Ulster Senior Football Club Championship 2011

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CrossExaminer

Cross Cruise to Ninth Ulster

Ulster Club
Crossmaglen Rangers 2-11 Burren 0-10


The meeting of two of the biggest names in Ulster club football history attracted a huge crowd to the Morgan Athletic Grounds on a lovely Winter’s day for football but it was the new Ulster Kingpins, Crossmaglen Rangers, who cruised to their ninth title from as many finals against Down champions Burren.

The reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions, boosted by the return from injury of full back Paul Kernan, were out of the traps quickest and were 4 points in front by the seventh minute with 3 wides also put away. Johnny Hanratty burst through from midfield to register a bad wide but 2 minutes later a foul on Mickey McNamee allowed Aaron Kernan open the scoring from the resulting free. A good ball from Danny O’Callaghan to Jamie Clarke saw the Man of the Match turn his marker before doubling the lead with a good point. Clarke was out ahead of his marker to a Stephen Kernan delivery before offloading to Aaron Cunningham who pointed for a 3-0 lead. Jamie was once again involved linking up with Cunningham who set up midfielder David McKenna for Rangers fourth point.

Cross were dealt a blow when they had to replace the injured Mickey Mc Namee on 10 minutes with Franny Hanratty coming in as the replacement. The respective linesmen then got in on the act with one summoning referee Martin Higgins to issue a first yellow card of the day to Rangers James Morgan. Moments later the other linesman alerted the referee and to compound Burren’s woes, they had midfielder Anton McArdle dismissed with a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident. For the second match running Cross would be faced with playing with the extra man which did not suit the last day out, would it be any different this time round.? Aaron Kernan pointed a free for 5 nil before a spirited Burren responded with a brace of points through Donal O’Hare and Conal McGovern.



Team Captain, Stephen Kernan, delivered a long ball into the corner to Clarke who placed a magnificent pass in to veteran attacker Oisin McConville which split open the Burren defence and Rangers all time greatest marksman showed his prowess in front of goals by slotting the ball past a helpless Cathal Murdock 1-5 to 0-2. Burren responded to the goal with a pointed O’Hare free with Cross taking their wides tally to seven before the two Aaron’s combined with Cunningham grabbing his second point of the game. Two more converted O’Hare frees were sandwiched in between by a second from play by Jamie Clarke before the short whistle. Rangers ran off at the break with a 5 point lead 1-7 to 0-5.

The second half began with Oisin extending Rangers lead with a pointed free following a foul on himself. Burren enjoyed their best spell of the match rattling over 3 unanswered points to leave just a green flag 1-8 to 0-8 between the teams. A soft converted O’Hare free was followed by one from play from a subdued Kevin McKernan who was confined by in large to his defensive duties and another free from O’Hare. But the Burren blitz of scores petered out and it would be 20 minutes before they registered their ninth point of the afternoon. Rangers replied with a couple of wides before Shay McArdle was way off with a Burren point attempt.



Stephen Kernan’s goalbound blast was well saved by keeper Murdock who was then adjudged to have scooped the ball away on the ground and Rangers for a change were granted a soft free which was scored by Oisin 1-9 to 0-8 some 10 minutes into the second half. Kyle Carragher replaced Oisin McConville in the Rangers attack with Franny Hanrartty’s point attempt blocked out for a “45”which sailed between the uprights from the boot of Tony Kernan. Two more substitutions, one for each side, as Martin Aherne came in for Franny Hanratty and Gavin Sands replaced Sean Murdock for Burren. A nine minute barren scoring spell was broken when Stephen Kernan, from a frees, following a foul on brother Tony got on the scoresheet. Burren ended their own scoring drought with a point from play by hard working full forward and team captain James McGovern.

Rangers raiding corner back Paul McKeown was gunning for glory with not one but 2 goal attempts in a row with substitute Kyle Carragher getting the last touch to his second attempt to grab Rangers second goal to kill off any lingering Burren hopes. Paul Kernan took a yellow to keep out McArdle baring down on goals leaving O’Hare to get his seventh point of the afternoon which brought scoring to a close.

