Weekend previews

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY and SEAN MORAN

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEYand SEAN MORAN

Saturday

Carlow SFC Semi-final replay

Éire Óg v Old Leighlinn, Dr Cullen Park, 4.30pm.

READ MORE

Clare SFC Semi-final

Kilmurry-Ibrickane v Cratloe, Lissycasey, 4.30pm.

Kilkenny SHC Quarter-final

O’Loughlin Gaels v Dicksboro, Nowlan Park, 4pm.

Mayo SFC Semi-final

Knockmore v Castlebar Mitchels, McHale Park, 4.30pm.

Waterford SHC Semi-final

Ballyduff Upper v Tallow, Fraher Field, 4pm – Surprise pairing having overcome Lismore and Mount Sion in the quarter-finals, it puts a greater emphasis on the other semi-final (Ballygunner v De La Salle), from where the county champion is likely to emerge. The experience of their 2007 county winning panel should be enough to guide Ballyduff through.

Tomorrow

Carlow SHC Final

Naomh Eoin v Mount Leinster Rangers, Dr Cullen Park, 3.45pm – Naomh Eoin haven’t won the title since 2005 when they beat tomorrow’s opponents. MLR’s conversion rate in finals isn’t great but they can win this with a bit to spare.

Cavan SFC Final

Castlerahan v Cavan Gaels, Kingspan Breffni Park, 4pm – Hard to see Castlerahan, in their first final for 43 years, stopping the Gaels from resuming normal service having lost last year’s decider. Otherwise, they would be going for five in a row. The presence of Michael Lyng, Martin Dunne and Seánie Johnston makes it so difficult to go against them, although Castlerahan do boast quality of their own like Ronan Flanagan and Seán Brady.

Cork SHC Final

CIT v Carrigtwohill, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.45pm – Despite the loss of Kilkenny attacker Colin Fennelly, due to commitments with home club Ballyhale Shamrocks, the students remain firm favourites to capture their first county title.

Niall McCarthy will seek to roll back the years and deliver a performance that brings the title back to Carrigtwohill after a 93-year gap (their last final appearance was 1937). Only problem is the list of underage stars in the CIT ranks, like dual player Aidan Walsh and Limerick’s Tommy Quaid, and they wiped Newtownshandrum in the semi-final.

Derry SHC Final

Lavey v Kevin Lynch’s, Celtic Park, 3pm – Dungiven were going for a fifth successive title last year when upset by Lavey. Forearmed is forewarned and even with injury concerns Kevin Lynch’s can gain revenge .

Donegal SFC Final

Glenswilly v St Michael’s, Letterkenny, 4pm – It is usually Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden against the rest, but the big Donegal attackers will be either end of the field tomorrow. In fact, a host of inter-county men will be on show as both clubs seek their first county title.

Glenswilly look the safer bet, particularly if Ciarán Bonner is fit, as their adoption of Jim McGuinness’ “collective” system should see enough ball go into Murphy and Neil Gallagher. However, St Michael’s have match-winners in McFadden and Christy Toye. Definitely the correct game for TG4 to broadcast live, but don’t expect it to be pretty.

Fermanagh SFC final

Roslea Shamrocks v Teemore Shamrocks, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 3.30pm – A repeat of the 1983 final when Teemore produced a famous shock. Fermanagh’s All Star defender Barry Owens leads them against the defending champions and dominant force in the county. The 21 times holders have not won the title since 2005 and were only recently promoted from Division Two so Peter McGinnity’s Roslea are expected to prevail.

Galway SFC Semi-final

Milltown v Corofin, Tuam Stadium, 4.15pm – Milltown have a genuine chance of making their first final since 2007 as last year’s runners-up, and 2009 Connacht champions, struggle for form. A lot will depend on Damien Blake in midfield but Corofin still possess talent like Kieran Fitzgerald, Gary Sice, Kieran Comer and Damien Burke. In the curtain-raiser,Mountbellew/Moylough meet Tuam Stars at the quarter-final stage (2.30pm).

Kildare SHC Final

Celbridge v Confey, St Conleth’s Park, 4pm.

Kilkenny SHC Quarter-final replay

Ballyhale Shamrocks v Carrickshock, Nowlan Park, 4pm.

Laois SFC Semi-finals

Portlaoise v Stradbally, Portlaoise, 2.30pm; Arles-Killeen v Graiguecullen, Portlaoise, 4pm.

Limerick SHC Final

Ahane v Na Piarsaigh, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30pm – Na Piarsaigh return to this stage two years after their harrowing 1-17 to 0-3 county final defeat to Adare . A reoccurrence is highly unlikely with Kevin Downes in their attack, but Ahane could spring a surprise if the Moran brothers, Niall and Ollie, are on song. The Caherdavin club have never won a senior crown while Ahane are seeking their 20th, and first since 2004.

Louth SFC Final

Newtown Blues v St Patrick’s

Due to take place tomorrow, it has been postponed due to a bereavement at the St Patrick’s club.

Mayo SFC Semi-final

Ballintubber v Ballina Stephenites, McHale Park, 3.30pm.

Meath SFC Final

Dunshaughlin v Summerhill, Páirc Tailteann, 3.30pm – Considering Dunshaughlin’s progress is off the back of a shock defeat of Donaghmore-Ashbourne in the semi-final, Summerhill seem primed for their first title since 1986. That’s presuming Stephen Kennedy registers his normal quota of scores, although Caoimhín King and Denis Kealy will have something to say about that. The winners are to meet the Dublin champions in the Leinster championship (presuming the All-Ireland champions can complete their club competition in time).

Offaly SHC Semi-finals

Birr v St Rynagh’s, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2.30pm; Coolderry v Kilcormac-Killoughey, OConnor Park, Tullamore 4pm.

Tipperary SHC Semi-finals

Drom Inch v Mullinahone, Semple Stadium, 2pm – If Eamonn Buckley can hold Eoin Kelly then Drom Inch will be on course to maintain the habit of making every second county final since 2005. Kelly wont go quietly, of course, and neither will the Curran brothers but Drom appear to have generated enough momentum with their impressive victory over Toomevara in the quarters to progress.

Thurles Sarsfields v Clonoulty- Rossmore, 3.30pm – A repeat of last year’s final that Sars won by nine points. The solidity of the Clonoulty defence, containing John Devane and John O’Keeffe, will be fully tested by Lar Corbett, Ger “Redser” O’Grady and Pádraic Mahers raids from deep. The men from Thurles are seeking a three in a row of titles and it doesn’t look like they will be stopped.

Waterford SHC Semi-final

Ballygunner v De La Salle, Walsh Park, 3.30pm – Brian O’Sullivan’s goals have Ballygunner in the last four but they will need inspirational performances all over the field to deny the defending champions.

Westmeath SFC Semi-final

Garrycastle v Mullingar Shamrock, Cusack Park, 3.45pm.

Wexford SFC Semi-finals

Horeswood v St Mogue’s, Wexford Park, 2pm; Castletown-Liam Mellows v Sarsfields, Wexford Park, 3.30pm.