A strong county champion doesnât meant a strong championship, but a weak county champion does generally mean a weak championship, albeit maybe a competitive one. There are at least 4 clubs in Down Iâd expect to win the Tyrone championship if they were in it.
Why is Walsh out for the year? Itâs obviously not injury anyway seeing as he left Kilkerrin Clonberne so he wouldnât have to travel back there to train and wouldnât have the requisite recovery time.
Again thatâs incorrect. Errigal were Ulster Champions despite the fact they have only won 3 titles in the past 14 years. Kilcoo won 13 of 14 and only managed to get over the line twice in that time.
You are very misguided here. By your logic the only club championship in Ulster that could claim to be strong is the Derry club championship as they are the only county to field different winners in the past decade.
If Kilcoo played in Tyrone they would have struggled to get 4 county championships in that time. If Errigal or Trillick played in Down they would have multiple Down titles and a few more Ulsters.
The biggest barometer of a club championship is itâs county team. While Kilcoo are a very good club, the overall quality in the Down Championship is reflected by their county team who have not won Ulster in 32 years.
Of the last 10 Ulster clubs it is:
Derry 4 (2 clubs)
Down 2 (1 club)
Armagh, Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan (1 each)
Kilcoo winning margins in the 13 finals they won of the last 14.
2012 - 3 points
2013 - 2 points
2014 - 11 points
2015 - 9 points
2016 - 11 points
2017 - 2 points
2019 - 1 point
2020 - 7 points
2021 - 2 points
2022 - 1 point (AET)
2023 - 9 points
2024 - 9 points
2025 - 6 points
Avg winning margin 6.6 points (1 winner)
Tyrone finals in the same years
2012 - 5 points
2013 - 5 points
2014 - 1 point
2015 - 1 point
2016 - draw, 14 points in replay
2017 - 2 points
2019 - 2 points
2020 - penalties
2021 - 7 points
2022 - 2 points
2023 - 3 points AET
2024 - 1 point
2025 - 1 point
Avg winning margin 2.9 points (8 different winners including a 1st ever win for Loughmacrory last year who may now exit in the first round)
Thereâs about 5/6 clubs in Tyrone who would dominate in Down if Kilcoo switched spots with them.
Surely the operation to remove the support elastic from the socks hasnât that length of a recovery timeâŚâŚ
Goodness me itâs hard to debate with that level of logic. There were 2 years in a row where Kilccoo won a quarter final by 1 point after extra time, and a quarter final on a penalty shoot-out. But because they won the final by 7 points Tyrone teams would dominate in Down.
I went to Omagh last year for the Kilcoo game because the Loughmacrory side was talked up so much, it was as feeble an effort as any Kilcoo would face in an opening round game here. Kilcoo of course have already been beaten in Down this year in the championship too, they are just very hard to kill off unfortunately unless they get a man sent off which rarely happens here.
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You are not debating in logic yourself. Your argument is utterly devoid of rationale. Kilcoo have won 2 Ulsters in 13 attempts. That is a very ordinary record and it says a lot that Down football is being so comprehensively dominated by a club who has not really garnered such success at Ulster.
The only Ulster club who is in the same realm of dominance as Kilcoo is Crossmaglen who won 18 in 19. The difference is Cross not only dominated Armagh but also dominated Ulster and the All Ireland series.
If Errigal got 13 cracks at Ulster in 14 years they would have a lot more Ulsters and All Irelands than Kilcoo have IMO.