Crossmaglen Rangers have now successfully retained two of the three titles that they won last year. It will be Feb 19 2012 before they will be in action again against the Munster champions, Dr Crokes or UCC, with whom they have crossed paths with before. For the second game in succession Cross struggled to play against the 14 men only managing to win the second half 1-4 to 0-5 but then again that gives management of Tony and Gareth plenty to work on for the next day. The management duo who are off to an unbeaten championship start since taking over will also be concerned by the wastefulness of their charges who could have had the game done and dusted by the short whistle had it not been for their 8 wides.



Still a ninth Ulster title keeps their undefeated Provincial Final record in tact and shows why they were the clear favourites all year to retain their three titles. People who thought that the team of twelve months ago were the poorest Rangers side to have won glory are doubting that perception as their evolution as a team and the brand of football which they play is totally different to that of their predecessors. Rangers forte of old was the last 10 minutes, this current squad are at a different end of the spectrum as it is in the first 10 minutes that they go about getting their business done in seeing off opponents. A prominent Burren man told me before that game that “if Burren could live with them to half time, they would stand a good chance” St Gall’s and Ballinderry thought the same thing.



Crossmaglen Rangers: Paul. Hearty; Paul McKeown, Paul Kernan, James Morgan; Aaron Kernan (0-2), Danny O’Callaghan, Stephen Finnegan, Johnny Hanratty, David McKenna, Tony Kernan (0-1), Stephen Kernan Capt. (0-1), Aaron Cunningham (0-2), Oisin McConville (1-2), Jamie Clarke (0-2), Michael McNamee Subs:Francis Hanratty for McNamee, Kyle Carragher (1-0) for McConville, Martin Aherne for F Hanratty, Kyle Brennan for Cunningham.

Burren- Cathal Murdock, Ryan McGovern, Daniel McCartan, Gerard McCartan, Kevin McKernan (0-1), Ciaran McGovern, David McEntee, Alan Higgins, Anton McArdle, Conal McGovern (0-1), Sean Murdock, Shay McArdle, Paudie Poland (0-2), James McGovern and Donal O’Hare (0-7).

Subs : Eamon Toner for Poland, Ciaran Byrne for S Murdock, Gavin Sands for Alan Higgins.

[drici]

NewryDemocrat

Classy Cross are Ulster Kingpins again


The eternally youthful Oisín McConville slots a first half goal past Burren goalkeeper, Cathal Murdock

Crossmaglen Rangers 2-11 Burren 0-10

THE best is yet to come.
That was the message emanating from the Crossmaglen players, management and fans, after they strolled to their ninth Senior Ulster Championship crown in 16 years.

Crossmaglen proved to strong for the Down Champions. There movement, pace and marking was immense, and while Burren matched Cross' work-rate, the gap in class was evident from the early stages.The match itself failed to live up to its top billing as Crossmaglen dominated all areas of the pitch.

And no more was this evident than young James Morgan's stunning defensive performance against Burren's talisman Sean Murdock.

Morgan was first to every ball and once Murdock was nullified the battle combined with McArdle's sending off, there was only going to be one winner.

Played in the Athletic Grounds there were plenty of heavy hits, but Burren's hopes were dashed in the opening quarter when creative playmaker McArdle was unfortunately sent off, for lifting his hand in a tangle with Tony Kernan, after the ball was played.

Crossmaglen should have been out of sight by half-time as their commanding five point lead failed adequately to display their dominance.
The defending All-Ireland champions kicked 13 wides and they never looked like losing their grip on the Ulster trophy.

Cross were leading 0-4 to no score, with Aaron Kernan, Jamie Clarke, and Aaron Cunningham and popping between the posts, and Aaron tagged on another free, before Donal O'Hare opened Burren's account on 17 minutes.

McArdle's dismissal had a galvanising effect, as Conal McGovern doubled Burren's score, but just as the Down champions seemed to be making in-roads on the game, Clarke showed wonderful vision, to pick out an unmarked Oisin McConville at the edge of the square, and the master craftsman drilled into the net, to all but end the contest.

Burren replied with two converted frees from O'Hare but Crossmaglen confirmed their authority with Clarke and Cunningham stroking over.

Half Time: Burren 0-05 Crossmaglen Rangers 1-07

As expected Burren battled their way back into the game with O'Hare's steady kicking and an inspirational strike from Kevin McKernan and with 35 minutes played only a goal separated the sides.

