GAA Talk

Ireland regained the Cormac McAnallen Trophy with a 57-53 [97-102 agg] win over Australia in a thrilling second Test at the MCG on Friday 31st October.

Ireland claimed the series by five points on aggregate after taking a one-point lead into the second Test, and it was Benny Coulter, an injury doubt all week, who came good for Seán Boylan’s side with two well-taken goals.

International Rules Second Test: Australia 53-57 Ireland

Ireland were 17 points ahead going into the final quarter, but Drew Petrie grabbed two overs and a great goal in the final nerve-jangling minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

But Coulter punctured Australia’s hopes with ten minutes remaining as he fisted home past the Australian goalkeeper after Sean Burgoyne had given the home side hope with a goal a minute earlier.

Ireland had heroes all over the field, with Graham Canty, named Irish Player of the Series, following up on his great performance at the Subicao Oval last week with another stormer in Melbourne.

Seán Cavanagh, the Ireland captain, scored four overs in another fine display, two of his three-pointers coming in a tepid first quarter.

Ireland laid the foundations for victory in a superb second quarter performance, with Kieran Donaghy and Enda McGinley goals adding to overs from Cavanagh and Paul Finlay.

Australia, as expected, came back at the visitors with typical fury at the start of the second half and David Gallagher conceded his first goal of the series after a horrible scramble in the Irish square saw the ball pop out from a ruck of players and dribble over the line for a fortuitous goal.

Australia were within seven points as the third quarter ended, but Coulter, the Mayobridge hitman, grabbed his seventh international goal after Michael Meehan had stolen possession and chipped the ball to his team-mate, who shot low past Michael Firrito, the Australian goalkeeper.

As if to reassert Ireland’s dominace, Donaghy sent a lovely curling shot straight between the posts to re-establish a 17-point lead and what looked like a certain series win.

However, on a dirty night in Melbourne, the capricious wind turned once more and Australia found they had the adavantage for the final 18 minutes.

An Australian fightback was always expected, and it came like clockwork. Petrie, the giant forward, grabbed two fine overs within three minutes of the restart. Then Burgoyne made it a three-point game when he fired low past Gallagher after Motlop had set him up following a jinking run through the Irish defence.

But Coulter, the man Ireland have looked to for vital goals in the last two series, was not finished, and when Donaghy caused havoc in the Australian square again, he was on hand to apply the finish.

The final 10 minutes was a thrilling affair, with the home side attacking desperately to claw their way back into the game. Petrie caused panic when he found a six-pointer with two minutes remaining.

Despite concerted late pressure, Ireland held on for 57-53 win in another great game that will do more than anything to make sure that the hybrid game remains a fixture on the sporting calendar for years to come.

Australia: M Firrito, R Hayden, N Bock, C Brown; R Crowley, D Petrie, A Selwood; B Harvey, D Wells; M Murphy, J Brennan, D Rodan; M Osborne, S Burgoyne, M Campbell.

Interchange Players: M Boyd, N Foley, J Hunt, L Montagna, D Motlop, S Pendlebury, B Sewell, K Simpson, D Thomas.

Ireland: D Gallagher; A O’Mahony, F Hanley, J Keane; B Cullen, K Reilly, C McKeever; G Canty, C Begley; E McGinley, S Cavanagh, J McMahon; S McDonnell, K Donaghy, L Glynn.

Interchange Players: P Bradley, B Coulter, A Kernan, C Lyng, J McMahon, M Meehan, J Miskella, P Finlay, M McGrath.

Sunday last was a busy day on the club scene with many county finals taking place in both hurling and football codes.

Ballyhale Shamrocks claimed the three-in-row in Kilkenny with a 2-11 to 0-12 win over James Stephens at Nowlan Park on Sunday.

In the Clare SHC, Clonlara claimed a famous win over Newmarket-on-Fergus, winning out 1-12 to 1-9 in atrocious conditions.

In Ulster, Clonoe won the Tyrone SFC title with an extra-time win over Dromore in a stormy encounter. Clonoe edged their rivals on a 0-10 to 0-9 scoreline.

