Saturday
Connacht Club SF: Preliminary round
Kilbride (Roscommon) v Crossmolina (Mayo), Hyde Park, 3.0 - Having taken the county title for the first time since 1914, Kilbride will look upon this season as hugely significant regardless of what happens here. Crossmolina fell at the All-Ireland semi-final stage last year and may emerge from the province again this year. They will not slip up here.
Waterford Hurling League
Kilkenny v Laois, Nowlan Park, 3.0 - Doubtless many of the All-Ireland stars will be on siesta, but Kilkenny should still have enough in reserve.
Sunday
Leinster Club SF: First round
Abbeylara (Longford) v St Joseph's (Laois), Longford, 3.0 - A straight-forward progression for the Laois champions.
Newtown Blues (Louth) v St Anne's (Wexford), Drogheda, 3.0 - St Anne's have emerged from Wexford for the first time in 32 years after a dogged win against Starlights. Could find this hurdle a little too high.
Dunshaughlin (Meath) v Rathnew (Wicklow), Navan, 2.0 - A home draw for the Meath champions after a summer in which the county stewed over its early All-Ireland exit. Time for Meath football to start asserting itself again.
O'Hanrahan's (Carlow) v Dicksboro (Kilkenny), Carlow, 4.30 - Anything other than a convincing home win would represent a major surprise.
Leinster Club SHC: Replay
Trim (Meath) v Carnew Emmett's (Wickow), Navan, 3.30 - Carnew looked very solid against the Meath champions, who stung their opponents for four goals over the hour, hence forcing the draw. Carnew ought to have enough artillery in reserve to advance.
Munster Club SH: First round
Mount Sion (Waterford) v Newtownshandrum (Cork), Walsh Park, 2.30 - How hard have the Cork champions celebrated? Clinching a first county title would constitute success enough for most teams but those behind the Newtownshandrum emergence are insistent that the team is hell-bent on proving itself in Munster. Mount Sion are crafty old dogs at this level and ought to come through. But Corkies with their tails up? Newtownshandrum to extend the party.
Munster Club SF: First round
Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) v The Nire (Waterford), Ardfinnan, 2.30 - Moyle Rovers sneaked a late point in the county final to capture their third consecutive season of silverware. They will need to pick it up, however, if they are to prolong their provincial interest. Rovers to win.
Ulster Club SF: Semi-finals
Bellaghy (Derry) v Gowna (Cavan), Clones, 2.0 - Two constants of the autumnal provincial scene, both will fancy their chances now that the Crossmaglen shadow has cleared. Both sides disposed of their first-round opponents easily but Gowna, spearheaded by Dermot McCabe, have a cut about them this year and if they are to take Ulster honours, this is their time.
Castleblayney (Monaghan) v Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone), Clones, 3.30 - Perhaps the tie of the day. The Monaghan champions came close last year and have steeled themselves again, ending the legendary run by an admittedly tired Crossmaglen Rangers. With the Taveys and Peter Duffy in hot form, they have enough to end Ciaran's involvement. It will be interesting to see if Paul O'Connor, who did a great man-marking job in the win over Cross, will be deployed to shadow talisman Peter Canavan or the in-form Eoin Gormley.
Ulster Club SH: Final
Dunloy (Antrim) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Casement Park, 3.30 - Another Ulster title for Dunloy.
Waterford Hurling League
Clare v Tipperary, Ennis, 3.0 - Two of the great powers brush away the cobwebs. Maybe Clare, beginning life without Ger Loughnane, will be slightly more keen.
Limerick v Cork, Limerick, 2.0 - Limerick never spurn a chance to put one over on their neighbours. This represents a perfect opportunity.
National Hurling League: Division Two
Armagh v Tyrone, Armagh, 3.0 - Flotsam from last year's long-forgotten league, this encounter will determine which of the two Ulster sides will slip soundlessly into the Hades of hurling, Division Three. Neither have managed anything other than losses thus far at this level and whoever survives this scrap is in for another grim year. Armagh has a relatively superior defensive record and thus get the nod.
County finals
Kildare SF: Kilcock v Moorefield, Newbridge, 3.30 - Moorefield defeated Newbridge rivals Sarsfields in the quarterfinal and Kilcock lowered Clane's colours at the penultimate stage. Kilcock's win was a surprise, not least because Clane had Willie McCreery, Martin Lynch, Paul McCoramck and Brian Murphy aboard. Moorefield's victory over the reigning champions was the more impressive and their greater strength in depth should see them through here.
Leitrim SF: Gortletragh v Aughavas, Carrick-on-Shannon, 3.30.
Carlow SH: St Mullin's v Naomh Eoin, Dr Cullen Park, 3.45.
