Inside Track with John McIntyre

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, and we are in the depths of winter, but for six Galway clubs and their supporters’ festive presents and plum pudding will be parked to one side on a massive weekend of championship GAA action at parish level.

It’s hard to credit that Galway teams will be represented in four All-Ireland women’s finals over a 24-hour period at Croke Park between Saturday and Sunday, while the club hurlers of Loughrea and Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry also face big dates with destiny in championship semi-finals.

We must tip our hats first to the ladies’ footballers of Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Annaghdown, and the camogie players of Sarsfields and Ahascragh-Caltra as all four clubs stand just 60 minutes away from All-Ireland glory. It’s some achievement for one county.

It wasn’t for nothing that both the Galway camogie team and the ladies’ footballers ended up in All-Ireland finals in 2024, and while defeat may have been the outcome for the wearers of maroon managed by Cathal Murray and Daniel Moynihan respectively, competing strongly at the highest level is a positive reflection of what’s happening in local clubs.

A big focus will be on Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s attempts to complete a record-breaking four-in-a-row at GAA headquarters on Saturday. They are on an incredible 43-match unbeaten streak and have become the standard bearers in the game. Backboned by the Divilly, Ward and Noone sisters, they are the complete package.

Apart from being a talented group of players, Kilkerrin-Clonberne also possess a natural athleticism and hunger which makes them so difficult to beat. They faced what looked a tough challenge in the All-Ireland semi-final away to Clann Éireann of Armagh, but the game was done and dusted by half-time.

Goals from Ailish Morrissey and rising star Aisling Madden sent Kilkerrin-Clonberne on their way, with half-backs Nicola Ward and Hannah Noone driving forward repeatedly as Clann Éireann simply couldn’t cope with the all-round strength of an opposition – astutely managed by Willie Ward – which has it in every way.

Pictured: Kilkerrin-Clonberne goalkeeper Lisa Murphy in action during their LGFA All-Ireland Club semi-final win over Clann Eireann of Armagh. The Galway champions face Kimacud Crokes of Dublin in the final at Croke Park on Saturday evening. Photo: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.