There’s just over three weeks to go to Christmas but, despite this, there’s a welter of provincial club action on this weekend. Here’s a quick look at what’s on and when.
Starting with women’s football, Castlebar Mitchels take on Roscommon champions St Dominic’s in the LGFA Connacht Intermediate Championship semi-final. That game takes place at Josie Munnelly Park, Castlebar, tomorrow where throw-in is 1pm.
Also at 1pm tomorrow but this time over in London, the Tooreen hurlers have their second outing in this year’s Connacht Intermediate hurling Championship. Their opponents in this Connacht IHC semi-final are London champions Robert Emmet’s and the match takes place tomorrow at McGovern Park in Ruislip. Tickets for this game are already fully sold out.
An hour later, Tooreen’s sister club, Na Brídeoga, join the fray. They’re contesting the final of the Connacht Rose Nixon Cup and they’re away to Galway club Abbeyknockmoy in the decider which throws in at 2pm.
On Sunday, the focus switches to men’s football, with two of this year’s county champions in provincial semi-final action then.
Recently crowned Junior champions Kilmeena face Galway’s Athenry in the Connacht JFC semi-final. That match is being played the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. Throw-in is 1.30pm on Sunday. Tickets are available to purchase for this game here.
1.30pm on Sunday is also when the Connacht SFC semi-final between Knockmore and Tourlestrane of Sligo gets underway. That game – like the recent county final – is fixed for James Stephens Park in Ballina. Tickets are available to purchase for it here and Connacht GAA are also streaming it (€10 PPV) – details on that here.
The very best of luck to all the Mayo teams in provincial Championship action this weekend.
Just a question regarding the kilmeena game tomorrow, is the game actually taking place in the dome or outside? I saw on a Twitter message that the match is not in the dome. I could not find any info on the Connaught Gaa website. Thanks.
The Kilmeena game must be outdoors as the dome is set up for the Mayo Convention tomorrow
I think that’s right, Joe – unless the Convention delegates are going to tog too! I see Kilmeena have tweeted to say it’s not in the dome. The day is promised okay, if a touch on the cool side, so outdoors in Bekan should be a fine location for the game. I’ve amended the piece accordingly.
Cheers lads. If that’s the case I’ll stick with knockmore match in Ballina. I was interested in seeing an indoor game but I’m sure there will be more opportunities. Huge fan of your website Willie Joe for many many years now. I would be lost with out it. My first stop for all mayo gaa info. Big thanks for all your efforts.
https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2021/1204/1264848-kerry-gaa-centre-of-excellence/
The new 8 million Kerry Centre of Excellence would make your blood boil on what the Mayo County Board have done with the money in this County the last 15 years and put us into massive debt and we still have no proper Inter County training facilities.
@willie Joe
If you don’t mind sharing, what’s your own personal opinion on the recent price rises for the GAA season tickets?
Just as a matter of interest, why is it that current County and Connacht Board members are intending to be elected for the positions available?
Can any person be nominated for any position, ie that’s not presently on the board ?
I’ve no strong opinion on it, Larry Duff. The issue for everyone who is a season ticket holder is whether or not they’re happy to renew their ticket for 2022 in light of the increased cost. All I can say is that I’ll be renewing mine, though I accept that others may do differently. That’s about it, really.
Knockmore not having it easy here
Tourlestrane are a team that have under achieved in Connacht, they have dominated Sligo for 6 years. I am not surprised that they are putting it up to Knockmore but they have failed in the past to close out games, big test for both teams.
Close call for Knockmore against Tourlestrane but they made it through in the end by 0-10 to 0-8. Kilmeena had it all their own way, by contrast, beating Athenry by 1-14 to 0-7.
That’s a good result for knockmore having trailed by 6 points to 3 at half time.
Seemed like they were well on top 2nd half, winning it by 7 point to 2 or at least that’s what the score would suggest.
As for Kilmeena that was a brilliant win against the Galway champions…
Knockmore won out in the end as Tourlestrane played their usual game of 15 men inside the 45 once they got a lead, and couldn’t break out. Colm Reape played a lot of the 2nd half around half way with nobody behind him. Tourlestrane have played like that in here in Sligo for years and the standard of club football in the county is not good enough to break them down. If they had enough adventure to push on when they get a lead they might achieve more.
A good test for Knockmore, their main men stood up again, King & McLoughlin were excellent.
Was Tom Flynn playing for Athenry today. And if so who was marking him. Cheers.
Athenry weren’t galway champions, only made quarter final. Moycullens b team won it, in fact all four semi finalists were b teams. And b teams not allowed compete outside of county.
Was anyone at the Knockmore v Tourlestrane game…just wondering what the attendance was like?
I was there John. Much smaller attendance than the county final. I’d guess between 1500 and 2000.
The game actually went along similar lines to the county final too, with Knockmore up against a very defensive side. A deserved win in the end. Kevin McLoughlin man of the match with the usual suspects playing well – King, Dempsey and Pearse Ruttledge.
“As for Kilmeena that was a brilliant win against the Galway champions.”
Athenry didn’t win junior in Galway. In fact they didn’t even get to the semi finals in Galway. The 4 semi-finalists were all 2nd teams of senior clubs so Athenry played Renvyle to decide who would represent Galway. All a bit random.
Agreed Young Fella, if Tourlestrane were braver, they might have had more success in Connacht, their teams is getting older now, this may have been their last real shot for a crack at the connacht title. Good test for Knockmore, I would not rule out Padraig Pearses from Roscommon getting to a Connacht final.
Wouldn’t agree with your opinion there young fella. Both teams dropped deep when ahead. I think the main reason Tourlestrane lost was they didn’t take the 2 goal chances in the third quarter.