It's do-or-die time for GAA clubs across Leinster, Munster, and Ulster! Senior football and hurling titles are on the line in Leinster, while Munster and Ulster are battling it out for intermediate and junior crowns. But are these club championships truly serving their purpose, or are they adding unnecessary strain on players already juggling county commitments? This live blog dives deep into the heart of the action.
Tony Considine reports:
Leinster Senior Football Championship Final:
Athy 0-08 Ballyboden St. Enda’s 1-13 (Final Score)
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final:
St Martin’s v Ballyhale Shamrocks, Croke Park, 6.30 PM – Live on RTÉ 2
Munster Intermediate Football Championship Final:
An Ghaeltacht 2-12 Aghabullogue 1-08 (Result)
Munster Junior Football Championship Final:
Ballymacelligott 3-12 Buttevant 0-08 (Result: Ballymacelligott Clinch Munster JFC Title)
Ulster Junior Football Championship Twinning Final:
Clogher Éire Óg 2-07 Tara 1-10 (Final Score)
Ultan Corcoran reports live from Croke Park:
Update: 41' Athy 0-08 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 1-13
Athy struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, taking nine long minutes to register their first score courtesy of Kevin Feely. However, Ballyboden responded with renewed intensity. Ross McGarry slotted over a point, followed by a powerful two-pointer – their first of the game – from Colm Basquel into the Hill 16 end. Ballyboden now leads by a commanding double-score margin.
Update: 38' Athy 0-07 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 1-10
Ballyboden are truly asserting their dominance. Daire Sweeney secured his first point from open play, quickly followed by a surging run and score from corner-back Peter Healy, originally from Antrim.
Update: 32' Athy 0-07 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 1-08
The second half is underway, and Ballyboden wasted no time in adding to their lead. A slick passing move between Colm and Ryan Basquel set up Ryan O'Dwyer, who converted with ease. Will Athy be able to claw their way back?
Flashback:
Athy's James Roycroft pulled off a stunning save just before halftime, denying Colm Basquel a crucial goal.
HALF-TIME: Athy 0-07 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 1-07
The pre-match favorites, Ballyboden St. Enda's, hold a narrow lead at the break in this Leinster SFC decider. Ryan Basquel's goal proved pivotal, arriving just as Athy were mounting a comeback. It's a closely contested affair, with only three points separating the teams. The second half promises to be a nail-biter!
Update: 30+3' Athy 0-07 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 1-07
Ross McGarry scores his second point for Ballyboden, but Athy responds immediately with Colm Moran opening his account. This means Athy's entire inside forward line is now on the scoresheet. Four minutes of added time were played at the end of the half, and James Roycroft made a spectacular save to deny Colm Basquel a goal.
Update: 27' Athy 0-06 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 1-06
GOAL! After Ronan Kelly and Daire Sweeney traded points, Ballyboden found the back of the net. A rapid attack culminated in Ryan Basquel driving into the large parallelogram and squeezing his shot past James Roycroft. The Athy goalkeeper was unfortunate to see the ball trickle into the net.
Update: 24' Athy 0-05 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 0-06
Athy briefly took the lead for the first time this afternoon thanks to a Niall Kelly free. But Ballyboden quickly regained the advantage, with Ross McGarry and Daire Sweeney raising white flags.
Update: 19' Athy 0-04 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 0-04
We're all square at Croke Park! Kevin Feely comes up with a magnificent two-pointer to level the scores for the Kildare champions. Ballyboden haven't scored in the last 11 minutes. Can they rediscover their early momentum?
Update: 17' Athy 0-02 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 0-04
Some confusion in the Athy camp as Hawk-Eye disallows a second point. The referee appeared to forget he was playing advantage, a point the Athy players were quick to remind him of. Kevin Feely subsequently scores a point from a placed ball.
Update: 13' Athy 0-01 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 0-04
Boden get their fourth score of the match through Galway star Cein D'Arcy. Athy respond by winning a free, and Sean Moore converts to settle their nerves.
Update: 5' Athy 0-00 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 0-03
The Kildare champions are yet to register a score at Croke Park. Ballyboden, meanwhile, continue to build their lead with a Ryan O'Dwyer point and a Daire Sweeney free.
Update: 2' Athy 0-00 Ballyboden St.Enda’s 0-01
The Leinster SFC final is underway at Croke Park, and Ballyboden start strongly with a well-taken score from Colm Basquel within the first minute.
Former Wexford captain Diarmuid Lyng finds himself in a unique situation as his home club aims for their first-ever Leinster hurling title against Ballyhale Shamrocks, the club of his adopted home. Talk about divided loyalties!
The official fixture list for the 2026 National Football and Hurling Leagues has been revealed, kicking off with an intriguing NFL double-header at Croke Park on Saturday, January 24. Mark your calendars!
With only one All-Ireland title and just one Leinster title since '98, Frank Roche questions whether Wexford's club kings have failed to truly become Model champions. A controversial point, perhaps? Is it fair to judge success solely on titles?
Henry Shefflin, David Herity, Conor Laverty, and Chrissy McKaigue are all balancing club and county duties during this hectic time of year. Is this sustainable for players in the long run, or are we pushing them too hard?
Shifting living patterns have created significant challenges for many clubs, leading to proposals for 11-a-side games to address player shortages. Is this a necessary adaptation to the changing landscape of GAA, or does it compromise the traditional spirit of the game?
Welcome to our live coverage of the Leinster Senior Club Football and Hurling Championships! I'm Ultán Corcoran, and I'll be keeping you updated on all the action. We have two exciting clashes today: Athy vs. Ballyboden St. Enda’s in the Leinster SFC final at 4.30 PM in Croke Park, followed by Ballyhale Shamrocks vs. St. Martin’s in the Leinster SHC decider at 6.30 PM. Both games will be broadcast live on RTE2. We'll also provide score updates for the Intermediate and Junior finals in football and camogie. What are your predictions for today's games? Let us know in the comments below!
