It’s quarter-finals weekend in the Leinster Junior and Intermediate Championships and after last weekend’s opening round games, attention now turns to the final eight in each respective competition. 

In the Junior Championship, Louth champions Clan na Gael welcome the visit of Kilkenny champions, Kilkenny City to Páirc Clan na Gael for a 1pm throw in. Clan na Gael overcame Naomh Fionbarra in their county final by 3-07 to 2-08 with Ciara Woods hitting 1-03 over the course of the contest. Their opponents, Kilkenny City retained their championship title with a 2-12 to 2-07 win over Thomastown. Both sides will be eyeing a spot in the Junior semi-finals! This game will be streamed live on Youtube – link will be shared on Leinster LGFA social media when confirmed. Programme available here. Clan na Gael v Kilkenny City.pdf

Later at 2pm, midweek championship winners Graiguecullen from Laois will host Wexford’s Kilmore. Kilmore got their Leinster Championship off to dream start when they defeated Bray Emmets convincingly last weekend. In what was a high-scoring contest, Kilmore won out on a 5-14 to 0-09 scoreline. The home side will be rearing to go after their midweek win against County finalists Ballyfin. Graiguecullen were 2-13 to 2-06 winners in the Laois final and will be hoping for a place in the Leinster semi-finals! Programme available here: Kilmore v Graiguecullen.pdf

Also at 2pm at Ballinamere GAA, hosts and Offaly champions, Ballinamere/Durrow, will be looking to get their Leinster Championship underway with the visit of Longford Champions Ballymore. It was third time lucky for Ballymore whose 1-08 tally from Aisling Reynolds helped Ballymore to a County title as they defeated Colmcille by 5-13 to 1-15. Ballinamere/Durrow will have it all to do after their County final was played at the start of August. Programme available here: Ballinamere Durrow v Ballymore.pdf

Deferred from last Wednesday evening, Clann na nGael will travel to Ballinteer Community School next Monday evening to face Dublin champions Ballinteer St Johns from 8pm. Clann na nGael were convincing winners against Fenagh in the preliminary round last weekend. Ballinteer St Johns will welcome the challenge having overcome St Judes in the Dublin County final by 2-14 to 1-07. Orlagh Nolan deservedly earned the player of the match title having covered every blade of grass on the field while also chipping in 1-04 on the scoreboard. Monday’s fixture will be played without supporters owing to government restrictions but will be live streamed – link will be shared on Leinster social media when known. Programme available here: Balinteer St. John's v Clan na nGael.pdf

In the Intermediate Championship, Old Leighlin welcome Laois Champions Shanahoe to McGrath Park. Old Leighlin enjoyed a 2-12 to 1-09 win against Shelmaliers last weekend and will be confident of a place in the final four. Standing in their way though is Shanahoe who were crowned Laois champions during the week in high drama. A late free from Mary Griffen claimed victory for her side against Park Ratheniska, with the scoreboard finishing 1-09 to 1-08 in Shanahoe’s favour. Game in McGrath Park gets underway at 1pm and will be streamed live on Twitch: https://m.twitch.tv/michaelolearysport/profile  Programme available here: Old Leighlin v Shanahoe.pdf

McGeough Park is the venue as Louth champions Geraldines welcome Meath champions Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels for a 2pm throw in. This is a first outing for both teams in this season’s Leinster championship and both will be keen on a spot in the final four. Geraldines won back to back Louth titles last weekend when they defeated St Brides comfortably by 6-14 to 0-04. Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels were crowned Meath champs, defeating Dee Rangers by 2-19 to 3-06 in the Meath county final. Niamh Gallogly was in inspirational form, kicking 0-05 from wing back and earning herself the player of the match accolade. This game is sure to be keenly contested and will be streamed live on the Geraldines Facebook page. Programme available here: Geraldines v Royal Gaels.pdf

After their terrific win against Cuala last weekend, Longford Slashers now take on last year’s Leinster Intermediate Club finalists and Wicklow Champions, Tinahely. Slashers were 4-08 to 1-13 winners against Cuala in the preliminary round which will have given them plenty of confidence before they tackle Tinahely. Tinahely completed six in a row of Wicklow titles when they defeated Blessington by 1-11 to 0-07. They will be looking to go one better than last year’s provincial final defeat but Longford Slashers will most certainly have other plans. This game will be streamed live on the Tinahely GAA facebook page with throw in set for 2pm. Programme available here: Tinahely v Slashers.pdf

Junior Championship

Clan na Gael (LOUTH) (Green/Yellow) v Kilkenny City (KILKENNY) (Navy/Green)

Date:         26th Sept.

Venue:        Pairc Clan na Gael, Dundalk

Time:        1pm

Referee:    Finbarr Shanahan (Dublin)

Graiguecullen (Green/Red) (LAOIS) v Kilmore (WEXFORD) (Orange/Green)    

Date:         26th Sept @2pm

Venue:        Graiguecullen GAA Grounds, Laois            

Time:        2pm

Referee:    Des McEnery (Westmeath)

Ballinamere/Durrow (OFFALY) (Green/Yellow/Red) v Ballymore (LONGFORD) (Black/Amber/White)

Date:         26th Sept @2pm

Venue:        Ballinamere GAA Grounds (R35 D7 P1)

Time:        2pm

Referee:    Kevin Phelan (Laois)

4th Official:    Marion Haydon (Carlow)

Ballinteer St. John’s (DUBLIN) (Tangerine/Black) v Clann na nGael (MEATH) (Green/Gold)

Date:         28th Sept @ 8pm

Venue:        Ballinteer Community School

Time:        8:00pm

Referee:    Kevin Phelan (Laois)

Intermediate Championship

Old Leighlin (CARLOW) (Blue/White) v Shanahoe (LAOIS) 

Date:         26th Sept.

Venue:        McGrath Park, Bagenalstown

Time:        1pm 

Referee:    Ciaran Groome (Offaly)

Geraldines (Louth) v Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels (Meath) (Black/Amber)

Date:         26th Sept @2pm

Venue:        McGeough Park, Haggardstown.

Time:        2pm

Referee:    Kelley Cunningham (Offaly)

Tinahely (Wicklow) (Red/White) v Longford Slashers (Longford) (Royal/Sky Blue)

Date:         26th Sept @2pm

Venue:        Tinahely GAA Grounds

Time:        2pm

Referee:    Barry Redmond (Wexford)

Photo Credit: GAA Pics