National Football-League

Sunday

(Matches at 3.30 unless stated)

Division One A

Offaly v Tyrone, Tullamore

Offaly's lapse of concentration cost them full points the last day but finishing hadn't been great up to that. They remain a team who have to toil a little too hard for scores. Tyrone are back after their long break. The success of the under-21s and availability of some experienced players has recreated the blend of a decade ago when Art McRory and Eugene McKenna turned it into a winning formula. League advancement is already on the cards and maybe much more: the visitors are more than capable of taking the points.

Donegal v Roscommon, Ballybofey

A promising start to the campaign has flatlined for Donegal. The continuing lack of authority figures, particularly in attack, hasn't been helped by the apparent retirement of Tony Boyle. Despite impressive moments in the full-back line and at midfield, Mickey Moran's team was unable to withstand Kerry's move up the gears last week. Roscommon have again performed respectably in the league but will be mindful that a semi-final place last year proved to be nothing more than the prelude to catastrophe in the championship. They still have been showing good spirit but that might not be enough tomorrow.

Galway v Kerry, Tuam

When these teams rounded off the regulation matches in last season's league, Kerry were already through to the play-offs, but tomorrow both of the sides need the points, although for different reasons. Kerry have recovered from the All-Ireland hangover in recent weeks and were impressive against Donegal, with the forwards beginning to move again. Galway shouldn't have lost to Dublin, even in the wretched conditions at Parnell Park but it was significant to see Tomas Mannion re-entering the fray last week. Even with the play-offs beckoning, Galway may lose out to Kerry's improving rhythm.

Division One B

Fermanagh v Derry, Enniskillen

With the matches in this division imaginatively reflecting last season's final programme of regulation matches, Derry get the opportunity to reach their umpteenth play-off in the last 10 years. Twelve months ago, Fermanagh got hammered in this fixture when they had an outside chance of qualifying themselves. Derry clicked back into their best form against Cavan last week with a second-half performance showcasing their many assets, principally on that occasion Enda Muldoon's class up front. Despite the welcome win over Clare, Fermanagh are unlikely to bring Derry back to earth.

Sligo v Clare, Markievicz Park

This match a year ago was part of the traumatic double blast which saw Sligo losing out on a semi-final place. The three-point defeat in Ennis - combined with Meath's defeat of Kildare - saw the Connacht county lose out on .01 of a scoring average. Strangely, it was an upheaval that appeared to do neither side much good in the long term. Despite the championship disaster of nine months ago, Sligo have looked more confident in this year's league and look on course for a first league semifinal in 27 years. Clare are facing movement in a different direction and are unlikely to emulate last year's derailing.

Meath v Laois, Navan

Meath have left themselves open to relegation in this encounter after a feckless display in Mayo last week. It's a fate unlikely to befall them, however, as Laois have been disappointing so far this campaign. Mick Lawlor's crazy lapse against Sligo (described on radio with almost artistic understatement as "an ill advised tackle on one of the linesmen") won't have helped to smooth Colm Browne's furrowed brow as he contemplates life beyond this year's league. Meath, not models of caution themselves the last day, should win.

Cavan v Mayo, Breffni Park

Suddenly Mayo are cheering up in the light of some good displays by the younger players - James Gill, Trevor Mortimer - and have a semi-final to look forward to, plus the only unbeaten record in Division One. Cavan will be happy to have copperfastened their place in the top flight for another season, although the gap between themselves and the best of the division was illustrated in the second half against Derry. More immediately, Mayo get the nod.

Division Two A

Cork v Leitrim, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Disaster for Cork. Losing to Westmeath has pulled them back into a promotion dogfight which disrupts the serene progress they were making back towards the top flight. They won't slip up here, however, even without the Nemo Rangers players.

Antrim v Westmeath, Casement Park

Now sprung into the battle at the top, Westmeath have plenty to play for at this difficult venue. Luke Dempsey's talented team have a real chance of getting out of the lower divisions and should make the most of it here.

Limerick v Wicklow, Gaelic Grounds

On a recent celebrated (in Limerick, at any rate) occasion, Wicklow lost this fixture, but that's unlikely to happen again with the home side's focus more on the under21 provincial final.

Division Two B

Down v Wexford, Newry

Down slipped up last week but kept their unbeaten record intact and should round off the campaign that way. But evidence of undiminished reliance on Mickey Linden was hardly encouraging for manager Peter McGrath.

Monaghan v Tipperary, Clones

Even allowing for their reputation as slow starters in the league, who would have thought Tipperary would nearly trip up Down in the drawn match last weekend? This trip north looks less demanding but things aren't always as logical as that.

Kildare v Longford, Newbridge

Kildare need this if they are to avoid the indignity of another low-key itinerary next season. That motivation may be needed against a lively Longford side on the verge of promotion.

