Semi-Final Weekend in Leinster Club Championship
Semi-Final Weekend in Leinster Club Championship
October 02, 2020
This weekend sees the penultimate stage in the 2020 Provincial Club Championships in Leinster. We remind supporters that admission is by ticket only and clubs should ensure they follow the direction of Leinster officials and stewards.
Saturday 3rd October
Leinster Junior Club Championship
Kilmore (Wexford) v Clan na Gael (Louth), Kilmore GAA Grounds, 2pm
Clan na Gael travel to Kilmore on Saturday in jubilant mood having defeated a skilful Kilkenny City team in the Quarter Final last weekend. Clan na Gael dug deep and withstood a late rally from the Cats to book their place in the semi-final. Andrew Griffith’s squad will be looking to get off to a good start as they did in the Quarter Final as they registered 1-02 without reply in the opening minutes. However, a solid defence will also be needed as they face a team who have scored 7-27 in their opening two rounds so far. Kilmore Ladies got their Championship off to a flier when they defeated Bray by 5-14 to 0-09 and followed that up with a 2-13 to 2-10 win over Laois Champions Graiguecullen last weekend. A spot in the final awaits the winners – will it be the Clans or the side from the sunny South-East? This game will be streamed live on Youtube, link to follow on Leinster social media. Programme available here: Kilmore v Clan na Gael.pdf
Ballymore (Longford) v Ballinteer St Johns (Dublin), Ballymore GAA, 2pm
Longford champions Ballymore booked their place in the semi-final with a convincing win against Offaly champions, Ballinamere/Durrow last weekend. In a sizeable win, Ballymore scored 9-15 while only conceding 1-08. They have the advantage of being at home this weekend where they will face Dublin champions Ballinteer St Johns who battled their way to the semi-final midweek. A stern test against Meath’s Clann na nGael resulted in a 4-07 to 2-11 win for the Caitriona O’Brien captained squad. Orlagh Nolan was in tantalising form while the Ballinteer defence was also resolute, and they will need to be at their best tomorrow afternoon against the Ballymore attack. Sixty minutes stands in the way of both teams for a place in the provincial final but will it be Ballymore or Ballinteer? This game will be streamed live on Facebook, link to follow on Leinster social media. Programme available here: Ballymore v Ballinteer St Johns.pdf
Leinster Intermediate Club Championship
Tinahely (Wicklow) v St. Rynagh’s (Offaly), Tinahely GAA, 2pm
Last year’s Intermediate runners-up, Tinahely, will be looking to get back into the Provincial final tomorrow as they take on Offaly champions, St Rynagh’s. St Rynagh’s received a bye through to the semi-final and tomorrow will be their first taste of provincial club action this season. The Offaly champions defeated Shamrocks in their County Final. Having raced into a 3-02 to 0-01 lead after 12 minutes, St Rynagh’s were pegged back to lead by eight points at the break. The second half was a closer affair with Shamrocks battling back into the contest. In a high scoring second half, St Rynagh’s emerged as three point winners, winning on a 5-09 to 3-12 scoreline. They face a Tinahely team who will be hellbent on a place in the final. Captained by Wicklow’s Jackie Kinch, Tinahely were victorious last weekend against a strong Longford Slashers squad. The Wicklow champions got off to a great start, leading 2-04 to 1-03 when the whistle sounded for the first water break. However, it was Longford Slashers who had the happier second quarter as there was just two points between the sides at half time, Tinahely winning 2-08 to 1-09. A tough tight second half followed before Tinahely emerged as winners, winning by seven; 3-15 to 1-14. Just one side can advance to the 2020 Intermediate Final – but will it be Tinahely or St Rynagh’s? Programme available here: Tinahely v St Rynaghs.pdf
Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels (Meath) v Old Leighlin (Carlow), Dunshaughlin GAA, 2pm
Old Leighlin will travel the long and winding road to Dunshaughlin on Saturday afternoon in good spirits knowing that just one fixture stands between them and a place in the provincial final. Having been crowned Junior Club champions in 2018, the Anne Roche captained team have now convincingly made the step up to the Intermediate grade in Leinster. With Aoibhinn Gilmartin and Rachel Sawyer, they have a potent attack which was in evidence in their opening round clash against Wexford Senior champions, Shelmalier. In Bagenalstown, they recorded a 2-12 to 1-09 win over Pat Quill’s side. That result set up a clash with Laois champions, Shanahoe and Old Leighlin made no mistake, emerging victorious on a 4-11 to 0-05 scoreline. Old Leighlin will face Meath champions Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels who have their own formidable line up. Having accounted for Dee Rangers in their county final, the Gordon Weldon managed side proved that goals win games as they defeated Louth’s Geraldines by 3-09 to 0-09. In a tight and tense opening half, it was Geraldines who led by a single score at half time – 0-06 to 1-02. However, 2-03 without reply from the Royals in the opening ten minutes of the second half righted matters for Captain Laura Bourke and her team and the Royals ensured a nine point victory by the full time whistle. With the advantage of playing at home, will it be a place in the final for Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels or will Old Leighlin head back down the motorway Saturday evening with a place in the provincial final secure? This game will be streamed live on Facebook, link to follow on Leinster social media. Programme available here: Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels v Old Leighlin.pdf
Sunday 4th October
Leinster Senior Club Championship
Portlaoise (Laois) v Naomh Ciarán (Offaly), Portlaoise GAA, Rathleague, 2pm
It’s unchartered territory for Laois Senior Champions, Portlaoise, this weekend. Having stopped Sarsfields record eight championship titles in a row last weekend in heart stopping fashion, Portlaoise were crowned Laois Senior Champions for the very first time. In what was a titanic battle, Stephen Duff’s side led from midway through the first half to the final whistle. A first half goal from Aisling Kehoe was the decisive score as Portlaoise ground out a 1-12 to 0-12 win. And the Laois champs will have their work cut out for them on Sunday as they face the 2019 All Ireland and Leinster Intermediate Club Champions, Naomh Ciarán. The Offaly Senior champions overcame Tullamore in their County Final, their 6th Offaly SFC title in a row. In a tight opening half, Naomh Ciarán were just a single point ahead at the break, leading Tullamore by 0-05 to 0-04. However, a score driven second half led to a comfortable full-time win, 4-13 to 2-05. Both sides will be looking forward to the challenge of a Senior Club Provincial final – but only one team can make it there. Who will it be? This game will be streamed live on Facebook, link to follow on Leinster social media. Programme available here: Portlaoise v Naomh Ciaran.pdf
We wish all competing teams the very best of luck this weekend!
Leinster LGFA Club Championship Fixtures
Leinster Junior Club Championship – 3rd October, 2020 @ 2pm
- Kilmore (Wexford) v Clan na Gael (Louth)
- Venue: Kilmore GAA Grounds.
- Ballymore (Longford) v Ballinteer St. John (Dublin)
- Venue: Ballymore GAA Grounds.
Leinster Intermediate Club Championship – 3rd October, 2020 @ 2pm
- Tinahely (Wicklow) v St. Rynaghs (Offaly)
- Venue: Tinahely GAA Grounds
- Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels (Meath) v Old Leighlin (Carlow)
- Venue: Dunshaughlin GAA Grounds
Leinster Senior Club Championship – 4th October, 2020 @ 2pm
- Portlaoise (Laois) v Naomh Ciaran (Offaly)
- Venue: Portlaoise GAA Grounds, Rathleague.