Compiled by KEITH DUGGAN/IAN O'RIORDAN

SATURDAY

Hurling League Division One B Final

Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, 6pm – As anticipated, the two heavyweights meet for the right to advance to Division One A and the more immediately intimidating prospect of a place in this year’s overall semi-final against Kilkenny.

After a faltering start, Limerick have started to purr despite the unavailability of Declan Hannon and Kevin Downes. Teenager Shane Dowling made a startling return to the team with his two goals in the impressive win over Antrim which set Limerick up for this match.

Clare continue to operate without Darach Honan and Pat Vaughan but John Conlon and Conor McGrath have been scoring freely through their league run.

They maintained their perfect record thanks to a late goal by Cathal Chaplin and a winning point from Aaron Cunningham against Offaly. So they come to the Gaelic Grounds in good stead. This is a dangerous game for Davy Fitzgerald: it should be a high-scoring game but Clare look better placed to finish the league as champions.

SUNDAY

Football League Division One (All games 2.30, unless stated)

Cork v Dublin, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm – The All-Ireland champions are in the midst of what the spin doctors would describe as a “reality-check” - and the seven changes Pat Gilroy has made to his team reflects that.

Michael Dara Macauley is pushed into half-forward line to give the attack more forward thrust. Craig Dias gets his chance in the front line and Seán Murray forms the midfield axis with Eamon Fennell.

Graham Canty’s return to the number six jersey can be taken as a sign that Cork mean business. Paul Kerrigan is named at centre-half forward, a straight swap for the suspended Mark Collins. Kerrigan was an electrifying presence in the final 20 minutes of Cork’s comeback against Mayo and Conor Counihan will be hoping he can continue in that vein against the All-Ireland champions. Ken O’Halloran is chosen in goal instead of Alan Quirke.

So both teams are still figuring things out. This is a fascinating game because neither squad wants to set off on the championship road wondering where they are at. If Cork are as sleepy here as they were for 50 minutes against Mayo, they will be punished. But the chances are they will be primed and end Dublin’s interest in the league.

Kerry v Mayo, Tralee (2.30pm) – Tomás Ó Sé will miss this game but, wait . . . who’s that sauntering into training with a bag slung over his shoulder? None other than Colm Cooper, back from his spring adventures with Dr Crokes. The imperious Cooper starts. However, both O’Sullivans and Paul Galvin have been held in reserve as Jack O’Connor runs the eye over other potential headline makers.

James Horan travels to Mayo happy in the knowledge that the pattern of extreme emotions is alive and well in his native county. The misery was general after Mayo’s late collapse against Cork but then came that shining hour against Dublin. Horan has kept an even tone through good days and bad and will continue to do so here. Their display against Dublin was revelatory and it is important they retain it against the very team who have made a sport out of humiliating them. The flat form of Cillian O’Connor is a minor concern for Mayo as summer approaches but overall, the team is going well and could make a statement of intent here.

Laois v Down, Portlaoise (2.30pm) – No team in this division has been as hard to read as Down. They did little wrong against Armagh except to lose a thrilling game and the win against Dublin is proof of their potential to upset any team.

Dan Gordon is starting to motor and they produced some good scores in the Armagh match. They could finish the day in the league semi-finals or in Division Two.

Laois caused havoc when they played Pádraig Clancy at full forward against Donegal and the big man returns from injury for this match to that position. They have shown real promise over the league and a consistent ability to win plenty of primary possession. But their finishing has been erratic and they require a win by three or more points here to guarantee survival.

That complicates the demands of the day for Laois. Down have been crafty at hanging around in this division. The visitors look better placed to take the spoils.

Donegal v Armagh, Ballybofey (2.30pm) – Jamie Clarke left the All-Ireland club celebrations in Crossmaglen early to take part in an Armagh training session this week. It will be no surprise his mercurial attacking gifts are the key to unlocking this all-Ulster relegation battle. He starts this game on the bench alongside club-mate Aaron Kernan.

