THE GAA SEASON steps up a notch next weekend with the start of the 2022 football leagues and with key games in the concluding stages of the club championships, there are six live matches to take in.

The action commences on Saturday afternoon with a triple-header of club games on TG4. Cork’s Mourneabbey and Galway’s Kilkerrin-Clonberne battle it out for the right to be crowned All-Ireland senior club ladies football champions.

That’s followed by the All-Ireland senior club football semi-finals with Cork’s St Finbarr’s playing Down’s Kilcoo, and then it’s Roscommon’s Padraig Pearses going up against Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes.

That night the RTÉ cameras show Dublin and Armagh in Division 1 of the football league live from Croke Park, while on Sunday TG4 have two Division 1 games like as Mayo play Donegal and Tyrone take on Monaghan.

Here’s the full details of what’s in store:

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Saturday

• 1pm: TG4 – Mourneabbey (Cork) v Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway) – All-Ireland senior ladies club football final.

• 3pm: TG4 – St Finbarr’s (Cork) v Kilcoo (Down) – All-Ireland senior club football semi-fina.

• 5pm: TG4 – Padraig Pearses (Roscommon) v Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) – All-Ireland senior club football semi-final.

• 7.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Dublin v Armagh – Division 1 football league.

Sunday

• 1.45pm: TG4 – Mayo v Donegal – Division 1 football league.
• 3.45pm: TG4 – Tyrone v Monaghan – Division 1 football league.

• 5.35pm: TG4 (Deferred) – Kerry v Kildare – Division 1 football league.

• 9.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Allianz League Sunday Highlights.

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WHEN DESSIE HUTCHINSON left a career in professional soccer behind him to resume his hurling career with Ballygunner and Waterford, he surely dreamed of days like yesterday.

He fired over four points as Ballygunner advanced to their first ever All-Ireland club hurling decider, setting up a mouthwatering showdown with Ballyhale in three weeks’ time. 

Having already appeared in an All-Ireland final with Waterford, to reach the showpiece game with his club represents another milestone on his remarkable journey. 

“There was a lot of sacrifices made and things like that,” he remarked after the win over Slaughtneil.

“When you know you’re going to Croke Park in three weeks, it’s worth it every bit.

“It’s brilliant,” he said about reaching the final. “It gives such a buzz to the community. That’s all we were thinking coming up the road, how happy we are making people in the community.

“Especially, the kids, we’re driving them on, the next generation. It was really important we gave a good account of ourselves.”

He found space at a premium against a physical and well-organised Slaughtneil defence, who used a plus one at the back in the form of Gerald Bradley. Hutchinson clipped two first-half points and a pair at the death when his team really needed it. 

On the tight confines of Parnell Park, Slaughtneil brought a complete different challenge to the Munster final against Kilmallock, which Ballygunner won easily. The Derry and Ulster champions scored 1-5 after the 49th minute to launch a comeback and were relentless in their work-rate.

Hutchinson was pleased with the manner of their battling victory.

“It’s the toughest game we’ve played. We knew we had to win the dirty possession, the dirty rucks, 50-50 battles all over the pitch. Thankfully we did in the end.

“I think we’re bringing a lot more to our game. I think we’ve had every type of game the last four games. We knew ourselves we were able to do that, maybe people on the outside didn’t. Maybe we’re starting to prove a few people wrong.”

Ballygunner manager Darragh O’Sullivan.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

After the Munster final, joint-captain Philip Mahony said the team were motivated by critics who said they weren’t a winter team. 

“People said that about us, I never felt that,” said ‘Gunner boss Darragh O’Sullivan.

“We’re as hard a working team as any other in the country, in my opinion, and the reality of it is when you come to winter hurling that’s what comes out. Some days, we didn’t win matches and other teams bet us and were better than us in bad conditions.

“Look at a day down in Dungarvan against Loughmore and a day like today, the surface today wasn’t really winter but it was very bumpy and that’s the reality of it. Whether it is Croke Park, Walsh Park or Fraher Field, we’re just delighted to be in an All-Ireland final.”

Looking ahead to the final against Ballyhale Shamrocks, he added: “You only get out of sport what you deserve and maybe we didn’t deserve to win one so far.

“If we win an All-Ireland final in two weeks the reality of it is we deserve to win. We try to take lessons from the past and try and get better and improve and that’s what we’ll try and get from today.”

