FOOTBALL fans are in for a treat this coming weekend with no fewer than five championship finals down for decision.
The centrepiece is the novel Irish Wire Products sponsored Senior Final between Adare and Fr Casey’s (Abbeyfeale) at Rathkeale’s Mick Neville Park, Sunday at 4pm.
Donnacha O’Callaghan of Feohanagh Castlemahon will referee.
Harry Gleeson-managed Adare are favourites, justifiably so with such noted stalwarts within their midst as Shane Doherty, David Connolly, Davy Lyons, Eoghan Costello (captain), Paul Maher, Hugh Bourke, Shane O’Connor, and Joe Sweeney.
Eoin Joy’s Fr Casey’s have shown tremendous form in ‘24, most notably through the likes of Mike Kilbridge, Fiachra Cotter, Cullan Quigley, Sam Quigley, Adrian Enright, Daniel Daly (captain), Martin Scannell, and Eliah Riordan.
In the semi-finals, Adare stunned holders Newcastle West and Fr Casey’s edged out Mungret St Paul’s.
Adare are fancied to collect title number four, but the Fealesiders would dearly love to bring are in with a serious shout to bring home the Fr William Casey Memorial Cup, which it presented to Limerick in honour of a cleric who fought fearlessly on behalf of the tenants during the Land War.
The victors will be in Clare for the opening round of the Munster Championship the following weekend.
The Intermediate Final has been switched to Ballyagran and here Mikey Meade-managed Rathkeale are predicted to prevail against Galbally, referee Kieran Guina.
The winners will earn promotion to the top-flight for next season.
Earlier, at noon, the Junior B Final brings together St. Kieran’s and Mungret/St. Paul’s to Seán Finn Park, Rathkeale.
Meanwhile, the Woodlands House Hotel Premier Junior A Final will involve Athea and Cappagh in Askeaton on Saturday (2.30pm, referee Liam MacGaynor), while Ahane and Fedamore contest the Junior A Final in Caherconlish, 1pm (referee Alan Kehoe).
Wins are predicted for Cappagh and Ahane.
