Weekend previews

A look at who is playing this weekend

Today

All-Ireland SFC Club Semi-final (replay)

Dr Crokes (Kerry) v Moorefield (Kildare)

Nenagh, 2pm

Taken as an average expression of the teams' campaigns to date, last weekend's draw wasn't too surprising.

Moorefield had always been hard to put away throughout the county and provincial campaigns, whereas Crokes - apart from the win over Nemo Rangers in the Munster semi-final - have stuttered.

The Kerry team played their big card with the Colm Cooper goal that derailed their opponents' fine start and seemed to create an aura of self doubt about their efforts. Had Brian Looney taken the goal opportunity early in the second half, Crokes' hold on the match would have almost certainly become unassailable.

But they didn't.

The impressive part of the Moorefield performance wasn't so much the rattling three-point salvo that saved the day, but the relentless hard work that kept their illustrious opponents within range even when the match looked to be comfortably in the Munster champions' grasp.

Injuries may yet play a role and, according to Moorefield manager Séamus Dowling, there will be some late selection decisions. Ross Glavin is troubled by the ankle knock he got a week ago and his centrefield partner Darryl Flynn is also in difficulties with a similar injury.

This constitutes major disruption, even if David Whyte's display as replacement was excellent.

Crokes have the stardust sprinkling that makes them favourites, despite their fitful spells, and tactical adaptability has also had a significant influence on their progress - as with last week's shifting of Eoin Brosnan to centre back.

They're a little on the back foot but have good room for improvement.

National Football League

Division One A

Cork v Tyrone

Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30pm (Live on Setanta Ireland)

Cork's campaign to date has been heavy on lessons and light on results. Already Billy Morgan's team have reached the stage where their leeway is pretty limited if they are to survive in Division One. This evening the pain looks set to continue, as the divisional leaders come to town with a team that's starting to welcome back their top players.

So far, Cork have shown that their defence continues to be one of the best around, but the trouble is that the attack is still as erratic and unproductive as ever. Tyrone cut loose on Donegal in the McKenna Cup final. Stephen O'Neill's back starting and captain Brian Dooher is on the bench while Mickey Harte continues to weigh up the options at the back.

Gerard Cavlan's early-season form has been as good as he's enjoyed since coming out of retirement/sabbatical and he gets a chance to stake a claim for a starting place.

There's a momentum and fluency from the visitors that Cork, despite a competitive record against them, will find hard to halt.

Tomorrow

Donegal v Dublin

Ballyshannon, 2pm (Live on TG4)

Dublin's best intentions to give the league a rattle have so far been disappointed. As one member of the camp put it, two draws would have been an accurate reflection of performance, as they neither deserved to lose to Tyrone nor to beat Limerick.

This trip to the surprise early pace-setters is now more challenging than might have been expected when the fixtures were agreed. Dublin's shopping list remains unfilled on the evidence of matches to date.

There's still no sign of Niall O'Shea acquiring the authority necessary to be the summer full back, not of anyone providing options at centrefield. In attack, Tomás Quinn blurred the place-kicking picture by icily dispatching a late 45 after Diarmuid Connolly had gone off injured.

Donegal's outing in the McKenna Cup final was disfigured by some horrendous shooting, but they're enjoying a smoother early-season than their visitors.

Fermanagh v Kerry

Kingspan Breffni Park

Fermanagh have a major struggle on their hands after losing to Limerick and getting back into contention for a decent finish will involve taking some surprising scalps.

Last year they accounted for Dublin and Tyrone at home and ran Kerry very close. This season, they're hampered by not having a home while Brewster Park is redeveloped.

Kerry rode their luck and Cork's second-half shutdown, but deserved the win after playing more economically throughout. Pádraig Reidy comes in at corner back and his display will be watched with interest, as he has a promising reputation and would enhance the defensive options.

Mayo v Limerick

Castlebar

A setback for Mayo in Donegal, but the team building goes on. Enda Devenney is named and it would be a major coup for John O'Mahony were he able to get the Ballina wing back to give the county his full attention.

Limerick have had a feisty start to their campaign, narrowly going down to Dublin and taking a comfortable win away to Fermanagh. Johnny McCarthy was in good form for UCD's outgunned Sigerson team during the week, but Mayo have to be favourites.

Division One B

Galway v Armagh

Pearse Stadium, 1.30pm

Two of the more expectant counties in the division, but without the results to show for it. Armagh's late steal against Louth could prove significant when the points are added up. News of Diarmuid Marsden's return from retirement will lift Joe Kernan's team, beleaguered by absenteeism for club and injury reasons, and he also gets the chance to look at some of the emerging talent.

Charlie Vernon had a high-profile outing with Queen's in the Sigerson, but even Galway's troubled centrefield will provide more of a test than UCD managed.

Both sides need this quite urgently, but Armagh have showed more of the necessary battling qualities so far.

Kildare v Derry

Newbridge

Derry manager Paddy Crozier changes half the team after the home defeat by Westmeath and this is undoubtedly a stronger outfit with Kevin McCloy and Kevin McGuckin steadying the full-back line and Fergal Doherty returned to centrefield.

Kildare are short the Moorefield players, but have John Doyle in his customary prolific form. Preference is for an improved Derry.

Westmeath v Down

Cusack Park

After two unexpected wins, Tomás Ó Flatharta's side will actually start favourites to take the points here.

Down's early season has been a bit chaotic, although they pulled a point out of the fire against Kildare. Westmeath's blitzkrieg start in Derry laid the ground for the win and the team has a settled purposeful look although Martin Flanagan's absence will be felt. Still, the home team have the edge.

Laois v Louth

Portlaoise

Louth's good early season was spoiled a bit by the late slip-up in Crossmaglen. This is a tricky trip. Laois ground out a minimalist win over Galway and are likely to have a harder edge under Liam Kearns.

How well the team adapt to such a change of emphasis remains to be seen, but they get the vote here to record another narrow win.

Division Two A

Monaghan v Carlow

Clones

Monaghan's brisk start has already accounted for two of the main promotion rivals. This is, on paper, a less demanding task and should work out that way.

Roscommon v Clare

Hyde Park

Clare's bounce to the top of the division was unexpected, but the win over Leitrim was impressive. However, despite John Maughan's team being under-strength, it looks like a home win.

Longford v Offaly

Pearse Park

A vital match for both sides, who have each already lost one. Offaly aren't firing on all cylinders at the moment. Longford's form has been better and they can win this.

London v Leitrim

Ruislip, 1pm

Leitrim's season is suffering from the continuing indisposition of manager Des Dolan, still recovering in hospital from illness. That didn't help them in Ennis, but won't be a hindrance here.

Division Two B

Waterford v Antrim

Dungarvan

If Waterford are to make a realistic challenge for a top four finish, they'll need to win this. Antrim's concentration has been poor in the matches to date, letting both Wicklow and Meath is for match-winning tallies over short periods. Still, the visitors should win.

Tipperary v Cavan

Ardfinnan, 1pm

Cavan's unbeaten start puts them on top of the division and their impressive looking attack should get them through against a Tipp side that struggled against Wexford.

Sligo v Meath

Markievicz Park

Meath haven't looked that convincing in the two matches to date and may be vulnerable here.

Wicklow v Wexford

Aughrim

A re-run of Wicklow's frantic O'Byrne Cup win in January. Wexford have got their season back on track and can get it right this time.

Walsh Cup Final

Wexford v Kilkenny

Wexford Park (extra-time if necessary)

Neither will be too happy with the opening day league results, but Kilkenny's looked more of a blip and their trophy collection can continue unabated.

WeekendPreviews (all matches 2.30pm unless stated)