Shane Stapleton and Shane Brophy of the Nenagh Guardian preview the Tipperary SHC county final of Kiladangan v Loughmore-Castleiney, and the Seamus O Riain Cup decider between Lorrha-Dorrha and Mullinahone.
Kiladangan are looking to win their first ever senior Tipperary county title this weekend.
The men from the north have come up short on the big day twice in recent seasons, but have been in exceptional form heading into this clash with Loughmore-Castleiney.
The latter suffered a group stage loss to Thurles Sarsfields but have shown their best form since then knowing they could afford no more slip-ups.
The side from the mid have also qualified for the county football final — against the juggernauts of Clonmel Commercials — and Nenagh Guardian writer Shane Brophy feels they are growing with each game.
Noel and John McGrath are the star names in the team, but Brophy feels that Kiladangan are unlikely to spend too much time man-marking and ignoring their own game plan.
Instead, the men in blue and gold may look to focus on their own strengths and the multitude of players in their attack who can get on the scoresheet.
We also preview the Seamus O’Riain final between Eoin Kelly‘s Mullinahone and Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher’s Lorrha-Dorrha (the latter being Brophy’s club), and debate the future of the divisional competitions in Tipperary.
SATURDAY
Donegal SHC – Semi-Finals – O’Donnell Park: Setanta v An Bheart, 4.45
Limerick SHC – Final – Gaelic Grounds: Doon v Na Piarsaigh, 7.30
Tipperary: Seamus O’Riain Cup final — Semple Stadium: Mullinahone v Lorrha-Dorrha, 2.0
SUNDAY
Cavan SHC – Final – St Matthew’s Park: Mullahoran St Joseph’s v Cootehill Celtic, 4.0
Donegal SHC – Semi-Final – Beart: Buncrana v St Eunan’s, 4.30
Dublin SHC – Final – Parnell Park: Ballyboden St Enda’s v Cuala, 4.30
Galway SHC – Semi-Finals – Pearse Stadium: Cappataggle v St Thomas’, 1.30; Pearse Stadium: Turloughmore v Loughrea, 4.30
Kerry SHC – Final – Austin Stack Park: Kilmoyley v Causeway, 3.15
Tipperary SHC – Final – Semple Stadium: Kiladangan v Loughmore-Castleiney, 2.0
Westmeath SHC – Semi-Finals – TEG Cusack Park: Castletown Geoghegan v Castlepollard, 2.30; TEG Cusack Park: Lough Lene Gaels v Clonkill, 5.30