Shay McArdle had a glorious opportunity to narrow the gap but Tony Kernan did enough to force the Hogan Cup winner to blast wide.

At the other end Cross captain Stephen Kernan buried low but Burren keeper Cathal Murdock made an outstanding save, although gave away a free in the process, which McConville tapped over.

Burren's traditional support play came to the fore as they hunted in packs but they failed to break through Crossmaglen's rear-guard and St Mary's side were relying on frees and they desperately needed a goal.

Tony Kernan converted a 45' to increase Crossmaglen's lead 1-10 to 0-08, with 14 minutes remaining.
Stephen Kernan tagged on a free before Burren captain James McGovern popped between the sticks with Shay McArdle, begging for the pass, to slip in a goal.

However, Cross finished with a flurry when substitute Martin Aherne coolly flicking the ball to Kyle Carragher who slotted home at the back post for a fine goal.

Crossmaglen have won five out of the last six Ulster titles, which manager Tony McEntee rightly pointed out is a phenomenal achievement.

They have beaten the best teams in Ulster, St Gall's, Ballinderry, and Burren are at the top of their game but Crossmaglen finished comfortably against all those opponents. The only team capable of holding Rangers this year has been Maghery in Division One of the Armagh All-County League.

And while McEntee is delighted with the progress he has made in management.
“We have tried to put our stamp on the game and that style is fast, kicking and scoring, which involves a lot of movement from players and a lot of work rate," said McEntee.

“We are two year's down the road and we are playing that style of football for 20 or 30 minutes, if we can improve that to 40, 50 or even 60 minutes at some stage then we will be very hard to beat. "And is pleasing is what we work on in the training field comes to fruition on match days and that is what gives me satisfaction."

Burren have progressed further in the Ulster Championship than they did last year, and while they will be hurting after defeat, Frank Dawson's men have given the people of Down something to cheer about.

Their objective is the same as every team in the country, to close the gap on Crossmaglen.
But as Sunday proved, it is easier said than done, and Crossmaglen, led by captain Stephen Kernan are fine ambassadors for Ulster.

Crossmaglen: Paul Hearty, James Morgan, Paul Kernan, Paul McKeown, Aaron Kernan (0-2), Danny O'Callaghan, Stephen Finnegan, Johnny Hanratty, David McKenna, Tony Kernan, Stephen Kernan, Aaron Cunningham (0-2), Jamie Clarke (0-2) Oisin McConville (1-2) and Mickey McNamee.
Subs used: Franny Hanratty for McNamee, Kyle Carragher (1-0) for McConville, Martin Aherne for Hanratty and Kyle Brennan for Cunningham.

Burren: Cathal Murdock, Ryan McGovern, Dan McCartan, Gerard McCartan, Kevin McKernan (0-1), Ciaran McGovern, David McEntee, Alan Higgins, Anton McArdle, Conal McGovern (0-1), Sean Murdock, Paudie Poland, Donal O'Hare (0-7, 6 frees) James McGovern (0-1) and Shay McArdle.
Subs used: Eamon Toner for Poland and Ciaran Byrne for Sean Murdock.

[ragingbull]

what date is the crossmaglen and dr crokes game down for in feb

[Centre Half]

what date is the crossmaglen and dr crokes game down for in feb

Sunday 19 February 2012.
CH

[Lone Ranger]

Too early for venue to be confirmed? - I'd imagine we would be lookin at Portlaoise though

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Powers impressed by Dr Crokes v UCC.

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CrossExaminer

Familiar foes lie in wait

Crossmaglen Rangers quest for a “second successive treble” since emulating that feat in 1999 & 2000 will see some familiar foes barring the way of this achievement. The double Armagh & Ulster champions and reigning All-Ireland champions will face Kerry’s Dr Crokes on Feb 19 in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Portlaoise is the likely venue as it hosted the 2007 All Ireland Final replay when the teams last met. Rangers won that day 0-13 to 1-5 after the sides had drawn 1-9 apiece on St Patrick’s Day.

Cross claimed their ninth Ulster title by beating Burren while Crokes picked up their fourth Munster title with their best display of the year in beating UCC 3-14 to 2-10 in Killarney.

