CHRISTMAS may be coming and the geese may be getting fat, but the GAA's competitive calendar is still furnishing competitive fixtures.
Although there was an air of familiarity about Laune Rangers' success in the Munster club football championship and, especially, Eire Og's win in the Leinster equivalent, a draw between Bellaghy (Derry) and Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) in the Ulster final means further championship fare. The two teams meet again at Clones next Sunday.
All Ireland champions Laune Rangers retained their Munster crown with a hard earned, three point win - 0-13 to 0-10 - over the competition's surprise packets Clonakilty, of Cork, in an entertaining match at Killarney. However, the Killorglin club will have to await the replay of the Bellaghy Crossmaglen encounter to discover their All Ireland semi final opponents next February.
Eire Og, claiming their fourth Leinster club title in five years, eventually overcame Dublin champions St Sylvester's, who were reduced to 13 men when Declan Barnes and David Ryan were sent off in separate incidents, by 1-10 to 0-8. A Garvan Ware penalty, in the 51st minute, proved decisive in the Carlow team's success.
It was a disappointing day for the Dublin GAA. While Sylvester's were losing to Eire Og, O'Toole's were losing to Laois champions Camross in the Leinster hurling final at Nowlan Park. Camross ran out winners by 1-12 to 2-5.
Elsewhere, Meath must have wondered if there was any point even playing the match when the official programme for the National Football League Division One match with Tyrone at Omagh listed just one team Tyrone. The announcement of the Meath team, which featured just four players who started the All Ireland Final, was apparently made too late for inclusion in the publication.
In any event, Tyrone gained some small consolation for their All Ireland semi final defeat when recording a 1-14 to 1-4 win over the Sam Maguire Cup holders.
