SATURDAY

National Football League

Division One semi-final (extra time if necessary)

Galway v Sligo (Dr Hyde Park, 6.00) - As if provincial championship and FBD exposure wasn't enough for them, Connacht counties are back en masse to contest the NFL semi-finals. This one-province sweep hasn't been done since Monaghan, Armagh, Tyrone and Down reached the same stage 16 years ago.

There is a more recent context to this match. Nine months ago, Sligo half fancied themselves playing at home to Galway and lost by 18 points, renewing those concerns about Sligo's temperament that had been allayed by the win over Mayo.

This evening's encounter gives Sligo a chance to redeem themselves. Last week's defeat by Clare wasn't exactly reassuring but Sligo's general performance levels have been good in this season's campaign.

Galway have been a bit erratic, following a poor defeat by Dublin with a sparkling defeat of Kerry, although the All-Ireland champions were understrength.

This is an awkward match for the Connacht champions, as Sligo will be fairly wound up for what is their first outing at this level in 27 years and Galway start championship action in four weeks. Both teams have good attacks but Sligo's centrefield can find itself under pressure. Peter Forde's team also has to cope without the unfortunate Mark Cosgrove whose suspension runs out hours after the match.

Given their respective recent performances, Galway have to be favourites but it may be closer than it looks.

National Hurling League

Division One B

Laois v Tipperary (Portlaoise, 3.00) - A dire season for Laois intersects with another useful one for Tipp who have turned up yet more promising players and reached a third successive NHL semi-final. The home side desperately need the pre-championship boost of a competitive performance and that is all that rides on this match.

Division Three

Mayo v Leitrim (Ballina, 7.00) - Having tuned up on Cavan last week, Leitrim should win against their pointless hosts.

Munster U-21 Football Championship Final

Limerick v Cork (Kilmallock, 4.00) - Both teams have injury problems with Cork probably the worse affected. Their semi-final against Kerry could have gone either way but the winners were purposeful and can dethrone the champions.

SUNDAY

National Football League

Division One semi-final (extra time if necessary)

Mayo v Roscommon (Markievicz Park, 3.30) - Any notion that Roscommon might be slightly embarrassed to find themselves in the semi-final at Tyrone's expense is dispelled by the ferocious manner in which they rescued last week's final divisional match in Donegal. John Tobin has had a steady first season to date and the mood in the county seems to be upbeat. There is a chance that Don Connellan and Frankie Dolan may make comebacks tomorrow and that would be a lift for the team. Mayo's progress has been as low-key as an unbeaten record in regulation matches can be. The county is also upbeat after Crossmolina's great success last Monday. So far, Pat Holmes has overseen the happy development of a talented young set of forwards. If they can continue to settle, the talked-up challenge to Galway may yet materialise. In the meantime, the county's first NFL final in 23 years is up for grabs and on their form to date, Mayo can deliver.

Division Two semi-finals (extra time if necessary)

Cork v Kildare (Nenagh, 3.00) - Promotion for these teams was more of a struggle than expected, with Kildare hanging on to the decimal points last Sunday.

With the second division disappearing into their rear-view mirrors, neither of these counties can be expected to kill themselves over the title at stake, particularly with the championship on the horizon. Cork are less practised at succumbing to ennui in these situations and get a hesitant vote.

Down v Westmeath (Navan, 3.30) - The weird inversion that makes the second division semi-finals look more like the first and vice versa is spoiled a little by Westmeath's presence, although even the midlanders have been in a senior League semi-final more recently than either Galway or Sligo. Despite Armagh's legitimate gripe about how their promotion chances were scuttled by FMD, Westmeath are a worthy addition to the top flight. After a few years of under-age improvement and the assembly of a decent senior team, a regular crack at the best counties will benefit them. Down have been radically rebuilding and this will test that process, maybe beyond its current tolerance.

National Hurling League (3.30 unless stated)

Division One A

Limerick v Meath (Kilmallock) - Defeat by Clare puts the semi-finals out of reach for Limerick. Is this an opportunity for Meath to exploit or a backlash on the way?

Offaly v Dublin (Birr) - Both were subject to painful defeats last week. Offaly's eyes are presumably glazing over as they stare into the championship distance and this gives Dublin a bit of a chance. But not a lot.

Division One B

Cork v Derry (Pairc Ui Chaoimh) - Even Cork's peculiar lassitude of late doesn't offer much hope for Derry.

Kilkenny v Wexford (Nowlan Park) - This could be a good old battle with Wexford poised for a crack at the semi-finals if they beat the All-Ireland champions. Kilkenny have been impressively cruising on reserve strength so far and should survive but if Wexford reproduce the coherence and self-belief that did for Cork, it could be close.

Division Two

Roscommon v Armagh (Athleague) - Postponed Westmeath v Kerry (Mullingar) - Surprise losers in last week's championship preliminaries, Westmeath are hardly in the right mood to keep their promotion hopes alive, although Kerry faltered a bit in Down a fortnight ago.

Wicklow v Kildare (Arklow) - Great win for Kildare in the Leinster championship but Wicklow may take revenge tomorrow.

Division Three

Donegal v Longford (Letterkenny) - Knocked off the top last week, Donegal can get going again.

Cavan v Fermanagh (Breffni Park) - Away win.