Down in the Premier County, Galtee Rovers claimed their first Tipperary SFC title in 27 years with a 0-7 to 0-5 win over Cahir.

In the Limerick SFC final, reigning champions Ballylanders were dethroned by Dromcollogher/Broadford on a 2-15 to 1-8 scoreline.

In the Carlow SFC final, Barrowside kingpins Eire Og beat Palatine on a 2-9 to 0-11 scoreline, while Castlerea won the Roscommon SFC final after a narrow 0-9 tp 0-8 win over Padraig Pearses.

Elsewhere, Confey won the Kildare SHC title with a 3-13 to 1-15 win over Ardclough, while Carnew Emmets and Gleneely will have to meet again after the pair finished level in the Wicklow SHC final.

Meanwhile, Robert Emmets claimed the London SHC title with a 3-13 to 0-7 win over Sean Tracey.

Munster withstood a strong second-half fightback to defeat Ulster in Saturday afternoon’s M Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling Championship semi-final at a rain-lashed Fermoy venue.

Reigning champions Munster had their hopes boosted from an early juncture in this game as they registered two goals inside the opening 12 minutes.

M Donnelly Inter-provincial Hurling Championship: Munster 2-14 Ulster 1-12

The first came from Eoin Kelly in the third minute when the Waterford man’s poorly-struck ‘65 skidded on the surface and deceived Ulster netminder Ryan McGarry. The second arrived in the 12th minute when good work by Andrew O’Shaughnessy created the opening for Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan to whip a fierce drive to the net.

Those scores pushed Munster 2-0 to 0-3 ahead and they forged further in front before the interval with Kelly and Callanan both helping themselves to points. Yet Ulster kept in touch with Down forward Paul Braniff in superb form from frees and at the midway point there were just those two goals between the sides, 2-5 to 0-5.

In the second-half Munster burst from the blocks to move 2-8 to 0-6 after 40 minutes and the match looked a done deal. But Ulster mounted a powerful rally to throw the game back in the melting point. Antrim duo Aaron Graffin and Neil McGarry both starred in defence while Braniff continued to score freely up front.

After Braniff hit three points, Munster were rocked when Ulster goaled in the 45th minute after Shane McNaughton whipped a loose ball to the net. That left it 2-8 to 1-10 as the tie headed down the stretch.

Yet it was Munster who regained the initiative to close the game out in a formidable fashion. Clare duo Tony Carmody and Brian O’Connell struck two points apiece and with substitute Paul Kelly also impressing, Munster powered ahead on the scoreboard. They ran out five point winners to qualify for next Saturday’s final against Leinster.

Scorers:

Munster: E Kelly 1-5 (1-1 ‘65, 0-4f), S Callanan 1-2, T Carmody, B O’Connell 0-2 each, N Gilligan, C Naughton, P Kelly 0-1 each.

Ulster: P Braniff 0-8 (0-6f, 0-1 ‘65), S McNaughton 1-0, K Stewart, K Hinphey, K McKeegan, P Shields 0-1 each.

MUNSTER: B Cummins (Tipperary); C O’Brien (Tipperary), P Curran (Tipperary), S Hickey (Limerick); B Bugler (Clare), G Quinn (Clare), D Fanning (Tipperary); B O’Connell (Clare), T Kenny (Cork); T Carmody (Clare), S Callanan (Tipperary), C Naughton (Cork); A O’Shaughnessy (Limerick), E Kelly (Waterford), N Gilligan (Clare).

Subs: B O’Connor (Cork) for Gilligan (inj) 25, P Kelly (Tipperary) for Naughton 47, B Corry (Cork) for Callanan 55, D O’Grady (Limerick) for O’Connell 60.

ULSTER: R McGarry (Antrim); A Graffin (Antrim), N McGarry (Antrim), M Kettle (Antrim); G Clarke (Down), L Hinphey (Derry), J Campbell (Antrim); A Savage (Down), K McKeegan (Antrim); K Stewart (Antrim), K Hinphey (Derry), P Braniff (Down); S McNaughton (Antrim), B McGourty (Down), P Shields (Antrim).

