Weekend previews

A look at the weekend's matches

Today

Leinster SHC semi-final Raharney (Westmeath) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Mullingar, 2pm

- Title favourites Ballyhale Shamrocks will negotiate this, despite Raharney being impressive Westmeath county champions.

Tomorrow

Leinster SHC semi-final

Birr (Offaly) v St Martin's (Wexford), Tullamore, 2pm - St Martin's sprang a major surprise in Wexford, disrupting the six-year duopoly of Oulart and Rathnure in the county.

They are straight into a formidable challenge, against champions Birr, who abruptly dismissed the Ballyboden side that had run them close in last year's final.

St Martin's' challenge was based on the central triangle of man of the match Diarmuid

Lyng and Eoin Quigley at centrefield and Wexford All-Ireland veteran Rory McCarthy at centre back.

Birr are probably going to be without another veteran, Brian Whelahan, but they have enough in reserve to set up a rematch of last year's semi-final with Ballyhale.

Munster SHC semi-finals

Adare (Limerick) v Toomevara (Tipperary), Gaelic Grounds, 2pm - Last year Adare fell prey to the familiar problem of teams who have just won county titles trying to get their minds right in the province.

That shouldn't be such a big deal this time around, as Toome are vastly experienced in this championship.

Adare's challenge will be lively, though, as the club tries to win a first provincial match this decade. They have the players, with Mark Foley, Conor Fitzgerald, Wayne McNamara and Donncha Sheehan all available.

The Tipp champions have been notorious under-achievers, considering the stack of county titles they've amassed over the past two decades but they have the craft and class to edge this.

Sarsfields (Cork) v De La Salle (Waterford), Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2pm - De La Salle are another club trying to get to grips with a provincial championship in the wake of an eagerly anticipated county win.

Nonetheless, they were back at training after the victory and are keen to register an impact.

Ironically given that John Mullane is their best-known player, the Waterford champions are considered better equipped in the back eight, with a strong defence and capable centrefield.

Sarsfields go into this as favourites, as they are more practised and have the benefit of a quarter-final win over Clare champions Clonlara. Former county player Pat Ryan caught the eye in that match, firing over 13 points.

Ulster SFC semi-finals Ballinderry (Derry) v Cavan Gaels (Cavan), Athletic Grounds, 2.30pm - Cavan Gaels pulled off a fair surprise in eliminating 2006 All-Ireland champions St Gall's but the club have been knocking on the door in recent years and under the management of former Clontibret coach Mick O'Dowd have impressed this season.

They're under the shadow of an injury to county star Seán Johnston but have plenty of other talent, including Niall Murray, one of two minors who showed well against Gall's.

Ballinderry, with All-Ireland winning experience from seven seasons ago, have got this far without finding their "A game". If that remains missing and Johnston is fit, a surprise is on the cards. Instinct says Ballinderry will prevail.

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v St Eunan's (Donegal), Enniskillen, 2.30pm - Should injury keep Brendan Devenney out of action it will be a major loss for the Letterkenny side, who outlasted Tyrone champions Clonoe in the quarter-final.

Once again Cross, with their experienced core of players with four All-Ireland medals, have emerged from Armagh and they remain as hard to beat as ever.

Cross are likely to have too much physical strength and guile.

Leinster SFC quarter-final replay Colmcille (Longford) v Éire Óg (Carlow), Pearse Park, 2.0 - Éire Óg's endless season moves into a sixth successive weekend after last week's brush with termination at the hands of the Longford champions.

The Carlow champions have also lost county forward Simon Rea to a shoulder injury and could struggle to keep the show on the road.

Kerry SFC final

Mid Kerry v Kerins O'Rahilly's, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm - Although O'Rahilly's exited the Munster championship last week the matter of the county title is still up for grabs.

The Tralee side have powerful, young talent in the Moran and Walsh brothers and are well organised by Jack O'Connor, newly back in the Kerry hot seat.

They have the strength and ability to stop a fast moving Mid Kerry divisional side.