Seán Moran previews this Sunday's Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final between Arles-Kilcruise v Round Towers and the Ulster SFC semi-final between the Four Masters and St Gall's.
Leinster SFC semi-finals:
Arles-Kilcruise (Laois) v Round Towers (Kildare), Dr Cullen Park, 2.0
The first-time Laois champions face into their third match in eight days but as they have escaped serious injury the schedule gives them momentum, even if there is a fear of fatigue. Arles's footballing instincts served them well both days last weekend and their character shone through in the comeback against O'Hanrahans.
Round Towers also sprang a surprise, eliminating the other former champions still in contention, Rathnew. The Wicklow side were unusually wasteful, with 11 wides and three spurned goal-chances, even Tommy Gill having an off-day.
It's hard to know whether the Kildare side are more accurately reflected in the fluent scoring of their county final win over Kilcock or the sluggish efforts of the last match - in admittedly awful conditions - when the forwards accounted for only 1-2 out of 1-5.
Round Towers are certainly built from the back with Brian Lacey at wing back beside Glenn Ryan, whose experience and leadership count for more than his waning mobility. It's not the time of the year for fancy football but Arles are on a bit of a roll that can take them to the final.
St Brigid's (Dublin) v Clonguish (Longford), Mullingar, 2.0
The contentious and lucky win over St Patrick's from Louth might have been the best thing for St Brigid's, as it will have grounded them in the realities of the championship at this time of year. Well served for quality in every line, the Dublin champions again have Martin Cahill available, although he may not start.
Clonguish have established a good reputation so far and have the Barden brothers to backbone the team. The Dublin champions are likely to depute Peadar Andrews to do a marking job on principal threat Paul Barden, leaving Declan Darcy to slot in at centre back. It's been a long road for St Brigid's since an unpromising start in the county but they should be ready for the tempo of this and have the overall strength to get over this difficult obstacle.
Ulster SFC semi-final
Four Masters (Donegal) v St Gall's (Antrim), Clones, 2.30
The Donegal champions have matured rapidly during a provincial campaign that has taken four matches to clear two rounds.
For an inexperienced side the opportunity to get in valuable practice against Cavan Gaels and Castleblayney has been useful. Their strength is in their own half of the field with two of Donegal's impressive half backs, Barry Monaghan - who indefatigably used his only weekend off in ages to play for Ulster in the Railway Cup - and Shane Carr, at centrefield.
St Gall's have the football and truculence to do well, although Antrim full forward Darren O'Hare will have his scope limited by the Masters goalkeeper Paul Durcan and his full back Don Monaghan, Barry's brother. The Belfast side surprised the twice Ulster finalists Enniskillen Gaels in the quarter-final but in a close call, Four Masters can keep their momentum going.
