THERE are no fewer than five Championship Hurling Finals listed for the Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend, enough to keep the heart pumping and the palms sweating across the spooky season.
At the heart of the action is the Senior showdown between holders Na Piarsaigh and title-less Doon at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday (4.15pm), the curtain-raiser to which is the Premier Intermediate showdown involving Garryspillane and Newcastle West (NCW), 2pm.
Darragh O’Donovan-captained Doon, four-time beaten finalists, are the slightest of favourites to account for a side skippered by Mike Casey.
Either Na Piarsaigh or Doon will return to the venue the following weekend to host Ballygunner of Waterford in the opening round of the Munster Championship.
The winners of the opener will earn status for next season, with pundits split on the possible outcome between sides captained by Colin Ryan (Garryspillane) and Brian Hurley, NCW.
Either Garryspillane or NCW will be home to Cashel King Cormacs (Tipperary) in the provincial competition on Sunday November 3.
Both finals from the Gaelic Grounds will be broadcast on Live 95, with the senior contest also on TG4.
In Intermediate, Bruree and Croagh Kilfinny contest the Final at Rathkeale’s Mick Neville Park on Saturday (5pm).
C/K are in the decider for the fourth year on the trot, and are expected to come through with a side that includes 2014 All-Star Séamus Hickey, Aidan O’Shea, Tom McMahon, Conor Lenihan, Adam Shanagher, James Lanigan, Cian O’Carroll, and Séamus O’Carroll.
Bruree, however, too have quality individuals at its disposal, such as Brian Sexton for example.
Timmy McGrath will referee.
The Premier Junior A Final involves Feenagh Kilmeedy and St Patrick’s at nearby Seán Finn Park, 3pm (referee Declan O’Driscoll).
Earlier (12.30pm), Monaleen and Rathkeale meet in the Junior A Final in Bruff, with Kieran Guina in charge.
There is provision for extra time and penalties in all finals.
