1. Missed opportunity for Thurles Sarsfields<\/p>\n
THURLES SARSFIELDS\u2019 PLAYERS likely still woke up this morning wondering how they let it slip\u2026again.<\/p>\n
Leading Clare\u2019s Ballyea \u2014 who won their first county title a week previously \u2014 by seven points with 10 minutes to play, it looked almost certain that the Tipp champions would advance to this year\u2019s Munster decider.<\/p>\n
When you consider their dominance in Tipperary in recent years \u2014 winning six of the last eight county titles \u2014 the latest slip-up must be hard to stomach.<\/p>\n
In the grander scheme of things, with the likes of Portumna, Ballyhale Shamrocks and reigning champions Na Piarsaigh already out of the race for honours on St Patrick\u2019s Day, many had tipped Sarsfields to go all the way and claim All-Ireland glory for the first time.<\/p>\n
But thanks to a last-minute equalising goal from football All-Star nominee Gary Brennan, and an inspirational display from former Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly, in normal and extra-time,\u00a0Sarsfields somehow came out on the losing side\u00a0yesterday.<\/p>\n
Cusack Park is fast becoming a destination of Sarsfields misery; it was just two years ago that they fell to Cratloe at the same venue after losing Denis Maher to a red card at the throw-in.<\/p>\n
\n Padraic Maher in action for Thurles Sarsfields yesterday.<\/p>\n
Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan\/INPHO<\/p>\n
The plans of Maher brothers Padraic and Ronan, and Michael Cahill, to back up their All-Ireland success with the Premier County with a club All-Ireland medal fell apart much sooner than many had expected.<\/p>\n
2. Con O\u2019Callaghan\u2019s frightening talent<\/p>\n
Con O\u2019Callaghan shot to prominence as a footballer this year, starring for Dublin\u2019s U21s before making substitute appearances for Jim Gavin\u2019s All-Ireland-winning seniors in their three Leinster outings.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Callaghan was a late inclusion for Cuala \u2014 following full-forward Nicky Kenny\u2019s withdrawal through injury \u2014 against maiden Laois champions Borris-Kilcotton yesterday and he grabbed his chance with both hands.<\/p>\n
The talented dual star ran riot, bagging 4-3 from play, as the Dublin champions eased to a comfortable victory.<\/p>\n
He has form for accumulating big tallies in both codes, amassing 3-24 in four matches for Dublin\u2019s U21 footballers this year and scoring 3-6 from play in last year\u2019s Dublin Junior \u2018A\u2019 club final against Scoil U\u00ed Chonaill.<\/p>\n
\n Con O’Callaghan finds the net for Cuala.<\/p>\n
Source: Colm O’Neill\/INPHO<\/p>\n
You would think he has played his way into a well-balanced Cuala team on the back of his display at Parnell Park, particularly as the Dalkey club had netted just twice in their previous three matches in the Dublin championship.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Callaghan, whose brother Cian is a permanent fixture at full-back for Dublin and the Dalkey club, might have caught Borris-Kilcotton off guard yesterday but you can be sure Carlow champions St Mullins will have their homework done ahead of the semi-final on 20 November.<\/p>\n
Fans of the small-ball code in the capital could be waiting quite a while to see the younger O\u2019Callaghan line out in blue however, as he has already stressed his desire to concentrate on inter-county football for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
3. Glen Rovers\u2019 progress against the odds<\/p>\n
The hurling club championships have already offered up plenty of storylines this year \u2014 Ballyea\u2019s aforementioned achievement, Slaughtneil becoming the first Derry club to win in Ulster, and Brian Hogan captaining O\u2019Loughlin Gaels to a surprise Kilkenny final win against Ballyhale, to name but a few.<\/p>\n
But the achievement of Cork champions Glen Rovers in reaching their first provincial decider in 40 years also deserves recognition, especially considering the financial struggles the club have overcome.<\/p>\n
Once again led by the sharp shooting of Patrick Horgan, they saw off the challenge of Limerick\u2019s\u00a0Patrickswell on Sunday by the narrowest of margins.<\/p>\n
\n Glen Rovers’ Patrick Horgan.<\/p>\n
Source: Cathal Noonan\/INPHO<\/p>\n
In doing so, Rovers set up a provincial decider against Ballyea, which means Munster\u2019s champions won\u2019t be coming from Limerick, Tipperary or Waterford for the first time since Cork\u2019s Newtownshandrum prevailed in 2009.<\/p>\n
Ballyea, meanwhile, are hoping to become the first Banner club to be crowned provincial champions since Sixmilebridge in 2000.<\/p>\n
A word of warning for other contenders down the line should Rovers succeed in Munster \u2014 the previous two times they claimed provincial honours they went on to add All-Ireland honours.<\/p>\n
4. Oulart-The Ballagh showing no signs of easing up<\/p>\n
The reigning Leinster champions could face Cuala in the provincial decider should they both progress in two weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n