Venue decided for Pearses v Kilmacud showdown
The All-Ireland club semi-final between Pádraig Pearses and Kilmacud Crokes will be played at Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday week, January 29.
The Pearses v Kilmacud showdown is listed for a 5pm thrown-in and the other semi-final between Down champions Kilcoo and St Finbarr’s of Cork will take place at MW Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise (3pm). Both semi-finals will be shown live on TG4.
There had been some speculation that the two semi-finals would be played as a double header at Croke Park. With Kilmacud having played their Leinster semi-final and final in GAA headquarters, a different venue will probably be welcomed in the Pearses camp.
However, speaking after their Connacht final win over Knockmore (Mayo), Pearses manager Pat Flanagan said he had no real preference for the semi-final venue.
“I genuinely would play it in Kilmacud, no problem,” Flanagan said when asked about the venue.
“I don’t mean to be smart but when you get to this stage of a competition, all you want to do is get on the field and get at the opposition. Wherever the game is played, we’ll be ready for it.
“Kilmacud are a serious football team. Naas kicked a lot of wides in the first half (of their Leinster final) but Kilmacud will be a serious challenge,” continued the former Westmeath and Offaly manager.
As for his own team, Flanagan said: “This is a serious football team with serious quality, huge mentality and self-belief and they’re starting to move in the right direction. Is there more in them? I think there is, so hopefully we can get more out of them, starting in the semi-final.”
Meanwhile, Westmeath club The Downs will host the All-Ireland intermediate semi-final between St Faithleach's of Roscommon and Meath champions Trim, conquerors of Clara in last Sunday's Leinster final.
The fixture details for the All-Ireland junior, intermediate and senior football semi-finals are provided below.
Saturday, January 29
AIB All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals
MW Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise (3pm) St. Finbarr’s (Cork) v Kilcoo (Down), TG4.
Kingspan Breffni, Cavan (5pm) Pádraig Pearses (Roscommon) v Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) TG4.
AIB All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals
The Downs GAA, Westmeath (1:30) St. Faithleach's (Roscommon) v Trim (Meath).
Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan (2pm) Na Gaeil (Kerry) v Steelstown Brian Óg's (Derry).
AIB All-Ireland Club Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, Tullamore (1:30) Gneeveguilla (Kerry) v Denn (Cavan).
Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford (1:30) Kilmeena (Galway) v Clonbullogue (Offaly).
NOTE: Extra-time, if necessary, in all games and Winner on the Day.