By John Harrington

The biggest weekend of the club championship season so far sees 16 county senior championship finals taking place across the country.

12 of those are senior football finals in Donegal, Cavan, Dublin, Down, Leitrim, London, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary and Wexford, with hurling finals in Antrim, Armagh, Cork and Kilkenny.

FOOTBALL

First up this weekend is the refixed Donegal SFC Final between St. Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill on Saturday in Ballybofey.

This is a repeat of last year’s decider which St. Eunan’s won to claim the Dr. Maguire Cup for the first time in seven years.

In doing so, they prevented Naomh Conaill from winning a third title in a row, but it wasn’t an entirely unpredicted result because St Eunan’s were mining a rich seam of talent from a series of successful underage teams.

What was less predictable was just how comfortably St. Eunan’s triumphed on the day, on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-4, which seems like a big gap for Naomh Conaill to close a year later. Naomh Conaill are appearing in their sixth Final in a row and are a hugely experienced outfit who will be fired up to make amends for last year’s heavy defeat. But you get the feeling that St. Eunan’s are the team plotting an upward graph and will prove it again on Sunday.

Killygarry will contest their first Cavan SFC Final for 51 years when they play Gowna on Sunday. The two teams have already met in the championship with Killygarry coming out on top by two points in a tight match.

These two teams have met six times in championship football in the last seven years with the record tied at three wins apiece. Expect Sunday’s encounter to be another tight affair.

In Down, Kilcoo will bid for an incredible 10th senior football title in just 11 years when they face Warenpoint in Sunday’s Final.

The reigning All-Ireland champions will go in as hot favourites, but Warrenpoint proved in the 2019 Final when they were beaten by just a single point that they know how to test this Kilcoo team.

The Leitrim SFC Final between Mohill and St. Mary’s is a repeat of this year’s League Final which Mohill won by just a single point.

On that occasion a goal by Keith Beirne proved crucial for the winners, and his class could well be the defining factor again on Sunday.

The Louth SFC Final is a replay – Ardee St. Mary’s and New town Blues fought out an entertaining 1-12 apiece draw last weekend.

Another close battle is expected here, though a St. Mary’s side bidding to win their first Joe Ward Cup for 27 years may glean more from last weekend’s experience.

There’s a familiar look to the London SFC Final where St. Kiernan’s face Fulham Irish. These two teams have contested the last two Finals, winning one each. St. Kiernan’s are reigning champions and will be slight favourites, but this will be a tight battle.

Ratoath and Summerhill contest the Meath SFC Final on Sunday in what’s a repeat of the 2019 decider. Ratoath won that day by five points, and are gunning for a third county title in four years.

That sort of consistency over a period of time makes them favourites, but Summerhill proved when winning Division 1 of the League that they’re a strong team in their own right and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

In Monaghan, Scotstown will bid to win an eight county title in 10 years when they play Ballybay in Sunday’s Final.

The reigning champions are warm favourites, but when these two teams met in the first round of the championship it was Ballybay who pulled off a shock when they won by two points.

Christopher McGuinness was their key man that day and they’ll need another big performance from him on Sunday if they’re to repeat the trick.

Another juggernaut of club football, Tourlestrane, will try to make it seven county titles in a row when they play St. Mary’s in the Sligo SFC Final on Sunday.

The holders are a very seasoned outfit who know how to win big games, but the fact they were beaten in the Division 1 League Final by Coolera/Strandhill this year will give St. Mary’s hope.

If key players like Stephen Coen, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Paul Kilcoyne and Johnny Martyn are on song, the challengers could well pull off a shock.

In Tipperary, Upperchuch-Drombane will make history when they contest the Tipperary SFC Final for the very first time. The Mid-Tipp side also made it to the County SHC semi-finals this year, so it’s been a memorable season for the dual club.

Sunday’s Final looks like a really imposing challenge though, because Commercials are bidding for a fifth title in eight years and have been the form team so far in the championship.

HURLING

Ballyhale Shamrocks are looking to win a fifth Kilkenny SHC title in a row when they play James Stephen’s in Sunday’s Final.

The holders are chasing a piece of history – win on Sunday and they’ll go joint-top of the Kilkenny roll of honour on 20 titles with Tullaroan.

They actually beat Tullaoran in this year’s semi-final, but did they didn’t always hurl with their usual fluency on the way to a four-point win.

Seemingly inspired by the addition of Brian Cody to their management team, James Stephens have improved as the year has gone on and bring some good momentum into Sunday’s Final.

