South Dublin rivalry makes for capital contest

County finals/Football previews: Southside rivalry in Dublin football always peaks when Kilmacud Crokes play Ballyboden St Enda's. That's one of seven county football finals to be contested around the island tomorrow, and one sure to develop into a tight, hard contest.

Set for Parnell Park, it has Kilmacud seeking their first Dublin title since 1998 and, having beaten Na Fianna in their semi-final, they seem poised to do so. Their chief asset remains their physical strength, with Jonny and Darren Magee part of the highly experienced set-up which also features the enduring scoring threat of Ray Cosgrove.

Having lost the hurling decider to UCD last Saturday, Ballyboden will be driven for redemption. Once again they will call on Conal Keaney's vast range of skills for inspiration. It's been nine years since they claimed the title, but it seems that gap is set to lengthen. Live coverage from Parnell Park is provided by TG4 (4.0 throw-in).

Meath's club rivalry usually reaches fever pitch no matter who is involved and little is expected to separate Simonstown Gaels and Skryne when they meet in Navan.

At this stage it's still unclear if Skryne will be able to start Trevor Giles, who was sent off for the first time in his career during their semi-final win over Dunshaughlin. He had his appeal against suspension sent back by the Leinster Council to the Meath County Board.

Simonstown manager Colm O'Rourke finds himself in the awkward position of planning the downfall of his former club, having long been associated with Skryne. Yet having got past Trim at the first time of asking in their semi-final, the Simonstown team appear slightly better positioned to take home the title.

In Laois, meanwhile, Portlaoise will be out for a county double when they take on Emo at O'Moore Park. Having denied Castletown a record sixth successive county hurling title last weekend, Portlaoise won't be short of inspiration - or firepower, with Kevin Fitzpatrick in particularly lethal form in their semi-final win over O'Dempseys.

Emo, who beat The Rock in their semi-final, will find it hard to deny Portlaoise the double.

The Roscommon football final is never anything but competitive and it should be no different this time between Kilbride and Roscommon Gaels at Dr Hyde Park.

The Gaels have already knocked out title-holders Castlerea and have a real scoring threat in free-taker Alan Nolan. Kilbride, however, have some big names of their own in Séamus O'Neill, John Hanly and Gerry Lohan and will ensure the final outcome is nothing but deserved.

In Wicklow, Rathnew will start as favourites in Aughrim against St Patrick's purely on their reputation. But this is the final that has the unique situation of involving two teams from the same Wicklow parish, and while St Patrick's did enjoy the domination several decades ago, that honour has rested firmly with Rathnew in more recent times.

Last year Tyrone produced first-time football champions in Killyclogher, and are in line to do the same again when Dromore play Carrickmore at Omagh.

While Carrickmore have 13 county titles to their name, Dromore have none but, with county players Ryan McMenamin and Colm McCullagh on their side, tomorrow could be their day.

Finally, the Down final involves Mayobridge against Annaclone which is set for Newry. Contesting their sixth final in seven years, Mayobridge are firm favourites to continue into the Ulster championship. Annaclone are out to prove that the underdogs can do anything in a county final.