Subs: N McManus (Antrim) for Kettle 15, P McCormack (Armagh) for McGourty 36, M Craig (Derry) for McKeegan 48.

Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois)

Munster atoned for last season’s final defeat to Ulster, by making it a double victory over the Northern province in the M Donnelly Interprovincial Football Championship semi-final at Fermoy on Saturday afternoon.

Munster 1-5
Ulster 0-5

In atrocious conditions for football with heavy rain all through, a superb 41st-minute goal by Cork’s Nicholas Murphy proved the difference between the sides.

After Donncha O’Connor handpassed to Murphy in the centre, the midfielder hit a stunning half-volley from 25 yards to the roof of the net. It was a sublime strike that put Munster into a lead that they never relinquished.

The opening half was a tight affair with both teams struggling to adapt to the woeful conditions. The only scores notched in the first quarter were two Tommy Freeman frees for Ulster but Munster did spurn two good goal chances with Patrick Kelly and Thomas O’Gorman both shooting wide.

Munster eventually got off the mark when their best forward Donncha O’Connor pointed and soon after the swung over a beauty from the wing. Brian Mallon put Ulster back in front before an O’Connor free left it 0-3 apiece at the interval.

In the second half Ulster struck first when Eoin Bradley converted a free but then Munster pounced for that wonderful Murphy goal. From there to the end Munster needed their defence to be strong as Ulster attacked strongly. Substitute Stephen O’Neill clipped over a free in the 50th minute yet Munster remained composed to add the insurance scores.

Daniel Goulding scored a free in the 52nd minute and his Cork teammate O’Connor crowned a fine display with a free in the 60th minute to nudge his team three points in front.

Yet Munster did need to survive one late scare to overcome Joe Kernan’s Ulster men. A long ball into the Munster goal spilled out of the defence’s grasp and after a frantic scramble it took Murphy to boot off the line and clear the danger, ensuring Munster’s place in next week’s final.

Scorers:
Munster: D O’Connor 0-4 (0-3f), N Murphy 1-0, D Goulding 0-1 (0-1f).
Ulster: T Freeman 0-2 (0-2f), B Mallon, E Bradley (0-1f), S O’Neill (0-1f) 0-1 each.

MUNSTER: P Fitzgerald (Tipperary); D Duggan (Cork), J McCarthy (Limerick), P Reidy (Kerry); T Ó’Sé (Kerry), S Lavin (Limerick), T O’Gorman (Waterford); J Galvin (Limerick), N Murphy (Cork); P Kelly (Cork), D O’Connor (Cork), M O’Gorman (Waterford); D Goulding (Cork), M Cussen (Cork), I Ryan (Limerick). Subs: A O’Connor (Cork) for Kelly 38, L O’Líonáin (Waterford) for M O’Gorman 55, M Crowley (Limerick) for Ryan 60.

ULSTER: J Devine (Tyrone); F Moriarty (Armagh), V Corey (Monaghan), K Lacey (Donegal); D Harte (Tyrone), C Gormley (Tyrone), A Carr (Down); D Clerkin (Monaghan), R Kavanagh (Donegal); B Dooher (Tyrone), B Mallon (Armagh), D Hughes (Monaghan); S Johnston (Cavan), E Bradley (Derry), T Freeman (Monaghan). Subs: K Toner (Armagh) for Johnston 35, S O’Neill (Tyrone) for Bradley 47, E Lennon (Monaghan) for Carr 47, R Flanagan (Cavan) for Hughes 49, R Woods (Monaghan) for Kavanagh 54.

Referee: Syl Doyle (Wexford).

IRELAND 45 AUSTRALIA 44

Ireland will take a narrow lead into the second Test in Melbourne after Australia mounted a late comeback to come with in a point of Sean Boylan’s side in a nerve-wracking encounter in Perth on Friday. In a game that they dominated for first three quarters, Ireland let it slip away in the last period and may regret this lapse in the second test on Friday next.