It’s still hard to look beyond a Ballyhale win though if forwards like TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Cody, and Adrian Mullen click on the day.

A crowd of up to 20,000 is expected for the Cork Premier SHC Final between city rivals St. Finbarr’s and Blackrock.

This is the first time St. Finbarr’s have contested the Final in 29 years, and they bring a lot of momentum into the match after an impressive semi-final win over Newtownshandrum.

With forward like Ben Cunningham, Brian Hayes, and Jack Cahalane to call on, the ‘Barrs boast formidable firepower, but so do Blackrock in Alan Connolly, Tadhg Deasy, and Robbie Cotter.

When these two teams played one another in the group stages, it was the ‘Barrs who won, but only by a single point. Sunday’s Final should be another nailbiter.

Cuchulainns Dunloy go in search of a fourth title in a row when they play Ruarir Óg Cushendall in Sunday’s Antrim SHC Final.

The defending champions produced their best performance of the campaign yet in the semi-final against St. John’s and look in good shape to continue their recent tradition of peaking at the right time of the season.

In Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunningham, Keelan Molloy, and Nigel Elliott they have players who can accumulate big scores, and keeping them all quiet is no easy task.

Cushendall have played some good stuff themselves this year and in Neil McManus have an obvious potential match-winner, but they’ll really need to Christy McNaughton to recover from the injury he sustained in the semi-final if they’re to pull off an upset.

Finally, in Armagh, Na Fianna Middletown will be hot favourites to beat Keady in the Senior Hurling Final and make it four titles in a row. When the two teams met in last year’s Final, Middletown came out on top by eight points.

A full list of this weekend's club championship fixtures can be viewed below.

Friday, October 14:

The Parador Lodge Down GAA Junior Football Championship Final:

· Dromara v Teconnaught, Páirc Esler, Newry, 7:15pm

Fairyhouse Steel Meath Senior Football Championship Relegation Play Off Final:

· Seneschalstown v Navan O’Mahonys, Ashbourne, 8:00pm

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Championship Quarter Final:

· The Nire v Brickey Rangers, Fraher Field, 7:00pm

Saturday, October 15:

Tom Walsh Cavan Senior Hurling Championship Round 5:

· Cootehill Celtic GAA v East Cavan Gaels, Hugh O Reilly Memorial Park, 5:00 pm

· Mullahoran St Joseph’s v Pearse Ógs, Kingspan Breffni, 5:00pm

Clare Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Ennistymon v Kilmurry-Ibrickane, Cusack Park, 4:00pm

Clare Junior A Football Championship Final:

· Killimer v Liscannor, Milltown, 2:00pm

Leadon Timber Frame Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship Final:

· Ballinascreen v Eoghan Rua, Owenbeg, 3:45pm

Michael Murphy Sports Donegal Senior Football Championship Final:

· Naomh Conaill v St Eunans, Páirc Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill, 2:15pm *LIVE ON GAA BEO, TG4*

The Parador Lodge Down GAA Intermediate Football Championship Final:

· Rostrevor v Saval, Páirc Esler, Newry, 5:00pm

Brooks Galway Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Finals:

· Cappataggle v Moycullen Iománaíocht, Pearse Stadium, 3:45pm

· Portumna v Craughwell GAA Club, Loughrea, 3:45pm

Brooks Galway Senior Hurling Championship Relegation:

· Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry v Ahascragh/Fohenagh, Loughrea, 2:15pm

Brooks Galway Intermediate Hurling Championship Final:

· Meelick-Eyrecourt v Killimor, Duggan Park 4:15pm

Brooks Galway Junior A Hurling Championship Final:

· Skehana Mountbellew/Moylough v Ballygar, Duggan Park 2:00pm

Garvey's SuperValu Kerry County Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Feale Rangers v Mid Kerry, Austin Stack Park, 7:15pm *LIVE ON RTÉ*

Bons Secours Hospital Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Na Piarsaigh v South Liberties, Killmallock, 3:30pm

Meade Farm Group Meath Intermediate Football Championship Final:

· Dunshaughlin GAA v Duleek-Bellewstown, Páirc Tailteann, 4:00pm

Universal Graphics Monaghan Junior Football Championship Final:

· Killanny v Clones, Aughnamullen, 4:00pm

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Championship Quarter Final:

· Rathgormack v Portlaw, St Mollerans, 7:00pm

Whizzy Internet Wexford Intermediate ‘A’ Football Championship Final:

· Cloughbawn v St. Abban’s Adamstown, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2:00pm