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TJ REID HAS conjured up plenty moments of brilliance in his hurling career but it’s difficult to think of something more sensational or dramatic as his intervention today in Semple Stadium.

TJ Reid with St Thomas manager Kenneth Burke after the game.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Ballyhale Shamrocks dream of landing three-in-a-row in the All-Ireland club hurling championship was on the verge of ending, when Reid sized up a free deep into injury-time with his team two points down.

Just like he had less than ten minutes previously from a penalty, Reid found the net with a powerful strike, this time clinching a narrow win as Ballyhale dragged themselves clear of defeat.

#TJReid ☘️ 😸 🐐#GAABeo #TheToughest @KilkennyCLG @BallyhaleGAA

pic.twitter.com/NcnNOnfM8i

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 23, 2022

“I think that was my first free outside of a penalty scoring (a goal), so not a bad place I suppose to start,” Reid told TG4 after the game.

“Bul look, pure luck, I asked the ref what was left and he said, ‘30 seconds’.

“So I said to myself I just have to hit this as hard as I could and lucky enough it went in. I had only one option to strike the ball as hard as I could. It went through a few bodies there. Look it’s pure delight and number one relief.”

“We didn't perform well as a team, we'll be disappointed.”

Smaointí TJ Reid tar éis an cluiche.@GAA_BEO @BallyhaleGAA #GAABEO #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/apIVfZkPdF

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 23, 2022

Reid paid tribute to the challenge St Thomas posed, a vastly different scenarion from that which Ballyhale encountered three years ago when cruising past the Galway opponents in the All-Ireland decider.

“But look we’re relieved, just seeing a few images of St Thomas there, I suppose tears in their eyes, disheartened. Going back to 2019 we beat them, so they were coming here with huge motivation and they did that, they fought us to the bitter end.

“We didn’t perform well as a team, we’d be very disappointed with that. But look, out of jail and looking forward to three weeks. Didn’t link up as a team as much, that’s down to St Thomas, their pure work rate all over the field and just blessed we got a win.”

TJ Reid celebrates after the game with his brother Richie.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

While Ballyhale’s performance was not as free-flowing as we have been accustomed to witness, Reid was pleased to see their resilience remained intact.

“I suppose we’re on the road a long time and for me the main ingredient is hunger. It wasn’t perfect today but the hunger was there, the resilience was there, the work ethic was there to keep going and we did that. It wasn’t pretty. I’m sure the majority of us will be disappointed looking back on the game, we didn’t perform. I know St Thomas are in the same boat but we had five weeks off, little bit stale, little bit rusty.”

Next up is an All-Ireland final clash with Waterford neighbours Ballygunner.

“I know Ballygunner, they’re only 20 minutes away from Ballyhale. They want an All-Ireland final, they’ve been training for this and hurling for the last seven years. They’ve seven or eight county finals in a row and I’ve no doubt that they want this one. Look a very good team, 2019 I think we beat them as well, they’re coming with pure motivation.

“That hunger is going to be massive. For ourselves, the talk was of Ballyhale Ballygunner in the All-Ireland final, maybe that sunk in to us, maybe we were a little bit complacent today. But look I think tunnel vision now for Ballygunner because they are a serious outfit.”

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DUBLIN BOOKED THEIR place in next Saturday’s Walsh Cup final with victory today over Offaly.

Dublin ran out 2-23 to 1-20 winners in Birr and will now play Wexford next weekend in the final of the Leinster pre-season hurling competition.

Mattie Kenny’s team trailed 1-13 to 1-9 at half-time but took charge in the second half. Donal Burke chipped in with 0-7 while Kilmacud Crokes player Ronan Hayes and St Vincent’s Rian McBride both bagged the goals for Dublin. Fergal Whitely also hit 0-4 for the winners.

Eoghan Cahill shot 0-11 for Offaly with Brian Duignan scoring the only goal of the game for Michael Fennelly’s side.

R E S U L T

From the 2022 Leinster GAA Walsh Cup Round 3

Offaly 1-20
Dublin 2-23

Dublin secure their place in the decider next Saturday against Wexford.#LeinsterGAA | @Offaly_GAA @DubGAAOfficial | #TheWalshCup pic.twitter.com/DToJkXL1Kx

— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) January 23, 2022

Meanwhile Tiernan McCann has reportedly become the latest player to opt out of the Tyrone panel for the 2022 season.

Tyrone’s Tiernan McCann in action against Cavan last year.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

BBC Northern Ireland have today reported that the experienced defender will not be involved this year as Tyrone get set to defend their Sam Maguire crown.

