FBD Insurance Senior Quarter Final Previews

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September 26, 2025

FBD Insurance Senior Quarter Final Previews


Clonoulty Rossmore vs Burgess Duharra – Saturday 27th @ 4pm, Clonoulty Rossmore GAA

Clonoulty Rossmore enter the knockout stages as reigning county champions and group toppers with four wins from four. Their focus is firmly on defending their title, and they will start as favourites against Burgess-Duharra. With strength and depth across the pitch, they have been impressive all season. Casey Hennessy and Cait Devane have been in excellent form, while Kate Ferncombe has been another consistent performer in attack. At the back, Courtney Ryan provides solidity at centre-back, with Eimear Loughman also anchoring the defensive line. With such quality and balance, Clonoulty Rossmore will be hard to stop.

Burgess-Duharra, though, will not be overawed. While they finished fourth in the group, their campaign showed plenty of encouraging signs. After a difficult opening round, they regrouped strongly and pushed one of the championship favourites, Thurles Sarsfields, all the way before eventually losing out by five points. Their crucial victory came against Cashel King Cormacs hitting 2-16. While they lost to Silvermines they gave a huge second performance holding Silvermines to a single point, underlining their fighting spirit.

Key to their chances will be the scoring threat of Amy and Tara Kennedy up front, with Caoimhe Maher a vital presence at centre-back. Gemma Grace has been ever reliable from frees, while Iris Grace and Fiona Kirwan bring hard work and determination in defence.

Clonoulty Rossmore’s firepower and championship experience make them favourites, but Burgess-Duharra have shown they can battle with the best. If they can reproduce the intensity of their best group performances, this tie may be closer than expected.


Drom-Inch vs. Silvermines – Saturday 27th @ 5pm, Drom-Inch GAA

Drom-Inch enter the quarterfinals with three wins from four group games, their only setback coming in the final round against Clonoulty Rossmore. While they have traditionally enjoyed the upper hand over Silvermines, history suggests that meetings between these sides are rarely straightforward.

Silvermines have impressed this season with consistent performances and some notable victories. The switch of former goalkeeper Aisling Carey to an outfield role has paid dividends, with her strength on the breaking ball and excellent free taking adding real impact. The Cunneen sisters and the excellent Ciara Ryan give the ’Mines both talent and leadership, and they will approach this clash with quiet confidence.

For Drom-Inch, the loss to Clonoulty highlighted areas for improvement, particularly up front where they managed just one score from play. Much may depend on whether Eimear McGrath is deployed for the full hour, as she has the ability to have a real influence on the game. Miriam Campion has been steady from placed balls, while the defensive backbone of Aoife McGrath, Máiréad Everson and Ciara Cahill will be key to holding firm. Up front, Mary Burke and Niamh Tracey bring pace and power, and if they find form, they can be a match-winning combination.

This promises to be a fiercely contested battle — Drom-Inch will look to reassert their attacking threat, while Silvermines, buoyed by form and momentum, will sense a real opportunity to cause an upset.


Thurles Sarsfields vs Moneygall – Saturday 27th @ 4pm, Thules Outside Field

One of the ties of the weekend pairs last year’s beaten finalists, Thurles Sarsfields, with last year’s intermediate champions, Moneygall. Both possess plenty of quality in their lineups, but Sarsfields’ form and firepower will make them strong favourites heading into this clash.

Thurles have been ruthless in front of goal, hitting 14 goals across their four group games. Their forward line is brimming with talent, with the likes of Caoimhe Stakelum, Lucy Purcell, Aoife Dwyer and Karen Kennedy forming a formidable attacking unit. Behind them, Emma Carey, Eimear Kennedy and Robyn Fanning have all impressed in defence, giving the team a solid foundation. When they click, Sarsfields are capable of blowing teams away.

Moneygall, however, are not to be underestimated. They saved their best performance for the final round when they overcame Shannon Rovers, with Mairead Teehan producing a superb display that yielded 2-9. She is a constant threat up front, while Caithlyn Treacy at centre-back and the experienced Julie Kelly in the full-back line provide defensive steel. Mary Ryan’s influence around midfield will also be vital if Moneygall are to match Sarsfields’ tempo.

Moneygall are a club on the rise, carrying talent, experience, and growing confidence at senior level. But Thurles Sarsfields are further along in their development and, with their firepower up front, will be difficult to stop.


Eire Og Annacarty vs Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams – Saturday 27th @ 5.30pm, Annacarty 

The West neighbours meet in what promises to be a tight and competitive quarterfinal, as Éire Óg Annacarty face Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams. Annacarty finished second in their group with three wins from four, showing consistent form throughout the campaign. Their season started with an impressive 9 point victory over Burgess Duharra, followed by a four-point win over Silvermines. Despite a loss to Thurles Sarsfields, they still scored 1-15, highlighting their attacking potential, and they closed out the group with a hard-fought win over Cashel King Cormacs.

Experience has been a key factor for Annacarty, with current and former inter-county players like Gemma Fox, Orla O’Brien, Ciannait Walsh, and Danielle Ryan anchoring the team. Captain Jean Kelly has been in outstanding form, scoring from play and setting up scores for others, and will be central if Annacarty are to make a breakthrough this year.

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams will be no pushovers. They drew with Shannon Rovers and, despite losses to Drom-Inch and Clonoulty Rossmore, have lots of quality and potential. Caoimhe McCarthy and Eimear Heffernan are key players up front, with Heffernan’s accuracy from frees a particular threat. At the back, Ereena Fryday provides solidity, while Millie Kelly and Niamh Slattery add pace and energy up front.

This West Tipperary clash is likely to be decided by fine margins. Annacarty may have the edge in strength and depth, but Knockavilla have the talent and determination to make life difficult in what should be a thrilling encounter.