HURLING
CARLOW SHC SFs
St Mullins 3-21 Ballinkillen 0-14
Mount Leinster Rangers 2-18 Bagenalstown Gaels 2-11
CORK PSHC
Kanturk 2-27 Blackrock 2-16
Glen Rovers 1-24 Fr OâNeillâs 3-12
Sarsfields 3-22 Douglas 1-19
Newtownshandrum 1-21 Charleville 1-17
Midleton 2-15 Bride Rovers 2-13
Newcestown 0-21 St Finbarrâs 1-18
DOWN SHC
Ballycran 1-21 Carryduff 2-13
St Pats Portaferry 1-26 Ballygalget 1-11
GALWAY SHC
Turloughmore 0-20 Ardrahan 0-13
Castlegar 2-21 Oranmore Maree 3-15
Sarsfields 3-15 St Thomas 1-17
Loughrea 3-26 Gort 3-21
Moycullen 0-20 Tommy Larkins 1-17
Craughwell 2-25 Cappataggle 2-15
Clarinbridge 2-22 Liam Mellows 0-15
Athenry 4-22 Kilmordaly 0-12
LAOIS SHC
Abbeyleix St Lazarians 2-22 Rathdowney-Errill 3-16
Borris in Ossory Kilcotton 0-19 Rosenallis 0-17
Camross 4-25 Ballyfin 0-22
The Harps 3-18 Ballinakill 0-19
Clough Ballacolla 5-31 Portlaoise 0-12
LIMERICK SHC
Ballybrown 0-20 Monaleen 0-20
Adare 2-16 Patrickswell 1-18
Kilmallock 1-21 Ahane 0-20
Garryspillane 0-17 Kildimo Pallaskeniry 0-16
Mungret St Paulâs 3-17 Newcastlewest 1-17
Doon 2-20 Na Piarsiagh 2-20
LONGFORD SHC FINAL
Longford Slashers 1-22 Wolfe Tones 1-12
OFFALY SHC
Ballinamere 0-23 Belmont 1-18
Shinrone 3-21 Lusmagh 0-14
Kilcormac Kiloughey 2-24 Birr 0-14
Coolderry 3-21 Kinnetty 1-14
ROSCOMMON SHC QFs
Oran 0-17 Padraig Pearses 1-12
St Dominics 2-17 Athleague 1-10
TIPPERARY SHC PRELIM QFs
Nenagh Eire Og 2-11 Clonoulty Rossmore 1-12
Holycross Ballycahill 4-25 Loughmore Castleiney 4-18
WICKLOW SHC QFs
Carnew Emmetts 1-16 Kiltegan 0-17
St Patricks 2-11 Eire Og Greystones 0-15
FOOTBALL
ANTRIM SFC
Kickhams Creggan 3-16 All Saints 2-12
St Johnâs 2-10 St Paulâs 1-10
Cargin 2-14 St Galls 1-11
St Brigids 7-20 St Ergnats Moneyglass 0-9
Con Magees Glenravel 2-10 Dunloy 0-8
OâDonovan Rossa 4-16 Tir na nĂg 2-9
Lamh Dearg 1-15 Patrick Sarsfields 0-13
Roger Casements Portglenone 2-16 St Maryâs Aghagallon 0-18
ARMAGH SFC PRELIM QFs
Crossmaglen Rangers 5-27 Clann na nGael 0-13
Madden 2-22 Granemore 0-10
Mullaghbawn 1-15 St Pats Cullyhanna 0-11
Carrickcruppen 1-24 Maghery 1-22 AET
CAVAN SFC
Ramor United 1-16 Castlerahan 2-11
Ballyhaise 2-13 Cavan Gaels 0-15
Crosserlough 2-22 Kingscourt Stars 2-19
Gowna 0-14 Cuchalainns 0-12
Killygarry 3-17 Laragh United 3-7
Mullahoran 0-15 Arva 1-11
CLARE SFC
St Josephs Doora Barefield 1-21 Corofin 1-19
DERRY SFC
Slaughtneil 6-16 Banagher 2-17
ODR Magherafelt 3-10 Steelstown Brian Ogs 1-10
Watty Grahams Glen 3-20 Bellaghy 0-11
Swatragh 1-12 The Loup 0-11
SOL Newbridge 1-20 Lavey 2-15
Ballinderry Shamrocks 2-17 Ballinascreen 2-13
DONEGAL SFC
Four Masters 3-15 Aodh Ruadh 1-9
Downings 2-19 Glenfin 1-14
Naomh Conaill 1-18 Kilcar 1-13
Gaoth Dobhair 1-16 Killybegs 2-11
Sean MacCumhaills 1-22 Glenswilly 2-11
St Colombas 1-19 Ardara 1-10
St Eunans 1-18 St Michaelâs 0-14
Termon 2-17 Dungloe 3-14
DOWN SFC
Burren 5-19 Saval 0-8
Kilcoo 3-18 RGU Downpatrick 0-17
Saul 1-13 Castlewellan 2-9
DUBLIN S1FC
Kilmacud Crokes 1-19 Ballinteer St Johnâs 1-14
Clontarf 6-16 Whitehall Colmcille 0-9
Ballymun Kickhams 1-20 St Judes 1-13
Cuala 4-27 Lucan Sarsfields 0-14
Ballyboden St Endas 5-12 St Oliver Plunketts ER 0-9
Castleknock 5-19 Templeogue Synge St 0-18
Skerries Harps 2-17 Na Fianna 3-13
Raheny 2-22 Thomas Davis 2-18
KERRY CLUB SFC QFs
Milltown Castlemaine 0-23 Kenmare Shamrocks 0-20 AET
