Have we seen it before? Probably not, such is the number of senior county finals across the land on the penultimate Sunday in October.

Twenty in all, with clubs used to success and those looking to make a mark again all involved. As for the players on the pitch, inter-county stars will strive for silverware as well as those whose sole focus is now with the club.

Keeping across it all

ONLINE:
Before the day's action begins, first game throws in at 2pm, a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app will be up and running setting the scene for what's ahead, all in advance of regular score updates and some contributions from RTÉ Radio commentators, who'll be present at 10 of the games.

Match reports will follow, with links to how each final unfolded on a standalone page. Reaction from players/managers on the day's key moments will also be available.

RADIO:
Sunday Sport, from 2pm on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Listen as referenced above, will provide live commentary and regular score updates, along with added colour and subsequent reax from the grounds.

TV:
TG4, with their coverage starting at 1.45pm, will be live at two of the finals: Ballinamere v Kilcormac-Killoughey in the Offaly hurling decider and Castleknock v Cuala in the Dublin football final.

WEATHER:
It's looking good! Our Met Éireann colleagues saying: "Mist and fog will clear through the morning to a leave a dry day with plenty of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees with light variable breezes." For more go to met.ie.

A quick guide then through each of the fixtures.

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

FOOTBALL

Meath SFC final
Donaghmore Ashbourne v Wolfe Tones, Donaghmore/Ashbourne, 2pm

With Páirc Tailteann still under redevelopment, the Meath board opted to take their county final to Ashbourne and so we have one side enjoying home comforts. Donaghmore/Ashbourne, as they have been known since 1996, are seeking a first county title in 74 years.

They last appeared in the decider in 2016, losing to Simonstown Gaels. Surprise finalists? Probably. But there on merit following notable wins against Dunshsughlin, Simonstown and Rotoath, with Royal ace Bryan Menton key to their ambitions.

Wolfe Tones, unbeaten so far, are seeking a first title since 2021. Memories of their narrow final loss to Dunshaughlin in 2024 are still fresh in the memory. County star Adam O'Neil will provide the main thrust from midfield with local knowledge going with Tones to win their third title.

Roscommon SFC final
Pádraig Pearses v St Brigid's, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

Another South Roscommon derby awaits in the decider. Brigid's with their eye on a 20th crown, a year on from edging their neighbours after a replay. Pearses are seeking just a fourth county title.

Twice All-Ireland finalists in the last three seasons, Brigid's have come close to landing the big prize in January.

Damian Mulligan, with much experience of the club scene in Mayo and who was part of the Rossies ticket under Kevin McStay, is the new man at the helm, taking over from Anthony Cunningham. They impressed in casting Strokestown aside in the semi-final, with Conor Hand exceling.

Much closer was Pearses' win over Boyle in the other semi - 5-22 to 2-27 after extra-time.

Antrim SFC final
St Brigid's v O’Donovan Rossa, Corrigan Park, 3pm

An-all Belfast showdown here. St Brigid's, formed in 1998, are eyeing a first title, while O'Donovan O'Rossa chase win No 17, but a first since 1991.

Key to Brigid's' hopes is midfielder Jack Dowling and, in speaking to the Irish News, he outlined what a maiden success would mean for the club.

"We struggled for years, got promoted, got relegated again, went back up and held our own, and now finally we’re knocking on the door, trying to win our first senior championship."

Joe Brolly and former Antrim and Cork star James Loughrey are the household names who have lined out for Brigid's in the past.

Armagh SFC final
Killeavy v Crossmaglen Rangers, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3pm

Killeavy are through to a first final since 1988, looking to end a 78-year wait for supremacy in the Orchard County. Three titles won in all with the first two coming in 1914-15.

Crossmaglen, a football powerhouse in Armagh and beyond. They have won the Gerry Fagan Cup on 47 occasions and are six-time winners of the All-Ireland. Former Louth player Shane Lennon is now their manager and despite early losses to Dromintee and last year’s winners Madden he has overseen an upturn with Oisín and Aaron O’Neill impressing in their run so far.

Rian O'Neill (above), who was sent off in the semi-final win against Clann Eireann, has had his suspension overturned.

Killeavy, unbeaten to this point and with Ciaron O’Hanlon and Fergal Boylan to the fore, will look to maintain that run, so producing one of the standout stories of the day.

