Over 12,000 people are expected to attend the Clare senior hurling championship semi-final between All-Ireland champions St Joseph's Doorabarefield and Clarecastle on Sunday.

Clarecastle, led by Anthony Daly, will be hoping to abruptly sever the wonderful run enjoyed by the illustrious St Joseph's outfit. Once more, the St Joseph's side revolves around a nucleus of five inter-county players; goalkeeper Christy O'Connor, forward Lorcan Hassett and three who are among the best known hurlers of the decade - Ollie Baker, Jamesie O'Connor and Sean McMahon.

The winners of that match will meet either Sixmilebridge or Kilmaley in the county final. Clare keeper Davy Fitzgerald and the electric Niall Gilligan are among the household names on the fancied Sixmilebridge side who will compete in that other semi-final on Saturday at Newmarket.

Ulster football title contenders Bellaghy are beset with injury problems as they prepare for Sunday's club replay against Castleblaney. Both Paul and Cathal Diamond are struggling to shake off injuries picked up in the draw while midfielder John Mullholland, predominant after entering as a substitute last Sunday, is now considered unlikely to be fit for the replay.

Bellaghy will again be without Derry star Karl Diamond, who is in the United States until next week.

Enniskillen Gaels manager Seamus Doyle is mulling over similar concerns as his team prepare to meet Burren again in the province's other replay.

Michael Lilly, the Fermanagh corner back, was carried off the field with a back strain after the draw and is listed as an unlikely starter.

Paul and Tom Brewster are also recuperating from knocks, as is goalkeeper Brendan Dooris. The obvious replacement for him would be St Michael's school star Dermot McKeogh.

The Wexford senior hurling final between Rathnure and St Martin's is the weekend's live game broadcast by TG4. Throw in is 3.30 p.m.

Blackrock and St Finbarr's have to do it all again in the Cork senior hurling final on Sunday. Blackrock and Cork star Fergal Ryan forced the replay by netting a dramatic goal deep in injury time against a Finbarr's side who played extremely smoothly throughout the game.

The other main billing on the local schedule is also a replay; the Galway hurling semi-final between Sarsfields and Abbey Duniry who finished on a scoreline of 1-9 apiece last weekend. The winners go on to meet reigning champions Athenry.