Rathmore 1-14 Austin Stacks 0-16
KERRY SFC RELEGATION SF
An Ghaeltacht 2-12 Templenoe 1-11
KILDARE SFC
Athy 1-15 Sallins 1-14
Kilcock 0-16 Raheens 0-15
Clane 2-17 Allenwood 1-13
Celbridge 1-16 Johnstownbridge 1-15
Clogherinkoe 2-14 Moorefield 0-20
Naas 4-21 Eadestown 1-14
Maynooth 1-15 Carbury 1-11
Sarsfields 1-18 Caragh 2-7
LEITRIM SFC
St Maryâs Kiltoghert 1-14 Leitrim Gaels 0-14
Mohill 2-22 Glencar Manor 0-23
Fenagh St Caillins 1-22 Ballinamore SOH 1-12
Allen Gaels 2-15 Aughawillan 1-12
LONDON SFC
Round Towers 0-16 St Kierans 1-12
Fulham Irish 2-15 North London Shamrocks 0-16
Tara 2-17 Wandsworth Gaels 2-10
Tir Chonaill Gaels 5-23 Dulwich Harps 0-2
LONGFORD SFC RELEGATION PO
Carrickedmond 1-12 Rathcline 1-11
LOUTH SFC
Naomh Mairtin 1-10 St Fechins 0-13
St Mochtas 1-15 Hunterstown Rovers 0-7
St Patricks 1-16 Roche Emmetts 0-10
MAYO SFC
Crossmolina Deel Rovers 0-16 Mayo Gaels 2-10
Aghamore 2-13 Ballintubber 1-12
Belmullet 4-17 Ballaghadereen 2-13
Breaffy 0-22 Knockmore 1-14
Claremorris 0-18 Charlestown 1-12
Kilmeena 2-15 Westport 2-13
Ballina Stephanites 1-18 Balla 2-12
Garrymore 0-19 Castlebar Mitchels 0-14
MEATH SFC
St Peterâs Dunboyne 2-15 Kilbride 0-11
Summerhill 1-19 Rathkenny 1-14
Donaghmore Ashbourne 2-16 Simonstown Gaels 0-8
Dunshaughlin 4-11 Gaeil Colmcille 2-11
St Colmcilles 1-15 Ballinabrackey 1-9
Wolfe Tones 1-24 Senchelstown 3-11
Trim 0-19 Skryne 1-13
Ratoath 1-15 Na Fianna 1-9
MONAGHAN SFC
Truagh 1-14 Magheracloone 1-14
Clontibret 2-21 Cremartin Shamrocks 0-16
Carrickmacross Emmetts 1-21 Inniskeen Grattans 2-17
Scotstown 5-26 Corduff 1-3
ROSCOMMON SFC
Michael Glaveys 0-16 Elphin 2-8
Western Gaels 2-16 St Faithleachs 0-17
SLIGO SFC
Easkey 2-11 Coolaney Mullinabreena 1-11
St Maryâs 1-10 Eastern Harps 0-11
Coolera Strandhill 0-11 St Molaise Gaels 0-11
Tourlestrane 4-22 Tubbercurry 1-11
TYRONE SFC
Clonoe OâRahillys 2-23 Coalisland 1-15
Donaghmore 0-24 Eglish 1-10
Errigal Ciaran 0-20 Killyclougher 1-9
Trillick 0-19 Galbally Pearses 3-9
Omagh St Endas 0-21 Mooretown St Malachys 0-6
Loughmacrory 1-19 Dungannon 4-10
Carrickmore 2-10 Dromore 0-14
Edendork 1-18 Ardboe 2-12
WESTMEATH SFC
St Lomans 0-18 Caulry 0-15
Coralstown Kinnegad 1-17 Mullingar Shamrocks 1-10
The Downs 3-15 Garrycastle 2-11
Moate All Whites 2-12 Killucan 1-9
Tubberclair 2-18 Athlone 3-15
Tyrellspass 0-18 Tang 0-17
WEXFORD SFC
Crossabeg Ballymurn 1-11 Glynn Barntown 1-9
Shelmaliers 3-11 Gusserane OâRahillys 2-13
St Mogues Fethard 2-18 St James 2-10
Castletown Liam Mellows 3-19 Killanerin 0-12
St Martins 2-14 Sarsfields 0-8
Naomh Eanna 3-19 HWH Bunclody 1-8
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1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd from opposite groups in the quarter-finals. The preliminary quarter-final between 4th and 5th in the hurling doesnât exist in football which sticks with the original format. Group B in the senior was a bit of a minefield in fairness. Youâd expect Glynn-Barntown to relegated the Halfway. I fancied Kilanerin to win a first SFC since 2008 but thatâs some clipping they shipped from neighbours Castletown in the dead rubber last weekend (3-19 to 0-12). The Duffry would want to be winning Intermediate A having won a Premier minor in 2023 and lost to the eventual winners the last two years. Intermediate looks very open. Top 3 in Group A the favourites.
