National Football League And Colleges Previews

Today

O'Connor Cup (Women's football) semi-finals: Queen's Belfast v Sligo IT, Belfield, 12.00; UCD v IT Tralee, Belfield, 2.00. Final tomorrow, Belfield, 3.00 - This year's O'Connor Cup has an epochal feel as UL's long-running dominance has come to an end. The presence of soccer international Geraldine O'Shea, who made three of Ireland's four goals against Wales last month, means Tralee are fancied by many to emulate the recent Sigerson achievements of the college. They will be tested today by UCD who ended UL's run this year. The other semi-final sees Queen's seeking revenge on Sligo IT who pipped them in the league.

Tomorrow

National Football League

Quarter-finals

Cork v Donegal, Croke Park, 2.00 - Donegal have been one of the surprises of the campaign. Under Declan Bonner's management, they have emerged as one of only four unbeaten teams and strengthen the side for this engagement with last year's finalists. Barry McGowan's return is a welcome indicator for the rest of the year and Jimmy McGuinness's inclusion will be accompanied with crossed fingers that he can maintain his early-year form into the summer. Cork manager Larry Tompkins is more confused about his charges. A succession of injuries and suspensions have narrowed his options. More experience will be needed in the team before the stark championship opener with Kerry on July 5th. Tompkins says he feels the experience of last year's underachieving defeat by Kerry in the League final will stand to the team. Cork still have a bewildering inconsistency about them which exhibited itself in the heavy defeat by Down and the inexplicable slip-up against Wicklow. Donegal's renaissance looks more suited to the quarter-final of the League and the Ulster county should repeat their semi-final win of two years ago.

Down v Monaghan, Croke Park, 3.30 - Along with Galway and Offaly, Monaghan have been the main beneficiaries of this season's revised League and have elevated themselves two divisions in the process. Not since the county's heyday as League perennials a decade ago has Monaghan been in the first division. A figure from those halcyon days, Eamonn McEneaney, is now manager and is quite vocal about the benefits of the competition. "A few counties who have won All-Irelands recently might be able to dismiss the League but for the rest, it's still very important," he says. The team's high-point was the destruction of Dublin in Parnell Park in February when the slick interaction of the forwards left the home side looking very heavy-footed. Peter Duffy is recuperating on the bench and may be called on tomorrow but otherwise the side is full-strength. Down have also recovered well from the recent horrors of dropping to Division Three and are back at the top. The impact of new faces to replace the seasoned players who helped win All-Irelands isn't yet proven, but the return of Peter Withnell - if fit - and particularly James McCartan gives the team added Croke Park experience. Notwithstanding this, Monaghan have momentum and a harder campaign behind them and get the vote.

Galway v Offaly, Dr Hyde Park, 3.00 - This match encapsulates the dangers for teams like Galway in embarking upon the knockout stages of the League. Having made substantial progress during the campaign to date, a bad performance would knock morale. Midfield has prompted a lot of chopping and changing and whereas Galway manager John O'Mahony states that the variations have been tactical, one suspects that the availability of Jarlath Fallon - pending resolution of his rugby plans - would lessen the innovation. Up front there are some exciting ball players but maybe a lack of physique with John Donnellan still missing. The defence has been steady enough to deprive Corofin captain Ray Silke of a starting place but tomorrow will be the first real test of the year - given that Galway's programme piled all the hard work into the preChristmas period. Offaly have been impressive in grinding their way through the high-risk Section C without losing a match. Tommy Lyons's sights will be set more in the middle distance but the team will constitute a strong test of Galway's revival. Given the momentum of football in the county, Galway will probably win but the subtext will be even more important.

Mayo v Derry, Markievicz Park, 3.15 - When this pair met in the semi-final two years ago, Mayo's presence was considered a novelty. Since then, John Maughan's team have developed more immediate championship credentials. Derry, who have dropped All-Ireland goalkeeper Damien McCusker, made quiet but effective progress and were impressive when tackling their two main challenges in the closing fixtures against Meath and Armagh. Derry's run of form is coming at the right time whereas Mayo don't seem to need that much more information about their likely championship team. Derry to win.

Section D

Clare v Tipperary, Ennis, 3.30 - Clare's recent form isn't hectic but they still should have enough in hand to win and confirm their Division Two place for next season.

All-Ireland Schools

Today

VS SF Final Replay

Holy Trinity Cookstown v Davitt College Castlebar, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.00 - Eoin Mulligan's last-gasp equaliser earned Cookstown a reprieve last week and may be the launch-pad for a better performance from the forwards this afternoon which would give them the edge over the resilient Castlebar side.

Tomorrow

Colleges' SF Semi-Finals

Colaiste Eoin (Dublin) v Colaiste Chriost Ri (Cork), Thurles, 3.30 - Colaiste Eoin's historic dethroning of St Pat's Navan in their first year at senior level may end up representing the high point of their year. Lively going forward, the Dubliners may suffer in the overall exchanges against the more rounded challenge of Chriost Ri whose 3-17 in the Corn Ui Mhuiri final against Colaiste Spioraid Naoimh was impressive testimony to their own attack.

St Colman's (Down) v Roscommon CBS, Clones, 3.30 - The teams drew in a challenge before Christmas and that combined with Roscommon's defeat of last year's Hogan Cup finalists, St Gerard's of Castlebar, suggests that this will be a more even contest than might be expected. The McRory Cup is a more competitive environment, however, and may tilt the balance St Colmans' way.

Colleges' SH Semi-Finals

Colaiste Eamann Ris (Kilkenny) v St Flannan's (Clare), Thurles, 2.00 - Whereas the psychological liberation of defeating St Kieran's in the Leinster final shouldn't be underestimated, the whole experience may prove draining for Callan against a St Flannan's side that, having beaten All-Ireland holders St Colman's and with three of Clare's All-Ireland minors from last year, won't be as easily mastered. In the Harty final against Sexton Street, Flannan's started fitfully and inaccurately but hit their stride in the end and are legitimate favourites tomorrow.

St Raphael's (Galway) v St Mary's (Antrim), Clones, 2.00 - St Mary's may appear to be the latest northern hurlers to take on board the ministrations of Liam Griffin although they in fact did so previously before last year's creditable semi-final performance. Although St Raphael's, All-Ireland winners three years ago, had an average enough progress through Connacht, it was their fifth title in eight years and they look enough of a force to reach the final.