Here’s a quick review of the provincial club Championship action that was on this weekend. The short version – three matches, three wins for teams from the county.
Let’s start with the hurling.
Tooreen were in Connacht IHC action this afternoon at Athleague where they met London’s Robert Emmet’s to battle it out for a place in the provincial final. Quite the battle it proved to be too, one that went to extra-time after which Tooreen emerged as victors.
The final score today at Athleague, where it finished 0-30 to 1-23 in favour of the Mayo lads, was a noteworthy one. According to @GAA_Stats, the number of white flags raised in that match today, 53, equals the record for scores in a provincial club game, in either code and at any level. Lovely hurling, for sure.
Onto the football where today Ballintubber got the better of Leitrim’s Glencar Manorhamilton at MacHale Park. They won this Connacht SFC quarter-final tie by 1-11 to 0-9 and now go on to face Corofin next weekend. The Galway lads got the better of Tuam Stars at the second attempt in today’s replayed Galway final.
Conditions weren’t great for football today. I was in the rain-sodden county myself over the weekend – where, I have to admit, football was far from my mind – and I passed close to MacHale Park around half-time in the match there. The afternoon was a bleak enough one then.
It wasn’t surprising to learn that this was an error-strewn game. Ballintubber only led by a point at the break but an Alan Plunkett goal soon after the restart sent them on their way. Match report from the Irish Times is here.
The weather was considerably worse yesterday and you’d have been reluctant to show the proverbial dog the door such was the volume of rain falling when Kilmaine took on Glenamaddy in yesterday’s Connacht JFC quarter-final at Tuam Stadium.
Despite the poor conditions, though, this one proved to be a high scoring encounter. Kilmaine bagged three first half goals and they never really looked like getting caught from there, going in at the break ten points up. The Galway team made a determined fightback in the second half, though, with Kilmaine eventually holding out for a three-point win. It finished 4-8 to 2-11. Match report on that one from Connacht GAA is here.
Was at senior quarter final yesterday in Mchale park..pitch very poor and conditions terrible
Referring was absolutely terrible for a d game of that importance,not good enough..
And charging 20 euros to get in …..a downright disgrace
I was at the hurling in Athleague and it was the best game I’ve seen all year. Score for score. Extra time. Red cards. Comebacks. Last minute points. Top class players. Good referee. 53 points ( a record in the competition). I paid E15 to get in but got E50 of entertainment. While Athleague has its limitations, it’s still a nice ground and is very hurling friendly. Well done to Connacht GAA for letting London clubs into Connacht competitions. The new clubs bring great variation to the competition.
That’s great to hear, Sam – nothing like getting extra value for money at matches this time of year. You might be interested in this photo gallery from yesterday’s match – here. Some great action shots in it.
Totally agree Sam, it was a magnificent game of hurling. Robert Emmets’ team is made up of players from Antrim, Dublin and Cork so they had fine hurlers, especially No 15 who played havoc early on. Tooreen were like England on Saturday, nothing was going right for them, 7 pts down and then down to 14 men early in the 2nd half. But great credit to them for hanging in there and Fergal Boland got the equaliser with the last puck. Their fitness told in extra time. But a wonderful display of hurling from both sides. Tooreen play Kinvara weekend after next, again in Athleague, Kinvara will be favourites but Tooreen will fancy it.
Thanks Sam and Puckout. Great to hear.
Any idea on when the competition starts and what the under 20 team will be like next year?Thanks
For info, details of next weekend’s provincial club championship semi-final ties have been confirmed by Connacht GAA – details here.
On Saturday The Neale play Geevagh (Sligo) at Markievicz Park in the IFC while Kilmaine play Ballinameen (Roscommon) at MacHale Park in the JFC. On Sunday Ballintubber play Corofin at Tuam Stadium in the SFC. All matches throw in at 2pm.
@Itsonly68,
U 20 starts Mid-Feb, finishes before end of March. Straight knock-out. We play Galway 1st game.
Would make a fitting replacement for the Club finals on St. Patrick’s Day.
Williiemac,
Five weeks or so seems very tight for an ‘All Ireland competition to finish by St Patrick’s Day which is the most for a competition beginning “mid Feb”.
@Andy D,
I don’t mean for this year, if its only starting in mid-February, but going forward, if the Club Championship is going to be finished in a calender year then the U21 finals would be a good replacement. Just means starting early February. I think it’s always been a 6 week competition.
All – several of you have tried to post comments today on the ongoing row.
It was never my desire that the the comments section on the blog should be used to provide an outlet for ongoing observations on the row as it’s developed. Instead, it’s been my aim all along to keep well away from what’s been happening. The two pieces I did write relating to the issue were by way of background, with the aim of providing what I felt was helpful context.
Events in the comments over the last week or two have convinced me that my gut instinct was, indeed, correct and that the less said here on the blog about the issue, the better. So, just to clarify, I’m not allowing any further comments, from whatever standpoint, on this issue to be posted on the blog. I’d request everyone to abide by this, as any such comments will go straight to the bin.
I don’t propose to say anything further on the matter for now and pre-moderation of comments will remain in place until further notice. It remains my hope that this issue can be resolved and that the focus of debate switches back to what happens on the field. From now on, that’s what I see as the blog’s sole focus.
Thanks williemac whod be favourites to win that?between mayo and galway
Is corofin Ballintubber game on TG4.
Hopefully Mayo
@itsonly68 you asked how the u20 team next year will be like. Most of below will be involved.
GK Jamie McNicholas Kiltimagh
Defenders Basil McLeod Louisburgh
Rory Brickendon Westport
Jackie Coyne Ballyhaunis
Oisin Mullin Kilmaine
Aaron McDonnell Ballintuuber (or Parke I get mixed up)
Emmett Rowley Westport
Midfielders
Cillian Golding Balla
Jackie McLoughlin Parke
Padraig McLoughlin Charlestown
Forwards
Ciaran Gavin Ballintubbers
John Gallagher Mayo Gaels
Paul Towey Charlestown
Enda Hession Garrymore
Kuba Callaghan Ballaghadereen
Adam Barrett Kilmaine
Pat Lambert Westport
Mark Moran Westport
Yes James hopefully mayo haha!not really sure of what players would be playing i hope that ciaran gavin is eligible really promising player when the midwest commentator said he reminds him of ciaran mcdonald the way he shoots i couldnt but smile!
Plenty of talent within mayo oisin mullin and kuba callaghan are 2 i feel can step up in the next year or 2 paddy goldrick is another nice footballer
Opinions?
Anyone else i haven’t came across
If Adam Barrett gets stronger he is the best young forward of all of them. He has skills you can’t coach. He sees things others can’t think of during a game. He’s an excellent shooter. Was motm or close to it in most Kilmaine games.
What age is adam barret JP?
Adam Barrett is final year u20 next year.
Aaron mcdonnell is ballinrobe.
ballintubber c.fin is not live on tg4 , is deferred
Congratulations to Lee Keegan on his recent wedding. Kevin McLoughlin, Kevin Keane and Lee’s brother Philip were groomsmen.
Just to advise the season ticket renew option is now available on the new fancy site, it was not available earlier today.