Both sides have fresh young blood in their ranks since they last crossed swords but are still bolstered by some very experienced household names. Given the similarities in the swashbuckling open football that they are both playing at the minute, the prospective showdown has already surpassed whatever Father Christmas has in store for us as we await with anticipation the clash of the Black and Ambers.

On the other side of the draw St Brigid’s Roscommon, last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists, have successfully negotiated their passage to the semi-final. A 1-12 to 0-7 Ruislip win over Fulham Gaels leaves the Connacht champions with the possibility of facing their namesakes from Dublin who needed extra-time to see off Portlaoise 2-16 to 1-15 in the Leinster semi-final. Dublin St Brigid’s now need to beat Garrycastle who reached their second final in three years as the Westmeath champions saw off the challenge of Kildare side Athy 1-10 to 1-6.

Cross, Crokes and St Brigid’s are past masters at All-Ireland semi-final preparations that span a two month period. The novices in terms of dealing with the delay are both contesting the Leinster final. It is the prospect of meeting up with familiar foes that will continue to inspire the current champions who will be preparing with relish to lock horns with the best that the kingdom has to offer. After all Cross have proven by their phenomenal trophy haul -15 Armagh-9 Ulster and 5 All-Ireland titles since 1996 that they are the Kings when it comes to club football

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DrCrokes



REVENGE will not be Dr Crokes’ key motivator ahead of their mouth-watering semi-final against All-Ireland champions Crossmaglen Rangers in February, says star forward Kieran O’Leary.

The Kerry senior still has vivid memories of Crokes’ All-Ireland club final replay loss to Crossmaglen back in 2007 but while he admits the Kerry club were unlucky not to win that day, this tussle is not a revenge mission for the newly crowned Munster champions.

"This won’t be about revenge, not at all. We were beaten fair and square by Crossmaglen in the replay. We don’t have any complaints about that. We could have left it behind us on the actual day of the original final in Croke Park but we aren’t sore losers because the better team won the replay," O’Leary said.

"It’s a huge game for the team, the club and the town because we will be taking on the best club side in Ireland and the team that have been at the top, consistently, for the last number of years. They are the kingpins of football, their record speaks for itself and nobody is going to take that away from them."

Dr Crokes will enjoy this Christmas, a lot more than they did last year’s, as back then the Killarney side were still waiting to play last season’s Munster club final against Nemo Rangers. When it eventually did go ahead in Mallow at the tail-end of January, a first half to forget gift-wrapped the provincial title for the Cork side, so Sunday’s victory over UCC exorcised that particular demon.

"If you said to me after that game that we would be back in a Munster club final in December, not alone win it, I don’t know would I have believed you because it’s a very long and hard road to get out of Kerry, not to mind win through in Munster," O’Leary said. "It’s a fantastic achievement for this group of players because after losing to Nemo, and the circumstances of that defeat, people probably wrote us off. But we showed the character that is in our dressing room to come back, and win what we wanted to win this year."

Reflecting on the 3-14 to 2-10 win over UCC, O’Leary feels that Crokes’ two quick-fire first-half goals, scored by himself and Daithí Casey, were key: "The goals came at a crucial time for us because if they didn’t come at that stage I don’t know when they were going to come.."

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DrCrokes

All Ireland Senior Football Final

Crossmaglen fightback creates problems for O'Shea


Monday March 19 2007

Crossmaglen Rangers 1-09 Dr Crokes 1-09

All-Ireland SFC Club Final

THE first drawn Club Football Final since 1993 has left county managers Joe Kernan and Pat O'Shea with problems they could have done without as the season gathers pace and intensity.

Oisín McConville rescued Crossmaglen with a stoppage time point in Saturday's final at Croke Park to set up a replay in Portlaoise next Sunday week, which means that relegation-threatened Armagh will continue to be without several first-choice players until their final game of the Division 1B campaign.

That's quite a blow to their prospects of winning a place in Division One next year, but as Joe Kernan acknowledged last week, this is Crossmaglen's time and they must be given every assistance in their efforts to win a fourth All-Ireland title.

Kerry are going much better in the league, but the prolonging of the club season by two weeks means that Kingdom boss Pat O'Shea won't be able to give his undivided attention to county matters until after the replay.

