Big games involving local clubs both set to feature on TG4

FOLLOWERS of both Garrycastle and St Brigid's who cannot make either club's crunch championship games this weekend can rest assured they will miss none of the action, after TG4 announced both games will be televised on Sunday. St Brigid's Connacht Club SFC final against Galway's Killererin will be televised live at 2pm from Tuam Stadium - while deferred coverage of Garrycastle's Leinster Club SFC semi-final against Kilmacud Crokes in Parnell Park (throw-in: 2.30pm) will follow straight after. The news of TG4's decision to screen coverage of both matches will be met with great satisfaction among local Gaelic football supporters, as Anthony Cunningham's Garrycastle and Noel O'Brien's St Brigid's side bid for provincial glory. Garrycastle face a very difficult assignment in Parnell Park, coming up against many people's favourites to lift this year's Leinster championship. Having dethroned last year's champions Portlaoise in the quarter-finals, Kilmacud Crokes will present very different opposition to what Garrycastle have faced so far in this year's Leinster championship (Longford Slashers and Mattock Rangers). Garrycastle look to have serious injury problems going into the game, with captain Doran Harte (dislocated shoulder) and Seanie O'Donoghue (ankle) looking likely to miss out, although there are still hopes that O'Donoghue could feature at some stage. The last time Garrycastle and Kilmacud Crokes met in the Leinster Club championship was in the quarter-final stage in 2004, when a gallant second half comeback by the Athlone men saw them lose out by just a single point at Parnell Park. On that occasion, Kilmacud raced into a 0-10 to 0-4 lead, but a terrific second half comeback saw Garrycastle get within touching distance of the Dubs' by the final whistle, when the scoreline read 0-14 to 1-10 (Paddy Mulvihill netting the Garrycastle goal). Dessie Dolan carried the can for a lot of Garrycastle's good work that day, scoring five points, and will again be charged with leading the Athlone side's attack this weekend. Garrycastle have added much youthful vigour to their side from that occasion, with the likes of James Dolan, John Gaffey, Doran Harte, Mark McCallon and Shane Mulvihill emerging since. However, Garrycastle's skills will be tested to the limit by a Kilmacud side expected to be without injured trio Darren Magee, Paul Griffin and Mark Davoren (see page 37 for preview). St Brigid's, meanwhile, will also have it very tough when playing Killererin in virtually their own backyard at Tuam Stadium. The South Roscommon outfit have defeated Eastern Harps (Sligo) and Glencar/Manorhamilton (Leitrim) since winning the Roscommon SFC, and are looking more and more impressive as the year progresses. Although county star Mark O'Carroll continues to be a long-term injury victim, St Brigid's look in fine fettle going into the provincial decider in Tuam, but Killererin will also be confident as they welcome Padraic Joyce back to the fold, after the deadly forward missed their semi-final win over Ballintubber (Joyce was on honeymoon for that 0-9 to 1-5 win). St Brigid's are bidding to capture a second ever Connacht SFC title, after last winning the crown in 2006 thanks to victory over Corofin.