Ireland’s aggregate 45-44 lead has set up a potential thriller for the second Test next week, with the Australians showing they are capable of adapting well to the new rules and the round ball.

Ireland had a substantial 17-point lead going in to the last 15 minutes but conceded five overs without reply to let the advantage slip between their fingers.

Crucially, the game was played in a fantastic spirit and the roughhouse tactics and violence that marred previous series was all but absent in a match that will do more than anything to secure the future of the hybrid game.

Ireland captain Sean Cavanagh opted to play with the breeze in the first half and it proved a wise move as the weather played a significant part on the day.

Cavanagh and Kieran Donaghy were the star men for Ireland, the duo combining for a sublime goal in the third quarter.

Leighton Glynn and Steven McDonnell scored Ireland’s two other goals, while Australia had brilliant maksmen in Marc Murphy and Scott Thompson, who scored three overs apiece to keep Mick Malthouse’s men in the game.

Ireland led 9-1 after the first quarter, but were lucky as Matt Campbell missed an early penalty after John Keane had fouled in the area.

Campbell’s penalty was poorly struck and David Gallagher saved smartly low to his right to give Ireland an early boost. Gallagher, who was plucked from obscurity by manager Sean Boylan, played brilliantly throughout and twice denied the home side later in the game with some fine saves.

Ireland failed to concede a goal in four quarters of gripping football, something that will please Boylan going into the second Test.

Cavanagh fired the only over of the first quarter after seven minutes as the home side struggledto get to grips with the round ball. Their shooting was particularly wayward in the first 18 minutes, but improved greatly when they had the breeze at their backs.

Campbell atoned somewhat for his earlier miss when he struck for the first three-pointer of the second quarter before Paddy Bradley hit back for the visitors with a fine over from his hands.

Wicklow man Glynn then snaffled the first goal of the game after Joe McMahon had played him in on goal with a clever long delivery.

But Australia then hit back with a stunning five-minute burst just before the break to eat into Ireland’s substantial lead.

Campbell and Murphy – after Gallagher had saved brilliantly - fired overs before Thompson found his range with the two best scores of the game to leave the sides level at the interval.

But with the wind behind them, Ireland hit back with ferocity, Donaghy grabbing a huge mark on the edge of the square before splitting the posts as the Kerry native’s considerable influence became more apparent.

Donaghy then produced a sublime piece of skill as he chipped the ball into Cavanagh’s hands just inside the square and the Footballer of the Year rifled the ball to the back of the net past the hapless Australian goalkeeper, Nathan Block.

Cavanagh and Wexford man Ciaran Lyng nudged Ireland further ahead with well-worked overs, with Brent Harvey, the Australia captain, reducing the gap with his first three-pointer of the game.

Australia were rocked on their heels just before the break when Ireland struck for a second goal, Benny Coulter taking the ball to the endline and pulling the ball back soccer-style to Steven McDonnell, who evaded a tackler and with the referee waving play on to indicate advantage was being played, poked the ball home for six points.

Murphy, the Australia dangerman, did hit back with an over just before the hooter sounded, but Ireland went into the fourth quarter with a comfortable 41-28 lead.

It looked ominous for Australia immediately after the restart as Cavanagh set up the effervescent Glynn for another well-worked over.

However, the Australians hit back with a superb late burst to rescue the game from the fire as Murphy and Leigh Montagna chipped in with further scores.

Trailing by seven points with six minutes left on the clock, Murphy and David Rodan struck for overs as the clock counted down.

Ireland had a late goal chance, but as Paddy Bradley raced through on goal and looked to grab six more points, Dale Rodan put in a late tackle to deny the Derry man.

Australia: Nathan Bock; Michael Firrito, Brad Sewell, Campbell Brown; Ryan Crowley, Drew Petrie, Adam Selwood; Brent Harvey (capt), Scott Thompson; Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Motlop, David Rodan; Michael Osborne, Shaun Burgoyne, Matt Campbell.