Clare SFC final
Kilmurry Ibrickane v Éire Óg Ennis, Zimmer Biomet, Cusack Park, 3.30pm

The Banner decider pits the defending champions and the treble-seeking Éire Óg Ennis, with 22 titles to their name, against Kilmurry Ibrickane, victors on 16 occasions. For the latter it's a case of avoiding a third loss on the spin to their rivals. Their hopes have been boosted by the return of Keelan Sexton after his time with Na Fianna in Dublin.

Éire Óg will again be looking to the likes of Mark McInerney, Aaron Fitzgerald and David Reidy as they strive to continue their Banner hegemony.

Donegal SFC final
Naomh Conaill v St Eunan’s, MacCumhaill Park, 3.30pm

It's Glenties v Letterkenny. The 2025 winners v 2024 winners. Of course we had the news during the week that Naomh Conaill's Finbarr Roarty will be heading to Collingwood in the AFL, this after signing a two-year rookie contract. Returning from Oz is Ethan O’Donnell. The former county star who has been living in Perth for the last few years is back home and may feature in the Ballybofey showdown.

Conaill looked destined to lose their grip on the Dr Maguire Cup as they trailed Glenswilly by five points coming down the stretch in the semi-final, but they forced extra-time and eventually won 0-22 to 0-19. St Eunan's, who led 1-09 to 0-00 after 15 minutes, repelled a late Gaoth Dobhair comeback in their semi, winning 2-18 to 1-19.

Louth SFC final
Newtown Blues v St Mochtas, Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, 3.30pm

Newtown Blues, the most successful club in the Wee County, are looking to end a seven-year wait here. Standing between them and a 24th title are St Mochtas, whose only previous county final appearance came in 2021.

That day ended in an 11-point loss to Naomh Mairtín and their cause now is not helped by Craig Lennon's absence because of an ACL injury. The form of younger brother Shane and that of brothers Ciarán and Declan Byrne offers hope.

Ciarán Downey will lead the Blues charge to what many believe will be another Joe Ward Cup success.

Monaghan SFC final
Truagh v Scotstown, Clones, 3.30pm

Can Truagh stop Scotstown's quest for a 25th win in the land of the Farney? The reigning Ulster champions are also seeking a championship four-timer on their home patch. When the pair met in the group stage, Scotstown, who boast county stars in Rory Beggan, Conor McCarthy, Ryan O’Toole, Michéal McCarville and Jack McCarron, were comfortable winners.

Veteran Darren Hughes is thought to be lined up as part of John McEntee's backroom team with Monaghan

Truagh, after losing three finals so far this century including one to Scotstown in 2021, are the underdogs here. That said the Emyvale outfit showed enough in their thrilling semi-final win against Clontibret - 4-16 to 2-19 - to show they are suitably battle-hardened.

James McKenna, Chrissy McKenna, Gary Mohan and Caolan Tracey with the goals for Mark Counihan's side.

Wexford SFC final
Kilanerin v St Martin’s, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3.30pm

St Martin's go in search of a second county title after their breakthrough in 2013. With the hurlers losing their county and provincial crowns last weekend, the pressure will be on to salvage silverware from a season that looked promising on both fronts.

Kilanerin are going for an eight success on the roll of honour and a first since 2008. It was they who came out on top against Martin's earlier in the campaign.

Carlow SFC final
Old Leighlin v Rathvilly, Netwatch Cullen Park, 4pm

Another case of we'll meet again here. Old Leighlin prevailed by a point when the pair met in last year's decider to make it six county successes. And they impressed when downing Éire Óg in the semis.

Kevin Murphy and the returning Brendan Murphy are amongst the key names Rathvilly will turn to in their pursuit of regaining a title they last held in 2024.

Cavan SFC final
Gowna v Kingscourt, Kingspan Breffni, 4pm

Old foes collide yet again with Kingscourt running out nine-point winners at this juncture in 2025. Will be it be lucky 13 as the holders eye more Oliver Plunkett glory. Gowna, for their part, went on a goal rush against their rivals in the 2023 decider, so bringing their county tally to 10.

Meath star Jordan Norris is very much the go-to man for Kingscourt at the top end of the pitch.

Tipperary SFC final
Clonmel Commercials v Loughmore-Castleiney, FBD Semple Stadium, 4pm

The victors here will become the first recipients of the Philly Ryan Cup, named in memory of the late Tipperary football manager and Clonmel Commercials player who died a year ago this week.

