GAELIC GAMES CLUB NEWS:THE AIB provincial club championship moves out of first gear this weekend with three Ulster football quarter-finals down for decision, none more appetising than Crossmaglen, four times All-Ireland champions, against St Gall's, the reigning All-Ireland champions.
Crossmaglen’s hopes of getting past their old rivals will improve if, as expected, former Armagh All-Ireland winner John McEntee comes out of retirement to help their cause.
McEntee announced his retirement last year but has been training in recent weeks with Crossmaglen, who are managed by his twin brother, Tony.
McEntee was part of the Crossmaglen team that won 13 county titles in a row from 1996 to 2008, and having regained the title this year, would obviously bring considerable experience to their cause – particularly as young forward Jamie Clarke will be suspended until the provincial final, if Crossmaglen make it that far.
Clarke made a name for himself for Armagh this summer but was sent off in the county semi-final against Cullyhanna in September, and having already seen red in an under-21 club tournament, had his four-week suspension doubled. The judgment was appealed at both county and provincial level but the original judgment was upheld.
Cork’s Nemo Rangers have slipped ahead of their rivals as the favourites to win the All-Ireland football club title outright, following their eighth county title win in 11 years on Sunday. It was a little closer than expected, but Nemo emerged winners over St Finbarr’s, 2-10 to 1-8. Nemo aren’t out in the Munster championship until November 21st, where they’ll meet the winners of Kerry champions Dr Crokes against Monaleen of Limerick, with that game taking place on Sunday week.
Nemo have been cut from 13/2 to 5/1 for All-Ireland success, while both St Gall’s and Dr Crokes drifted from 5/1 to 11/2.
St Gall’s have also drifted to 7/4 for the Ulster title, while St Brigid’s of Roscommon are now 8/11 firm favourites to claim the Connacht crown. In Leinster, Kilmacud Crokes are 7/4 to be named champions, while Portlaoise are the 9/4 second favourites – those two meeting in a fascinating showdown in Portlaoise on Sunday week.
The last of the county finals take place this Sunday, including the Tipperary hurling decider of Thurles Sarsfields against Clonoulty-Rossmore, and likewise the Dublin hurling final of Ballyboden St Enda’s against St Vincent’s and the Galway hurling decider of Clarinbridge against Loughrea.