The Donegal men have had an eventful league with the continual injuries to Michael Murphy hanging over them like a black cloud. They will make late calls on Patrick McBrearty and Colm McFadden this weekend: if all three are missing, it is hard to see where Donegal will find the scores.

Armagh have gaining momentum after their thrilling derby win over Down a fortnight ago and Ciarán McKeever, their captain, is cleared to play for this match.

All eyes will be on Michael Stevenson to see if he can repeat his debut-night heroics. But Armagh will come to Ballybofey brimming with confidence. Apart from the Cork game, Donegal have been sparing in their use of their all-out zone defence in the league. The likelihood is it will be employed in earnest here to help them scrape a necessary win.

Division Two

Galway v Kildare, Pearse Stadium – The headline game in this division as the straight shoot-out to decide who is promoted, and gets to contest the Division Two final against Tyrone.

Kildare have possibly the richer vein of form with four wins from their last four games, but Galway have home advantage, the knowledge Kildare have fallen short for the past three years, plus the incentive to get bounce straight back to Division One. Still, Kildare to win.

Meath v Louth, Páirc Tailteann – A real dogfight in store as both teams need to win to ensure they remain in Division Two.

Meath only barely survived last year by taking a point off Tyrone in their last game, but a draw or a defeat leaves them relying on other results going their way – while Louth can’t even be gambling on the draw. The Páirc Tailteann factor to prove crucial.

Tyrone v Monaghan, Healy Park – Already into the Division Two final and thus promoted to Division One for 2013, Tyrone have nothing to play for here except to extend their unbeaten run so far in 2012. That’s more than enough incentive to beat old rivals Monaghan, especially in front of a Tyrone crowd, and possibly resign them to relegation in the process, and a fall from Division One to Three in successive years.

Westmeath v Derry, Cusack Park – It hasn’t been a great league for Derry but a win against Westmeath would keep them in Division Two, surely the least of their ambitions. Westmeath will have home advantage but are definitely struggling, don’t fare well against Ulster opposition, and appear doomed to play division three football next season.

Division Three

Cavan v Antrim, Kingspan Breffni Park – If Cavan lose here then Offaly will avoid the drop on the head to head rule, so that should give them all the incentive they need, especially with Antrim already safe.

Longford v Wexford, Pearse Park – Longford’s rise under manager Glenn Ryan continues as they are promoted for the second successive year, despite only drawing with Tipperary in the last round. Wexford also ensured their promotion with their last win over Antrim, so this becomes a test run for the Division Three final.

Sligo v Roscommon, Markievicz Park – Nothing much to play for here beyond some temporary Connacht bragging rights perhaps, as neither team can catch either Wexford or Longford.

Tipperary v Offaly, Clonmel – Tipperary are already relegated, but with Offaly beating Cavan last weekend, another win here could keep them in the division, which at least suggests the likely outcome here.

Division Four

Carlow v Fermanagh, Dr Cullen Park – Another win here means Fermanagh will be promoted irrespective of the final game against Leitrim, and current form suggests that’s a near certainty.

Clare v Kilkenny, Cusack Park – Clare are still leading the chase on Fermanagh for promotion and anther win here, given Kilkenny’s form, is a done deal.

Leitrim v Waterford, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada – Already resigned to a mid-table finish the result here will at least put some distance between the two, with Leitrim likely to gain it.

London v Wicklow, Ruislip, 1.30. Assuming they do beat London then Wicklow can still give themselves an outside chance of promotion going into their last game against Clare.

Competition Format

Top four Division One teams will qualify for semi-finals (1 v 4, 2 v 3). Top two teams in Divisions Two, Three Four are promoted contest the final of their respective division.

Bottom two counties in Divisions One, Two Three will be relegated.

Where counties finish level on points . . (i) where two teams only are involved, the outcome of the meeting of the two teams; (ii) total scoring difference.