Trip to Tipp beckons for Brigid's in new year
St Brigid's clash with Castlehaven in next month's All-Ireland club senior football semi-final will be played at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles.
The eagerly awaited game will be played on Sunday, January 7 with a throw-in time of 1.45pm.
St Brigid's were recently crowned Connacht champions when the Kiltoom/Cam men defeated Corofin of Galway which means they are now one win away from the All-Ireland decider.
For their part, Cork champions Castlehaven edged out Dingle of Kerry in last Sunday's Munster final on a penalty shootout. In a game played in atrocious weather conditions in Limerick, Dingle looked likely winners in both normal time and extra-time.
But the Cork men battled back to bring the contest to penalties, with outfield player Damien Cahalane going in goals for the shootout and playing a key role in their ultimate victory.
The last time St Brigid's played Munster opposition in an All-Ireland semi-final was back in 2011 when they overcame Nemo Rangers of Cork, before losing out to Armagh's Crossmaglen Rangers in the final. Two years later, St Brigid's went all the way, defeating Ballymun Kickhams in the decider.
The other upcoming All-Ireland semi-final is a repeat of the 2023 decider between Kilmacud Crokes and Watty Graham's Glen of Derry, and it will be played in Newry.
Kilmacud won the 2023 final which became shrouded in controversy with the Dublin side having an extra player on the field when defending a late Glen '45'. There was much speculation that the game might even be replayed, but this time did not happen and, after a lengthy saga, Crokes held on to the Andy Merrigan Cup.
Meanwhile, this weekend's All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals will see venues from the midlands and west - The Downs, Tullamore, Portlaoise and Ballinasloe - play host to some of the games. Details of the upcoming fixtures are provided below.
GAA FIXTURES
Saturday, December 16
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship Semi-Final
Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, 1.30: Easkey (Sligo) v St. Catherine’s (Cork), Spórt TG4, Peter Owens (Down).
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Final
Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 1.30: Tooreen (Mayo) v Castlelyons (Cork), Spórt TG4, Colm McDonald (Antrim).
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final
Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 7.30: St. Thomas’ (Galway) v Ballygunner (Waterford), live on TG4, Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
Sunday, December 17
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final
Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 1.30: O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) v Ruairí Óg Cushendall (Antrim), TG4, Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship Semi-Final
The Downs, Westmeath, 1:30: Castleblayney (Monaghan) v Tullogher Rosbercon (Kilkenny), Spórt TG4, Brian Keon (Galway).
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Final
Páirc Esler, Newry, 2pm: Setanta (Donegal) v Thomastown (Kilkenny) Spórt TG4, Niall Malone (Clare).
Sunday, January 7
AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Finals
FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, 1.45pm: St. Brigid's (Roscommon) v Castlehaven (Cork).
Páirc Esler, Newry, 3.45pm: Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Watty Graham's Glen (Derry).
NOTE: Extra-time and 'Winner on the Day' if necessary in all games.