The Killyclogher player emerged first in the Red Hands ranks under Mickey Harte at wing-back. He helped Tyrone win two Ulster titles and then tasted Sam Maguire success last year with the final win over Mayo.

Next Sunday sees Tyrone commence their 2022 Division 1 league campaign against Monaghan in Omagh at 3.45pm. Recent weeks have seen Ronan O’Neill, Mark Bradley, Hugh Pat McGeary and Michael Cassidy also decide to depart the Tyrone ranks.

Tiernan McCann celebrates Tyrone’s win in the All-Ireland final with Conor Meyler.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

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1. More TJ Reid heroics

COMETH THE HOUR, cometh the man. 

Ballyhale Shamrocks were two points down with 30 seconds left on the clock when TJ Reid stood over a free from a tight angle outside the 21. Realising there might not be enough time to get another score, Reid went for broke.

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His strike was pure, soaring through a forest of bodies to give the Kilkenny kingpins victory at the death. Only minutes earlier he struck home a penalty to bring Ballyhale back into the game when it was slipping from them.

It was an incredible intervention from a man who has performed more than his fair share of heroics for club and county over the last decade.

“I had only one option which was to strike the ball as hard as I could,” he told TG4 afterwards.

“I asked the referee how much was left and he said 30 seconds, so I just said to myself I’ll have to hit this as hard as I could. Lucky enough it went in.”

2. St Thomas’ heartbreak

To lose in such circumstances and have an All-Ireland final snatched from them was heartbreaking for St Thomas’. Despite winning the last  four Galway titles, they were big underdogs coming into this game. The loss of Shane Cooney in the lead-in was a devastating blow, robbing them of one of their best defenders. 

But they conjured up a stirring performance, showing the sort of form they tend to produce in Galway each year. Defensively, they were excellent, pulling off a number of last ditch blocks over the hour.

Fintan Burke was outstanding at the back, Bernard Burke and Eanna Burke were everywhere, hitting six from play between them, and Conor Cooney scored 10 frees and a sideline. 

It’s of scant consolation to them, but St Thomas’ deserved to win this game and they can take great pride in their display. 

St. Thomas’ Fintan Burke in disbelief after the game.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

3. Ballyhale underperformance

Aside from their Leinster final pummelling of Clough-Ballacolla, Ballyhale’s form has been somewhat patchy this season. They endured the fright of their lives in the Leinster semi-final against Offaly’s St Rynagh’s, snatching a draw in the dying seconds of the 60 minutes before prevailing in extra-time. 

They were second-best for the long spells of the Kilkenny final, before pulling away from O’Loughlin Gaels with some attacking class in the final quarter. And Shamrocks would admit themselves they were below their best in Thurles today.

However, the hallmark of great champions is digging out results when they’re not playing particularly well. And Ballyhale are back in Croke Park, where they tend to show their best form.  

4. Ballygunner’s first All-Ireland final

Ballygunner’s trip to the All-Ireland final was sealed with a goal at the beginning of either half by Billy O’Keeffe.

Coming into this game both the ‘Gunner and Slaughtneil were chasing a maiden appearance in the decider. Slaughtneil were defeated in their previous three semi-finals, while Ballygunner lost their last two.  

“It’s very obvious, we lost the game in the first five minutes of each half,” said deflated Slaughtneil manager Michael McShane. “We went 1-2 down before we struck a ball in thew first-half, then conceded 1-1 at the start of the second half.

“It’s inexplicable, I don’t know. I’m not going to point fingers at anybody, but they were out of the blocks very quick and that 2-3 was the difference in the end. So we’re bitterly disappointed. 

“We’ve given it everything that we could do over the last ten weeks of training and very proud to have won another Derry and Ulster title.

“But this is where we wanted to be and we wanted to win today.  We’ve had enough of glorious performances that ended in defeat and this is another one. We’re just very very down.”

Dessie Hutchinson celebrates after the game.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

5. Dream final pairing

Based just 30km apart, the final showdown between Ballygunner and Ballyhale Shamrocks is a mouthwatering tie. Many All-Ireland club hurling deciders in recent years have failed to live up to their billing, but this one should be box-office.

Both sides have dominated their respective county championships and are littered with inter-county talent. They play attacking styles that will be well-suited to Croke Park. 

Ballyhale are chasing the All-Ireland three-in-a-row, while Ballygunner are hoping to land their first title. 

