At around lunchtime on Wednesday afternoon, Croke Park issued an email which was short and to the point: ‘We are recommencing our fixtures bulletin as part of our efforts to promote and publicise the club games taking place in the coming weeks and months. Please find attached GAA Club Senior fixtures for the coming days.’ Attached was a list of games that quite literally covered the length and breadth of the country.
The schedule covered both football and hurling. To anyone with an interest in watching all of those intercounty players who lit up the first half of 2024, who shone in League and Championship, the selection of games on offer was the equivalent of a 10-course tasting menu at a fancy restaurant. The number of club football games in black and white totalled just under 100.
Interested in catching the tail-end of the buzz around Armagh’s emotional All-Ireland senior football win? Why not take in Saturday’s game involving Clann Éireann, the home club of Barry McCambridge who is one of the frontrunners for Footballer of the Year. Or Sunday’s action where Rian O’Neill’s Crossmaglen take on Sarsfields. The Donegal SFC is also underway where, no doubt, Jim McGuinness and his management team will be checking out the form to further build a panel to make an Ulster and All-Ireland tilt in 2025.
In Dublin, All-Ireland club finalists Kilmacud can be found early Saturday evening against St Vincent’s, a game which should have something for any walk-up supporter .