All-Ireland club SFC quarter-final
Tír Chonaill Gaels (London) v Corofin (Galway), Ruislip, Sunday, 1.0 (deferred coverage, Irish TV on Sky 191, 6.0) –
The London champions have a feisty history at this stage of the All-Ireland, most famously 24 years ago taking eventual champions Lavey to extra-time but also proving competitive in the years since. The clubs played each other previously six years ago with the Galway side running out comfortable winners, 2-7 to 0-6.
Former Leitrim manager Barney Breen is in charge of the London club who have won two of the last three local championships. It will be their 15th crack at an All-Ireland quarter-final and they still await the first win.
They also have experienced players, including Mark Gottsche, from Galway, who last year became the first London player to win a Footballer of the Month award.
The problem this weekend is that Corofin are increasingly being seen as front runners for the All-Ireland after a barnstorming campaign in Galway and Connacht. They have experience in the likes of Gary Sice and Kieran Fitzgerald and a cutting edge that surprised highly-fancied Mayo champions Ballintubber.
Hard not to see them progress to a possible, box-office semi-final with champions St Vincent’s, who contest this weekend’s Leinster final.
Galway SHC final
Portumna v Gort, Kenny Park, Athenry, Sunday, 1.30 –
After what feels like an eternity, the Galway final takes place. Held up for virtually eight months by Turloughmore’s challenges to their expulsion for fielding an ineligible player, the long-awaited match sees All-Ireland champions Portumna and the 2011 champions Gort.
Portumna have been more disadvantaged than their opponents, who got to play their semi-final a couple of weeks ago but the holders have so much experience with four All-Ireland titles in nine years that having to wait nine weeks since beating Craughwell shouldn’t be a crippling blow.
Gort have quality players if not as high-wattage as serial All Stars, Joe and Ollie Canning and Damien Hayes. Richie Cummins looked like becoming a real presence on the county team a couple of years ago but injury played a role in stalling his intercounty career. Their manager is Matt Murphy, until retirement this year the perennial man in charge of Galway's successful minors and six-time All-Ireland winner.
Portumna mightn’t be at their peak any longer but as last season’s campaign demonstrated they’re practised at making the most of what comes their way and it’s hard to see Gort breaking their duck from four championship meetings against them tomorrow.
