A round-up of the weekend's action
Today
Connacht SH Cup: Sligo IT v NUI Galway, Ballinode, 2.0.
Kehoe Cup (SH): Dublin IT v Roscommon, Lucan, 2.0.
Tomorrow
O'Byrne Cup (SF) final
Meath v Offaly, Páirc Tailteann, 2.15 - Two teams fresh from exacting a modicum of revenge for championship defeats meet in upbeat mood. The positives await corroboration in the National League but Offaly manager Kevin Kilmurray is pleased with how the forced reconstruction of his full-back line is proceeding in the long-term absence of Cathal Daly and Conor Evans. Shane Sullivan has relocated to full back and excelled.
For Meath, Barry Lynch hinted he could be a useful centrefielder in his combination with Nigel Crawford. The forward lines will be interesting, with Niall McNamee expected to play a bigger role for Offaly and Graham Geraghty also coming in as a replacement for Meath. Another good crowd is expected and perhaps a home win.
O'Byrne Shield SF final
Wicklow v Longford, Baltinglass, 2.15 - Longford can spoil Wicklow's good recent run here.
McKenna Cup (SF) semi-final
Armagh v Tyrone, Casement Park, 2.0 - With 2005's top three trophies divided between them, football's juggernauts start rumbling that bit earlier this year.
The winners will face Monaghan at some stage (the nominated date for the final clashes with Armagh's plans for a training weekend away) but so far the emphasis has been on strengthening the reserves.
Gareth Swift, who 12 months ago looked on the verge of a first-team breakthrough for Armagh, has again started the year well and Paul Keenan scored three from play after his second-half introduction.
The All-Ireland champions are in the happy position of reviving careers as well as kick-starting them with the news that Kevin Hughes is to return to action and so joins Ger Cavlan, who made his reappearance after a year out last week against Donegal.
It's hard enough trying to predict winners at more advanced stages of the year without trying to factor in all the variables here. But presumably it will be, ummm, close.
McGrath Cup (SF) final
Cork v Kerry, Páirc Uí Rinn, 3.0 - The McGrath Cup hasn't raised the rafters to the extent of its Leinster and Ulster counterparts but it does have a box-office final. Cork embraced the experimental in fielding about half their first-choice team for the semi-final against an understrength Limerick whereas Kerry put a very strong 15 out against UCC and were rewarded with a big win. The Kingdom's latest wunderkind, Darren O'Sullivan, got one of Kerry's goals, while another prodigy in his youth, Colm Cooper, made his first appearance of the year. Cork owe Kerry after last August's humiliation but they might have to wait.
Munster SH Cup
Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, 2.0 - Clare were more than a little lucky in squeezing out UCC last week and will be up against it with Limerick in buoyant early-season form.
Waterford IT v Univ of Limerick, Cashel, 2.0 - UL's crushing reversal of last year's Fitzgibbon Cup final defeat puts them in good shape against a WIT side that struggled to beat Kerry.
Walsh Cup (SH) (all games 2.0)
Westmeath v UCD, Mullingar - In the relative peace of the Walsh Cup UCD should proceed.
Laois v Kilkenny, Rathdowney - Kilkenny should be able to overcome the absence of Henry Shefflin, DJ and the James Stephens players.
Offaly v Antrim, Birr - Offaly will be expected to start the season on the up.
Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park - An interesting indicator of the mood in Dublin with some of the young talents beginning to emerge.
Kehoe Cup (SH): Meath v Athlone IT, Páirc Tailteann, 12.0, Wicklow v Carlow, Arklow, 2.0, Kildare v Mayo, Newbridge, 2.0.