Speaking of relegation. At 10pm tonight a Conaill Fitzpatrick two pointer kept MLR afloat in the Carlow SFC relegation final as they pipped Fenagh by a point. The celebrations afterwards on Clubber suggest they werenât just using it for hurling match fitness. An 8.30pm throw in on a Wednesday night is almost as abhorrent as a 6pm game on a Thursday. I still think Iâd prefer the 8.30pm throw in personally.
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5/8 in the end. I am happy with that.
Loughmacrory keep their back to back hopes alive with an 8 point replay win over Dungannon last night.
They will play Donaghmore in the QFs.
QF draw has been made. Games the weekend of 18th September.
Omagh v Louhgmacrory
Clonoe v Edendork
Carrickmore v Donaghmore
Errigal v Trillick
The final group games take place this weekend. I have been a critic of the 12 team championship saying it should be 8/10 but that fact all 12 teams still have a chance of winning it maybe proves how little I know.
Group 1.
Na Fianna vs Crokes on paper is the tie of the round but in reality is only shadow boxing with both already having secured the two top spots. Iâd expect both to have a lot more of their established stars back for this. Iâll give Na Fianna a slight nod as they seem to be carrying less injuries.
All other 4 teams in the group can still qualify for the QFs through a myriad of petmutations. I give a Hedgoless Vincents the nod vs a an injury strewn Barrog while Whitehalls better individual players might get them over the line vs Isles. Isles can qualify without winning.
Group 2.
Cuala are guaranteed 1st spot and Lucan likewise with 2nd. Brigids need an awful lot to go wrong in order not to qualify.
Lucan should dispose of Faughs handily. Youâd fancy Cuala to beat an out of sorts/transitioning Boden. Altnough if Boden can cut out the brain farts they should make it close. Judes and Brigids will be tight. Judes are surely bouyed by their win the last day and will run things close.
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Rappâs relegated in Wexford hurling!
Hurling in the towns in wexford seems to be at an all time low
Bar Gorey but yeah.
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The Carlow Hurling Final will be played at 7.30pm under floodlights on Saturday, 26 September. World gone mad. All to facilitate the television broadcasters.
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And Carlow county board
Both clubs can also object if they wish. It seems everyone is happy with it apart from some sack on the internet
Would there be a big crowd staying in of a Saturday evening to watch the Carla hurling final?
Shur some lads only get out one night a year for a jar
In group 1 Vins got their shooting boots on the 2nd half to beat a Barrog team who didnât show up for the same half. The game ultimately ended up as a futile exercise with results elsewhere meaning both sides have relegation playoffs.
Whitehall dogged a win vs Isles with their big name players such as Eoghan O Donnell and Lee Gannon showing well. Jamie Rafferty was impressive too. His younger brother is currently attracting AFL scouts.
Crokes vs Na Fianna was turning into a right good game until Brian Ryan picked up two quick yellow cards after 20 mins. It was tight with about 5/6 mins to go when Crokes got a soft goal and the end scorline flattered them tagging on soft scores. It was a high quality game and these two are well ahead of the pack and will more than likely meet again when the stakes are higher.
In Group 2, Lucan easily took care of Faughs who now face Vins in relegation. The shock was Judes beating Brigids. It was tight throughout but they were ahead at the long whistle. Up to two weeks ago they had a very poor year, relegated in league and lost 3 championship games. However they have had a few decent minor teams in recent years and a few of these lads have found their feet at senior level. @caoimhaoin pal Gerry Carty will surely have had a few pints last night.
Cuala had a smash and grab win over Boden in their game leaving Boden staring down at relegation. Boden are in transition with a distinct lack of real players between 24-32. They have blooded young lads and are relying on old legs also. Football seems to be number 1 over there and they havenât produced an inter county hurler of note since maybe Paul Ryan. They have a relegation final vs Barrog now which will not be straightforward.
Iâd expect the teams named first in the QF fixtures to all win easily by 6/7 points + in two weeks. Will preview in time.
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