A week before Christmas is hardly the perfect time to be playing All-Ireland hurling semi-finals, but the GAA split season means games have to played in winter time as the inter-county action resumes on Jan. 2. So, on Sunday, Dec. 21, we will have the two All-Ireland club semi-finals. Galway champions Loughrea will play Ulster champions Slaughtneill at Parnell Park in Dublin at 1.30 p.m. and later that afternoon it’s the clash of the big two from the South East, Ballygunner from Waterford and the recently crowned Leinster champions St Martin’s of Wexford, at Semple Stadium. Both venues have excellent playing surfaces and there should be no problem about playing the games, unless we get a fall of snow before Christmas.
Meanwhile, for any GAA fans planning a trip home to Ireland next summer dates have now been confirmed for the 2026 All-Ireland finals. The hurling final will be played in Croke Park on July 19 and the football final is schedule for July 26.
