The weekend's matches previewed
Saturday
Connacht Under-21 FC final
Mayo v Roscommon, McHale Park, 2.30:Given all the concerns about player burnout the future of the under-21 competitions remain in some doubt, although this afternoon's provincial final should provide ample proof of how seriously these games are taken - and how much victory means. Mayo, the reigning All-Ireland champions, come up against former Mayo manager John Maughan, who has guided Roscommon to their first final since 1999. Mayo probably have the greater depth of quality players to triumph, but Roscommon's heart won't be questioned and a fiery contest seems guaranteed.
Munster Under-21 FC final
Cork v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 2.30: Cork have dispatched Limerick and Waterford en route to this final - the latter coming on a 2-17 to 0-1 scoreline - and will start favourites against Tipp who beat Kerry's conquerors, Clare, in the semi-final. Cork look to senior players such as Fintan Gould and Daniel Goulding to guide them to the title, which is only the start of their ambitions this year.
National Hurling League
Division Two quarter-final
Laois v Kerry, Gaelic Grounds, 4.0:Both these teams still fancy their chances of winning the Division Two title outright, and therefore earning the right for a crack at Division One next year, and while Laois have a real quality forward in James Young, Kerry are coming into good form and could produce the minor upset.
Sunday
National Hurling League
Division One quarter-finals
(Extra time if necessary)
Wexford v Galway, Nowlan Park, 2.0:Ger Loughnane was strangely relaxed after Galway's four-point defeat to Kilkenny last Sunday, openly admitting the gulf in glass between the teams was still significant. It was as if he expects Galway's form to naturally hit a peak come the summer, and thus provide the fairytale success he has already courted.
There were, however, several old question marks raised again over Galway's performance, including insecurity around several positions, the lack of goal chances, and lack of consistency over the 70 minutes.
Wexford present a different sort of challenge here in that it's a game Galway will be widely expected to win - and yet it's a lot trickier than it seems. Wexford suddenly seem to have established some consistency, and that's mainly down to the fresh demands of new manager John Meyler. Last Sunday's 34-point win over Down was highly impressive despite the limitations of the opposition, and with Paul Carley and Eoin Quigley back on board Wexford could give Loughnane another reality check.
Alan Kerins, Damien Hayes and Derek Hardiman are all injury concerns for Galway, but if they do manage to score a goal or two, coupled with the recent points average, they should still secure another crack at Kilkenny.
Waterford v Tipperary, Nowlan Park, 3.40: This time last year Waterford's performance in the quarter-finals had the mark of a team in decline, but they came close to delivering ultimate success in the championship.
The question then is how badly Waterford either want or need to win here, and extend their league run. The now-or-never feeling in terms of All-Ireland success weighs heavier than ever, and there can be little doubt that Waterford still have the players to achieve it. Defeat to Offaly last Sunday, however, suggests there is still some ironing out to be done.
Tipperary, in contrast, would relish a run all the way to the league final. Their full-forward line of the Kelly brothers, Eoin and Paul, and the young Danny O'Hanlon are now lethal scoring weapons and could provide the foundation for a Tipperary win.
McCarthy is looking for more consistency, and decided Aidan Kearney should take over the full-back position from Tom Feeney, while Eoin McGrath is preferred to Dave Bennett at midfield. There is of course great rivalry between these teams but at this point Tipperary look to have the better of it.
Division Two: Derry v Kildare, Clones, 3.40:Kildare suffered their first defeat of the season to Kerry last Sunday but should still have the new-found confidence to progress.
Division Three: Louth v Tyrone, Clones, 2.0; Donegal v Longford, Markievicz Park, 3.30:Louth and Longford respectively will be expected to progress on the basis of league runs to date.
National Football League
Division One A
(All games 3.30 unless stated)
Donegal v Fermanagh, Ballybofey: It's been a tough time for Fermanagh and manager Charlie Mulgrew. Winless this season, knowing they're already destined for Division Three next year, and now facing the table leaders. Only days ago things got worse when Ryan McCluskey opted out of the panel. With just pride to play for it's difficult to see how they can challenge Donegal, who will be eager to maintain their superb form all the way to the semi-final.
Manager Brian McIver made a host of changes for last weekend's game against Limerick, which partly explains the surprise draw and has made nine changes for this one, resting most of his regulars. Yet Donegal possess strength in depth, which should make for another enjoyable afternoon for the home crowd.
Dublin v Kerry, Parnell Park:Ah, Dublin against Kerry. Despite the fact that neither team can make the semi-finals this promises to be business as usual - the clash of the two greatest football egos. The pressure though is clearly on Dublin, who need the win to avoid the drop to Division Two next year. Manager Paul Caffrey seems unworried by last Sunday's collapse against Mayo, naming the same starting 15.
Kerry manager Pat O'Shea can focus entirely on the job at hand from now on, with his duties at Dr Crokes finished for the time being. O'Shea makes three changes from the last day, bringing in Crokes forward Eoin Brosnan and also Darren O'Sullivan and Kieran O'Leary. The absence of injured Kieran Donaghy has given the other forwards their chance to shine, which they haven't exactly being doing, but with Darragh Ó Sé in astonishing form Kerry can still rattle Dublin where they need to.
