambled and took a scorable free short. Brian Concannon had his thinking cap on too - and raced towards Hill 16 to fire past a furious Eoin Murphy. Mullen and Mannion swapped screamers to set up a grandstand finish - as the Ahascrahg-Fohenagh man somehow stayed on his feet under the Cusack Stand to fire over the bar with Deegan breathing down his throat. With four in it, and as many minutes to go, the Cats deservedly survived. Lawlor fetched another Whelan ball inside and Billy Ryan finished the move. Luke Hogan fired a similar effort inside at the other end, and Walsh was left red-faced for Keoghan to lash home and that was that, before the brilliant Mullen sealed it. The last four beckons once more, but it remains to be seen if Kilkenny can end their 10-year wait for the big one. GALWAY 1-20 KILKENNY 3-22 GALWAY: E Murphy; P Mannion, Daithí Burke, F Burke; C Fahy, G Lee, TJ Brennan 0-1; S Linnane 0-1, David Burke; J Fleming 0-1, C Mannion 0-10, 7f, T Monaghan 0-2; C Whelan, B Concannon 1-0, K Cooney 0-3. Subs: D Morrissey for F Burke 37mims; D Walsh for Murphy HT, R Glennon for David Burke 44, T Killeen 0-2 for Fleming 54, A Burns for Monaghan 67, KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; M Carey 0-2, R Reid, P Deegan 0-1; C Kenny 0-2, J Molloy 0-1; J Donnelly 0-1, A Mullen 0-4, B Ryan 0-3; S Donnelly 0-2, TJ Reid 1-4, 4f, M Keoghan 2-2. Subs: L Hogan for S Donnelly 59mins; D Blanchfield for Walsh 59, S Murphy for Butler 67, K Doyle for Molloy 71, H Shine for Ryan 73 REFEREE: J Murphy (Limerick)
RTÉ News
31 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Lyng happy to win 'cagey' Leinster final and move into All-Ireland series
Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng urged his side to "drive on" to the All-Ireland semi-finals after securing the Leinster title with a 3-22 to 1-20 victory over Galway in the final at Croke Park. Far from perfect, was the verdict from the Cats boss who felt that the game failed to ignite in the first half, but was pleased with his side's second-half performance. Or at least until Galway staged a comeback, of sorts, as they hit 1-06 unanswered in the final five minutes, before Kilkenny eventually responded and clinched a third goal to secure the victory. I'm delighted," said Lyng, speaking to RTE Sport after the victory. "Particularly in the second half, we worked really hard and upped it a lot. It was probably a cagey first half, but overall, really pleased. "The panel have put in a huge effort. Our ambition at the end of the league was to go and win a Leinster, and now we're into the All-Ireland series, and we know we are going to have to step it up again. "We just about did enough. Obviously, near the end there making life a little bit hard for ourselves, but we tend to do that at times, but that's the sport and our response was quite good as well." Kilkenny move straight into the last-four of the All-Ireland by virtue of winning the provincial crown and they will have to wait and see who they will face for a place in this year's decider. But in the meantime, Lyng feels the hard work will continue and go up a notch as the competition for places builds with a strong panel and others expected to return over the course of the next month. "It wasn't perfect, we know that, but certainly parts of it we were pleased with and now we have to drive on for the next four weeks," said Lyng. "We're doing a huge amount of work the last couple of years but in particular, there's lads coming of age and we have a strong squad, and it's very competitive at the moment and we need to continue it. "Competition drives everything in training, and hopefully we have a few lads back the next day as well. "We have a big month ahead, the competition is there, and once we get over today, that's in the background. "We're looking forward then, and we'll have a competitive few weeks, hopefully." Galway manager Michéal Donoghue had no complaints after watching his side come up short at Headquarters, and will now face a quarter-final encounter against Tipperary or Laois later this month. Donoghue echoed Lyng's appraisal of the opening 35 minutes, calling it cagey, but was essentially disappointed with his side's overall performance. "It was a bit nip and tuck and a bit cagey by both teams," said the Galway manager. "On reflection, we were disappointed with the way we played, and we didn't implement the style we wanted to play. "But you have to give huge credit to Kilkenny, they showed the gap in the experience of where they are as a team right now, and the goal before half time gave them the cushion. And they started well in the second half and pushed it out to 12 points. The lads rallied really well and brough it back to four, but they conceded another 1-01 quickly, and that was game over. They showed the quality and experience that they had and a few of their big players stood up and got a few great scores to push it out again. Donoghue said that he would try to take the positives out of the Kilkenny game and remind the players of their challenge to employ a more imposing style earlier in the game. "Of course, we'll take the positive out of it, but we know the journey we are on and we have to be up for the challenge every single day and try to impose yourself early in the game. "That is something we'll reflect back on and be sorry for, but we'll get back training this week and look forward to two weeks' time."