Interchange players: Matthew Boyd, Jared Brennan, Nathan Foley, Roger Hayden, Leigh Montagna, Marc Murphy, Max Rooke, Kade Simpson, Dale Thomas, Daniel Wells.

Ireland: David Gallagher; Aidan O’Mahony, Finian Hanley, John Keane; Bryan Cullen, Kevin Reilly, Ciarán McKeever; Graham Canty, Colm Begley; Enda McGinley, Seán Cavanagh (capt), Joe McMahon; Steven McDonnell; Kieran Donaghy, Benny Coulter.

Interchange Players: Aaron Kernan, Tom Parsons, Michael Meehan, John Miskella, Pearse O’Neill, Paddy Bradley, Justin McMahon, Leighton Glynn, Ciarán Lyng.

Tomorrow morning, Irish time, the charade that poses as The International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia starts in Perth. The First Test is from past experience more about the Irish amateur stars staying alive on the pitch rather than playing a bastardized version of both countries national game.
What benefit actually accrues to the GAA from this mindless games?
They were okay 25 years ago when a foreign trip of such a distance was a perk. Those were the years that if you went to Australia, you never came back, so the attraction of the GAA actually paying for your return flights was indeed a privilege.
Worldly wise and travel weary players of today are not enchanted by such an enticement any more.
Why travel 12,000 miles to get the shit kicked out you by a bunch of swaggering alpha-male Australian assholes? Why not hop down to Spain or Portugal after a long hard season, play some golf, drink some beer and chat-up the women! (Not you Nicky Brennan! You are married and a Pioneer for Gods sake!)
Tomorrow, as soon as the Aussie thugs throw the first punch, the Irish lads should just down tools and head for the nearest beach and shag a few shielas just annoy those chest-thumping Tarzans!
A far better way to represent Ireland in Kangarooland!

All-Ireland club champions St Vincent’s were sensationally dethroned by Kilmacud Crokes in the semi-final of the Dublin SFC at Parnell Park on Sunday.

Mark Vaughan scored 0-9 [0-1 from play] to lead Crokes to a surprise 2-11 to 1-7 win which will see them face St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Rua in Thursday’s final.

Crossmaglen were crowned Armagh county champions again after beating Pearse Óg 0-13 to 0-8 at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday.

Rangers claimed their 37th county title and their 13th in a row - an astonishing achievement in modern times - with former inter-county star Oisin McConville hitting six points and current star Aaron Kernan adding five more.

In Kildare, Celbridge and Sarsfields must play again after a dour 0-7 to 0-7 draw at St Conleith’s Park on Sunday.

Celbridge will feel aggrieved after they were denied an injury time free that would surely have given them the win.

But Celbridge, who were appearing in their first ever final under manager Barney Rock, also had a late chance through Conor Duffy to grab the winning point, but the forward fired straight into the goalkeeper’s hands when he should have scored.

Seanie Johnson was the hero for Cavan Gaels as the county kingpins destroyed Denn on a 0-15 to 0-7 scoreline in the Cavan SFC final at Kingspan/Breffni Park on Sunday.

Johnson scored 0-7 [0-3f] as Gales secured their fifth title in the last six years.

On Barrowside, Eire Óg and Palatine will have to do it all again after the pair finished level on 1-10 apiece in the Carlow SFC final Cr Cullen Park on Sunday.

Eire Óg lost goalkeeper Robert Moore to a red card on 41 minutes, but late points from Christy Bolger and Alan Curran saw them secure a late draw.

In the Laois SFC final, Portlaoise claimed their quarter century of county titles with a comprehensive 2-14 to 1-7 win over Timahoe at O’Moore Park.

Peter McNulty scored the all-important goal for the champions on 44 minutes.

Out west, Ballaghadereen won the Mayo SFC final with a 0-13 to 1-6 win over Charlestown at McHale Park on Sunday.

Having built a 10-point advantage, Ballaghadereen failed to score for the last 30 minutes, but they held on to win by four points in the end.

