Seán Moran previews this weekend's action in the interprovincial hurling championship and the hurling and football club championships.
Saturday
Interprovincial Hurling Championship semi-final
Leinster v Ulster, Parnell Park, 7.0
Leinster manager John Conran's comments during the week indicate the hurling fraternity is as unhappy with the gridlock scheduling of this year's Railway Cup as was their football counterparts. Dominic McKinley has a particular grievance with the Antrim county final taking place tomorrow. One notable selection is that of Danny Cullen, from Rackard Cup finalists Donegal, at corner forward. Leinster aren't full strength either but have eight of Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning team whereas none of the visitors even played in this year's MacCarthy Cup.
LEINSTER: J McGarry (Kilkenny); M Travers (Wexford), J Tennyson (Kilkenny), J Ryall (Kilkenny); T Walsh (Kilkenny), R Hanniffy (Offaly), D Lyng (Wexford); D Lyng (Kilkenny), R McCarthy (Wexford); E Brennan (Kilkenny), G Hanniffy (Offaly), D Franks (Offaly); J Bergin (Offaly), R Power (Kilkenny), A Fogarty (Kilkenny).
ULSTER: G Clarke (Down); A Bell (Down), G Bell (Antrim), M Conway (Derry); M Molloy (Antrim), L Hinphey (Derry), G Clarke (Down); A Savage (Down), B McGourty (Down); K Stewart (Antrim), P Braniff (Down), R Convery (Derry); J McIntosh (Antrim), G Savage (Down), D Cullen (Donegal).
Sunday
Interprovincial Hurling Championship semi-final
Munster v Connacht, Ennis, 2.30 - More fixture congestion with the Cloyne-Newtownshandrum showdown in Cork skimming off top names and the Limerick county final up the road not helping either. The intention of all the urgency was presumably to get the finalists decided in time to raise the curtain on Friday week's International Rules first Test. Although the Munster selection is decent enough, Connacht's all-Galway pick - potentially the last time before Mr Loughnane comes to town - looks more coherent.
MUNSTER: A Nash (Cork); G O'Grady (Clare), S Lucey (Limerick), P Curran (Tipperary); D Fitzgerald (Tipperary), J Gardiner (Cork), A Markham (Clare); P Kelly (Tipperary), M O'Brien (Limerick); D McMahon (Clare), M Walsh (Waterford), T Carmody (Clare); A O'Shaughnessy (Limerick), N Gilligan (Clare), E Kelly (Tipperary).
CONNACHT: (all Galway): L Donoghue; D Joyce, G Mahon, T Regan; D Collins, R Murray, S Kavanagh; F Healy, A Kerins; K Broderick, D Forde, D Tierney; G Farragher, E Cloonan, N Healy.
Connacht Club SFC
St Brigid's (Roscommon) v Curry (Sligo), Dr Hyde Park, 2.30 - This fixture starts the ball rolling on the season's club championships. It's a tough task for Curry, who regained the Sligo title after three years, as St Brigid's became the first side this decade to retain the Roscommon championship and also have home advantage. Twelve months ago they had the experience of giving eventual All-Ireland winners Salthill-Knocknacarra a good run in the Connacht final but Curry did something similar in 2003 with Caltra, who also went on to win the All-Ireland. But St Brigid's, with Karol Mannion and Frankie Dolan on board, will justifiably be favourites.
Donegal SFC final
Gaoth Dobhair v St Eunan's, Ballybofey, 3.45 (TG4 deferred coverage 16.50) - A typically rural-town clash between a physically strong and forceful Gaoth Dobhair, boasting the McGees and the Cassidys, and the more mobile and slick Leterkenny club with Brendan Devenney up front and a number of the county's successful minor team from last summer. Likely to be a close call but the slight preference is for Gaoth Dobhair.
Galway SFC final
Caltra v Corofin, Pearse Stadium, 3.30 (TG4 LIVE)- Two former All-Ireland champions meet to decide who succeeds the county's most recent national winners, Salthill-Knocknacarra. Corofin haven't found top gear and looked sluggish against last year's intermediate champions Cahirlistrane in the semi-final. Apart from captain Alan O'Donovan, who kicked eight points, four from play, the attack was unimpressive and it was no coincidence the critical goal was scored by pacy wing back Gary Sice. Caltra looked better in their closely-fought two-match semi-final with Killererin. Inevitably it was Micheál Meehan whose goal made the difference but he had good support from brother Noel and Damien Cunniffe. Corofin have to cope with the loss of Micheál Comer to a hand injury. Caltra have the edge.
Meath SFC final
Navan O'Mahonys v Wolfe Tones, Páirc Tailteann, 3.45 - Two clubs from opposite sides of the tracks in one way - O'Mahonys are distant leaders of the county roll of honour whereas their opponents are new to this level - but they have in common impressive progress in recent years. The Navan team briefly slumped to intermediate quite recently and Wolfe Tones were junior only three years ago. O'Mahonys have motivation after exiting last year's championship in the committee room but more importantly they have a cadre of decent, county players such as Ireland panellist Kevin Reilly and Stephen Bray. It should be enough to prevent the opposition from adding a senior title to the junior and intermediate already won in the past three seasons.
Limerick SHC final
Patrickswell v Bruree, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30 - Patrickswell have been defying gravity in their progress to the final. Croom, seeking a first final appearance in over 50 years, led by five with 10 minutes left in the semi-final only to be outscored on the run for the tape and miss a dying-seconds free to equalise. The comeback was made possible by replacement William O'Dea's goal but the general effect wasn't impressive. Bruree's progress was achieved in the opposite fashion - an early goal by Stephen O'Halloran, who added nine points from placed balls, proving decisive. Patrickswell have sufficient experience with the likes of Barry Foley to add another title.
Wexford SHC final
Oulart-The Ballagh v Rathnure, Wexford Park, 3.30 - Wexford's big two meet in the county final with Oulart going for three-in-a-row, an achievement they denied Rathnure two years ago. On a historic note it will be the last county final for the county's most recent All-Ireland winning captain Martin Storey, who at 42 intends to call it a day. His team must get by without Stephen Doyle, who is injured. Rathnure can take advantage and earn some retribution for 2004.
Roscommon SHC final
Athleague v Pádraig Pearse's, Athleague, 3.30 - Having come close in the football championship in the recent past without success, Pearse's now train their sights on the hurling. But Athleague have to be favourites.
Carlow SHC final
Mount Leinster Rangers v St Mullins, Dr Cullen Park, 3.30 - Opposite ends of the spectrum in Carlow with St Mullins sitting on 22 titles where their opponents have yet to win their first despite reaching four of the last six finals. Conversely, half of the opposing team have five medals each. Mount Leinster's wait to be prolonged.
Westmeath SHC final
Castletowngeoghegan v Raharney, Mullingar, 3.30 - Raharney are slightly favoured given the fitful performance of Danny Owens's team in the replayed semi-final and the suspension of former Roscommon stalwart Colin Kelly.
Antrim SHC final
Cushendall v Loughgiel, Casement Park, 2.0 - Loughgiel are the form team as they chase a first title in 17 years. Cushendall are resilient, in the habit of getting crucial scores and capable of slightly upsetting the odds here.
