The weekend's matches previewed

Today

(Matches at 7.30pm, unless stated)

National Football League

Dublin v Cork - Parnell Park

For a side that opened the season making noises about recognising the importance of impacting on the league, Dublin's campaign has been a deep disappointment.

It can be argued that losing to two of the top teams in the division isn't a calamity, but the consequences in this year's competition are grave and defeat tonight is going to push the Leinster champions closer Division Two. On top of that, performances have been poor and little convincing in the way of solutions to problem positions has been uncovered - this evening for instance Ross McConnell is the latest guinea pig at full back.

Cork could have ticked most of the same boxes up until two weeks ago, but the power surge that broke Tyrone's unbeaten record featured some good scoring by the forwards. It's too early to say that they've turned the corner and it's still the defence that primarily impresses, but at least they're on track.

Dublin's record in this fixture is wretched and immediate prospects aren't great.

Tyrone v Donegal - Omagh

A big swing in fortunes since the teams last met in the recent Dr McKenna Cup final. Unexpected table toppers Donegal learned the lessons of their chastening defeat and bounced back with a comfortable win over Dublin. Tyrone on the other hand hit their first speed bump in Cork, prompting some hand wringing about the county's early season status as 2007's front runner.

Captain Brian Dooher makes his long-awaited return to the starting line-up and Ryan McMenamin is back from suspension, but Philip Jordan, Brian McGuigan and Joe McMahon are still off the field with injury and Seán Cavanagh has joined them.

Owen Mulligan is suspended for this, but, although Tyrone are far from full strength, Donegal can expect a backlash.

Cavan v Sligo - Kingspan Breffni Park

Sligo disappointingly failed to get to grips with Meath, albeit that Colm Coyle's team gave their best display to date.

Cavan are going well and top the division. They should retain momentum this evening.

Meath v Tipperary - Páirc Tailteann

A good win in Sligo keeps Meath well placed for promotion, but defeat for Tipperary would almost guarantee Division Four next season.

That's the way it's looking.

National Hurling League

Waterford v Cork - Walsh Park, 2.30pm

Waterford and Cork are expected to be unchanged from the original selection for last week's rain-postponed match. The considerations also remain the same with both managers experimenting with playing resources. Waterford are slight favourites to maintain a good record in the fixture.

Division Two A

Carlow v Meath- Éire Óg, 1pm

Meath are set to go large with the recruitment of Eoin Brislane from Tipperary, who despite an impressive club campaign is surplus to Michael "Babs" Keating's requirements, but Carlow should take the points.

Munster Under-21 FC

Clare v Kerry - Kilmihil, 2.30pm

Despite injuries, Kerry will be expected to progress.

Ulster Under-21 FC

Tyrone v Donegal - Omagh, 5.30pm

A big crowd is expected for this curtain-raiser to the NFL fixture. Donegal have a reasonable side, but Tyrone, captained by Raymond Mulgrew, have a number of players already blooded at senior level.

All-Ireland Club Football Finals

JFC: Duagh (Kerry) v Greencastle (Tyrone)

- Croke Park, 6pm. IFC: Eoghan Ruadh (Derry) v Ardfert (Kerry) - Croke Park, 8pm (Extra-time if necessary)

Duagh are trying it make it three-in-a-row for Kerry after the successes of Finuge and Ardfert and can edge out the Tyrone champions. Ardfert are back hoping to add the intermediate All-Ireland to the junior in the space of 12 months, but will have their work cut out against Eogan Ruadh.

Tomorrow

(Matches at 2.30pm, unless stated)

National Football League

Division One A

Fermanagh v Mayo - Clones

Mayo are on the ropes with a raft of in juries and the withdrawal of Ronan McGarrity because of illness. Nonetheless, John O'Mahony will have impressed on the panel the importance of being able to step up when required.

This isn't the most daunting of fixtures even if Fermanagh need to find something quick if they are to avoid one of the Division Three spots. Their difficulties in creating decent attacking platforms and tendency to foul proved fatal against Kerry and won't be much easier to survive tomorrow.