In the Clare SFC final, Kilmurry-Ibrickane retained their unbeaten status in senior football this year with a 0-11 to 0-5 win over Liscannor on Sunday.
In London, Tir Chonaill Gaels clinched their second title in a row with a 0-7 to 0-6 win over great rivals Neasden.

In the Tipperary SHC final, a fantastic individual display from Eoin Brislane secured a 21st county title for Toomevara, who beat Thurles Sarsfields on a 2-14 to 0-17 scoreline.

Brislane scored 1-5 in a virtuoso display, while Terry Dunne, the Toomevara midfielder, picked up an 11th county medal with the Tipperary kingpins.

Justin McCarthy, the new Limerick manager, was an interested spectator at the Gaelic Grounds as Adare beat Ahane 0-13 to 0-8 to claim the Limerick SHC title.

Adare claimed their second back-to-back title of the decade thanks, in the main, to Conor Fitzgerald, who hit 0-7 for the champions.

In Kerry, Anthony Daly guided Kilmoyley to a 2-18 to 0-8 win over Causeway in the SHC final, while in Meath, Kilmessan and Kildalkey played out a 1-7 to 1-7draw.

Out west, Calry were crowned Sligo SHC champions after a 4-11 to 1-8 win over Western Gaels.

Pat O’Shea has resigned from his position as Kerry football manager, citing family reasons for his decision.
What nonsense! It proves that perhaps Paudi O’Shea was right when in 2002 he described the Kerry supporters as “animals”, so hard was it to please them.

Pat O’ Shea didn’t resign - he was kicked out for the crime of having lost to Tyrone in the 2008 All-Ireland final. In his first year in charge, he won the 2007 title. What do they want from their managers down in the Kingdom?

The Kerry county board confirmed his departure on Thursday evening following prolonged speculation over his future in the weeks since the All-Ireland defeat to Tyrone.

The Killarney native was in charge for two years in the Kingdom, landing the Sam Maguire trophy in his first year in charge before the 2008 season ended in disappointment.

The Kerry PR machine dressed the news up as nicely as it could but they were fooling nobody.
A statement released by the Kerry county board read: “Mr. Pat O’Shea has decided to step down as Manager of The Kerry Senior Football team due to work commitments and for family reasons.

“Pat wishes to express his thanks to his management team, the players, the County Committee and the Kerry supporters.”

O’Shea was thanked for his ‘tremendous work’ over the past two years by Kerry county board chairman Jerome Conway.

Conway added that he regretted the decision, but fully appreciated the reasons why he had opted to step aside.

The Kerry county board is to set in motion the appointment of a new manager in the coming weeks.
Wouldn’t it remind you of the top echelons of the English Premiership? Unless there is silverware, you’re gone!
Sad, very sad. Paudi was right!

Seven of Tyrone’s All-Ireland champions were honoured on Wednesday when they were named on the 2008 Vodafone GAA Football All Stars side.

Conor Gormley, Justin McMahon, Davy Harte, Philip Jordan, Enda McGinley, Brian Dooher and Footballer of the Year favourite Sean Cavanagh all made this year’s selection as Mickey Harte’s side followed up their Sam Maguire crown by dominating the All-Star team.

Four men from beaten finalists Kerry made the side with Tomas O Se, Declan O’Sullivan, Kieran Donaghy and Colm Cooper getting the nod, while Armagh, Dublin and Westmeath were all also represented.

Despite The Lake County’s elimination in the second round of the qualifiers, they have two representatives on the team with Gary Connaghton selected as goalkeeper and John Keane also included.Controversy is likely to swirl around the inclusion of the two Westmeath players whose representation is out of all proportion to the achievements of their county. There will undoubtedly be anger in Kerry, Tyrone and Wexford plus other counties at their inclusion.

Dublin midfielder Shane Ryan and Armagh forward Ronan Clarke make up the XV.

The All Star winners will be presented with their awards this Friday night at the gala banquet at Dublin’s City West Hotel, where the Hurling All Stars will be announced.

