GAA previews

A look ahead to all this weekend's action

Connacht SFC Final

Killererin (Galway) v St Brigid's (Roscommon),Tuam Stadium, 2pm - Pádraic Joyce is expected back for Killererin tomorrow, as the Galway champions chase their first provincial title. Brigid's have already been there, having won Connacht four years ago.

This Brigid's team is probably better: a blend of the good young players that have come through in recent years along the club's assembly line of nine successive county under-21 championships and not as generally dependent on Frankie Dolan, who is nonetheless playing well and hit 1-4 against Glencar Manorhamilton in the last round.

When the teams met previously, three years ago, Brigid's were convincing winners. Killererin have a fine record at Tuam Stadium and did extremely well to defeat Connacht holders Corofin in the Galway final and then edge past Ballintubber in the provincial semi-final in the absence of Pádraic Joyce.

The imposing Thomas Hughes will carry their hopes of winning a good supply at centrefield and providing opportunities for the Joyce and his cousin Nicky. Brigid's, however, have the quality to win this.

Senan Kilbride has put injury behind him to progress towards his best form and his brother Ian has been excellent. Another senior title for Roscommon on the cards.

Leinster SFC Semi-finals

Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Garrycastle (Westmeath),Parnell Park, 2.30pm - Just as the world was getting used to Kilmacud's extraordinary progress in the absence of so many first-choice players, the Dublin champions go and lose another front liner.

Adrian Morrissey's suspension is set to rule him out and leaves Paddy Carr having to intensify his miracles of improvisation.

This will be tough for Crokes, as the Westmeath club reached last year's final, defeating Crokes' predecessors, Ballyboden. The sides met in a challenge earlier in the autumn, which ended in a draw.

The well known names of Des Dolan, Paddy Mulvihill and Paul Dillon up front have been important for Garrycastle to date but the loss of Doran Harte to injury is a serious setback.

They were made to work hard by Mattock Rangers in the quarter-finals, whereas Crokes staged one of their almost cliched comebacks to depose last year's champions Portlaoise.

A greater variety of attacking options can help the Dubliners home.

Skryne (Meath) v Rhode (Offaly),Navan, 2.30pm - Skryne have been catapulted to prominence by an accomplished county championship, followed by the elevation of coach Liam Harnan to number two on Séamus McEnaney's county management team, and the form of Trevor Giles in directing the team on the field. Giles's trademark cool-headedness and perceptive reading of the play was at the heart of the recovery against Wexford's Castletown.

Rhode weren't exactly dazzling in reaching this stage but they have experience of a Leinster final they should have won two years ago and in Niall McNamee, possess a proven match-winner and a range of support from veteran Pascal Kelleghan to teenager Anton Sullivan.

This should be close, as the Meath champions have the physique to compete and are difficult to rattle but Rhode have the know-how to come away from here with a place in next month's final.

Munster SFC Semi-finals

Aherlow (Tipperary) v Dr Croke's (Kerry),Cashel, 2pm - Although short some key players, the Killarney club has been in great form so far and are well fancied for the All-Ireland. Colm Cooper's exceptional year has been maintained at club level and the Tipp champions are up against it.

Aherlow have changed in the course of a season - with no managerial or significant player turnover - from an expansive, free scoring outfit who lost a big lead last year to a Declan Browne-inspired Moyle Rovers - to a more dogged collective with an emphasis on containment.

Prolific Tipperary forward Barry Grogan poses a threat up front and there is plenty of intercounty experience at various levels throughout the team but even if they can take a grip at centrefield it's hard to see Aherlow holding out in the face of the opposing fire-power.

Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Stradbally (Waterford),Páirc Uí Rinn, 2pm - Unfortunate for Stradbally that they must make the trip to Cork for this fixture but the Waterford champions beat Bishopstown at the venue six years ago and have every chance of being competitive against the club that tops the Munster roll of honour.

Captain Michael Walsh has re-adapted to football, becoming more influential with each match at centrefield.

The big danger for the visitors is that whereas they're capable at the back the forwards aren't scoring enough - 0-7 against Doonbeg - and against a side like Nemo that presents a goal threat, single-digit totals are unlikely to guarantee success.

Galway SHC Final (replay)

Clarinbridge v Loughrea,Athenry, 2pm - The post-Portumna final provided an exciting match last month and moves to a replay tomorrow after last week's postponement and strangely it clashes with the Connacht football final, featuring the Galway champions Killererin.

Loughrea may have been guilty of presumption after their great replay win over the champions but, equally, Clarinbridge have gained additional game time. Loughrea showed the familiar battling qualities in turning around the drawn encounter in the second half but struggled for periods against their opponents' slicker play.

Have Loughrea settled and learned enough from the drawn match? Or were they lucky to survive and nearly win against a better hurling team?

Instinct here is that the latter is closer to the truth and that Clarinbridge can advance to a first All-Ireland semi-final since 2002.