Team Check

Armagh SF

Armagh SF

Last year's Ulster champions may wait until Friday before announcing their side to face Galway in Saturday's qualifier. There are no injury worries - Diarmuid Marsden came through his run-out against Monaghan last weekend with no adverse effects. Paddy McKeever has also recovered full fitness.

Cavan SF

Val Andrews has opted for an unchanged side as Cavan chase their first Ulster title since 1997. Although Mickey Graham was listed as doubtful, the manager is hopeful that the forward can come through Sunday's final and said that he was keen to give the seasoned Graham a chance on what is a big day for Cavan football.

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Cavan: A Donohoe: R Donohoe, T Prior, M Brides; A Forde, E Jackson, J Doonan; D McCabe, B McCrudden; P Reilly, P Galligan, L Reilly; F O'Reilly, J Reilly, J Tierney.

Derry SF

Paul Carton has been declared fit again while Seβn Marty Lockhart, who missed the win over Antrim because of a dead leg, is expected to be named on the team to face Laois this Saturday evening. Henry Downey is back in full training with the squad but Niall McCusker, who withdrew just 13 minutes into Derry's semi-final loss against Tyrone, is still doubtful.

Galway SF

John O'Mahony may finalise his side this evening for their eagerly awaited qualifying clash against Armagh in Croke Park. The All-Ireland finalists will have to press on without the services of John Divilly and Derek Savage but Paul Clancy comes back into contention for a place among the forwards.

Kildare SF

The team will not be finalised until Thursday evening. Martin Ryan is a worry after picking up an injury in the dramatic win over Donegal. Glenn Ryan is unlikely to start despite having made an appearance in the final minutes of that match. Willie McCreery will be available for selection following a one-month suspension.

Tyrone SF

OPTIMISTIC noises about the availability of defender Chris Lawn have faded a little after joint manager Art McRory revealed yesterday that the player will most likely not start. The management feel that he is still labouring a little as he recovers from a broken hand. Paul McGurk, another defender injured in that Armagh match, remains doubtful. There is a feeling that the team will remain unchanged from that which overcame Derry. Tyrone will name a side this evening.

Westmeath SF

Manager Luke Demspey will select from a full squad for their qualifying match against Louth later this week. Damien Healey is back from suspension and David O'Shaughnessy is also back in contention for a starting spot.

Derry SH

Mickey Collins and Gregory Biggs are the big worries as the Ulster champions prepare to defend their title against Down.

Draw for qualifiers

The GAC confirmed yesterday that the fourth-round draw for the All-Ireland qualifier series will take place on Sunday, July 15th, following the results of the Munster and Leinster football finals.

Included in the draw will be the four winners of round three and the four defeated provincial finalists.

The draw for the quarter-finals of the hurling championship will also take place on the Sunday evening of July 15th.

This week's fixtures

Today

Leinster IHC semi-finals: Offaly v Wexford, Birr, 7.30, P Ahern (Carlow); Laois v Kilkenny, Portlaoise, 7.30, L Doyle (Kilkenny).

Tomorrow

Leinster JFC final: Offaly v Meath, Tullamore, 7.30, P O'Reilly (Longford).

Saturday

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers, round three (extra-time if necessary): Armagh v Galway, Croke Park, 2.15, B White (Wexford); Sligo v Kildare, Croke Park, 4.0, B Crowe (Cavan); Laois v Derry, Breffni Park, 6.15, S Prior (Leitrim); Westmeath v Louth, Navan, 6.15, P Russell (Tipperary).

National Hurling League: Division Three final: Donegal v Fermanagh, Breffni Park, 4.15, J A Gribben (Down).

All-Ireland IHC: Kildare v Westmeath, Tullamore, 2.0, M Bodkin (Galway).

Ulster Under-21 HC: Derry v Down, Celtic Park, 3.30, F Quinn (Antrim).

All-Ireland JHC quarter-finals: Mayo v Leitrim, Sligo, 7.30, J Larkin (Galway); Roscommon v Meath, Longford, 7.30, H P McCusker (Down).

Sunday

Leinster SHC final: Kilkenny v Wexford, Croke Park, 4.20, P O'Connor (Limerick).

Ulster SFC final: Cavan v Tyrone, Clones, 2.30, M Collins (Cork).

Leinster MHC final: Wexford v Kilkenny, Croke Park, 2.15, J McGrath (Westmeath).

Ulster MFC final: Monaghan v Tyrone, Clones, 12.45, M Brady (Cavan).

Keith Duggan

Keith Duggan

Keith Duggan is Washington Correspondent of The Irish Times