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Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-15
St Thomas (Galway) 0-20

TJ REID RESCUED Ballyhale Shamrocks with a sensational late goal as the champions broke the hearts of Galway’s St Thomas in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final today.

Reid smashed a 20-yard free to the net, from just to the right of the goal in the 64th minute, to secure a spot in the All-Ireland final for the Kilkenny kingpins.

He had earlier found the net from a 55th minute penalty, priceless strikes on a day where St Thomas looked to be on course for victory with Conor Cooney and Eanna Burke in inspirational form.

But Reid again displayed his hurling greatness with the critical scores to set up a final meeting with Ballygunner.

63 nóim@BallyhaleGAA 2–15@StThomassHC 0-20

CÚL EILE AG TJ!!!@BallyhaleGAA HAVE WON IT!!!!@GAA_BEO

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/NcnNOnfM8i

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 23, 2022

Full time score

St. Thomas’ 0-20
Ballyhale 2-15

We are absolutely devastated to lose the way we did

We are so proud of ye
lads ❤️💙@WhatstheScor

— St. Thomas' GAA (@StThomassHC) January 23, 2022

Reid’s interventions were desperately needed too as Ballyhale chased this game in the second half. They trailed 0-18 to 0-14 with ten minutes remaining before a Reid free trimmed the deficit and then the James O’Connor-managed team received a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, Colin Fennelly fouled after an incisive run from Darragh Corcoran.

Reid smashed the penalty to the net but then St Thomas wrestled back the momentum again with a pair of points from injury-time frees supplied by Conor Cooney, benefitting from the hard work of James Regan and David Burke to draw fouls.

TJ Reid in action against St Thomas.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

It appeared that St Thomas were set for a famous success but they were left devastated when Reid was fouled late on and dusted himself down to find the net. The Kilkenny star finished with 2-5 to his name with Eoin Cody (0-4) and Joe Cuddihy (0-3) also making valuable scoring contributions.

Yet this game was largely bossed by St Thomas. They got off to a brilliant start with the first four points of the game posted on the board, yet Ballyhale recovered to be in front 0-7 to 0-6 at the first water break. They were also grateful to a fine first-half save from goalkeeper Dean Mason to deny Eanna Burke.

St Thomas charged back into contention again, in front 0-13 to 0-11 at half-time, and in the ascendancy at the second-half water break, 0-17 to 0-13. They had terrific performances all over them pitch, anchored by full-back Fintan Burke, and were in a strong position until Ballyhale pegged them back with those sensational Reid goals.

Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 2-5 (1-3f, 1-0 pen), Eoin Cody 0-4, Joe Cuddihy 0-3, Patrick Mullen, Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Thomas: Conor Cooney 0-11 (0-10f, 0-1 sideline), Eanna Burke 0-4, Bernard Burke 0-2, Darragh Burke, Brendan Farrell, James Regan 0-1 each.

Ballyhale Shamrocks

Dean Mason

Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Kevin Mullen

Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran

Paddy Mullen, Conor Phelan 

Brian Cody, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen

Joe Cuddihy, Colin Fennelly (captain), Eoin Cody

Subs

Eoin Kenneally for Phelan (inj) (29)

Brian Butler for Kevin Mullen (inj) (42)

Conor Walsh for Darren Mullen (55)

Eoin Reid for Kenneally (58)

St Thomas

Gerald Kelly

Cian Mahony, Fintan Burke, David Sherry

John Headd, David Burke, Cathal Burke

Evan Duggan, Bernard Burke

James Regan, Conor Cooney (captain), Eanna Burke

Oisin Flannery, Darragh Burke, Bernard Farrell

Subs

V Manso for Farrell (45)

Mark Caulfield for Duggan (58)

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St Sylvester’s (Dublin) 4-11

Kinawley Brian Borus (Fermanagh) 2-5

By Daire Walsh

DUBLIN STAR SINÉAD Aherne struck 2-5 at Gaffney Park this afternoon as St Sylvester’s convincingly overcame Kinawley Brian Borus to book their spot in the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate club final.

Despite the absence of her inter-county team-mate Niamh McEvoy, listed amongst the substitutes but held in reserve throughout, the firepower of Aherne offered Sylvester’s a decisive edge over their Ulster rivals.

Kinawley skipper Joanne Doonan emerged with an impressive tally of 1-3 but it is the Leinster champions who progress to face Castlebar Mitchels in the forthcoming showpiece.