He must have thought that his side had bagged their first silverware of the season when they led by 1-9 to 1-6 with nine minutes remaining, but Crossmaglen delved deep into their vast reservoir of experience and points by John McEntee and McConville pared the margin to a single point.

It became all very frantic as Dr Crokes battled to hold onto their precious advantage, but three minutes into stoppage time McConville weaved his way into a scoring position before kicking the equaliser.

He was extremely lucky that referee Syl Doyle didn't penalise him for taking too many steps, but his persistence deserved some reward in a game that never reached the anticipated heights.

In fact, it was extremely dull right throughout a tight and tense first half which ended with Crossmaglen leading by 0-4 to 0-3. They extended their lead four minutes into the second half when McConville kicked a goal which was the first conceded by Dr Crokes in the entire series.

Dr Crokes' response was quick and effective as a quick counter attack from the kick-out sent Shane Doolan through on goal and he beat Paul Hearty with a crisp drive.

With Colm Cooper exerting a major influence in a creator rather than finisher role, Dr Crokes out-scored Crossmaglen by 1-6 to 0-2 between the 34th and 51st minutes, but failed to retain the momentum over the closing minutes as the Ulster champions poured forward in powerful waves.

Dr Crokes had lost Brian McMahon and Eoin Brosnan with ankle injuries and the dual setback was probably crucial in the closing minutes as gaps began to appear in their half-back/midfield area. Ultimately, Crossmaglen made sufficient use of possession to snatch a draw and, according to McConville, the psychological edge for the replay.

"The way we came back was impressive, but we shouldn't have found ourselves in such a bad position to start with," he said. "We gave away far too much ball in the first half and also kicked too many wides. Possession is nine tenths of the law in a big pitch like Croke Park, but our passing wasn't accurate enough for long periods. It improved late on but we'll have to get it right for longer in the replay," added McConville.

Crossmaglen's battling finish came as no surprise to anybody, but they still left it very late to grab an equaliser which was greeted with huge sighs of relief by their supporters in the 25,282 crowd.

"No team goes undefeated for as long as Crossmaglen have without having real character," said Crokes boss Pat O'Shea. "We'd be a bit disappointed that we didn't kill off the game when we went three points clear, but in fairness to Crossmaglen they raised their game in the final minutes."

So then two teams who clearly believe they have much more in reserve earn a second chance to solve a puzzle that appeared to be settled when Dr Crokes opened up a three-point lead.

"Our experience stood to us in the end. We didn't panic which was important, but there are an awful lot of areas where we'll have to improve if we are to win the replay," said McConville.

Dr Crokes also have room for improvement and will feel that having held the favourites on Saturday they can press on and complete the task in O'Moore Park.

"Everything is still to play for. It was disappointing not to hold out in the end but overall there are a lot of positives we can take into the replay," said O'Shea.

SCORERS Crossmaglen: O McConville 1-2 (0-1f), A Kernan (2f), D McKenna, M McNamee 0-2 each, J McEntee 0-1.
Dr Crokes: S Doolan 1-1, B Looney, C Cooper (2f) 0-2 each, A O'Donovan, J Fleming, D Moloney, K O'Leary 0-1 each.

CROSSMAGLEN P Hearty; S McNamee, F Bellew, J Donaldson; A Kernan, T McEntee, B McKeown; D McKenna, S Clarke; M Aherne, J McEntee, J Murtagh; M McNamee, J Hanratty, O McConville. Subs: S Kernan for Aherne (38), P Kernan for Clarke (40), C Short for Hanratty (49), T Kernan for McNamee (52).

DR CROKES K Cremin; K McMahon, L Quinn, M Moloney; B Moriarty, B McMahon, E Kavanagh; A O'Donovan, E Brosnan; B Looney, D Moloney, S Doolan; K O'Leary, J Fleming, C Cooper. Subs: J Cahillane for McMahon (17), K Brosnan for E Brosnan (49), V Cooper for Doolan (62).

REF - S Doyle (Wexford).



RTÉ


All Ireland Senior Football Final Replay

Crossmaglen win controversial final
Sunday, 1 April 2007

Crossmaglen Rangers 0-13 Dr Croke 1-05

Crossmaglen Rangers claimed their fourth All Ireland club Football Title this afternoon but their 0-13 to 1-05 replay victory over Dr. Crokes could be in question.