Kerry v Limerick - Killarney

Limerick's battling qualities have been undermined by inaccuracy so far, but they're still in contention to avoid one of the bottom two places. There's no good time for Mickey Ned O'Sullivan to visit his own county, but this weekend is better than most with opposite number Pat O'Shea dealing with a lot of injuries - Tomás Ó Sé, Bryan Sheehan and Killian Young from the last match all out, even if the first two aren't as badly incapacitated as originally feared - and the suspension of Kieran Donaghy, in answer to which he converts another centrefielder, Séamus Scanlan, to full forward this season.

For all these tribulations, a home win looks more likely.

Armagh v Derry - Crossmaglen (Live TG4)

Big match between the struggling Ulster counties. Armagh's problems of player availability are beginning to bite and Joe Kernan will be glad to get the Crossmaglen players back. Paul McGrane is back and should bring a bit of solidity to the team, as he did against Galway in last year's comeback match.

Derry have slid into trouble after a promising start against Galway. Paddy Bradley plays tomorrow despite fears that he might support his brother Eoin's protest at getting dropped. League matches between Ulster teams frequently don't do what they're supposed to, but this still looks a home win.

Galway v Kildare - Pearse Stadium

Things have brightened up for Galway in the past week or two. The gutsy recovery against Armagh and first victory of the season have been followed by the return of the Meenans and Kieran Fitzgerald after their recent bereavement. Niall Coleman's display as a ball winning half forward when brought into the match was another positive development together with the contribution of the returned Pádraic Joyce.

Kildare have got off to a steady start and lie second in the table. The Moorefield players are back and Kevin O'Neill starts tomorrow. With some momentum at last, the home side can win this.

Down v Laois - Newcastle

Laois feel they could be doing better this campaign, but Down must know they couldn't be doing any worse. James McGovern, a good Sigerson behind him, has been suspended and so isn't available. There's a touch of musical chairs about the Laois selection with Noel Garvan in for his first start of the year with Brendan Quigley dropping to the bench.

The home side need points, but Laois, with Tom Kelly and Pádraig McMahon back on board, can chisel out a win.

Louth v Westmeath - Dundalk

Louth have been threatening a big scalp so far in this campaign. On the face of it this could be the opportunity, as the table toppers come to town given that two of Westmeath's wins have come against the bottom two. But Tomás Ó Flatharta's team have shown good teamwork and resilience.

They are also strengthened with Martin Flanagan restored to centrefield where they struggled in his absence against Down and John Keane returning at corner back. It's a good chance for Louth, but the visitors can maintain their run.

Longford v Leitrim - Pearse Park

Newly enriched by the additional point from the Offaly match that catapults them to second place, Longford will expect to rack

up another win against an inconsistent Leitrim.

Clare v Monaghan - Cusack Park, 1.30pm

Clare started the season well, but struggled to stay with Roscommon when they went up the gears after half-time. Páidí Ó Sé sticks with the same team, but the division leaders should prove to be too strong.

Offaly v London - Tullamore, 1pm

Bad week for Offaly off the field with the loss of a point and Ken Casey's whopping suspension.

But this can ease the hurt.

Carlow v Roscommon - Dr Cullen Park

Roscommon got back on track two weeks ago while Carlow remain stuck in a rut. More of the same.

Division Two B

Antrim v Wexford - Casement Park, 1.30pm

Relieving wins all around last time out. Antrim exploited a strong breeze in Waterford whereas Wexford avenged the O'Byrne Cup defeat in Aughrim. Away win.

Waterford v Wicklow - Dungarvan

Mick O'Dwyer's horizons have narrowed a little since the start of the league, as top two and then top four ambitions have been hit. New recruit Thomas Walsh is named on the team. They should get the show back on the road although Waterford, with Karl O'Keeffe again available and a good win over Wexford - which eluded Wicklow - already under their belt, won't be easy.

Leinster Under-21 FC

Laois v Meath - Portlaoise, 3.30pm

Meath, with the momentum of fine wins over Dublin and Kildare, should complete the hat-trick of recent provincial winners.

All-Ireland Club Hurling Finals

JHC: Clooney Gaels (Antrim) v Danesfort (Kilkenny) - Croke Park, 2pm. IHC: Killimordaly (Galway) v Robert Emmetts (London), - 3.40pm. (Extra-time if necessary)

Danesfort will be favoured to defeat the Antrim champions whereas Killimordaly, who beat former senior All-Ireland winners Kiltormer in the Galway final, look to have the edge on Emmetts, the first London club to reach a club final in Croke Park.