Cuala Set Sights on All-Ireland Glory in Semi-Final Showdown

By Conor Martin

Image Courtesy Des Pearson

They have a first Dublin senior title in the bag, a first-ever Leinster title and now Cuala look to give it their all and keep their dreams of a first All-Ireland title alive when they take on Coolera-Strandhill at Kingspan Breffni Cavan in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship Semi-Final tomorrow.

As mentioned, Cuala won the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship with a 100% record, claiming the Clerys Cup at the expense of Kilmacud Crokes, who were aiming for four Dublin senior titles in a row thanks to Eoin Kennedy’s last-gasp point.

In Leinster, a solid showing against Naas and Tullamore in the quarter and semi-finals, respectively, earn a spot in the Leinster final.

Niall O’Callaghan impressed with a fine 1-5 in the win against Naas, while Luke Keating was also on the goal scorers list, while Niall’s older brother Con picked up three for himself.

As mentioned, Cuala beat Tullamore in the last four, with Peter Duffy’s goal proving crucial in that win, as Con O’Callaghan’s four points also helped the south Dubliners into the Leinster final.

The O’Callaghan brothers have been key to Cuala’s success in the county and provincial championships and will look to have a big say on Saturday. They can also call upon the likes of Keating and Cillian Dunne to enhance the attacking threat. At the back, the experienced Michael Fitzsimons brings stability alongside the remainder of a talented half-back and full-back line that Cuala manager Austin O’Malley can rely on.

Coolera-Strandhill won’t let Cuala have it all their own way; the Sligo senior football champions defended their title in 2024 and became county champions for the fifth time, beating Naomh Molaise Gaels in the Sligo decider for the second year in a row.

They navigated the early rounds of the Sligo championship with relative ease, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Shamrock Gaels. They would advance into the final with a win over St Mary’s despite only having one point to their name at the break. Niall Murphy was key to the semi-final, scoring an impressive seven points in the 0-10 to 1-4 win.

They would battle back in the final as they did in their previous outing; Ross Doherty equalised inside the final five minutes while Murphy top-scored for his side again as Coolera-Strandhill earned themselves a replay and a second bite of the county glory apple.

Murphy would continue his good form in the replay with three points, but the Coolera-Strandhill hero would be their captain, Peter Laffey, with two scores that proved crucial as they retained the Sligo title by a point.

Advancing into the provincial championship, they would take on Mayo champions Ballina Stephenites, who had beaten North London Shamrocks in the English capital in the previous round.

Murphy would send the semi-final to penalties with two late scores and would deliver from the spot after the game had finished 0-9 to 0-9. Keelan Harte would deny Conor McStay from the spot, which was followed by Barry O’Mahony, Conor Burke, Leo Doherty and Ross Doherty all converting their spot kicks to ensure Coolera-Strandhill won the shootout 5-4 and play in the provincial final.

Their experience of extra-time did them a favour in the Connacht final as they came back from five points down to beat Roscommon’s Pádraig Pearses to become Connacht champions for the first time ever.

Murphy and former Dublin dual player Ross O’Carroll were on form, as were Sean Taylor, substitute Adam Higgins and Kevin Banks, who would take the game to extra-time with a 59th-minute point.

Ross Doherty would find the net after he flicked on Murphy’s searching free, which gave them a two-point lead at the halfway point in extra-time.

As mentioned, Higgins was influential and helped his side see out the game and become Connacht kings.

Both teams have achieved their own milestones in this Championship and after claiming their respective provincial trophies, both teams have the chance this weekend to go one step further in their quest to become All-Ireland champions.

You can buy tickets for tomorrow’s semi-final here

The game will also be shown live on TG4, throw-in 5pm