Weekend previews

A look ahead to all the action today and tomorrow

Today

McGrath Cup (Munster SF) Final

Kerry v UCC, Tralee, 2.30pm – Kerry centrefielder Micheál Quirke spoke during the week about his team's attitude to the secondary competition: "These aren't games we're crazy driven to win but we want to win every game we play. It's UCC in the final and they played extra-time in the Sigerson on Wednesday and they've probably another game next week. I don't know what kind of a team they'll have out but it's not as though we'll be bringing the cup around to the schools so we'll just have a bit of a run-out and get some more of the bad petrol out of the system."

The college’s hard-fought win over DIT, to say nothing of next week’s date with NUI Galway should indeed be a distraction

Munster Cup (SH) Semi-final

UCC v UL, Buttevant, noon – UCC's pursuit of both January competitions resumes here at midday and the Fitzgibbon holders can edge out UL, who had a good win over neighbours LIT, Joe Canning and all, in extra-time last weekend.

Walsh Cup (Leinster SH)

Dublin v NUI Galway, Portmarnock, 2pm – Anthony Daly runs the rule over some new faces as well as the returning Shane Ryan, back from football exile, who gets a gallop at centre forward. NUIG have a few injuries and the Dubs should progress.

Dr McKenna Cup (Ulster SF) Final

Tyrone v Donegal, Enniskillen, 7.30pm – The Barrett Sports Lighting McKenna Cup has run off admirably smoothly during a month of treacherous weather.

As usual, Tyrone look to have a vast reserve of talent and the way they swatted a previously 100 per cent Fermanagh was impressive. Donegal overcame the other form team, Down, but will be underdogs against Mickey Harte’s team.

Tomorrow

(Matches at 2pm unless stated)

O’Byrne Cup Semi-finals

Kildare v Louth, Newbridge, 2.15pm – Louth have some good momentum after two big wins although Athlone IT didn't stretch them much last week. Kildare's progress has been rather more high-profile after the scatter in Portlaoise. The potential clash between Dermot Earley and a rejuvenated Paddy Keenan, who ran Louth's centrefield in the semi-final, will be one to savour.

DCU v Meath, Páirc Tailteann – Any win over Dublin is a good one in Meath but the Leinster champions were more conspicuously understrength for the midweek replay defeat in injury-time down in Navan. However, the home side have been playing well in the tournament to date. DCU, with their backbone of intercounty players will be formidable opposition.

Walsh Cup (Leinster SH)

Wexford v UCD, Gorey, 1pm – Colm Bonnar runs the rule over some new players and also recalls a centrefield pairing of Tomás Mahon and Colm Farrell, who have both been out of action for a long time. They'll need to hit the ground running here against the students, who blitzed Antrim last week.

Offaly v Kilkenny, Tullamore – A hard-fought win over DIT puts an experimental Offaly into Kilkenny's crosshairs.

The All-Ireland champions also have a challenge today against Ballyhale so there’ll be plenty of new faces on show over the weekend.

Laois v Galway, Rathdowney – Laois manager Niall Rigney has naturally targeted this as good preparation for the imminent Division Two campaign.

A big win over GMIT sets up this crack at John McIntyre’s team , who are missing a good few players because of injury, college commitments and Portumna’s All-Ireland club campaign.

Munster Cup (SH) semi-final

Waterford v Clare, Ballyduff Upper – The only meeting between this pair before next summer's championship. David Fitzgerald has said he wants to try out as many players as possible and, in addition to resting some of his more venerable stars, has supervised a manic timetable of matches in the opening weeks of the year.

His old team-mate Ger O’Loughlin has had a positive start to his appointment in Clare and can reach the final of the Waterford Crystal tournament that the county won last year.

Connacht League (SF)

Sligo IT v NUIG, Ballinode – Sligo are in with a chance of reaching the FBD final and should maintain that against their fellow students from Galway.

Roscommon v Mayo, Ballinlough – Injury-hit Roscommon still have an outside shot of qualifying for the final but Mayo should be able to frustrate that.

Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on- Shannon – Neither side has been too enthusiastic about their winless campaigns to date, just days before the NFL gets underway. Sligo can edge it though.

Galway v GMIT, Moycullen – Michael Meehan is back in action and expected to get a run tomorrow, as Galway complete their qualification for the final.

O’Byrne Shield (Leinster SF)

Carlow v DIT, Carlow, Wexford v Westmeath, Gorey, 2.30.

Kehoe Cup (Leinster SH)

Meath v DCU, Donaghmore- Ashbourne, Carlow IT v Roscommon, Carlow, Westmeath v Down, Kinnegad, Louth v Kildare, Darver.

Kehoe Shield (Leinster SH)

Trinity v Armagh, Clanna Gael.

Club Championships

All-Ireland JHC semi-final: Black Whites(Kilkenny) v Blackrock(Limerick), Seán Treacy Park, Tipperary Town, 2.30pm.

All-Ireland JFC semi-final: Emyvale(Monaghan) v Kiltimagh(Mayo), Pearse Park, Longford, 2.30pm.