Clonmel Commercials have won five of the last seven Premier crowns but the two finals they lost in that time were against Loughmore-Castleiney. The latter produced heroics of sorts when wiping out 12-point deficit in their semi-final win against Kilsheelan/Kilcash.

Dublin SFC final
Castleknock v Cuala, Parnell Park, 4.15pm

You can expect a bumper crowd at the Donnycarney venue for this novel pairing. Castleknock are in their second-ever final, ten years on from that loss to St Vincent's. Cuala, the 2024-25 All-Ireland winners, are looking for title No 2.

Ciarán Kilkenny played in the 2016 final and after announcing his inter-county retirement in July would surely cherish success with the club. During the week the eight-times Sam Maguire winner was confirmed as manager of TU Dublin's Sigerson Cup team.

Expect Kilkenny to continue his sweeper/playmaker role for Castleknock, for whom Senan Forker has so far impressed in the engine room. They finished strongly to account for Thomas Davis in the semis.

Cuala booked their final ticket after having more in the tank when it mattered against Ballyboden St Enda's. Charlie McMorrow, Eoin Kennedy, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and the O'Callaghan brothers, Con and Niall, are the added star power in the ranks of the Dalkey outfit. A combination that may tilt things in their favour here.

Tyrone SFC final
Errigal Ciarán v Edendork, O'Neill's Healy Park, 4.30pm

A first-ever county final appearance for Edendork. Will it be an evening of celebration for Darren McCurry, Conn Kilpatrick Niall Morgan and all involved for a club who were Tyrone intermediate champions in 2020? Goalkeeper Morgan fired over 0-06 in the last-four win against Donaghmore.

Errigal Ciarán accounted for Loughmacrory to leave them 60 minutes away from a 12th Red Hand success.

HURLING

Offaly SHC final
Ballinamere v Kilcormac-Killoughey, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2.15pm

Holders Kilcormac-Killoughey are chasing a fourth title on the spin - but only just after a 1-34 to 2-23 extra-time win over St Rynagh’s the last day.

Eoin Woods had forced an extra 20 minutes with a late score for Rynagh’s, but the champions found their groove with Adam Screeney finishing with 0-16.

Ballinamere are targeting a maiden crown. They lost to K-K in the 2024 decider and at the quarter-final stage last year. From the football part of Offaly, they have emerged as a hurling force in recent times. A high-scoring semi-final - 4-18 to 3-19 - saw them get the better of Belmont.

Ballinamere's progression ultimately owed to a hot streak in the final few minutes of the first half as Brian Duignan, Aaron Maher and Mike O'Brien found the net in a blistering five-minute spell.

Sligo SHC final
Easkey v Naomh Eoin, Markievicz Park, 2.15pm

Holders Easkey will be favoured to win seven Yeats County titles on the trot against opposition they overcame in the previous six finals.

Westmeath SHC final
Lough Lene Gaels v Raharney, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm

A run of three successive final losses for Lough Lene Gaels. Enough motivation you would think to end that sequence as they come up against opposition who defeated them in 2023. Just a month ago the sides met in the group stage, with the Gaels winning 2-22 to 1-23.

Laois SHC final
Camross v The Harps, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 3.45pm

It's a first county final for The Harps since 1998. In dramatic finish, courtesy of a goal at the death, they overcame holders Clough-Ballacolla in the semi-final. Camross defeated Rosenallis in the other semi to edge a step closer to securing a 28th title.

Down SHC final
Portaferry v Ballygalget, Páirc Esler, Newry, 4pm

Portaferry are on the verge of Mourne County five-timer and after easily accounting for Ballygalget in the 2024 and '25 finals, the smart money is on them to move to 26 wins on the roll of honour.

Cork SHC final
Glen Rovers v St Finbarr’s, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm,

The meeting of the Glens and the Barrs. A grand tradition in Cork hurling. Maybe, somewhat against the odds this year, with many tipping Sarsfields, Midleton and Blackrock to be the participants on final day.

Tomás Mulcahy's Rovers (18 titles), after finishing second in their group, overcame Charleville and Midleton to make it this far. Second spot in the group stage was also the case for St Finbarr’s (15 titles) before wins over Imokilly and Kanturk booked their date at the Páirc.

In August, 14-man Glen were eight-point win over the Barrs in the opening round. The margin of victory for either side now should be a lot tighter.