A look ahead to the weekend's action in hurling and football:

(All matches 2.30pm unless stated)

Today

Leinster Under-21 FC

Dublin v Meath- Parnell Park

Although missing two key players, captain Donncha Reilly and Colin Daly, Dublin include Diarmuid Connolly and have enough to win if they avoid complacency.

Wexford v Westmeath- Wexford Park

Paul Bealin was recently lamenting Wexford's poor under-age record in the past few years. It's unlikely to improve here.

McKenna Cup Final

Donegal v Tyrone- Healy Park, 7.30pm

The two form teams, both topping Division One A. Donegal will concentrate their fire-power on this but even if Tyrone have been pulling bravura strokes with different selections from match to match they too will want to win and can just about do so.

Tomorrow

All-Ireland Club SFC Semi-finals

Dr Crokes(Kerry) v Moorefield(Kildare) - Gaelic Grounds, 2.15pm

Like Brigid's in the other semi-final, Moorefield have made almost surreptitious progress to this stage, struggling through the county and the province. According to manager Séamus Dowling, they only achieved lift-off in the Leinster final defeat of Rhode. Although Ian Lonergan and Kevin O'Neill are slight injury concerns both are expected to play. Crokes were hot favourites from the moment they dispatched Nemo Rangers but their provincial final was a shock, just holding out against The Nire from Waterford. But that match did show a capacity to scramble in less than ideal conditions even if their opponents' inaccuracy played as big a role in their eventual survival. The Kildare side surprised many by turning on the goals against Rhode but Colm Cooper and company pose a greater threat up front and can also roll up their sleeves.

Tom Humphries(Armagh) v St Brigid's(Roscommon), Mullingar, 2.15

Big contrast between these clubs in some ways: Brigid's are on their first All-Ireland run whereas for Cross this is a fifth in 11 years, three having ended in the title. But the perennial Armagh champions aren't the same force that hovered up All-Irelands. They have a couple of injury problems, with Francie Bellew not having had a competitive outing since picking up a shoulder injury before Christmas and Paul Kernan is troubled by a similar complaint. Brigid's have been improving with each round but they are newcomers to the challenge of maintaining momentum over the long break in this championship. Crossmaglen can cope with the challenge.

National Hurling League

Division One A

Down v Clare- Portaferry, 1pm

This particular fixture has come at the right time for Tony Considine as he attempts to ride out the controversies surrounding his opening few months as Clare manager, which includes the stand-off with goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald and the loss of team trainer Dave Mahedy. A Clare victory may not disguise for too long the problems within the team set-up.

Cork v Offaly- Páirc Uí Chaoimh

It was put to Cork manager Gerald McCarthy this week he could look forward to a handy opener to his league with the visit of Offaly - and he was quick to point out he's never experienced a handy game against Offaly. Still, Cork should prevail here.

Wexford v Waterford- Wexford Park

A key game for Wexford as John Meyler begins the process of restoring some consistency.

With Waterford missing several key players he can take full advantage, and the home venue should help inspire a win.

Division One B

Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium

A year ago Antrim surprised the then All-Ireland finalists but this will be a wholly different scenario.

In Ger Loughnane's first big match the home side should be hopping and have more than enough material to make this a torrid afternoon for Terence McNaughton's and Dominic McKinley's charges. Although combative at the back, the Ulster champions won't be able to shut out the forwards and at the other end are missing Johnny McIntosh. A comfortable home win in the offing.

Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park

The problem for Dublin is summarised by Kilkenny manager Brian Cody's restatement of his credo governing NHL performances, that no one is guaranteed their place on the All-Ireland champions' team. In the absence of the Ballyhale players there are plenty of replacements eager to pitch for a starting place.

This competition bodes ill for Dublin, who also have the anxiety of two of their most talented young players, Tomás Brady and John McCaffrey, being involved in this afternoon's under-21 football match with Meath.

Enough said.

Tipperary v Limerick, Thurles

Tipp come into the match in good form. Limerick have switched Ollie Moran to attack to add a bit more thrust and welcome back Peter Lawlor. Babs Keating gives under-21 Danny O'Hanlon a first senior start at full forward to test his physicality at this level.

Paul Kelly's shot-making has brought him into the forwards to accompany his brother, a possible remedy for the looseness he is prone to farther back.

Two of last year's successes Shane McGrath and the returned Paul Ormond make their first appearances of the season. Richie Bennis is targeting the play-off stages and his team had an encouraging challenge win over Waterford last week. But Tipp are the better bet.

Division Two A

Armagh v Carlow- Keady

Newly promoted Armagh have made good progress and while they'll look to continue that this year the challenge of Carlow may be a little too much.

Laois v Derry- Portlaoise

This should go the way of Laois given the good form showed in the Walsh Cup, while Derry's form has slipped on recent years.

Meath v Wicklow- Páirc Tailteann

Meath are looking to halt the slide of recent years and a victory should mark the first step towards achieving that.

Division Two B

Kerry v London, Tralee, 1.0- Kerry should stoke up the points difference in this one.

Kildare v Mayo, Newbridge- Mayo's transition to this level in the past couple of seasons has been notable but Kildare should get the points.

Bye: Westmeath

Division Three A

Louth v Leitrim, Drogheda

Monaghan v Sligo, Rooskey

Bye:Donegal

Division Three B

Longford v Cavan, Pearse Park; Tyrone v Fermanagh, Healy Park; Bye- Roscommon.

National Football League

Division One A

Fermanagh v Limerick, Clones, 2.0

Running a form line through the counties' performances against Tyrone and Limerick respectively maybe favours the visitors but Dublin weren't good in the Gaelic Grounds last week and didn't deserve the win.

Fermanagh battled against Tyrone's on-form panel and can turn their notional home advantage into something tangible.

Leinster under-21 fc

Offaly v Carlow, Tullamore- Bleak times for Carlow and this won't lighten the gloom.

Wicklow v Laois, Aughrim- Although there's a buzz in Wicklow it won't be enough to shock the visitors.