Due to the unexpectedly postponed clash between Nemo Rangers and Clonakilty of the Cork football quarter-final, TG4, the broadcaster initially set to stream the contest on Sunday afternoon, faced a dilemma initially. However, TG4 made a swift decision to focus on the Dublin senior hurling quarter-finals, beginning coverage with the face-off between Lucan Sarsfields and Whitehall Colmcille. Also, it was tasked with broadcasting the second quarter-final at Parnell Park between Na Fianna and Ballyboden.
In the first match over at Donnycarney, Lucan Sarsfields, under the management of ex-Kilkenny player Charlie Carter, stormed to victory with a score of 0-25 to Whitehall’s 2-13, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Subsequently, Na Fianna, the current champions, delivered an impressive win over Ballyboden, scoring 4-26 to 2-14. The semi-final draw will see Lucan Sarsfield facing Kilmacud Crokes while Na Fianna is set to compete against neighbouring team, St Vincents.
In related news, Ballyhale Shamrocks, nine-time All-Ireland senior club champions, suffered a setback as they were knocked out of the Kilkenny senior hurling championship at the quarter-final stage for the first time since 2004. Their defeat was at the hands of Thomastown at John Locke Park in Callan on Saturday, where the score ended at 0-21 to 1-16. Although Colin Fennelly netted a goal for Ballyhale igniting a comeback after his cruciate knee ligament injury, Thomastown maintained their lead to secure their place in the last four.
For the first time in two decades, Ballyhale has not advanced to the Kilkenny senior hurling championship semi-finals, and it’s the first time since 2017 they will not compete in the county final.
Loughmore-Castleiney owes its narrow victory over Thurles Sarsfields (0-17 to 2-9) in the Tipperary SHC semi-final at Semple Stadium on Sunday largely to John McGrath, who contributed twelve points, eight of which were from frees. In the county final, Loughmore-Castleiney will face Toomevara who triumphed over Moycarkey Borris (2-19 to 0-20) at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The first half of the game ended with Loughmore leading 0-11 to 2-4. Paddy Creedon scored double to initiate the game for Thurles, but they missed opportunities to take full advantage of the wind in their favour during the second half. Loughmore-Castleiney ultimately eked out a win by two points.
Saturday saw Darragh McCarthy make a significant contribution of 2-7, propelling 21-time winners Toomevara towards their first county senior hurling final since they last won the Dan Breen Cup in 2008. Loughmore-Castleiney had their most recent victory of their four senior hurling titles in 2021.
Bad weather played spoilsport and resulted in several club championship matches being put on hold in different counties over the weekend. The severe status orange warning led to the cancellation of games in Kilkenny, Wexford, and Cork, with decisions being made on Saturday.
Both Kilkenny and Wexford declared on Saturday afternoon that none of Sunday’s planned fixtures, both adult and juvenile, would proceed. The senior hurling quarter-finals including O’Loughlin Gaels vs Dicksboro and Erin’s Own vs Mullinavat in Kilkenny were among the most significant fixtures impacted.
Wexford has flexibly rescheduled the postponed senior and intermediate football games for Monday evening, demonstrating their commitment to preparing their county champions for the Leinster club championship.
In the forthcoming senior championship, the Gusserane O’Rahilly’s are slated to square off against the Kilanerin at Wexford Park. Concurrently, Crossabeg-Ballymurn has a match scheduled against Noamh Éanna in Bellefield, kick-off for both games is 7.30pm. In the intermediate championship, Rathgarogue-Cushinstown is going head to head with St Fintan’s at the Ferns Centre of Excellence, and St Mogue’s Fethard will engage St Abban’s Adamstown at St Patricks Park, both matches also commence at 7.30pm.
Cork declared on Saturday night that the senior football quarter-finals will be put on hold, this includes rescheduling of matches between Nemo Rangers and Clonakilty, Mallow and Muskerry, and a senior relegation playoff involving Éire Óg and Carbery Rangers. Even the intermediate quarter-final game between Garbiel Rangers and Mitchelstown is postponed. All the matches are set to be conducted on the weekend of October 5th-6th.
GAA Antrim presented a noteworthy defensive tactic in their recent semi-final against Cargin and St Brigid’s at Dunsilly. It was a low score game that initially started out with a twenty-six-minute scoreless run, which Antrim GAA highlighted its extraordinary feat on platform X with a message “It’s nil-nil … after 26 minutes!” St Brigid’s managed to lead 0-4 to 0-1 at half-time, but Cargin staged a comeback and ultimately won the game 1-7 to 0-7. The spectators were kept intrigued throughout by Antrim GAA’s streaming service showcasing their matches live. Now, Cargin moves forward to the final against Rogers Casements Portglenone, who defeated Lámh Dhearg 1-17 to 0-9 at Toome last Saturday. They had marked their first score of the semi-final within the first five minutes.