Amber Springs & Ashdown Park Hotels Wexford Intermediate Football Championship Final:

· Horeswood v St. Mogue’s Fethard, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4:00pm

Enniscorthy Farm Systems Wexford Junior Football Championship Final:

· Monageer-Boolavogue v Sarsfields, St. Patrick’s Park (Enniscorthy), 6:30pm

Sunday, October 16:

Armagh Senior Hurling Championship Final:

· Céide Lámh Dhearg v Sean Treacy’s, Athletic Grounds, 4:00pm

Armagh Junior Hurling Championship Final:

· Middletown Na Fianna v Céide Lámh Dhearg, Athletic Grounds, 1:45pm

Kiernan's Service Stations Cavan Senior Football Championship Final:

· Gowna v Killygarry, Kingspan Breffni, 4:00pm

Clare Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Éire Óg v Corofin, Cusack Park, 1:00pm

Clare Intermediate Football Championship Final:

· Cooraclare v Kildysart, Doonbeg, 4:00pm

Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship Final:

· Blackrock v St Finbarrs, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4:00pm

Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final:

· Inniscarra v Castlemartyr, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2:00pm

The Parador Lodge Down GAA Senior Football Championship Final:

· Kilcoo v Cumann Pheadair Naofa, Páirc Esler, Newry, 4:00pm

Go Ahead Dublin Senior Football Championship Final:

· Na Fianna v Kilmacud Crokes, Parnell Park, 4:30pm *LIVE ON GAA BEO, TG4*

Peter Carty Funeral Director Fermanagh Junior Football Championship Final:

· Aghadrumsee St. Macartans v Newtownbutler First Fermanaghs, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 1:30pm

Brooks Galway Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Finals:

· Clarinbridge v Ardrahan, Kenny Park, 1:45pm

· Turloughmore v Oranmore-Maree, Kenny Park, 3:45pm

Garvey's SuperValu Kerry County Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Dingle v East Kerry, Austin Stack Park, 2:30pm

St Canice's Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· James Stephens v Shamrocks Ballyhale, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2:30pm *LIVE ON GAA BEO, TG4*

Leitrim Senior Football Championship Semi Final:

· Mohill v St.Marys, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 3:00pm

Bons Secours Hospital Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

· Cill Mocheallóg v Doon, Bruff, 3:30pm

London Senior Football Championship Final:

Fulham Irish v St. Kiernan's, McGovern Park, 1pm

Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship Final:

· Ardee St.Marys v Newtown Blues, Páirc Clann na Gael, Dundalk, 2:00pm

Connacht Gold Mayo Senior Football Championship Semi Finals:

· Ballina Stephenites v Ballintubber

Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, 1:00pm

· Westport St Patrick’s v Castlebar Mitchells Football, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, 3:00pm

Connacht Gold Mayo Senior Football Championship Relegation Final:

· Davitts v Neale, Hollymount, 1:00pm

Fairyhouse Steel Meath Senior Football Championship Final:

· Summerhill v Ratoath, Páirc Tailteann, 3:00pm

Greenfield Foods Monaghan Senior Football Championship Final:

· Scotstown v Ballybay Pearse Brothers, Clones, 3:00pm

Homeland Sligo Senior Football Championship Final:

· St Mary’s v Tourlestrane, Markievicz Park, 3:30pm

FBD Insurance Tipperary County Senior Football Championship Final:

· Clonmel Commercials v Upperchurch-Drombane, FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, 3:15pm

FBD Insurance Tipperary County Intermediate Football Championship Final:

· Ballina v Mullinahone, FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, 1:00pm

LLC Tyrone Senior Football Championship Semi Finals:

· Clonoe O`Rahilly's CLG v An Charraig Mhor Naomh Colmcille, Pomeroy, 3:00pm

· Errigal Ciaran v An Droim Mór Naoimh Damhnait, O’Neills Healy Park, Omagh, 7:00pm

JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:

· Gaultier v Clashmore/Kinsalebeg, Fraher Field, 1:45pm

· Kilrossanty v Ballinacourty, Fraher Field, 3:30pm

Writech Westmeath Intermediate Football Final Replay:

· Shandonagh v Tubberclair, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 3:00pm

Clarke’s Bar Westmeath Junior 2 Football Final:

· Moate All Whites v Coralstown Kinnegad, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 1:00pm

Dominic Smith Expert Electrical Wexford Senior Football Championship Final:

· Shelmaliers v Castletown, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4:00pm

Enniscorthy Farm Systems Wexford Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Final:

· Shelmaliers v Buffers Alley, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2:00pm