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I got my semi final predictions wrong... What are we thinking for the final? SG on fire the past 6 weeks but are we counting out the reigning champs? Coolera are battle hardened & a wealth of expierence. SG to win by 2 points in a tight encounter. Pity it is in Enniscrone,hope it ain't a windy day ....... Eddie_irvine (Sligo) - Posts: 6 - 30/09/2025 11:28:27 2637928 Link
Replying To Eddie_irvine: "I got my semi final predictions wrong... What are we thinking for the final? SG on fire the past 6 weeks but are we counting out the reigning champs? Coolera are battle hardened & a wealth of expierence. SG to win by 2 points in a tight encounter. Pity it is in Enniscrone,hope it ain't a windy day ......." There is nearly always wind in Enniscrone. I see the U 20 fixtures this weekend have been pushed out to mid October. This is not the time of the year for this competition. It was ridiculous to fix them for this weekend with so many clubs still involved in the latter stage of championship. Also a lot of lads are back at college and have part time work at the weekend. The work and the money will come before football at this time of year. This competition should be played in July, long summer evenings. There was a healthy debate here last week about the championship format and reducing teams in each category. I'm actually happy enough with 10 teams in Senior and Intermediate but Junior A could be reduced to 6. The longer a team's second team plays the weaker it gets due to lads getting called up to the first team,. I can't see John's getting out of Junior A for at least 5 years. Michaels might get their sooner. Cloonacool should win this year. Every club that's in Senior wants to stay there. You saw last weekend what Easkey did to retain their status. Likewise if you are in intermediate you don't want to go down. Holding your own in senior or inter is a huge boost to a club, gives it a bit of prestige and people are more inclined to support them. Equally players want to play at a higher level. No one wants to be a junior footballer with their first team eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2249 - 01/10/2025 10:28:59 2638077 Link
My comment didn't make it earlier in the week I see. I had made the journey across town to watch the intermediate semi final with Enniscrone and Ballymote. A highly entertaining game both a lot of handling errors on both sides. I do wonder how strong this intermediate championship has been tbh. Anyway I'm assuming my comment didn't make it due to what it contained about the officiating. I'd never abuse an official on here but only commented on some very legitimate poor decisions I feel, but I see the local media have hinted at as much in it anyway. I thought Calry would give a better game to Mullinabreena and the south sligo lads will be favourites to go up to senior. Just as well all u20 was pulled as weather would have cancelled them anyway. Hopefully next week will be a lot calmer otherwise it could spoil what could be a great final. No match officials down I see, its a big day for them too and as evidenced in inter semi final, a poor choice can have a big impact, will be interesting to see who is appointed. Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 603 - 03/10/2025 18:11:51 2638390 Link
Replying To Sligoman1234: "My comment didn't make it earlier in the week I see. I had made the journey across town to watch the intermediate semi final with Enniscrone and Ballymote. A highly entertaining game both a lot of handling errors on both sides. I do wonder how strong this intermediate championship has been tbh. Anyway I'm assuming my comment didn't make it due to what it contained about the officiating. I'd never abuse an official on here but only commented on some very legitimate poor decisions I feel, but I see the local media have hinted at as much in it anyway. I thought Calry would give a better game to Mullinabreena and the south sligo lads will be favourites to go up to senior. Just as well all u20 was pulled as weather would have cancelled them anyway. Hopefully next week will be a lot calmer otherwise it could spoil what could be a great final. No match officials down I see, its a big day for them too and as evidenced in inter semi final, a poor choice can have a big impact, will be interesting to see who is appointed." Normally whoever gets to referee the semi finals doesn't get the final so that will narrow down the candidates. On referee that would be in the mix is from West Sligo so as everything at the moment is heading west I would not be surprised if he lands the job. He's a good referee eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2249 - 04/10/2025 11:43:07 2638415 Link
Replying To eoinog: "Normally whoever gets to referee the semi finals doesn't get the final so that will narrow down the candidates. On referee that would be in the mix is from West Sligo so as everything at the moment is heading west I would not be surprised if he lands the job. He's a good referee" If you're correct and it is Hynes then ya he's a decent shout for it. As for who he shares his surname with I see on the website he has been appointed to the minor A final…enough said on that. Cloonacool will be representing us in Connacht in Junior but they should be able to take care of Harps but it'll be no walkover. They have the Ros champions in Connacht which has proven happy hunting ground for Sligo teams before. If we've another weekend like this one margins in games are going to be very hard to call. Look at what happened in Leitrim semi where Mohill didn't score at all in the first half. If the wind was bad in Carrick this evening imagine what it was like in Enniscrone! Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 603 - 04/10/2025 20:15:45 2638465 Link