Kerry front man Cooper picks up his fifth All Star meaning he has more than any other player in the team, and at the age of 25 there are likely to be several more to follow.

Cavanagh, who faces competition for the Footballer of the year gong from Cooper and Dooher with the decision coming at Friday’s ceremony, joins O Se in collecting a fourth award, while Dooher, Gormley and Jordan will all take possession of their third.

Connaughton, McMahon, Harte, McGinley and Ryan will all be receiving their maiden All Stars.

Vodafone GAA Football All Stars for 2008:

Goalkeeper
1 Gary Connaughton (Westmeath)

Full Backs
2 Conor Gormley (Tyrone) All Star ‘03, ‘05
3 Justin McMahon (Tyrone)
4 John Keane (Westmeath) All Star ‘04

Half Backs
5 Davy Harte (Tyrone)
6 Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry) All Star ‘04, ‘05. ‘07
7 Philip Jordan (Tyrone) All Star ‘03, ‘05

Midfield
8 Enda McGinley (Tyrone)
9 Shane Ryan (Dublin)

Half Forwards
10 Brian Dooher (Tyrone) All Star ‘03, ‘05
11 Declan O’Sullivan (Kerry) All Star ‘07
12 Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone) All Star ‘03, ‘04, ‘05

Full Forwards
13 Colm Cooper (Kerry) All Star ‘02, ‘04, ‘05, ‘07
14 Kieran Donaghy (Kerry) All Star ‘06
15 Ronan Clarke (Armagh) All Star ‘06

S

It was a bumper weekend of club action around the country with no fewer than seven county titles down for decision - five in football and two in hurling.

In football, Castledaly secured their first ever Westmeath senior football title on Sunday when they got the better of Garrycastle at Mullingar.

The club from just outside Moate had tasted defeat in the 2002, ‘04 and ‘06 deciders but yesterday’s two-point win more than makes up for those heartbreaking losses.

In neigbouring Meath, Navan O’Mahony’s, finally landed the Keegan Cup in their third successive final appearance.

Navan O’Mahony’s went into the game against Summerhill as favourites and justified the tag by winning on a 2-12 to 0-7 scoreline.

Just up the road in Monaghan, Latton were crowned champions for the first time since 2005 having four points to spare over Carrickmacross in an entertaining final at Clones.

Over in the west Padraig Pearses and Castlerea St Kevin’s must do it all again in the Roscommon decider after they finished all-square in a pulsating senior football final.

Padraig Pearses looked like taking their first ever title but Nigel Dineen’s injury-time equaliser handed Castlerea another chance.

In the Wicklow senior football replay, Kiltegan ended a 22-year wait for a senior crown when they beat St Patrick’s by a solitary point at Aughrim.

In hurling, Birr maintained their grip on the club scene in Offaly by beating a brave Kinnitty side at Tullamore on a 1-15 to 0-15 scoreline.

Meanwhile, in Laois, a dramatic last-gasp free from Alan Delaney denied Portlaoise the hurling honours and ensured Rathdowney-Errill won their second title since the club was formed in 2005.

In Ulster, Ballygalget will play Cushendall in the senior hurling championship final after they beat Keady 4-13 to 0-12 at Casement Park on Sunday.

The other semi-final saw Cushendall advance after they beat Kevin Lynch’s 3-11 to 2-8 at the same venue.

Elsewhere, Ballyhale Shamrocks and James Stephens will contest the Kilkenny senior hurling final after they overcame Carrickshock and O’Loughlin Gaels respectively at Nowlan Park on Sunday.

In Tipperary, Thurles Sarsfields advanced to their first senior hurling final since 2005 with a dramatic extra-time win over a dogged Clonoulty-Rossmore at Semple Stadium - Toomevara await the Blues in the final.

Finally, All-Ireland hurling champions Portumna had too much power for Liam Mellows in the Galway senior hurling semi-final running out comfortable 12-point winners - Loughrea and Gort meet next Sunday in the other semi-final.