Crokes could launch a protest after Cross attacker John McEntee was allowed to stay on the field after receiving his second yellow card during the second half.

Helped by Stephen Kernan's early introduction, the Armagh side led 0-07 to 0-05 at half-time in Portlaoise.



Colm Cooper teed up David Maloney for Crokes' goal but 'Gooch' then had a penalty saved by Paul Hearty.

John Donaldson and Ambrose O'Donovan both saw red before the talismanic Oisin McConville (0-06) kicked Cross to victory.

Crossmaglen were fortunate not to have just 13 players on the field by the time Donaldson was sent off for fouling Eoin Brosnan.

McEntee received two yellow cards, but stayed on the field and was subsequently substituted as a precaution in the 49th minute. The half-forward himself confirmed afterwards that referee Eugene Murtagh had meant to tick him for his second offence but produced his yellow card by mistake.

The Rangers made an excellent start to the game with points from John Murtagh, McConville, the hero from the drawn game, and Martin Aherne in the opening four minutes.

Crokes then came storming into the game with the next five points, after Rangers lost key forward Mickey McNamee with a hamstring injury after just seven minutes.

Crokes were on fire at this juncture with Cooper (0-03) and Kieran O'Leary (0-02) on target with some excellent scores.

The yellow cards flowed freely also from referee Murtagh and among those cautioned in the opening half were McEntee for Crossmaglen and Maloney for Crokes.

Both sides held dominance in the opening half with Crossmaglen strongest before the interval as points from brothers Aaron and Stephen Kernan and two from McConville ensured a 0-07 to 0-05 half-time lead for the Ulster men.

Stephen Kernan, who was introduced as McNamee's replacement, was influential throughout with his brother Aaron just pipping him to the man-of-the-match award.

Pat O'Shea's side came back strongly on the restart with a 37th-minute goal from Maloney, who profited from a lovely ball in from Cooper, squaring up the game.

Maloney's volleyed finish delighted the Crokes' faithful at a packed O'Moore Park. However, it proved to be the Kerry side's final score as Hearty saved Cooper's subsequent penalty and the Cross defence shored up the gaps for the remaining 12 minutes.

Crossmaglen had a stirring finish with points from McConville (0-03) and Stephen and Aaron Kernan ensuring that the Andy Merrigan Cup will reside in Ulster for the next twelve months.

Afterwards, Cross captain McConville said: "It is an unbelievable feeling. We thought we might not get back here and a lot of hard work has gone into doing it.

"We played well in that we were tough in the tackle and were a bit tighter on them and we took our chances when they came our way.

"Big Hearty pulled off a save, which he does, and the rest is history. We left Croke Park after the first match feeling we were better than Dr. Crokes. We knew if we performed we would get there."

Crossmaglen: P Hearty; B McKeown, F Bellew, S McNamee; A Kernan (0-03, 2f), T McEntee, J Donaldson; D McKenna, P Kernan; M Aherne (0-01), J McEntee, J Murtagh (0-01); M McNamee, J Hanratty, O McConville (0-06, 4f).

Subs used: S Kernan (0-02) for M McNamee (inj) (7 mins), S Clarke for J McEntee (49), C Short for Aherne (53), S Finnegan for S McNamee (57).

Dr Crokes: K Cremin; K McMahon, L Quinn, M Moloney; B Moriarty, B McMahon, E Kavanagh; A O'Donovan, E Brosnan; B Looney, S Doolin, J Fleming; C Cooper (0-03, 2f), D Maloney (1-00), K O'Leary (0-02).

Subs used: J Cahillane for McMahon (28 mins), K Brosnan for Doolin, B McMahon for Looney (both 54).

Referee: Eugene Murtagh (Longford)

[drici]

RTÉ

The GAA have confirmed that both All Ireland Club Football Semi Finals will take place on Saturday, 18th February next year.

The matches will be played at neutral venues.

Dr Crokes of Kerry will play the holders Crossmaglen Rangers in Portlaoise.



St Brigid's of Roscommon, last year's beaten finalists, will face near neighbours Garrycastle of Westmeath at Pearse Park in Longford.

Both matches throw in at 2.00pm.


That would mean only one match live on TG4.