Weekend Previews

A look ahead to all this weekend's action in gaelic games.

Tomorrow

(Matches at 2pm unless stated)

Connacht Club SFC Final - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) v St Brigid's (Roscommon), Ballina- This is a high-profile line-up, featuring the past two winners of the title. Ballina have home advantage on a tight pitch and will bear the confidence that comes with having taken home the All-Ireland title three seasons ago.

Brigid's, on the other hand, are still smarting after last February's narrow (join the queue) defeat by eventual All-Ireland winners Crossmaglen. But Brigid's look better positioned for this fixture. They are playing better than last season and have flexed their muscles impressively, most recently in the semi-final. The Roscommon champions have demonstrated a well-tuned goal -scoring ability in recent seasons.

This is their third provincial final on the spin and last year's was famously won by Karl Mannion's late strike against Corofin; two weeks ago they stuck four past Killererin's defence.

Ballina's full back line will be a tougher proposition and the Mayo side's centrefield options, with Ronan McGarrity and Pat Harte in the vicinity, are well equipped to compete with Mannion and Mark Carroll to restrict the quality of ball into Brigid's full forward line of Kilbride, McHugh and O'Connor.

But Brigid's have been more driven after last season's disappointment, whereas Ballina's win in Mayo surprised a few, resting as it did on two satisfying displays only - against Ballaghaderreen and Charlestown. No one can write off former All-Ireland winners, but, overall, the visitors look to have a slight edge.

Leinster Club SFC Quarter-final( second replay) - Moorefield(Kildare) v Dromard(Longford), Newbridge- Dromard have left their many doubters embarrassed after two gutsy, toe-to-toe contests lasting three hours at this stage. Even without dismissed top forward Francis McGee, the Longford side plugged away and, having dragged the match to extra-time, were unlucky not to win.

But the champions will be at full strength and the return of Jason Phillips from the start restores the balance in what has been a misfiring attack.

Moorefield can finally close the deal.

Leinster Club SFC Semi-final - St Vincent's(Dublin) v Portlaoise(Laois), Parnell Park- Vincent's made the necessary improvement to win last week's replay against Seneschalstown, even if the final margin flattered them and they still rely on Tomás Quinn for vital scores. Further improvement will be needed as they face the All-Ireland finalists of three seasons ago.

Since then, Portlaoise have added to what was already a striking supply of young talent - Cahir Healy and Craig Rogers of this year's Laois All-Ireland under-21 finalists were already playing senior for the club three years ago - with the elevation of this year's county minor star Zach Tuohy, who is shortly bound for Carlton in the AFL.

That quality makes them favourites to reach the final, although they weren't severely tested by St Pat's two weeks ago, whereas the Dublin champions had to battle for everything so far this season. But Portlaoise should advance.

Munster Club SFC Semi-finals - Ballylanders(Limerick) v Nemo Rangers(Cork), Kilmallock- Having disposed comfortably of Moyle Rovers in the first round, the Cork champions are hot favourites to advance. Ballylanders were thrilled with the county final win over Dromcollogher-Broadford, but haven't had an outing since. Coach Tom McGlinchey is from Cork and played championship for Clyda Rovers against Nemo earlier this decade so he'll know the Limerick club are up against it.

Kilcummin(Kerry) v Ballinacourty(Waterford), Fitzgerald Stadium- Last year, the counties' representatives met in the provincial final with Dr Crokes made to work hard by The Nire despite a potentially demoralising start for the Waterford team.

Ballinacourty played well enough at times in winning the county to suggest they can emulate their predecessors but Kilcummin's outing against Lissycasey should help give them the edge.

Ulster Club SFC Final - Crossmaglen Rangers(Armagh) v St Gall's(Antrim), Newry- As in Connacht, two recent winners square up in the afternoon's most fascinating match; the reigning All-Ireland champions and the club that lost the previous year's final. Gall's pulsating comeback against Salthill just narrowly failed to undo the damage of a suicidal spell of inaccurate shooting.

Eamonn Grieve, current county administrator and former Antrim football manager, put the 2006 experience well: "The public place Antrim football on a certain level, but this team is different. So it was awful for people there watching them throw it away. It was as if they had lost the belief that they could walk away from Croke Park with the trophy. But I think this is a better team than two years ago, more mature and more knowledgeable about their game."

But Crossmaglen are still Crossmaglen. Only three of the team that started last week's semi-final were survivors of the first All-Ireland win 10 years ago, the McEntees and Oisín McConville. To have started winning the All-Ireland again with virtually a new team is an astonishing achievement.

The current side lacks the massive bulk of its predecessors, but moves more quickly and is every bit as hard to beat. This could go either way.

The preference for Cross is based on their killer instinct - Gall's hit 19 wides against Glenullin. The Belfast men will probably have the chance to win this.

But will they take it? There's no need to to ask that about Crossmaglen.

Women's Football: All-Ireland Senior Club Final - Carnacon(Mayo) v Inch Rovers(Cork), St Rynagh's, Banagher, 2.30pm- Last year's beaten finalists Carnacon go into the decider looking very strong and they boast a host of county players, including Cora Staunton. Inch Rovers also have pedigree in the form of Angela Walsh, but the Mayo side's experience may prove enough.