A look at this weekend's gaelic games fixtures
Today
National Football League
Division Two Semi-finals
(Extra-time if necessary)
Monaghan v Meath, Croke Park, 6pm -A reprise of the Division Two final from a couple of years back when Monaghan secured a famous win thanks to a late goal from Paul Finlay, prompting a pitch invasion more typically associated with All-Ireland championship success.
There'll hardly be any hysterical celebrations after this one as both teams have simply been concentrating on rebuilding work, and this game is merely a stepping-stone.
Monaghan manager Séamus McEneaney reckons they're stronger than at any stage in his tenure, with the harsh lessons of the brief life in Division One now being put to good use. Their record speaks for itself as Monaghan were the only team with the complete winning record during the league, the latest being the one-point win over Leitrim last Sunday.
The Freemans, Damien and Thomas, continue to lead the charge up front and there's still enough youth in the team to suggest further progress in the seasons ahead.
Meath have also worked their way quietly through Division Two, as Colm Coyle looks to re-establish some sort of challenge, at least at Leinster level. Their only defeat came in the last round against Wexford, although some of the old questions about consistency and scoring ability remain.
It's hard to argue with Monaghan's winning record, which should survive the night.
Cavan v Roscommon, Croke Park, 7.45pm - Incredibly, this is Cavan's first game in Croke Park since the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry in 1997, which has left them the only county in Ireland yet to experience GAA headquarters in all its redeveloped splendour.
Naturally manager Donal Keogan is hoping they won't be too distracted - and a huge following is also expected - as they close in on the division two final against an equally in-form Roscommon.
Having gone through Division Two B unbeaten (drawing twice) Cavan are clearly moving in the right direction, at last showing signs they could be challengers again at Ulster level. The team includes some very exciting young talent, including Ray Cullivan, a first-year scholarship footballer at DCU, and that's exactly what Cavan needed to revive their fortunes.
Likewise, Roscommon are showing signs of improvement with John Maughan settled into his second year as manager. A heavy defeat to Mayo in the Connacht under-21 final last Saturday was something of a setback, but at senior level morale is still good, as proven by last Sunday's crucial win over Offaly, consigning them to Division Four in the process.
Roscommon needed to win to ensure a semi-final place, and they fought determinedly back in the closing quarter after two goals from Ger Heneghan and another for Enda Kenny.
This is arguably closer to call than the first game, and the eerie prospect of extra-time can't be ignored. Roscommon are possible slightly more settled and matured at this point and that should see them through to the final.
Under-21 Football Semi-final
Mayo v Laois, Hyde Park, 3pm- A hugely appetising clash between All-Ireland champions Mayo and Laois, one of the consistently best underage counties around - who surprisingly have yet to win this title outright, last losing the 1998 final to Kerry, and also the original decider in 1964, also to Kerry.
Mayo's Connacht final win over Roscommon, by 14 points, was impressive, not least for the 0-9 scored by centre forward Pierce Hanley, and midfielders Barry Moran and Tom Parsons will also give Laois plenty to worry about. If anything this is a stronger Mayo team than a year ago, and the least they'll want to achieve this year is to get to the final to defend their title.
Laois, however, are a highly capable outfit, defending their Leinster title last weekend with a three-point win over Offaly. Midfielder Brendan Quigley was cleared to play after a suspension was rescinded and delivered a typically commanding performance, and up front, senior stand-out Donie Brennan was largely unstoppable, along with David Conway and Michael Tierney.
Both teams play clean, open football and that promises a truly exciting game.
Laois definitely won't be far off but will need to establish an early lead if they are to halt the momentum of Mayo, who will have both the confidence and the determination to grind out the victory.
Tomorrow
Under-21 Football Semi-final
Cork v Armagh, Portlaoise, 3pm- Having won a fourth consecutive Munster title, their 20th in all, Cork are now particularly eager to go on and collect a first Cadbury's All-Ireland Under-21 title since 1994. They're certainly going about it the right way, even if their Munster final win over Tipperary was a little closer than expected.
Several Cork players are already established at senior level, including full back Michael Shields and full forward Daniel Goulding and that's the kind of experience needed to get past Armagh, surprise winners in Ulster ahead of a highly fancied Tyrone, and beating Monaghan in a closely fought final.
Armagh boast similarly talented players, including seniors Charlie Vernon and Kevin Dyas and the real surprise this year, Stefan Forker, and they definitely have the ability to test Cork to the limit.
Their experience, however, possibly falls a little short, and if Cork hold their nerve they should come through a narrow and no doubt bruising contest. An Armagh victory would be far from a surprise, and given their fast-improving nature, well possible.
All-Ireland Colleges SH Final
De La Salle, Waterford v Kilkenny CBS, Croke Park, 12.45pm- No one wants to put too much pressure on schoolboy hurlers but what a fantastic achievement it would be for De La Salle to win this title - and what a great boost it would be for All-Ireland-starved Waterford in the process.
No Waterford college has ever won the senior A hurling title, and De La Salle have already come way closer than most by securing their first Munster title - the Dr Harty Cup - over the famous St Flannan's of Ennis. That was the first success for Waterford at that level since Mount Sion in 1953.
This is a highly capable De La Salle team that have been coming for several years, beating St Flannan's in the Munster under-15 final two years ago. They have some hugely talented players such as Ballygunner youngster Stephen Power, who hit all 2-7 of their winning total in the Dr Harty Cup final.
Kilkenny CBS, winners last in 1981, are equally capable, despite losing the Leinster final to their county rivals from Castlecomer CS. They regrouped with a typically Kilkenny vengeance and came through to back-door route, beating Gort CS in the semi-final, 0-19 to 1-11. It was a typically balanced Kilkenny display, powerful defending and high scoring attack - including 0-13 for Mark Bergin.
De La Salle mentor Derek McGrath has admitted their ultimate goal for the season had been the Dr Harty Cup, simply because they'd never won it.
But they've happily raised that bar again and if they can stay close enough to Kilkenny throughout the game then perhaps more history will spur them over the winning line.
All-Ireland Colleges SF Final
Tralee CBS v Omagh CBS, Croke Park, 2.15pm- There's more history in the making here as neither Tralee CBS nor their Omagh counterparts have won this title.
And both teams had to pull off a surprise just to get this far, with Tralee beating the fancied St Patrick's, Navan, in their semi-final, and Omagh doing likewise against St Jarlath's, Tuam.
Tralee's six-point win was particularly impressive, given they played the entire second half with 14 men. They played pure Kerry possession football and limited St Patrick's many scoring threats, while their own Alan O'Donoghue, Benny Dillon and Barry John Keane got down to business at the other end.
With 16 Munster titles to their name it is surprising Tralee have never captured this title, although tomorrow offers as good a chance as any.
Omagh got past St Jarlath's by just two points, having trailed by nine points at half-time, and they clearly can't allow Tralee a similar head start here. Otherwise it's another All-Ireland title heading to the Kingdom.
Women's Football
NFL Division One Semi-finals
Cork v Mayo, today, Banagher, 4.30pm- Cork have been in cruise control so far but their unbeaten record is in serious danger from rejuvenated Mayo.
Galway v Kerry, tomorrow, Tuam Stadium 3pm- This semi-final will be a close affair, pitting Galway's experience against Kerry's attacking flair. If Kerry can bring their high octane game to this stage of the competition, they will claim a place in the final.
