This weekend's matches
Saturday
INTERPROVINCIAL HURLING FINAL
Connacht v Leinster, Pearse Stadium, 4.45, S Roche (Tipperary) - If not for the wedding of Wexford's Michael Jordan and Ballyhale Shamrocks' continued interest in the Kilkenny county championships we would have a full-strength Leinster side today. The absence of Henry Shefflin's scoring prowess and James "Cha" Fitzpatrick's engine may tip the scales in Connacht's favour.
Ger Loughnane will surely be an early visitor to Salthill and most probably one of the first to depart the first International Rules test. The Connacht line-up, all Galway men, has the Clare native's fingerprints all over it. Diarmuid Cloonan gets an opportunity at the troublesome centre-back position and Mark Kerins at centre forward as both return from two years of intercounty exile.
The general hunger of the Galway players should tip the scales especially with Ollie Canning, Damien Hayes, Ger Farragher, Niall Healy and Kevin Broderick waiting like tightened coils on the bench. Shane Kavanagh and David Forde may even regret their trip to Australia.
The standard on view should be enough to convince Croke Park to put more time, effort and financial clout into promoting one of the longest standing institutions within the GAA. The turnout of players is example enough of the value attached to the competition.
CONNACHT (all Galway): L Donoghue; D Joyce, G Mahon, T Óg Regan; D Collins, D Cloonan, J Lee; R Murray, D Tierney; I Tannian, M Kerins, A Kerins; K Burke, E Cloonan, F Healy.
LEINSTER: B Mullins (Offaly); M Travers (Wexford), J Tennyson (Kilkenny), J Ryall (Kilkenny); J Tyrrell (Kilkenny), R Hanniffy (Offaly), T Walsh (Kilkenny); Derek Lyng (Kilkenny), Diarmuid Lyng (Wexford); D Franks (Offaly), R Power (Kilkenny), E Larkin (Kilkenny); E Brennan (Kilkenny), J Bergin (Offaly), A Fogarty (Kilkenny).
Sunday
MAYO SFC FINAL
Crossmolina Deel Rovers v Ballaghaderreen, Castlebar, M Kenny, 3.15, (Live TG4) - The two biggest names in Mayo football, John O'Mahony and Ciarán McDonald, are on either side of the divide as the spotlight continues to shine on the defeated All-Ireland finalists. O'Mahony is certainly the media's favourite to replace Mickey Moran as Mayo manager, despite refusing to make any positive comment on the matter, and his presence on the line tomorrow will only fan the flames of rumour. A Ballaghaderreen victory would make it extremely difficult to stop that momentum going out of control.
McDonald is not on International Rules duty so his full array of footballing genius is focused on delivering honours for his club.
CORK SFC FINAL
Nemo Rangers v Dohenys, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30 - In the aftermath of tomorrow's final, all the talk will centre on the performances of Nemo Rangers players James Masters and Alan Cronin. Cronin is expected to monopolise the midfield possession and in turn release Masters for the majority of scores. Derek Kavanagh's presence at centre back adds further steel to the cause.
Five finals in seven attempts have Nemo going in as overwhelming favourites. They have proven their ability to cope with the hype in the past.
ULSTER CLUB SFC
Gweedore (Donegal) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh), Ballybofey, 2.30, B Toland (Derry) - They no longer consider a county title enough up around Crossmaglen. Winning 11 on the trot tends to set the sights on higher aspirations. It's been two years since they annexed Ulster, however, so they should regain the momentum of the county championship with a convincing victory here. The potential absence of Aaron Kernan has been offset by Gweedore having to make do without James Gallagher, their leading scorer, who is away on his honeymoon. That appears to be a too great a loss for the Donegal champions.
