County final previews: Kilkerrin-Clonberne target 14 in-a-row

Tuam Cortoon and Bearna Na Forbacha eye promotion to Senior

COUNTY finals weekend has arrived in The Galleon Restaurant-sponsored Galway Senior, Intermediate and Junior Ladies Football Championships with action split across two days and Clonbur and Tuam Stadium hosting fixtures.

Páirc Sheoighe is the venue for a double-header on Saturday, starting with Milltown and Ballinasloe in the Junior B showpiece (throw-in: 1pm) before it's the turn of Tuam Cortoon and Bearna Na Forbacha at Intermediate level (3pm).

It's on to Tuam Stadium on Sunday where Gráinne Mhaols and Caherlistrane meet for Junior A silverware (1pm) and holders Kilkerrin-Clonberne and perennial challengers Claregalway to go head-to-head at Senior level (3pm).

Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Claregalway are contesting their tenth final in 12 years. The former's success has been constant with this weekend offering the opportunity for a 15th straight county title - a 14th at senior level to go with the Intermediate title that preceded it. Their dominance outside of Galway stands at eight in-a-row in Connacht (10 overall) and five in-a-row at All-Ireland level.

They come in as overwhelming favourites on the back of a dominant campaign. Their defensive stats are jaw-dropping with lop-sided wins over this weekend's opponents Claregalway (1-15 to 0-1), Maigh Cuilinn (4-22 to 0-1) and Salthill-Knocknacarra (1-20 to 0-2) in the group phase before defeating Corofin in the last four (4-17 to 0-4). Ailish Morrissey is the championship’s top scorer on 5-14 after netting a hat-trick last time out.

Claregalway followed that opening day setback with a narrow loss to Salthill-Knocknacarra (0-13 to 1-11) and a win against Maigh Cuilinn (3-13 to 0-11). They advanced on scoring difference from a three-way tie and prevailed in a semi-final rematch with Salthill-Knocknacarra (3-9 to 2-6).

Their goals came from Kate Slevin, now up to 2-23 in the competition, as well as Lauren Kearns and Katie Brogan who were both prominent in Claregalway's Minor A final win over Tuam Cortoon last weekend.

All available form and history points towards a repeat outcome as Kilkerrin-Clonberne continue to corner the local market before turning their sights further afield.

Another fixture of note is down for decision on Sunday morning as Dunmore MacHales welcome Caltra Cuans for the Senior B relegation final (11am).

Meanwhile, Tuam Cortoon lost out to Caltra Cuans in last season’s Intermediate decider but are bidding to go one better against Bearna Na Forbacha in the Intermediate final.

After lifting the Brendan Martin Cup in August, Kate Geraghty is in contention to continue her unforgettable few months by captaining Tuam Cortoon to county silverware also.

Both finalists started off in the same group. Tuam Cortoon defeated Bearna Na Forbacha by 2-14 to 1-4 early last month, while both accounted for Oughterard and Naomh Anna Leitir Móir before advancing to seeded semi-finals.

Clodagh Fallon and Aoife O’Rourke combined for 2-8 in Tuam Cortoon’s 2-13 to 1-6 win over St. Fursey’s of Headford. Meabh Mahon and Eabha Baird both netted twice and sub Orna Dunne once in Bearna Na Forbacha’s 5-9 to 2-7 victory over Menlough Skehana.

Moving to Junior A, Caherlistrane defeated Grainne Mhaols by 2-12 to 0-9 in the round-robin in mid-August. The clubs meet again, only this time for silverware and promotion.

Caherlistrane's journey to the final included wins over Claregalway and Clonbur before accounting for St. James’ in the last four. Grainne Mhaols bested Claregalway and Clonbur in the group phase and last season’s runners-up Monivea-Abbey at the semi-final stage.

Milltown and Ballinasloe will contest the Junior B final. To qualify, Milltown overcame Annaghdown, Killannin and Mountbellew-Moylough before edging out Kilkerrin-Clonberne after extra-time in a semi-final on home soil. Ballinasloe’s road to the final went through Micheál Breathnach, Kilconly and Kilkerrin-Clonberne prior to hosting Mountbellew-Moylough in the last four.

Elsewhere in ladies football, Moycullen's Ailbhe Davoren and Dearbhla Gower from Corofin helped Kilmacud Crokes to complete a five in-a-row of Dublin Senior Football Championship titles. The Stillorgan-based club defeated St. Sylvester's by 0-14 to 0-10 in a final played last Friday evening.