After disposing of Good Counsel, last year's senior football champions, the next challenge for St Patrick's of Navan in the quest for their first All-Ireland crown comes on Sunday when they meet St Mel's, Longford, in the battle for the Leinster title. St Patrick's, who last won in Leinster three years ago, defeated Good Counsel in the semi-final by just a point but they meet a St Mel's side with plenty of experience at this level. They have claimed the All-Ireland honour four times, most recently in 1987, while their last Leinster crown came back in 1994.
In Munster, St Flannan's of Ennis will defend their Dr Harty Cup title against Our Lady's, Templemore in Nenagh, also on Sunday. And the third provincial final of the weekend has St Jarlath's of Tuam defending their Connacht crown against St Colman's of Claremorris.
St Jarlath's, the beaten All-Ireland finalists last year, have five of that team still in the panel - captain J P Steede and Derry O'Brien in the forwards, Tomas Griffin and Michael Webb at midfield, and Diarmuid Blake in defence. Described as a more balanced side than last year, St Jarlath's comfortably beat St Colman's in the league earlier in the season but they know all too well that such results are irrelevant when it comes to provincial finals.
The game takes place in Tuam on Sunday, and will be a curtain-raiser to the Connacht FBD Football League final between Galway and Mayo.
Meanwhile, the second of Ulster's McRory Cup semi-finals between St Michael's, Enniskillen, and Abbey CBS of Newry, which ended in a draw last Saturday, will be replayed on Wednesday in Omagh.
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