Saturday

National Hurling League

Division One B

Cork v Kilkenny, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2.30 - Kilkenny's demolition of Waterford last week alarmed many onlookers because the All-Ireland champions have hardly started their preparations for the year and were also playing a very experimental side.

Cork weren't bothered much by Laois, but today will be different. If Kilkenny's eager youngsters continue straining to catch the eye of Brian Cody for the senior side, they can take the points from a more low-key Cork.

Division Two

London v Kerry, Ruislip, 2.30 - Kerry should be able to extend their impressive start although the home team will be their toughest task to date.

Mayo v Sligo, Charlestown, 2.30 - Home points.

Sunday

All-Ireland Club SFC semi-finals

Sixmilebridge (Clare) v Graigue-Ballycallan (Kilkenny), Thurles, 2.30 - Live on TG4 - A lot of the scepticism surrounding the 'Bridge evaporated in the aftermath of their clinical disposal of Mount Sion in the Munster final. Niall Gilligan starred, but the contributions of John O'Connell, Pat Hayes and John Reddan also impressed.

Graigue's teamwork and combination play were to the fore of their Leinster final defeat of UCD. Although there are five All-Ireland medallists in attack, the Kilkenny team's defence has also stood the test. Unfussy and hard-working, it is marshalled by Johnny Butler, corner back and man of the match on the last two outings. The one aspect of this appetising fixture which doesn't favour the Leinster team is the physical strength of Sixmilebridge.

If play is spread too far out wide in Thurles, Graigue-Ballycallan will love it, but the inkling here is that the 'Bridge will control proceedings more effectively than that.

] Athenry (Galway) v Dunloy (Antrim), Parnell Park, Dublin, 2.30 - Athenry's combination of presence and pace will be hard for the Ulster champions to counter. Although Greg O'Kane is still the focal point of Dunloy's attack, there are more layoff options than he had in the past. Should they get into a match-winning position, how efficiently can Dunloy protect it? Advantage to the champions.

National Football League (Matches at 2.30 unless stated) Division One A

Donegal v Dublin, Ballyshannon - Despite Dublin's hapless campaign to date, they will provide Mickey Moran's team with a good test. Ravaged by injuries and now suspension, Tom Carr's team will still put their good spells together, but consistency remains the problem. Donegal haven't resumed with the same elan that characterised their play before Christmas but they'll fancy this one.

Galway v Tyrone, Ballinasloe, 2.15 - Galway's solid campaign to date may well come unstuck against the more driven efforts of Tyrone's promising team-in-the-making. There can't be too many places up for grabs in the Connacht champions' line-up, but John O'Mahony will be pleased that they are ticking over with no evident loss of heart after last autumn's reverse. Tyrone need as much match practice as they can get if they are successfully to knit for the summer.

Louth v Offaly, Drogheda - Since Louth's ecstatically received Division Two final win over the same opposition last year, Offaly have been the more eye-catching of these teams. This campaign has seen both take advantage of the bottom teams, but struggle against more focused opposition. Offaly, however, looked sharp against Kerry a fortnight ago and should prove too strong.

Roscommon v Kerry, Hyde Park - Dessie Dolan's suspension is depressing for Roscommon but they managed to see off Dublin in his absence. This will be trickier as Kerry try and gather together enough points to preserve their Division One status. Under pressure from Dublin's good spells, they creaked a bit, but Fergal O'Donnell led the recovery well. For all their heart, Roscommon aren't entirely convincing without Dolan and that could be their downfall.

Division One B

Sligo v Mayo, Markievicz Park, 2.15 - Sligo's failure to stay the pace against 14-man Derry was a disappointment and they will be under further pressure against the divisional leaders who have moved smoothly through the campaign without too much fuss and who have the added incentive of that championship defeat last June.

Meath v Derry, Navan - Another chance for Meath to improve on their dire league record against Derry. The visitors clicked into gear the last day against Sligo, with Anthony Tohill giving notice that he intends making it another good spring.

Meath somewhat surprisingly lost to Cavan, but, with Darren Fay back, their defence is strengthened. Another tight match on the cards, but every chance that Derry will maintain their sequence. Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingscourt - Contrasting fortunes for this pair two weeks ago with a certain amount of disaffection breaking out in injury-hit Fermanagh during the defeat by Laois and Cavan much cheered up by the win over Meath. Those respective trajectories to be maintained.

Clare v Laois, Cusack Park - Resilient as they are, Clare will be pushed as Colm Browne's Laois look to be getting themselves organised. Laois' centrefield laid the foundation the last day and, with a good spread of forwards, the visitors can decisively pressurise the home defence.

Division Two A

Cork v Wicklow, Pairc Ui Rinn - Hard to see home team not extending their 100 per cent record.

Antrim v London, Casement Park, 2.00 - No relief on the horizon for London.

Limerick v Armagh, Kilmallock, 2.00 - Brian Begley's decision to concentrate on hurling is unfortunate for Limerick. The same could be said about Armagh's visit.

Leitrim v Westmeath, Carrick-on-Shannon - Their furious reaction to refereeing decisions overshadowed how close Leitrim pushed Wicklow the last day. They'll do well to repeat this tomorrow.

Division Two B

Monaghan v Waterford, Clones - Home win.

Kildare v Wexford, Newbridge - Despite a poorish display in Carlow last time out, Kildare should keep their faint promotion hopes alive.

Carlow v Down, Dr Cullen Park - Leaders Down should extend their 100 per cent record.

Tipperary v Longford, Clonmel - Longford to keep in touch with the top.

National Hurling League

Division One B

Wexford v Waterford, Gorey - Waterford's displeasure at the venue comes a week after the county's worst performance in a while. Rumours that Gerald McCarthy organised a rigorous training session the day before don't seem to have eased the sense of anxiety in the county at their complete submission to Kilkenny. Wexford went a bit better against Tipp, but still didn't produce the points. Tomorrow could be different.