Gaelic Games Previews

The weekend's matches previewed

(Fixtures at 2pm and extra time if necessary unless stated)

Saturday

Walsh Cup (Leinster SH)

Laois v Dublin, Rathdowney, 2.30- Damien Fox's team looked lively last week in putting away Down. The prolific James Young was relocated to centre back whereas Tommy Fitzgerald's return was marked by a good display. They should have the edge against a Dublin team missing players to injury and college commitments.

Connacht SH League

Galway Development v NUIG -Ger Loughnane's development side to come through their toughest test to date and begin the era with a trophy.

Connacht SH Shield semi-final: Sligo IT v Roscommon, Ballinode - Home win.

Sunday

All-Ireland Club FC quarter-final

St Brendan's (Britain) v Dr Crokes (Munster), Ruislip, 1.30- Crokes were made to sweat it out by a wholehearted display from The Nire in the AIB Munster final. This mightn't be as obvious as it looks either.

St Brendan's caused a stir four years ago when going down by only 1-11 to 1-7 against a Crossmolina team that had recently won the All-Ireland. The London club isn't as strong as it was and even at this inhospitable time of the year the Kerry champions have the quality to proceed to a semi-final with Moorefield.

Dr McKenna Cup (Ulster SF) semi-final

Armagh v Donegal, Omagh- The first of the Gaelic Life McKenna Cup semi-finals sets up a rerun of last year's Ulster final. Although the experience of Steven McDonnell was crucial to last week's win over Monaghan, Armagh have been running the rule over a lot of new players this month and tomorrow might be too steep a fence. Donegal's win over Down was marked by some good early ball into a sparky full-forward line, where the returned Brendan Devenney showed well.

O'Byrne Cup (Leinster SF) final

Dublin v Laois, Tullamore- Dublin could become the first reigning Leinster champions in nine years to add the O'Byrne Cup to the mantelpiece so they'll be fiercely motivated. But seriously. Neither manager is that enamoured of having to play a week before the National League starts but Paul Caffrey and Liam Kearns are otherwise relaxed about tomorrow.

Dublin's impressive first-half shooting put Wicklow away before half-time and their eagerness on the ball and in the tackle was up on seasonal trends. Diarmuid Connolly gave another promising display of kicking but Alan Brogan, in Dubai with the All Stars, will be a significant loss.

Laois make another raft of changes - seven as distinct from last week's nine - but Kearns is pleased with the younger players who have emerged, just as happened two years ago when Mick O'Dwyer won the competition. Darren Rooney's fast-track introduction to the defence against Offaly tightened things up greatly and most of the changes strengthen the team. For all its irrelevance Laois will want to erase memories of last June's capitulation. Still Dublin will be favourites.

O'Byrne Shield (Leinster SF) final

Longford v Athlone IT, Longford - NB Rescheduled for next Tuesday in Longford Slashers at 8pm.

Walsh Cup (Leinster SH)

Wexford v Antrim, Piercestown, 1.30- Wexford have been playing with more urgency recently and their full forwards hit six goals against UCD in a recent challenge. They should win this.

Westmeath v Offaly, Mullingar- Dissonant noises from Offaly during the week but they should still pull through here.

Kilkenny v UCD, Thomastown -Great excitement in UCD over this match although the mood may be a bit more sober by the time it's over.

Kehoe Cup (Leinster SH)

Wicklow v Louth, Arklow -Wicklow have dual player Leighton Glynn available and should win.

Kildare v DIT, Newbridge- Administrative upheavals in Kildare over a moribund hurling board don't bode well.

Carlow v Athlone IT, Carlow -The IT surprised Carlow's footballers last week. Tomorrow will be revenge.

Meath v Mayo, Navan- There are signs Meath are reorganising and that suggests a home win.

McGrath Cup (Munster SF) final

Limerick v Cork, Newcastle West- The McGrath Cup final revisits one of the last championship's most dismal afternoons. Limerick have battled through to the final in an encouraging manner for Mickey Ned O'Sullivan, who has had a few disappointments in the panel with the unavailability of players. Cork looked powerful in dismissing UL the other night and should be too strong for tomorrow's opponents.

Munster Cup SH semi-finals

Clare v Tipperary, Meelick- Tipperary have been in good form so far and should qualify for the final against a Clare side that laboured to get past Kerry, albeit in foul conditions, even in the absence of manager Michael Keating, who will be keeping an eye on UCD up in Kilkenny.

Waterford v Cork, Dungarvan -A resonant fixture for this time of year. Gerald McCarthy returns to the county whose fortunes he helped turn around. Waterford will be slightly mindful of the narrow All-Ireland semi-final defeat by these opponents. McCarthy's reported shift in emphasis didn't stop Cork running up a big score last week but they're a bit understrength to guarantee a repeat tomorrow.