The hosts enjoyed a dream start to this contest as Aherne rattled the back of the Kinawley net with just over 60 seconds gone on the clock. This was a taste of things to come from Sylvester’s and the Dublin holders subsequently doubled their lead in the seventh minute.

Following a blistering run from another Dublin star, Nicole Owens, Emma Sullivan fired home clinically for her side’s second goal. Kinawley got up and running with back-to-back points courtesy of Shauna Melanaphy and captain Joanne Doonan, but Sylvester’s responded with points of their own from Aherne and Sophie McGlynn.

Owens had a goal disallowed just shy of the first-quarter mark and their Fermanagh counterparts received a significant boost when Aine McManus shot beyond the reach of Sophie Brennan for an 18th minute goal.

A master class served up by these four stars today. Our ladies were on fire! 🔥 💙💚 Bring on the Final! #clubchamps @dublinladiesg @LadiesFootball @LeinsterLGFA
Photos; @OfficialSylsGAA PRO pic.twitter.com/mNE59bneDu

— St Sylvester’s GAA Malahide (@OfficialSylsGAA) January 23, 2022

However, Aherne immediately responded at the opposite end with another emphatic finish to the Kinawley net. She finished the opening period with 2-3 to her name and with Sylvester’s establishing a 3-7 to 1-3 interval cushion, they were on course for a place in the national decider.

Already well-served in attack, the 36th-minute introduction of Katie O’Sullivan added an extra dimension to the Sylvester’s play. After Grace Twomey and Aherne had scored points either side of a successful Doonan free, O’Sullivan grabbed their fourth goal to move the Malahide outfit 4-8 to 1-4 clear.

To their credit, Kinawley kept plugging away and Doonan displayed great composure to fire past Brennan for a goal on 46 minutes.

This was only a minor speed bump for Sylvester’s, however. Katie O’Sullivan and Kate Sullivan added to their respective hauls in the closing minutes to ease the north Dubliners to a commanding victory.

They now face Mayo and Connacht champions Castlebar Mitchels, who saw off Castleisland Desmonds of Kerry in their semi-final yesterday.

Scorers for St Sylvester’s: S Aherne 2-5 (0-4f), K O’Sullivan 1-1, E Sullivan 1-0, G Twomey 0-2, K Sullivan 0-2, S McGlynn 0-1.

Scorers for Kinawley: J Doonan 1-3 (0-2f), A McManus 1-0, S Melanaphy 0-1, K Murphy 0-1.

ST SYLVESTER’S: S Brennan; C Fitzpatrick, K White, L Harrold; L Murphy, D Lawless, E Lynch; N Owens, G Twomey; K Sullivan, E Sullivan, N Harney; S McGlynn, S Aherne, L Ryan.

Subs: G McGinty for E Sullivan (35), K O’Sullivan for McGlynn (36), K Tanner for Harney (52), A McDonnell for Owens (55).

KINAWLEY: D Owens; C Breen, K Murphy, K Donnelly; E Keenan, C Murphy, C Leonard; R O’Reilly, A McGovern; L Doonan, A Haran, A McManus; S Melanaphy, J Doonan, N McManus.

Subs: G McCaffrey for Melanaphy (38), K Murphy for Haran (45), M Murphy for L Doonan (49), K Magee for N McManus (58).

Referee: Declan Carolan (Armagh).

**********

currentaccount.ie All-Ireland junior club semi-final results

• St Jude’s (Dublin) 3-9 Carrickmacross (Monaghan) 0-11
• Mullinahone (Tipperary) 1-6 St Brendan’s (Galway) 0-5

Aisling Gannon and Niamh Kerr scored two late goals in a devasting 60-second spell to book St Jude’s their spot in the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Junior club final for the first time ever with victory over Carrickmacross.

An Aoife Keyes goal was all that separated the sides at the half-time when St Judes led by 1-6 to 0-6. Goalkeeper Kerrie Martin had kept the Monaghan side alive in the game and in the second half they drew level briefly, before St Jude’s struck late to ensure they got the win.

And Lorraine O’Shea’s goal was the crucial score as Mullinahone qualified as their decider opponents with a narrow win over St Brendan’s at John Locke’s GAA club in Callan.

O’Shea’s first half-goal made all the difference and she finished with 1-4 while Kilkenny camogie star Denise Gaule also shone for the Tipperary club, with 0-2.

