Weekend previews

Compiled by SEÁN MORAN, KEITH DUGGANand IAN O'RIORDAN

TODAY

Football League Division One

Mayo v Dublin, Castlebar, 7pm – Pat Gilroy has deepened the experience in his team for this match, with Barry Cahill and James McCarthy both returning.

However, the absence of the Brogan brothers up front means that the All-Ireland champions’ attack will be blunted. The two goals they scored against Donegal last weekend don’t disguise the fact that for 70 minutes, they managed just 13 points, not a great return.

But Dublin were comfortable in their approach to that game and always had an assured answer when the visitors pressed.

This is an interesting test as they seek to press on to the semi-finals. The original fixture, abandoned due to fog on the first night of the league, was developing into a cracking contest. Since then, Mayo have had the stuffing knocked out of them with three consecutive league defeats.

They need a victory here and the free admission should guarantee a bumper home crowd. The likely return of Aiden O’Shea to midfield is timely: the young Breaffy man had been going well prior to his two-match suspension. But Dublin are cantering nicely just now and should increase Mayo’s anxiety going into the final weekend.

All-Ireland Club SF Final Replay

Crossmaglen v GarryCastle, Breffni Park, Cavan, 5pm – After the pageantry of St Patrick’s Day, the drawn club final moves to the more localised environment of Cavan town. It should still be a big occasion.

Crossmaglen are not in the habit of giving second chances. There is something arresting about the view of former St Brigid’s manager Noel O’Brien, who was on the sideline when Garrycastle defeated his side in the All-Ireland semi-final. He reckoned that against Crossmaglen, the Leinster champions may have missed the boat. And it is hard to forget that they were five points to the good against the Ulster men and could not close the deal.

Crossmaglen’s greatest quality is their collective calm: they fell into a hole against Dr Crokes in the semi-final as well but didn’t so much as blink. Stephen Kernan is available for selection after serving a month’s suspension.

Garrycastle’s story has been remarkable and while nobody could question their potential to cause an upset here, the more likely outcome is another perfect season for the Armagh champions

All-Ireland Colleges SH A Final

Kilkenny CBS v Nenagh CBS, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 3.15pm – A fascination showdown here for a colleges hurling title Kilkenny have only won once before, in 1981, while Nenagh are actually contesting their first final.

Both teams actually lost their provincial final, but bounced back to beat the opposing teams that had actually beaten the other; Nenagh beating reigning All-Ireland champions St Kieran’s of Kilkenny, and Kilkenny CBS beating Waterford College. Nenagh took some big scalps in Munster, but the experience should ultimately tell for Kilkenny.

TOMORROW

Hurling League Division One A

Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium, 2.30pm (deferred TG4)– Whether the teams actually have something to play for will be determined in Kilkenny but there’s plenty of incentive to make sure for both teams. Cork’s victory over Kilkenny last week was the most gratifying result of the season, as at times it looked as if the All-Ireland champions only had to tip the pedal to move decisively ahead.

Tipperary were assisted by the injury to Paul Schutte last week but finished strongly and tomorrow’s selection will be more formidable with the late cry-offs the last day, Paul Curran and Conor O’Mahony, restored and John O’Brien starting after his lively cameo.

Stephen McDonnell has had a mixed season and how he gets on in the company of Brian O’Meara will be one of many individual battles.

Cork have been as inconsistent as might be expected from a team in development whereas the home side have been on an upwards trajectory since the abysmal start to the season. Appetising match, which Tipp may find more nourishing.

Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park, 2.30pm (live TG4) – Two years ago the visitors were surprise winners on the way to that year’s league title but Kilkenny weren’t going particularly well. Anthony Cunningham’s task with Galway is going to be long term and last week they ended the unexpected defeat by Waterford with nearly everyone on the field under the age of 21.

Galway need something to stay out of the relegation traffic and with the win over Cork to their credit, could make the semi-finals. Kilkenny, their scoring difference probably big enough to insulate them against missing the bus, are likely to be down Richie Power, whose challenge to his red card against Cork was being heard last night, which would be a significant loss given his scoring returns from placed balls.

Galway’s mobility and greater need are advantages but even at less than full-strength Kilkenny are more settled and should win.

Waterford v Dublin, Dungarvan, 2.30pm – Dublin are the only side with nothing to play for, as they are booked for the relegation play-off. Their task has been complicated by Waterford’s sudden surge up the table after beating Galway, which leaves them with a shout of making an improbable escape.

Anthony Daly was a little vexed by all of the focus on the type of team he’s going to pick and denies that he intends to send out an impaired selection.

“We’ve a few injuries and we’ll probably have to run a couple of fitness tests on Sunday but there’s no point in risking injuries when we’ve nothing at stake.”

Waterford’s back-room upheavals have gone hand-in-hand with a revival in fortunes with the returning John Mullane making an immediate impact last week.

Dublin’s panel strength shouldn’t be underestimated but even so, the home side have picked up momentum as their injury lists recede and look more likely here.

Hurling League Division One B

Offaly v Clare, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2.30pm – Clare are already assured of a place in the divisional final, but Offaly still have it all to play for – needing the win to have any chance of joining them.

Defender Rory Hanniffy is out for the next six weeks with a hand injury, but manager Ollie Baker has resisted calling up any of the Coolderry players, sticking instead with those that got him this far. The Limerick-Antrim result could also proved crucial, unless Davy Fitzgerald’s Clare team show some mercy to Baker, his former All-Ireland winning team mate.

Wexford v Laois, Bellefield, Enniscorthy, 2.30pm – One of the original critics of the league format, claiming they deserved to be in Division One A, Wexford are now fighting for their survival, although this game won’t any count for much.

Antrim v Limerick, Casement Park, 2.30pm – Both these teams still have the chance of making the divisional final, and with that the promise of a league semi-final, plus of course promotion next year.

Antrim are never easy to beat in Casement Park, but if Limerick should have enough to win.

Competition Format

Top two teams contest Division One B final. Winner is promoted. Top three in Division One A winner of Division One B final qualify for Division One semi-finals (1st One A v Winner One B, 2nd One A v 3rd One A). Bottom two in Division One A, One B Two A contest respective relegation play-offs, with loser relegated. Top two teams in Divisions Two A Two B contest respective finals, with one team promoted from each division. Where counties finish level on points: (i) If only two teams are involved, the outcome of the group meeting of the two teams; (ii) Scoring difference.