Carlow v Waterford, Dr Cullen Park (1.45)

The league's southeast derbies are football's equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle (indeed Kilkenny have already disappeared). Carlow to snuff out Waterford's last chance of points.

Leinster SHC

Sunday

(3.30 - extra-time if required)[RO Preliminary round

Wicklow v Kildare, Arklow

There's a haphazard element to the Leinster preliminaries since the round-robin got dumped. It could be argued that the additional matches didn't appear to advance Dublin's capabilities much last year but it must be a real morale boost for teams to be out of the championship while the regulation league matches are still in progress. The counties met in the Kehoe Cup final with Wicklow winning as they should again tomorrow after an impressive Division Two campaign until the foot-and-mouth crisis derailed it.

Carlow v Westmeath, Dr Cullen Park

Perennial preliminary rivals, Carlow were the more impressive in last year's championship but have slipped back since, while Westmeath have gone well and only last weekend beat fellow prelim contenders Kildare. Home advantage notwithstanding, Carlow have a lot of improving to do to survive this.

National Hurling League

(Matches at 3.30 unless stated)

Division One A

Clare v Offaly, Cusack Park

Clare welcome back Niall Gilligan from Sixmilebridge's adventures, of which he was an integral part. With a play-off place in the balance between themselves and Limerick, Clare will need to win this. Offaly have been absolutely cursed with injury. The unfortunate Mick O'Hara has picked up yet another serious injury and with Kevin Kinahan still hors de combat, teenager Joe Brady goes in at full back. In the circumstances Michael Bond will be glad to see a reasonable, injury-free performance. The stakes are slightly higher for Clare and that should show.

Dublin v Limerick, Parnell Park

Big result for Dublin last week as the county seldom travels well to Casement Park. They're strengthened tomorrow with the return of a couple of absentees but Limerick have been developing well in the last couple of leagues and should pocket what's on offer here and get ready for next week's decisive bout with Clare.

Meath v Antrim, Navan

Instead of being out-of-sight of relegation, Antrim are back in middle of the scrap. Meath have been surprisingly competitive in their first season at the top - which is bad news for the visitors. But, realistically, the Ulster side have been around these parts long enough to be able to see themselves through this in one piece.

Division One B

Waterford v Laois, Dungarvan

Disappointing campaigns for both of these teams so far. Waterford started as a team with viable ambitions but have come a cropper against all the teams they should be competing with. Last week's stretch in Cork was encouraging in one way, but the failure to protect a good advantage must have been frustrating for Gerald McCarthy. Laois are struggling to build on the apparent promise of the management team appointed about a year ago. Losing to Derry was a depressing indicator of the county's status. More shuffling and rumours of departure don't bode well, and Waterford are keen to make up for recent defeats.

Tipperary v Cork, Thurles

Cork haven't entirely engaged with the League so far but are still well enough placed to make the play-offs. Tipperary have been as effortlessly impressive as has become the norm in recent league seasons. Nineteen year-old Lar Corbett showed very well in the attack last weekend against Kilkenny and the team looked very slick at times despite the awful conditions. By the end of last week's match Cork were playing well and this should be a good match. Tipp are tipped.

Derry v Kilkenny, Ballinascreen, nb 2.00

More encouragement for Brian Cody in the reserve department as his experimental team did well to get a draw from Tipperary. Understrength last week, Derry got hammered by Wexford. They'll be fired up for the visit of the All-Ireland champions, but that won't determine where the points go.

Division Three

Monaghan v Sligo, Scotstown

Good win for Sligo last week. Another one on the way tomorrow.

Longford v Tyrone, Longford

Home advantage should be enough.

Fermanagh v Donegal, Enniskillen, nb 1.45

The last opportunity to see Donegal beaten but the last 100 per cent record in the league to be maintained.

Leitrim v Cavan, Carrick-on- Shannon

Should be Leitrim.

Ulster Under-21 FC final

Saturday

Fermanagh v Tyrone, (Casement Park, 3.30)

All-Ireland champions Tyrone must be short odds to retain both of their titles at this level. A comfortable win over Monaghan in the semi-final included their playing with 14 men for most of the match. Fermanagh's accomplished defence will have it all to do if they're convincingly to hold the holders' attack. From here it doesn't look likely.

Ulster Colleges

Saturday

MacRory Cup (SF)

Final replay: St Michael's, Enniskillen v Omagh CBS, Casement Park, 1.30

After waiting 27 years to reappear in the Ulster Cup final, Omagh CBS survived a late challenge from St Micheal's to keep their hopes of glory alive for another day. With that added confidence, they are likely to be even more difficult to beat this afternoon.

St Michael's, however, still have the more balanced side, especially with an abundance of scoring forwards. Ciaran O'Reilly and Shaun Doherty are the most potent, and Ryan Keenan converted the crucial penalty in the drawn encounter. Unless Omagh can establish another comfortable lead, St Michael's are unlikely to bow this time out.

-Ian O'Riordan