Sunday's Gaelic Football Previews

Club Championships

Munster SF final replay

Doonbeg (Clare) v UCC, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (2.0)

Are the champions on their last legs? For much of last Sunday's drawn encounter, Doonbeg absorbed everything the students could throw at them and still maintained a comfortable lead. Up four points with nine minutes to go, it seemed inevitable that they would stroll on to an easy win. Instead the students lifted the pace, possibly ought to have won the game and Doonbeg found themselves scrambling for late scores. That they twice split the posts in those nerve-racking injury-time moments is testimony to their self belief and character.

Yet they will approach this game with concerns. They were out of it in the first match until two goals out of the blue gave them a commanding half-time position they scarcely deserved. Too often, they were reliant on Gerry Killeen and Francis McInerney for strength and imagination and even though midfielder Sean Hehir had a fine game, the opposing duo won a significant supply of ball.

One thing for sure about UCC - they are fearless. They set out to attack relentlessly and stick to their game plan regardless of the scoreboard. In other words, they are a nightmare for the more pedestrian if ruthlessly organised Doonbeg. The Clare team may think twice about dropping back and inviting the youngsters to attack them tomorrow but if that happens, the likes of Ian Twiss, Keith Moran and Michael D Cahill will have to be more economical in their point taking.

There is a possibility that having been rattled, Doonbeg will arrive and methodically crush the students. But UCC have proven their character and deserve the assumption that they won't be found wanting in this replay. If it's close towards the end tomorrow and the day is dry, youthful exuberance can seize the day.

Verdict: UCC.

All-Ireland SF club quarter-final Hugh O'Neills (Yorkshire) v Crossmolina (Mayo) Halton Moore Park, Leeds

A trip into the unknown for the Connacht champions and while the Leeds side will provide them with a worthwhile afternoon's exercise, it is hard to see Crossmolina stumbling.

Verdict: Crossmolina.

National Football League

Division 1A

Armagh v Galway, Crossmaglen (1.30)

The Galway players will have no difficulty in finding their way to Armagh after this month. Twice in a fortnight, John O'Mahony's players find themselves travelling north for a game that no one is too interested in. The timing is unfortunate because on paper it is a very attractive tie.

Both sides will be without familiar names for this game which has been switched to Crossmaglen. Galway have delayed their selection while the home team will line out without centre-back Kieran McGeeney as he has taken the few free weeks in his schedule for a break abroad. His Na Fianna colleague Des Mackin will also be absent. Against the odds, both teams will probably conspire to produce a cracking league match and players like Diarmuid Marsden and Ja Fallon are well worth the risk of frostbite. Having been forced to make this trip, it would be a surprise if O'Mahony didn't use it as a motivating factor and head back west for the Christmas with two more points in the bag.

Verdict: Galway.

Division 1B

Fermanagh v Meath, Enniskillen (1.45)

This is a nuisance of a fixture for the All-Ireland champions, who must be a bit weary at this stage in the year. For Fermanagh, though, it has probably been pencilled in as a pivotal date in their winter calendar. They have been showing steady signs of progress and this is as good an acid test as any.

However, Pat King will be forced to do without the Brewster brothers, which greatly limits his midfield options. Meath will travel without John McDermott, Ollie Murphy and Enda McManus but Trevor Giles will play. Hard to see Sean Boylan's team not being competitive and the 1999 Philips manager of the year won't be too keen on ending another season of triumph on a down note.

Verdict: Meath.