– With reporting from Aisling Clery and Eanna O’Reilly

You can read the full reports on the LGFA website.

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Limerick 0-27
Clare 0-18

Páraic McMahon reports from Cusack Park, Ennis

A NINE-POINT was recorded by the reigning All-Ireland, Munster and National League champions Limerick against home side Clare in front of an attendance of 7,992 in Ennis for today’s Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling Cup final.

Survivors from Limerick’s All-Ireland winning fifteen included Barry Nash, Gearoid Hegarty, William O’Donoghue. Clare opted for experience but also took the chance to blood new talent with Patrick Crotty and Robin Mounsey making their first senior appearances from the bench.

Hopes for a tense, tight affair were heightened when tensions ratcheted up at the throw-in with referee Conor Doyle brandishing yellow cards to Will O’Donoghue and Jack Browne before the sliotar was in play.

This soon dissipated with Limerick proving much too strong for their Shannonside neighbours. Effectively it was game over by half-time with John Kiely’s side holding an eight point advantage. Foundations for the win were built when they put together rallies of six and five points without reply at different stages.

Victorious Limerick captain Barry Nash.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

By the first water break, just three points separated the sides but that was as good as it got for Brian Lohan’s Clare with the gap widening as the tie progressed. Limerick’s ease at crafting sequences of play moving with aplomb from their last line of defence to attack allowing them to create several scoring opportunities from near and afar.

Primarily it was the battle of David Reidys, the Dromin-Athlacca freetaker versus his Ennis namesake. They accounted for 0-12 and 0-09 of their side’s final tally and were active from placed balls particularly in the opening half.

For Clare to have had any chance of clawing their way back, they needed a major but failed to put together any meaningful opportunity to ensure Limerick took him the silverware in the pre-season competition.

In what was the first of three meetings between the counties at Cusack Park this year, Limerick gave an indication that their ranking as the country’s top team is fully justified and on course to remain. Richie English, Colin Coughlan and Oisin O’Reilly stood out for the winners while Clare were best served by Mark Rodgers, Paul Flanagan and the hard-working Jack Browne.

Limerick boss John Kiely.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Scorers for Limerick: David Reidy 0-12 (0-11f), Darren O’Connell, Oisin O’Reilly 0-3 each, Colin Coughlan, Adam English 0-2 each, Pat Ryan, Gearoid Hegarty, Richie English, Brian O’Grady, C O’Neill 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: David Reidy 0-9 (0-6f, 0-2 ’65), Cathal Malone, Mark Rodgers, Diarmuid Ryan, Robin Mounsey (0-1’65) 0-2 each, Patrick Crotty 0-1.

Limerick

1: David McCarthy (Glenroe)

2: Barry Nash (South Liberties), 21: Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 4: Richie English (Doon)

5: Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), 6: Ronan Connolly (Adare), 7: Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)

9: William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsiagh), 22: Brian O’Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen)

11: David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), 10: Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister), 12: Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks)

13: Darren O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), 14: Pat Ryan (Doon), 15: Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock).

Subs

Click Here:

19: Adam English (Doon) for Ryan (46)

8: Rory Duff (Mungret St Pauls) for O’Donoghue (53)

17: Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Hegarty (53)

Clare

1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

4. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea), 3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), 25: Mike Gough (Smith O’Briens)

5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 6: Jason McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona), 23: Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)

8: Jack Browne (Ballyea), 9: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)

10: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), 11: David Reidy (Éire Óg), 12: Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)

21: Domhnall McMahon (Michael Cusack’s), 13: Mark Rodgers (Scariff), 15: Gary Cooney (O’Callaghans Mills)

Subs:

7: David McInerney (Tulla) for Donnellan (HT)

14: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin) for Golden (HT)

17: Shane Meehan (Banner) for McMahon (43)

19: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones) for Fitzgerald (46)

18: Patrick Crotty (Scariff) for Cooney (51)

20: Robin Mounsey (Ruan) for McCarthy (52)

Referee: Conor Doyle (Tipperary)

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All-Ireland intermediate club hurling semi-final results

• Kilmoyley (Kerry) 2-15 Banagher (Derry) 1-12

• Naas (Kildare) 0-18 Tooreen (Mayo) 0-13

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THERE WILL BE a novel All-Ireland hurling final meeting involving the Kerry and Kildare club champions after today’s semi-final successes for Kilmoyley and Naas.