The longer this has gone on, the more you'd have to lean towards Coolera. As the days get shorter, pitches wetter, their players returning to full fitness, I think they take Gaels by 2 or 3 points. I'm really looking forward to it. johncreilly (Sligo) - Posts: 186 - 06/10/2025 13:30:21 2638659 Link
S Gaels will beat Coolera by 4 points on Sunday. Their pace and directness will overpower Coolera, Coolera are a big physical side who hold onto the ball nicely but their game plan will go out the window when they have to start chasing backwards and ultimately over 60 mins the doors will begin to open. I expect Evan Lyons will be stuck to Murphy with his whole gameplay to nullify him to no scores from play which he is capable of doing. A very good game instore but I'm afraid S Gaels will be lifting the Cup sillymoocow (Sligo) - Posts: 13 - 06/10/2025 14:59:37 2638693 Link
Replying To sillymoocow: "S Gaels will beat Coolera by 4 points on Sunday. Their pace and directness will overpower Coolera, Coolera are a big physical side who hold onto the ball nicely but their game plan will go out the window when they have to start chasing backwards and ultimately over 60 mins the doors will begin to open. I expect Evan Lyons will be stuck to Murphy with his whole gameplay to nullify him to no scores from play which he is capable of doing. A very good game instore but I'm afraid S Gaels will be lifting the Cup" And what if Lyons dosen't do a job on Murphy? Eddie_irvine (Sligo) - Posts: 6 - 08/10/2025 19:44:09 2638989 Link
Lyons will do a job on Murphy and that's where Coolera will fall along with Gaels direct running power. sillymoocow (Sligo) - Posts: 13 - 09/10/2025 13:47:23 2639080 Link
I see the referee has been announced for the senior final. A good referee but this West thingy is getting tiresome at this stage. eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2249 - 09/10/2025 16:55:34 2639110 Link
Replying To sillymoocow: "Lyons will do a job on Murphy and that's where Coolera will fall along with Gaels direct running power." SG beating Coolera by 1 point in the last minute in game 1, Coolera without their main man.... Coolera up to speed now..... Chatting a gaels man just this evening & he was very confident.... When the marching band head for the sideline,game on.... what have Gaels won? Anyways as a neutral,but big respect for Coolera in 2024,should be a cracker. Eddie_irvine (Sligo) - Posts: 6 - 09/10/2025 21:54:52 2639151 Link
At last there has been a bit of build about the game on Sunday online, up until today you wouldn't have heard a whisper. I know it's long been announced but it's such a shame that this game is Enniscrone. Other than the two sets of supporters I don't see too many being at this game, Tubbercurry Keash or Collooney all would have been better locations, not too mention the wind that will definitely be a serious factor. All the talk is of Lyons v Murphy and if Lyons does a good enough job on him SG win, can't see it being as simple as that, alternatively one could argue that if Coolera shut down Quinn they'll win, it will be interesting to see who picks him up, Sean Murphy is undoubtedly their best man marker however he's more suited to Lee Deignan, if Ross O'Carroll is fully fit he could be given the task. The battle of the middle third is also interesting, Kevin Banks and Dillon McDermott should be a good battle, Sheridan might tag R Doherty as he has been highly influential for Coolera, both teams have big men Barlow and Patrick Kenny for SG more than capable of winning ball and getting through a mountain of work. Shane Deignan should get some change out of McDonagh if that's the match up and SG can get early ball into him. On the other side I'd say young Conlon will pick up O'Mahoney. Sean Carroll is a injury doubt, he's been an influential player for SG this year, has strike running from deep is very impressive. Definitely an intriguing battle, SG are in new territory Coolera are seasoned campaigners at this stage, the majority of their team will be playing in their fifth county final, some a few more. Hopefully SG can handle the occasion, I listened to 'Up for the Match' last night and there is a lot of expectation amongst their supporters and a lot has been made of how long it's been since they have been in a Co.Final so hopefully they can handle the nerves and everything that comes up with. I'm expecting a great game very hard to call but I think Coolera with their experience and know how should shade it. Best of luck to Ronan Hynes in his first final, not everyone's cup of tea but in fairness to him he knows the rule book inside out but I don't think he will allow for a flowing game of football which will probably suit Coolera. A side note the minor A final is back as the curtain raiser for the first time in a while, a strange treat to bring it back with two town teams in it. laochragael (Sligo) - Posts: 13 - 10/10/2025 07:27:03 2639165 Link
