Dublin v Limerick (Nowlan Park, 12.30pm): The minor All-Ireland semi-final has been marginalised to Kilkenny today and that is the last time that county will be mentioned when it comes to the underage championship this year.
The Dublin County Board deliberated about the minors' first stint outside Leinster since Niall Quinn held a hurl, An Poc Fada notwithstanding, only making the undercard of the camogie semi-finals.
Regardless of the Rackard and Ring Cups taking their traditional dates, Dublin had a strong point, considering the Kerry minor footballers play Mayo in Croke Park on August 28th. The other football semi-final, between Offaly and Down, is in Navan next Saturday week, leaving only one of the three All-Ireland minor semi-finals in Croke Park (Galway's minor hurlers beat Cork in Portlaoise last weekend).
Today's 12.30pm throw-in is further shabby treatment.
Limerick couldn't care less. They come in without Brian Quinn (fractured wrist), forcing manger Tim O'Connor to switch David Maloney to centre back. In the forwards, Seán Browne loses out to Diarmuid O'Sullivan while regular goalkeeper Ger Flynn returns after missing the narrow win over Antrim in the quarter-finals.
Dublin have made one change, Kilmacud Crokes dual player Shane O'Rourke named in the half-forward line at the expense of John Maher.
The momentum may have stalled since their historic provincial final victory over Wexford on July 3rd, but Dublin should have too much ammunition for Limerick and duly set up a far more daunting challenge against the defending All-Ireland champions, Galway.
Dublin: C McCormack; R Drumgoole, P Callaghan, E Walsh; K Dunne, T Brady, C Connolly; J Boland, J McCaffrey (capt); S O'Rourke, S Casey, S Durkin; R O'Carroll, D O'Dwyer, K O'Reilly.
Limerick: G Flynn; R McCarthy, L Hurley, T Condon; J Kelly, D Maloney, G O'Mahony (capt); S Hickey, D Moore; B O'Sullivan, J Ryan, D Hanley; M Ryan, E Ryan, D O'Sullivan.
Nicky Rackard Cup Final
London v Louth (Croke Park, Sunday, 1.30pm): The problem with favourites London winning is a completely different team could return for the Christy Ring Cup next season as they have been unable to produce the same personnel from year to year. And as it stands, they are looking good to make the step up.
Louth have potent scorers in Gerard Smith and David Dunne, but what use are they if Tipperary midfielders Mick O'Meara and Michael Harding cut off supply lines? Bypass those two and Fergus McMahon is the rock at centre back while Brian Forde is probably the best corner back at this level.
London will look to Dave Bourke to add to the 1-14 he has accumulated.
London: JJ Burke; E Phelan, T Simms, B Forde; J Dillon, F McMahon, B Foley; M Harding, M O'Meara; D Smyth, J Ryan, B Shorthall; D Bourke, G Fenton, K McMullan.
Louth: S Smith; S Black, A Mynes, S D'Arcy; R Byrne, P Dunne, S Mulholland; S McCarthy, S Callan; T Hilliard, D Byrne, J Carter; N McEneaney, D Dunne, G Smith.
