Provincial club final previews

Compiled by SEAN MORAN 

Leinster SHC Final

O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) v Oulart-the-Ballagh (Wexford), Dr Cullen Park, 2.0

O’Loughlin Gaels aim to maintain Kilkenny’s vice-like grip on the AIB Leinster championship by becoming the seventh winners in eight years, a sequence they started back in 2003. Whereas they don’t rate on the same scale as their immediate predecessors Ballyhale, winners of two recent All-Irelands, O’Loughlin’s can be serious contenders should they survive this – the landscape of the championship having shifted with the elimination of Portumna as well as Ballyhale, who between them have won the last five All-Irelands.

The Kilkenny side are hard working and looked unflappable against Ballyboden in the semi-final when they overcame a poor start and survived the late smash-and-grab raid by Paul Ryan.

Oulart had an unexpectedly hard time in their semi-final between the fog and Raharney’s resilience. It’s rumoured Darren Stamp may pick up Martin Comerford, whose efforts around the forward lines need to be curbed but the Wexford side have most ground to make up in attack. There is undisputed quality in the club’s line-up of Rory Jacob, Nicky Kirwan, Stephen Doyle and Des Mythen assuming he makes an appearance but they aren’t a big unit and at this time of the year conditions will militate against their top-of-the-ground instincts.

Having run Ballyhale so close 12 months ago the Wexford side are favourites but they have yet to hit top form this year and O’Loughlin’s could capitalise.

Munster SHC Final

De La Salle (Waterford) v Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary), Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.0

Tipperary’s great year adds the fuel of expectation on Sarsfields tomorrow in Cork but the club is inexperienced at this level, its long title hiatus in the county having largely coincided with the lifespan of the club championships. Facing into their first provincial final, the side, studded with intercounty stars, has been working to overcome a reputation for flakiness.

Although travelling to the opposition’s ground and recording a five-point win is a solid achievement, Sarsfields nearly came unstuck against Kilmallock – Graeme Mulcahy hitting a point off the bar when going for the net only for Lar Corbett to get a goal at the other end to turn the match.

They are up against dangerous opposition. De La Salle may be available at 9 to 4 but they won this championship just two years ago and it’s only a fortnight since they beat Sarsfields (of Cork) at the same venue after extra time.

De La Salle’s platform is built from the back where their half-backs, Bryan Phelan, Kevin Moran and Stephen Daniels, have been exceptional. Moran’s likely clash with Sarsfields’ promising centre-forward Denis Maher is a potential highlight. John Mullane was quiet in the semi-final and may be expected to bounce back this weekend but against a quality defence he’ll need to be on form. Sarsfields to deliver a long-awaited title but not by much.

Ulster SFC Final

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v Naomh Conall (Donegal), Clones, 2.0

It’s 14 years since Crossmaglen first emerged from Ulster to initiate one of club football’s most dominant sequences. Seven Ulster titles and four All-Irelands later the south Armagh club are back in the provincial final having suffered a seismic setback in the county last season. Easy to forget Cross’ have churned over plenty of personnel in the meantime and no longer conform to the impregnable template of high-pressure movement and physically huge players dotted around the front eight. There are a number of survivors from the good times with Oisín McConville continuing to combine guile and dead-ball acumen.

Naomh Conall are surprise finalists given Donegal’s bare record in the club championship. They have good forwards and Leo McCloone is in dazzling form. They have also travelled a hard road through awkward opponents in Kingscourt, Clontibret and Tyrone champions Coalisland. But Crossmaglen have thrived in better-quality contests and if they can repeat the first-half blitzes that broke All-Ireland champions St Gall’s and a formidable Burren side it’s unlikely the inexperienced Glenties’ team can conjure a response.