Tyrone v Mayo, Omagh: Another game of largely academic importance, with Mayo already through to the semi-finals, while Tyrone look for the win that would guarantee them Division One status for next year. Manager Mickey Harte will be hoping for a return to the form which saw them destroy Dublin in the second half of their opening game at Croke Park. Stephen O'Neill starts on the bench for the home side.
Mayo manager John O'Mahony shakes things up again, with David Clarke taking over in goal from the injured Kenneth O'Malley, while Aidan Higgins and Gary Mullins start in the defence.
James Nallen will become Mayo's most capped player of all time when he makes his 123rd appearance in the county jersey. The Crossmolina veteran will also captain the side at midfield. Tyrone usually raise their game in accordance with the stakes and with home advantage can claim the win they require.
Cork v Limerick, Páirc Uí Rinn:A true relegation battle if ever there was one - with the difference between winning and losing here the difference between Division Two and Division Three football next year. The marginal advantage is with Cork, who can secure Division Two status even with a draw, although they certainly won't be underestimating Limerick.
Cork manager Billy Morgan won't finalise his team until shortly before throw-in, with Noel O'Leary, Nicholas Murphy and Kevin McMahon all injury doubts, while the under-21 contingent are also in action this afternoon.
Limerick's draw with Donegal last week brought them some much-needed encouragement. Ger Collins comes in for his first start at corner forward ahead of John Cooke and while they're sure to be stubborn opposition, it would be typical of Cork to survive a tight finish.
Division One B
Kildare v Laois, Newbridge: Arguably the biggest game of the day as both teams still stake a claim on a semi-final place - Laois needing the win, while a draw would do Kildare. It would be harsh for either team to miss out at this stage given their consistency thus far, but this division has proven particularly competitive.
Laois produced a big win over Armagh last Saturday, and that would seem to leave them better poised for the win compared to Kildare, who just sneaked past Westmeath after a late and controversial free from John Doyle. Yet Kildare are stubbornly difficult to beat in Newbridge, especially in a high-stakes game like this, although to see the teams end up level wouldn't be a big surprise.
Laois are missing some first-choice players, including the suspended Brendan Quigley, and the injured Tom Kelly and Kevin Fitzpatrick, although Ross Munnelly returns, as does goalkeeper Fergal Byron. Laois have gone on a five-game unbeaten streak and if they can get a head start on Kildare they could hold out until the finish.
Galway v Down, Tuam: Another of the day's high-stakes games, with Galway still in with a great shout of making the semi-finals. Victory here, coupled with a defeat for Laois in Newbridge, would see them through to the semi-finals for the second time in three years.
Struggling Down are already destined for Division Three next year. They came within three points of Derry last Sunday, but in reality they were outclassed on the day, as they have been in most games in recent weeks. The momentum is clearly with Galway, who eased past Louth last Sunday despite playing most of the second half with 14 men. Padraic Joyce seems to be regaining his old form, along with Nicky Joyce, and they're unlikely to spoil their chances of another crack at the league title by slipping up here.
Armagh v Westmeath, Crossmaglen: It's still hard to fully explain Armagh's apparent decline in recent months. The absence of the Crossmaglen players certainly explains some of it, and yet the newcomers have clearly failed to impress manager Joe Kernan who has queried the players' work-rate in some key games.
They were completely outplayed by Laois last Sunday, trailing 1-8 to 0-2 at the interval, but with the likes of Oisin McConville and Aaron Kernan available for this one they should at least be more competitive in their final effort to avoid a drop to Division Three.
Westmeath got off to a great league start but they've lost their last three games and suddenly find themselves likely to miss out on Division One next year, unless they win here. A tense, tight contest is guaranteed, but Crossmaglen's All-Ireland win last Sunday should provide the crucial spur for an Armagh win.
Derry v Louth, Celtic Park: Derry supporters will need their calculators at hand for his one as a victory could yet see them make the semi-finals on points difference (provided Kildare and Galway both lose). Louth haven't exactly had an easy time of life in Division One, and they look set to drop back to Division Three - again depending on results elsewhere.
Given the extra motivation for Derry a home win looks likely.
Division Two A (Rescheduled fixture)
London v Leitrim, Ruislip, 1.0:So this is the fixture that has partly messed up all of Division Two A. It should have been played on February 25th, but only now gets the go-ahead, and all other remaining fixtures had to be deferred as a result. There is also the complication of points difference not being allowed because of the Offaly-Longford game (where Offaly were deducted a point for fielding an illegal player) which means further play-offs are likely. In the meantime Leitrim should collect the long-overdue points here.
Division Two B
Waterford v Cavan, Dungarvan: A must-win game for Cavan to keep themselves in the semi-final place, and that should prove too strong for struggling Waterford.
Wexford v Meath, Wexford Park:Along with Cavan, Meath remain the only unbeaten team in the division, and are already assured of a semi-final spot unless Wexford somehow hammer them this afternoon. Meath should do enough to progress.
Wicklow v Sligo, Aughrim: So the Mick O'Dwyer factor didn't quite ignite Wicklow during the league, and their quest for a semi-final place fell away in recent weeks. Despite the myth of fortress Aughrim, Sligo could easily break them down and jump ahead of them on the table.
Antrim v Tipperary, Casement Park:Not much to say about this game except both teams are probably eager to see the back of this league, and end their recent misery. Home advantage enough to secure the win for Antrim.
