Saturday, December 1

Leinster club IHC final

Graigue-Ballycallan (Kilkenny) v Portlaoise (Laois), Nowlan Park, 1.45pm

The resurgent Kilkenny representatives from the Kilmanagh parish had to overcome neighbours Tullaroan in a pulsating county final, despite trailing for most of the game, before defeating Celbridge by 3 points and St. Mogues of Fethard with a slick performance. Portlaoise overpowered Glenealy of Wicklow and Ballinamere of Offaly en route to the showdown. They are aiming to become the first ever Laois winners of the Leinster Intermediate Hurling title.

Ballycallan are backboned by veterans Eddie Brennan and James Ryall, and are captained by sticky corner back, Darragh Egan. They will be aiming to make it seven in a row for Kilkenny teams in this competition. Former Laois dual star, Tommy Fitzgerald, skippers the men from “The Town”, who will be seeking to claim provincial honours where their footballing colleagues failed to do so by a narrow margin last weekend.

Leinster club JHC final

Dunnamaggin (Kilkenny) v Na Fianna (Meath), Nowlan Park, 12noon

Dunnamaggin were relegated from the Kilkenny Intermediate ranks in 2017, but have bounced straight back up in impressive fashion. They overcame Dublin’s St. Maur’s with ease in the semi-final. Kilkenny teams have won 13 of the last 17 Leinster Junior titles, which augers well for the side who boast former All-Ireland winner Noel Hickey among their ranks.

Na Fianna, the Meath representatives, will be well up for the challenge. They overcame Wexford champions Taghmon-Camross in the semi-final in a thrilling game. They had plenty to spare over Westmeath champions’, Crookedwood in the quarter final, but it came at a cost, losing key forward Kevin Coffey to a collarbone injury. The game is on in Nowlan Park, which will give the local men an advantage, but the Royal visitors won’t let them have it all their own way.

Sunday, December 2

Leinster club SHC final

Ballyboden St Endas (Dublin) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm - TG4 (deferred coverage)

These sides haven’t met each other since the 2009 Leinster Senior Club semi-final. Henry Shefflin now occupies a very different role to the one he held that day, and, in his first season as manager, has already claimed the Kilkenny title for the first time since 2014. The famed Shamrocks club will be looking to restore their dominance in the club game.

In their way stands a novel challenger, overcoming a fancied Kilmacud side in the Dublin County final, and backboned by veterans such as Paul Ryan and Conal Keaney. ‘Boden mean business and are aiming to secure a first ever Leinster title for the club. Ballyboden have had a more intense journey to the final, whether the impact of that will be positive or negative remains to be seen. Either way, a high scoring thriller is on the cards.

Munster club JHC final

Ballinameela (Waterford) v Cloughduv (Cork), Mallow, 1pm

It’s a familiar Waterford vs Cork pairing in Munster this weekend, as Ballinameela take on Cloughduv in the province’s Junior Hurling Final in Mallow. Ballinameela overcame fancied West Limerick side, Tournafulla in the semi-final by 4 points, a tough encounter that will stand them in good stead. The Waterford champions had a convincing victory over Tramore to claim their own county final, and will be looking to go a step further on Sunday.

The Cork champions had an excellent 1-19 to 0-12 win over Tipperary representatives, Boherlahan-Dualla in the semi-final. It’s already been quite a season for the club, as they claimed their first Junior county title in 48 years on October 29th. They will be anxious not to see their journey end this Sunday.