GAELIC GAMES NEWS:THE GAA will be hoping the double header at Croke Park involving Dublin's hurlers and footballers on Saturday will boost the flagging attendances that have been a feature of championship games this summer.

Dublin hurlers take on Antrim in the curtain raiser at headquarters at 3.0pm before Armagh tackle Pat Gilroy’s charges in the third round of the football qualifiers at 5.0pm.

Dublin’s clash with Armagh is sure to attract interest as the glamour draw of the third-round qualifiers. It is just one of five matches that will be televised this weekend.

The replayed Munster hurling final between Cork and Waterford at Semple Stadium on Saturday will be shown at 7.0pm on RTÉ. The Ulster Championship final between Tyrone and Monaghan at Clones on Sunday at 2.0pm will also be on RTÉ. That will precede a 4.0pm throw-in between Sligo and Roscommon for the Connacht football championship final screened on TV3.

Wexford’s game against Cork in the third round of the football qualifiers at Wexford Park will be played on Sunday at 3.30pm. Other games in the football qualifiers see Derry host Kildare at 3pm on Saturday before Down travel to Offaly for a 7.0pm throw-in.

The match generating most interest in the football qualifiers is undoubtedly Dublin’s encounter with Armagh. Armagh manager Paddy O’Rourke expects a sizeable contingent of support to travel from Armagh.

“We’re always well supported and I expect Saturday will be no different but Dublin have a huge following, especially at home,” he said.

Over the last decade Armagh have played plenty of football at headquarters and have generally fared well. It is something O’Rourke is well aware of. “We’re certainly not afraid of playing in Croke Park but at the end of the day it is a home draw for Dublin and they must be favourites.

“We know what to expect from Dublin. They have very good footballers and very good forwards in the Brogans, Conal Keaney and others,” he added.

While Ronan Clarke remains out through injury Armagh still have prize forwards of their own in former All-Star Steven McDonnell and Jamie Clarke.

The prospect of two teams with forwards capable of producing individual brilliance should help to draw a bigger crowd for the double header on Saturday.

Dublin’s last qualifying round match against Tipperary saw approximately 22,500 tickets sold. While a full house is not expected this Saturday the GAA are hoping for a crowd in excess of 60,000.

Wexford host last year’s finalists Cork at Wexford Park, a ground that has a capacity of 25,000. Tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles.

The other significant pull for the GAA is the replay of the Munster hurling final between Cork and Waterford at Thurles.

It is not the only provincial final happening on a busy weekend for the GAA. The Ulster Championship final between Tyrone and Monaghan at St Tiarnach’s Park in Clones will probably achieve close to its capacity of 32,500 on Sunday.

There are no indications yet as to whether the Connacht final between Sligo and Roscommon will fill the 36,000-capacity venue at McHale Park in Castlebar.

The GAA will have to capitalise on the weekend’s showpiece matches, with Offaly’s game against Down in Tullamore and Derry’s game against Kildare in Celtic Park unlikely to draw full houses.

REVISED GAA FIXTURES

SATURDAY

All-Ireland Football Championship Qualifiers – Round three

Dublin v Armagh, Croke Park (5pm), TV3

Derry v Kildare, Celtic Park (3pm), RTE

Offaly v Down, Tullamore (7pm)

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final replay

Cork v Waterford, Thurles (7pm), RTE

All-Ireland hurling championship – Round Three

Dublin v Antrim, Croke Park, (3pm)

SUNDAY

Connacht Senior Football Championship final

Roscommon v Sligo, Castlebar (4pm) TV3

Ulster Senior Football Championship final

Monaghan v Tyrone, Clones (2pm) RTE

All-Ireland Football Championship Qualifiers – Round Three

Wexford v Cork, Wexford Park (3.30pm)

All-Ireland Hurling Championship Qualifier – Round Three

Tipperary v Offaly, Portlaoise (3.30pm)