Eight teams from all across Ireland will travel to Croke Park this weekend to compete in the Junior and Intermediate AIB GAA All-Ireland Football and Hurling Club Championship Finals, with all four matches across Saturday and Sunday to be broadcast live on TG4.
It promises to be an epic weekend of action in both codes beginning with a feast of hurling from 5 pm on Saturday, January 14th, when Munster champions, Ballygiblin of Cork take on Easkey of Sligo in the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship Final. The Intermediate showpiece follows at 7 pm, with Monaleen of Limerick up against Tooreen of Mayo.
Football fans will take over the stands on Sunday, January 15th. The Junior decider throws in at 1.30 pm with Kerry and Munster champions Fossa against Ulster and Tyrone representatives Stewartstown Harps.
The AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Final follows at 3.30 pm, where Galbally Pearses of Tyrone play Rathmore of Kerry.
There will be interest from across the country in the outcome of the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Junior Club Championship Final, with Kerry star and PwC/GPA Footballer of the Year David Clifford hoping to add to his All-Ireland success with county with his club Fossa this weekend.
While Clifford’s scoring prowess will be key, the influence of Matt Rennie in the centre of the park will also be crucial – and he will be hoping for a repeat of his performance in midfield in their 12-point semi-final win over Meath side, Castletown.
Stewartstown Harps meanwhile come into the game off the back of a second Ulster GAA Football Junior Club championship title, where they defeated Drumlane of Cavan in a heart-stopping thriller. They were in impressive form in their 1-14 to 1-9 victory over Clifden of Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final and will look to the firepower of Gareth Devlin at full forward to get them over the line this weekend.
“The concluding weekend of the AIB GAA All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior Club Championships across football and hurling is a showcase for the incredible athleticism and skill at all levels of our national games,” said AIB CEO Colin Hunt.
“As always, we will see the passionate support that fans display for their clubs and communities this weekend. We wish all those involved in the four finals this weekend the very best of luck.”
“I would like to welcome the players, coaches, members and supporters of all eight clubs involved in this weekend’s finals to Croke Park,” added GAA President Larry McCarthy.
“For those playing, the opportunity to represent your communities on the national stage today is an incredible honour. Regardless of the results, in reaching this stage alone you have made each of your clubs and communities incredibly proud. Enjoy the matches.”
Sport for Business Perspective:
The best of sport is competing against your peers, regardless of the level. The GAA does this well with the three different levels of competition replicated in every county and leading to the finals. To get the Footballer of the Year competing in the supposed lowest of the levels is a rarity but one that will not matter one iota to the clubs and their communities for whom this will be the biggest sporting day of their lives.