The two clubs, competing at the All-Ireland semi-final stage for the first time this afternoon after their respective historic Munster and Leinster triumphs, will meet in the intermediate final at Croke Park on the weekend of 5-6 February.

It will mark the first time that a club from Kerry and Kildare have contested an All-Ireland hurling final.

They'll see us coming to the @ConnachtGAA Centre if Excellence on Sunday pic.twitter.com/LyxqbYJqyx

— Kilmoyley HC (@KilmoyleyHC) January 21, 2022

Congratulations to our senior hurlers on reaching the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final with a very hard fought victory over @TooreenHurlers@NaasBall pic.twitter.com/2hp1JhDYRF

— Naas Hurling (@SHNaas15) January 23, 2022

Two goals from Maurice O’Connor inspired Kilmoyley to victory over Ulster champions, Banagher from Derry, to victory by 2-15 to 1-12 at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. Daniel Collins (0-9) and Jordan Brick (0-4) were also in exceptional point-socring form for the winners.

Kilmoyley suffered an early setback when Collins saw his penalty effort saved but they recovered to lead 1-2 to 0-3 at the water break and 1-5 to 0-6 by half-time, O’Connor raising his first green flag. 

But the Derry champions enjoyed a brilliant start to the second half with a Stefan McCloskey goal helping them lead 1-8 to 1-5 as they played against the wind. Then Collins stepped up for Kilmoyley with four points in a row to restore their advantage by the second water break. They pushed on in the final quarter with Brick excelling and O’Connor netting for the second time, although the ending to the game was marred for Kilmoyley by a red card for forward Adrian Royle.

Jack Sheridan was in superb form for Naas as he fired 0-9 in their success by 0-18 to 0-13 against Mayo’s Tooreen in Duggan Park in Ballinasloe.

Tooreen, competing in their third All-Ireland semi-final, made a bright start as they went ahead 0-5 to 0-3 by the 20th minute, but Naas fought back to go front 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time. Tooreen cut the gap to a single point twice in the third quarter, but Naas hit five points without reply to move ahead 0-16 to 0-10 entering the last ten minutes.

They were able to protect their winning position from there, Sheridan pointing the way and Brian Byrne scoring 0-3 overall. Shane Boland (0-6) and Cathal Freeman (0-2) were top scorers for Tooreen.

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All-Ireland junior club hurling semi-final results

• Ballygiblin (Cork) 4-20 Fullen Gaels (Lancashire) 0-12

• Mooncoin (Kilkenny) 2-26 Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) 0-11

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THERE WILL BE a Cork and Kilkenny clash in this year’s All-Ireland junior club hurling final after Ballygiblin and Mooncoin won their respective semi-final clashes today.

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It will be the seventh time the champions from the two counties have met in the All-Ireland decider at this grade.

We march on! pic.twitter.com/IGS2iYRuN3

— Ballygiblin GAA (@Ballygiblingaa) January 23, 2022

AIB All-Ireland Jnr Hurling Semi-Final #theToughest #honDCoin @kilkennyclg @skgaa
Full Time
Mooncoin: 2-26(32)
Salthill-Knocknacarra (Gal): 0-11(11) well done lads !! Brilliant performance!!! ✊✊🥳🎉. All Ireland here we come!!!!!

— Mooncoin GAA (@MooncoinGAA) January 23, 2022

Ballygiblin ran out 4-20 to 0-12 victors over Fullen Gaels in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise, comfortably in control of the semi-final all through. The winner started without Darragh Flynn, a Cork All-Ireland U20 winner last year, due to injury, but did have Mark Keane, who recently brought his AFL career with Collingwood to an end, starting for them again at centre-back.

A goal by Colin English, Tipperary’s 2018 All-Ireland U21 winning captain, helped them go ahead 1-12 to 0-1 at half-time, and they were 1-17 to 0-4 clear by the second water break. Three late goals from English, Sean O’Sullivan and Adam Donegan rounded off success for the team coached by Ronan Dwane as they finished victors by 20 points.

Mooncoin also impressed in their success by 2-26 to 0-11 over Galway’s Salthill-Knocknacarra at LIT Gaelic Grounds. A Kevin Crowley goal helped the Kilkenny champions go ahead 1-15 to 0-6 at half-time, before an early second-half goal by John Fitzgerald helped put Mooncoin in an unassailable position.

They will be hoping to make amends for their last All-Ireland final appearance when they suffered a narrow defeat to Cork’s Mayfield by a point in the 2017 final.

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