GAA preview: Club championships

Early doors for either St Vincent’s or Ballymun Kickhams in Dublin football championship

Saturday – Football

Leitrim SFC final replay Glencar-Manorhamilton v Mohill, Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 5.0 – Both teams had to produce impressive scoring sequences to get back into contention in the drawn match. The more experienced Glencar may have the edge having pulled it out of the fire last week.

Dublin SFC second round St Vincent's v Ballymun Kickhams, Parnell Park, 5.30 – Although this is only a second round, the clubs have shared the last three Dublin and Leinster titles between them. Two years ago they played a tempestuous, replayed county final featuring serious aggravation between Diarmuid Connolly and Philip McMahon, both of whom were sent off. St Vincent's are on a three-in-a-row but that's a lot of mileage and Ballymun will still be raging after somehow losing the 2013 contest. That can be the difference between two otherwise inseparable teams.

Kildare SFC semi-finals, Newbridge – Celbridge v Sarsfields, 2.0; Athy v Johnstownbridge, 4.0. Meath SFC semi-final, Na Fianna v Gaeil Colmcille, Páirc Tailteann, 5.0

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Monaghan SFC semi-final, Scotstown v Castleblayney, Clontibret, 5.0

Saturday – Hurling

Cork SHC semi-final replay Sarsfields v Erin's Own, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30 – Erin's Own nearly got away the last day and even saved a late penalty but the champions held on with Daniel Kearney's point in the dying moments keeping them afloat. They should be more buoyant today.

Westmeath SHC semi-finals, Cusack Park – Castlepollard v Clonkill, 3.15; Lough Lene Gaels v Raharney, 4.45

Sunday – Football

Laois SFC semi-finals, O'Moore Park – Arles Kilcruise v Emo, 1.30; Arles/Killeens v Portlaoise, 3.0

Longford SFC final Emmet Óg Killoe v Abbeylara, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 4.0 – Abbeylara are at the end of a great year, unbeaten in competition, but this could spoil things for them as champions Killoe have won two of the last three titles and have eventually found form at the right time.

Louth SFC final Seán O'Mahonys v St Patrick's, Drogheda Gaelic Grounds, 3.45 [Deferred broadcast, TG4, 4.30] – O'Mahonys from Dundalk are in their first senior final having won county and Leinster intermediate titles last year but their opponents are chasing a fourth title in five years and look equipped to do it.

Meath SFC semi-finals Navan O'Mahony's v St Peter's, Dunboyne, Páirc Tailteann, 2.0

Wexford SFC semi-finals, Innovate Wexford Park – Castletown v St Martin's, 3.0; Shelmaliers v St James, 4.30. Cork SFC semi-finals, Páirc Uí Rinn, Nemo Rangers v Carbery Rangers, 2.0; O'Donovan Rossa v Castlehaven, 3.45 – The Cork semi-finals are a very western affair with only city perennials Nemo Rangers spoiling the party. Nemo will have to be careful of county forward John O'Rourke's impressive form (1-5 against Duhallow in the quarters) but they have the players and experience to progress. In the other semi-final Castlehaven, champions in two of the past three years and who beat holders Ballincollig, play neighbouring rivals O'Donovan Rossa and are justified favourites.

Limerick SFC semi-finals, Kilmallock – Ballylanders v Newcastlewest, 2.0; Monaleen v Dromcollogher-Broadford, 3.45. Antrim SFC semi-final – Rossa v Lámh Dearg, Corrigan Park, 3.0.

Derry SFC final Coleraine v Slaughtneil, Celtic Park, 3.0 – All-Ireland finalists Slaughtneil are back in form and back in the final but they can expect a lively challenge from Coleraine, who are having their best season since winning the title five years ago. Very impressive when finishing strongly in the semi-final against Ballinderry, they'll find the champions' high-performance defence tough to crack.

Fermanagh SFC final Roslea v Derrygonnelly, Brewster Park, 3.30 – Three-in-a-row aspirants Roslea needed a replay to get past Belleek but now they're back on track with newly nominated All Star Seán Quigley bringing heft and quick-ball potential to the team. Derrygonnelly were comfortable winners over Devenish but it's hard to see the champions slipping.

Monaghan SFC semi-final Clontibret v Monaghan Harps, 3.30.

Sunday – Hurling Waterford SHC semi-finals Ballyduff Upper v Tallow, 2.0; Ballygunner v Fourmilewater, 3.30, Fraher Field – The first semi-final is a big surprise with Ballyduff shocking Passage, champions two years ago, in the last round and Tallow getting two late goals to stun Dungarvan. Champions Ballygunner kept the city bragging rights with a comfortable win over Mount Sion. Jamie Barron and Craig Guiry did the damage for Fourmilewater in the last round, they will be the underdogs but dangerous ones.

Limerick SHC semi-final Adare v Patrickswell, Gaelic Grounds, 3.45 – Patrickswell are slight favourites for this semi-final but Adare have had a more testing route to the semi-finals, eventually seeing off Ahane in the replayed quarter-final and they could spring a surprise and advance to take on Na Piarsaigh in the county final.

Kildare SHC final Ardclough v Coill Dubh, Newbridge, 3.30 – Coill Dubh are defending champions and favourites but Ardclough can cause a marginal upset. Wicklow SHC final Bray Emmetts v Carnew Emmets, Aughrim, 2.30 – Champions Bray Emmetts can retain the title despite their tough and experienced opponents.

Offaly SHC semi-finals, O'Connor Park – Birr v Coolderry, 1.0; Kilcormac/Killoughey v St Rynagh's, 2.30

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times