ALL-IRELAND FINALS ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY

By Paul Madden

Croke Park will host the traditional All-Ireland Club Finals in hurling and football this coming St. Patrick’s Day.

HURLING

The hurling final sees reigning All-Ireland champions and red-hot favourites Portumna of Galway take on De La Salle of Waterford.

The Munster champions are captained by Waterford corner-forward John Mullane, who’s terrier-like, dynamic, all-action style typifies that of De La Salle. Both Mullane and star midfielder and free-taker Brian Phelan will have to be at their best if the Waterford men are to stand any chance on Tuesday.

They will no doubt relish the underdogs tag though as they have already come through some difficult ties this year.

Not given much hope of reaching a county final in 2008, De La Salle captured their first county title and have since left Sarsfields of Cork in their wake and defeated Adare of Limerick in the Munster Final despite not having scored in the entire first half. Last month De La Salle booked their place in the final after an extra-time victory over Antrim stalwarts Cushendall after rescuing a two point deficit in the dying embers of normal time.

Portumna meanwhile coasted through what many described as the real Final when they hammered Kilkenny and Leinster champions Ballyhale Shamrocks in Thurles last month. A blistering five goal salvo from the Shannonsiders saw them reach their third final in four years.

Boasting a free-scoring forward line which includes the likes of Damien Hayes, Andrew Smith and the prodigious Joe Canning it’s a small wonder the bookies have made them 1/7 favourites. Portumna have contested the last six Galway County Finals and are an undeniably talented outfit with an immense work rate.

Veteran corner back Ollie Canning will captain Portumna and barring complacency they should emerge as All-Ireland champions on Tuesday.

FOOTBALL

The football final will see Ulster champions Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh take on Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes.

Four times champions Crossmaglen are no strangers to Croke Park and booked there place in this year’s final with a 4-12 to 0-06 demolition of Dromcollogher-Broadford of Limerick.

No strangers to success the Rangers have won the Armagh championship 13 times in a row. A physical team which includes the likes of Oisin McConville, Stephen Kernan and Jamie Clarke, Crossmaglen are slight favourites in what should be an intriguing contest.

Kilmacud Crokes will rely heavily on inspirational star forward Mark Vaughan if they are to achieve anything against Crossmaglen. Vaughan turned in a man of the match display, scoring 1-06, against Galway champions Corofin last month as Crokes booked their place in the final.

Tickets are available from www.gaa.ie, from Ticketmaster Outlets & GAA Ticket Shops & outlets on match day. Both games will be broadcast live on TG4.