After a thrilling weekend of club championship hurling the road to Croke Park has become a lot clearer, with both the Munster SHC and Ulster SHC finals decided, as well as the Leinster SHC semi-finals.
At national level, Galway champions Loughrea have already qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final, with the county's champion automatically progressing to that stage in the absence of a SHC in the western province.
The weekend's results mean that Waterford's Ballygunner are now the favourites to reign supreme in both Munster and Ireland, while Loughrea are well-tipped to be right there with the Waterford Champions at the business end of the season.
17 November 2024; Paddy Leavey of Ballygunner during the AIB Munster GAA Senior Club Hurling Championship semi-final match between Loughmore-Castleiney and Ballygunner at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Westmeath's Castletown Geoghegan blew the Leinster Championship wide open on Sunday when they defied the odds and overcame heavy favourites, Kilkenny champions Thomastown 1-25 to 1-14 to book their spot in the Leinster semi-final. They'll meet Offaly's Kilcormac who recorded a five-point win over St. Mullins.
Elsewhere in Leinster, Na Fianna cruised into the semi-finals with a 3-20 to 1-15 win over Laois' Clough Ballacolla. The Dublin champions will face off against Wexford's St. Martins who overpowered Naas 1-13 to 0-15 thanks to a sensational Jack O'Connor penalty.
There was no surprise in Munster as reigning Champions Ballygunner once again booked their spot in the Munster SHC Final with a ten-point win over Loughmore Castleiney. If they're to repeat last year's success they'll have to overcome Cork's Sarsfields who made light work of Feakle, beating them by eight points in the provincial semi-final.
In Ulster, only extra-time could separate Slaughtneil and Cushendall, who played out a 66-score game, with Slaughtneil eventually winning out 1-36 to 3-26. There they'll meet Co. Down's Portaferry.
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Munster SHC Final - December 1st
Ballygunner v Sarsfields
Ulster SHC Final - December 1st
Portaferry v Slaughtneil
Leinster SHC semi-finals - November 24th
Na Fianna v St. Martins
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