Replying To eoinog: "I see the referee has been announced for the senior final. A good referee but this West thingy is getting tiresome at this stage." Ya he is a decent choice and good luck to him but who else would you consider? Can't keep giving it to the same people all the time, within reason that is. Some fellas just not up to that level and minor game will be very interesting for that reason. As for the football really looking forward to a novel pairing for a final. Both teams have fire power in Murphy and Quinn especially so it's a case of how are they curtailed. Given that the weather is due to be calm and fine, conditions shouldn't be a major factor thankfully. Forecast saying cloudy and a 13kmh wind so nothing too troublesome. I think and hope it will be a tight affair, wouldn't rule out a replay to be needed but the head just can't bet against Coolera by 1/2. Expecting a big crowd from Shamrock Gaels given the length of time it is since they were in a final, but what I've noticed is the number of neutral GAA people attending county final is dwindling year on year. I'd say average attendances at finals including kids wouldn't top 2500/3000 most years and that's with double headers. Perhaps the new rules and new finalist might drag out a few others. Should be plenty of west division club hats and jackets spotted this time anyway! Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 603 - 10/10/2025 07:41:39 2639166 Link
This game is very hard to call. Both teams have a lot of strengths and also have a few weaknesses. It will be a game of contrasting styles also. SG will like it fast and open whereas Coolera would prefer a tight, dogfight. At the start of the season I thought that Coolera would struggle with the new rules but they have adapted well. SG are the main beneficiary of the rules with their pace, good forwards and the 2 point shooting of Quinn. I expect Quinn and Niall Murphy on the Coolera side to be tagged by opposition defenses. Evan Lyons is a good man marker but he will need help as Murphy is the best Dligo forward in the last 30 years. Midfield is key, Coolera are very strong here with the 2 Dohertys and Banks. SG need to take their chances unlike Drumcliffe in the semi final ro win it. If it's close coming down the last few minutes I expect Coolera to win. They are masters at closing out a game in the final 5 minutes. Anto (Sligo) - Posts: 399 - 10/10/2025 18:19:42 2639279 Link
Hynes is a good referee, maybe a little to whistle happy for me. I'm just tired of the amount of games that were held over in the West over the championship. It has definitely affected attendence which in turn hits revenue and then the Co Board will be crying because of lack of money. This game should be in Tubber no question about it . However we will look forward to the game. At the beginning of the year I thought Gaels would win so I will stick to that prediction. I'm not as confident now as I was then because Coolera are really peaking. Everything will have to go so well for Gaels. I can't see Quinn or Murphy kicking the scores they got in the championship semi final. For Gaels the Deignan brothers will have to step up with scores. Shane started the championship like a train but the scores have been very scarce in the last 2 games. Lee has also been very patchy. Coolera have very good attacking wing backs that can both score. Daniel King replaced the injured Carroll in the semi final and was very good. I think he will hold on to his place. Karl MC Kenna picked up an injury in the second half of the semi final and the Gaels mgt were very slow to take him off. He was left hobbling in the full back line for probably 6 or 7 minutes before he was taken off. Likewise in the first game against Coolera the spectators could hear and see Evan Lyons run over to the sidelines and demand changes to be made to curb the influence of Leo Doherty. MC Kenna is an excellent footballer and is very much under the radar as Lyons and Quinn take all the plaudits. Sean Murphy will mark Shane Deignan I assume and Laffey will take Quinn. Conor Sheridan will be given the job of marking Ross Doherty. I'm not sure who will take MC Daniels. He's improving all the time and has really bulked up. All in all I hope it's a great game and I will be selfish here and hope for a draw that will prolong the senior championship season another while. However I will stick with Gaels to win eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2249 - 10/10/2025 19:14:47 2639280 Link
The junior final over the past few years has been very good and last night was no exception. Huge crowd but I'm afraid Tourlestrane were caught napping. Not enough stewards. Harp's pushed Cloonacool all the way. It's a very young team and Cloonacool facing a replay for the second year in a row will leave them very nervy. I thought they would have won last night. eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2249 - 12/10/2025 06:18:11 2639416 Link
I can't see Coolera losing this evening. They are bigger and more physical than Shamrock Gaels They could win by 7 or 8 Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 217 - 12/10/2025 13:31:24 2639449 Link
Replying To Taypot: "I can't see Coolera losing this evening. They are bigger and more physical than Shamrock Gaels They could win by 7 or 8" A draw with the replay in two weeks. You underestimated Shamrock Gaels. Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 583 - 12/10/2025 17:04:52 2639500 Link
Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "A draw with the replay in two weeks. You underestimated Shamrock Gaels." Ya but they still haven't won anything. Replays can be very different as we saw in the Leitrim semi replay today. MrUnderhill (Sligo) - Posts: 118 - 12/10/2025 18:11:53 2639519 Link
Surely replay won't be in enniscrone again? Timmy86 (Sligo) - Posts: 344 - 12/10/2025 19:57:47 2639558 Link