Athenry (Galway) v Birr (Offaly), Thurles, 2.30

Two of the last three All-Ireland champions meet in an enticing semi-final. There is a temptation to view Birr as a superannuated collective nearing the end of their natural span, given that they first won the title all of five years ago. This is misleading as half of the side had been changed by the second victory in 1998.

This time around, Pad Joe Whelahan believes his team is even better and will feature a couple more changes. Not all will be for the best as the self-imposed exile of Daithi Regan - however exasperating - deprives them of a player who is well-suited by activity at this time of the year and who turned their semi-final replay against Clarecastle two years ago.

There is a suspicion abroad that Athenry are too consumed by a desire to get another crack at St Joseph's after last year's controversial defeat. But as All-Ireland winners of recent vintage themselves, it's unlikely that they'll slip up on grounds of complacency. The Galway team is physically powerful with excellent hurlers throughout - Brian Feeney, Joe Rabbitte and Eugene Cloonan, all of whom were instrumental in the All-Ireland campaign three years ago - and more than capable of regaining the crown.

Nonetheless Birr have their own high-quality inter-county contingent. Talk of Brian Whelahan being forced by indisposition to relocate to the forwards is scarcely encouraging for Athenry in the light of what happened in the summer of 1998. Simon Whelahan is deployed in what many consider his optimum siting in attack and has been playing excellently. The Offaly champions have a tremendous record in tight corners - some of which are admittedly of their own creation - and yet regardless of Athenry's focus, the feeling here is that Birr can shade it.

St Joseph's Doora-Barefield (Clare) v Cushendall (Antrim), Parnell Park, 2.30

Two matches away from retaining this title for only the second time in its history, St Joseph's appear to have a lot of the hard work done having weathered the problems of fatigue and still managed to emerge from both county and province. Cushendall ran previous Clare representatives Wolfe Tones close three years ago.

The surprise Antrim winners have, however, lost some influential names since then and St Joseph's are stronger than their predecessors. Solid and prolific, they should be too powerful for the improving but still inexperienced Cushendall.

National Football League

Division One A

Kerry v Armagh, Killarney, 2.0

Time for Armagh to get the skates on if last year's progress isn't to be eclipsed by a relegation finish. None of the provincial champions have been excelling themselves in the current league but Armagh's situation has been particularly acute with Crossmaglen again on the march in the club championship and Kieran McGeeney and Des Mackin involved with Dublin champions Na Fianna.

Kerry also have yet to assemble their full muster but, against opponents only back from holidays, should maintain their challenge at the top of this table.

Galway v Cork, Tuam

This was the match a year ago which announced the seriousness of Cork's challenge. This time the team has a more experimental look as the search for new forwards in particular goes on. Galway have been in good form for so early in the year with Padraig Joyce showing particularly well (until Connacht's dismal defeat last week) and John Divilly also impressive both for county and province. Home win.

Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey

It's been a good campaign for Donegal so far and a not-so-good one for Tyrone. Jimmy McGuinness misses out for the home side with James Ruane thought the likely replacement at centrefield. Tyrone's rebuilding is helped by the current form of both the crucial Peter Canavan - as evident in last week's Railway Cup - and the talented Cormac McAnallen. These all-Ulster league matches are notoriously hard to call but Tyrone are marginally favoured.

Roscommon v Dublin, Hyde Park

Both wound up their pre-Christmas campaigns with good wins. Dublin show little change from the side which defeated Kerry and are without the Na Fianna players involved in next week's All-Ireland semi-final. Roscommon welcome back Clifford McDonald to their defence and have been playing well in attack with good scores against Tyrone and Armagh. Derek Duggan, injury-free, has been in good form and bagged seven points against Tyrone. This promises to be dogged stuff with Dublin perhaps edging it.

Division One B

Kildare v Fermanagh, Newbridge

Fermanagh have been a surprise going into the break in second place after defeating the All-Ireland champions but it's safe to assume it will get harder now. Kildare have been in hibernation but are now beginning to get the troops back. Niall Buckley has returned from his holiday in the US but doesn't make tomorrow's line-up whereas the versatile Ken Doyle comes in for his first start of the season. Kildare would want to watch it against a a lively Fermanagh front eight but the points should stay in Newbridge.

Meath v Down, Navan

Sean Boylan's reputation for varying his preparatory routines has been taken a step further as Meath, who normally bank the points before Christmas and mellow in the spring, have instead left themselves with a lot to do if they are to make the play-offs. Down were hoping to have James McCartan back in action but can boast in Greg McCartan and Shane Mulholland a couple of Ulster's most prominent performers in the Railway Cup success. Meath are, however, taken to win the points.

Sligo v Derry, Markievicz Park

The locals at this venue a week ago were left more than a bit apprehensive about the imminent visit of Derry. This wasn't surprising given the comparative performances of the Sligo and Derry players in the Railway Cup final. The latter look to be in fine form with four of them in Ulster's defence (although Derry feel confident enough to start Sean Lockhart on the bench). Anthony Tohill and Enda Muldoon would have strengthened that representation further up the field but for injury. Sligo will be a more coherent force than Connacht proved a week ago and both Eamonn O'Hara and Dessie Sloyane will have plenty of incentive. As will Sligo's manager, Derryman Mickey Moran who split with opposite number Eamonn Coleman over . . . artistic differences after the two had led Derry to the All-Ireland. Nonetheless Derry look too good at present.

Clare v Mayo, Kilmihill

For a change Clare are close to full strength and may need to be despite the unavailability of Mayo's Crossmolina players. Mayo looked in reasonable shape in the big FBD clash with Galway. Pat Holmes will be hoping for evidence that some of his new forwards can make an impact although so far, Kevin O'Neill has continued to look the most penetrative.

Division Two A

Westmeath v Offaly, Mullingar

Two of Longford's O'Byrne Cup victims meet for more meaningful business at the top of this division. Westmeath are taken to exploit home advantage and end the visitors' 100 per cent record.

Antrim v Limerick, Casement Park, 1.30

Antrim's successful campaign in the All-Ireland B seemed to distract them in the league but they should have enough in hand to win this.

Louth v London, Drogheda

Louth were somewhat unlucky losers to Offaly in the first round but have won their matches since - a sequence which they should extend tomorrow.

Leitrim v Wicklow, Carrick-on-Shannon

A big win over Westmeath revived Wicklow's fortunes before Christmas and they head west hoping to keep the pressure on at the top of the table. They should succeed against a Leitrim side whose wins have been at the expense of the division's bottom two.

Division Two B

Longford v Cavan, Longford

The likely suspension of Enda Barden has taken some of the gloss off Longford's memorable O'Byrne Cup success but the spirit and adrenaline evident in recent weeks should be enough to dispose of Cavan.

Laois v Carlow, Portlaoise

Although Carlow are well placed in the table, Laois have been cruising the division to date and should take the points tomorrow and preserve their unblemished record.

Monaghan v Wexford, Scotstown

So far the campaign hasn't been going well for Monaghan but they get a hesitant vote to get back on the tracks against a Wexford side which has been fairly effective to date.

Tipperary v Waterford, Clonmel

Waterford's win over Longford has been given added lustre by the latter's exploits in the last month but Tipperary should keep things in perspective.

South-East SH League Final

Wexford v Tipperary, Walsh Park Waterford

Wexford are the more practised of the teams with a busy weekend and a competitive match last week. This may be enough at this time of the year even against a strong-looking Tipperary side.