Former Waterford manager Derek McGrath joins Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney to preview this weekend’s huge games on Club Talk: Hurling — brought to you by Slattery Sullivan Insurances of Nenagh — call 067-56705 and use ‘OurGame’ ref code for 10% all new business quotes.
The Wexford final between Shelmaliers and Naomh Eanna of Gorey is the headline clash of the weekend.
Derek McGrath was involved with Faythe Harriers this season, and came up short against Shels in the quarter-final of the competition.
The Waterford man talks about the influence of football and Davy Fitzgerald on the championship in the Model County, and who he thinks will win this weekend’s decider.
In Waterford, Mount Sion are hoping to overcome Passage in the semi-final, as Austin Gleeson comes in on the back of two games running with red cards.
Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney ponder the origins of this, and McGrath speaks in depth about the travails of the 2016 Hurler of the Year.
Click play on the video at the top of the page for analysis of championships across the country, thoughts on games going behind closed doors, and who might win a winter hurling All-Ireland. Brought to you by Slattery Sullivan Insurances of Nenagh — call 067-56705 and use ‘OurGame’ ref code for 10% all new business quotes.
Selected fixtures
THURSDAY
Louth SHC
Darver: St Fechins v Knockbridge, 7.30
FRIDAY
Galway SHC
Grp 2 – Kenny Pk: Turloughmore v Clarinbridge, 7.0; Grp 3 – Loughrea: St Thomas v Portumna, 7.0
SATURDAY
Clare SHC
Broadford v Sixmilebridge, 4.45pm; Ballyea v Kilmaley, 6.30pm
Galway SHC
Grp 1 – Kenny Pk: Tommy Larkins v Cappataggle, 6.0; Duggan Pk: Tynagh Abbey Duniry v Loughrea, 6.0; Grp 3 – Kenny Pk: Sarsfields v Castlegar, 2.0
Dublin SHC qtr-finals
Parnell Pk: Na Fianna v Faughs, 3.0; Parnell Pk: St Vincents v Ballyboden St Endas, 5.30
Kilkenny HL Final
Nowlan Pk: O’Loughlin Gaels v Dicksboro, 2.0; Shield final – Bennettsbridge: James Stephens v Clara, 4.0
Meath SHC rd 2
Grp A2 – Páirc Tailteann: Ratoath v Kiltale, 6.0; Grp B2 – Trim: St Peter’s Dunboyne v Navan O’Mahony’s, 6.0
Roscommon SHC
Grp B – Lisnamult: Roscommon v Athleague, 7.0
Waterford SHC semi-final
Fraher Field: Ballygunner v Lismore, 6.30
SUNDAY
Antrim SHC
Grp 1 – Páirc MacUílín: Mac Uílín v O’Donovan Rossa, 2.0; Corrigan Pk: Naomh Eoin v Cuchullains Dun Lathaí, 2.0; Grp 2 – Ruairí Óg: Ruairí Óg v Naomh Gall, 2.0; St Enda’s: Naomh Éanna v Shamrocks, 2.
Carlow SHC
Dr Cullen Pk: Mt Leinster Rangers v Naomh Eoin, 1.30; Dr Cullen Pk: Ballinkillen v Naomh Moling, 5.30
Clare SHC
Eire Og Ennis v Cratloe, 12pm; Inagh/Kilnamona v O Callaghans Mills, 3pm
Down SHC
Bredagh v Ballygalget, 2.0; Ballycran: Ballycran v St Patrick’s, Portaferry, 5.0
Dublin SHC qtr-finals
Parnell Pk: St Brigids v Cuala, 2.0; Parnell Pk: Kilmacud Crokes v Lucan Sarsfields, 4.30.
Galway SHC
Grp 2 – Kenny Pk: Oranmore-Maree v Liam Mellows, 5.0
Meath SHC rd 2
Grp A1 – Rathmoylan: Longwood v Killyon, 3.0; Trim: Blackhall Gaels v Kilmessan, 3.0
Roscommon SHC
Grp A – Oran: Oran v Four Roads, 1.30; Athleague: Pádraig Pearses v St Dominics, 1.30
Waterford SHC semi-final
Walsh Pk: Mt Sion v Passage, 2.0
Wexford SHC final
Wexford Pk: Shelmaliers v Naomh Éanna, 2.0
MONDAY
Kildare SHC rd 1
Kildare COE – Coill Dubh v Éire Óg Corra Choill, 7.30; Celbridge: Leixlip v Naas, 7.30
TUESDAY
Kildare SHC rd 1
Naas: Ardclough v Celbridge, 7.30; Kildare COE: Confey v Clane, 7.30
Video time stamps (approx)
00:00 intro and Derek on no crowds at games
3:30 Derek on Faythe Harriers journey
7:00 Wexford hurling final — Shelmaliers v Gorey
11:00 Davy Fitz influence on Wexford hurling
19:30 Waterford SHC semi-finals
21:00 Dan Shanahan and his tattoos
25:30 Maurice Shanahan wearing 21 and possible Waterford recall
30:30 Is Ballygunner dominance a bad thing?
36:00 Austin Gleeson’s discipline and body transformation
43:30 Dublin quarter-finals — Cuala kick and Kilmacud form
49:00 Galway SHC
53:30 Clare quarter-finals
56:00 Which county managers will be at an advantage?
59:00 Kilkenny league finals
61:00 Carlow SHC
67:00 Who will win a winter All-Ireland?
