A look at the weekend matches

Tomorrow

Connacht SFC Final: St Brigid's (Roscommon) v Corofin (Galway), Kiltoom, 2.0 –This promises to be a fascinating match as the clubs that have dominated the province in recent years meet in a second final since 2006. Both have two Connacht titles each over that time and tomorrow is Brigid's' fifth final in seven seasons and Corofin's fourth in six. Although neither has managed to add an All-Ireland, both have been beaten on each occasion they emerged by the eventual winners.

Most recently that includes Brigid’s losing last March’s final to Crossmaglen, a forgivable outcome given that it was the club’s first final and a certain looseness on the day undid them in a one-score defeat. Since then the club hasn’t rested on its laurels and they brought in former Roscommon keeper Shane Curran as goalkeeping coach as well as concentrating on tightening the defence by eliminating avoidable fouls.

Garvan Dolan and Karol Mannion – who scored the last-minute goal that decided the ’06 final between the clubs – are a formidable centrefield combination but they are up against an industrious pairing in the Corofin engine room, where Daithí Burke was man of the match in the semi-final win against Ballintubber.

The Galway champions’ defence looks the stronger of the two and did well to plot a way around the threat of Young Footballer of the Year Cillian O’Connor in the semi-final, successfully switching Alan Burke onto the rampant forward in the second half.

Nonetheless Corofin can’t hope to allow the sort of latitude that O’Connor enjoyed in the early stages reoccur tomorrow and if they fall seven points behind it’s unlikely St Brigid’s will hang around to be caught. Similarly they will need to spread the scoring burden, as they continue to rely disproportionately on the free -taking and scoring of Alan O’Donovan.

There’s little in this but the champions have home advantage, a more varied attack where Frankie Dolan is said to be in the best form of his club career and a strong sense that they can get back to the top table.

Leinster SFC quarter-finals: St Brigid's (Dublin) v Horeswood (Wexford), Parnell Park, 2.30– St Brigid's hectic schedule continues tomorrow when the Dublin champions shape up for yet another big match, a week after giving Meath champions Summerhill a walloping. Horeswood haven't been in football action for over a month and in one of their hurling fixtures, key forward PJ Banville was injured and is a worry for tomorrow.

The Wexford champions have experience in former county stars Leigh O’Brien and Ciarán Deely but they don’t have the in-depth strength of Brigid’s, who also have home advantage as they chase a first Leinster title in eight years. With home advantage it’s hard to see them slipping up.

Portlaoise (Laois) v Rathnew (Wicklow), Portlaoise, 2.30 –Championship roll of honour leaders Portlaoise have had a frustrating time in recent years, turning their five-in-a-row Laois titles into just one Leinster, which led to an implosion in the All-Ireland semi-final. Rathnew are also former champions but ended up being shocked in last week's Wicklow final by amalgamated side St Mary's, which might drain their enthusiasm a little.

Of more practical significance is the potential suspension facing James Stafford (the result of whose appeal last night may not be known until today), which would further undermine their prospects in a match that might otherwise suit them. Portlaoise had their own hiccup last week when being taken to extra-time by St Patrick’s of Louth but home advantage and their greater depth gives them the advantage.

Athy (Kildare) v Old Leighlin (Carlow), Newbridge, 2.30 –Athy have built up an impressive head of steam so far this season, powering through Kildare and accounting for Edenderry in the provincial first round. They are a young team, all the more so for the absence of recent All Star Michael Foley who usually anchors the defence but are also well balanced with a mobile attack and an in-form centrefield. The Carlow champions successfully defended their county title but will struggle to get through this at the end of a sad week for the county, which saw the sudden passing of county secretary Tommy O'Neill.

Munster SFC semi-finals: Dr Crokes (Kerry) v Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare), Killarney, 2.0 – Kilmurry have the distinction of having reached an All-Ireland final two seasons ago but they aren't as strong a force as they were then and must travel to take on one of the favourites for both provincial and national honours. Manager and former Kerry All-Ireland medallist John Kennedy will be well acquainted with the threat but that won't make it easier to defuse. Crokes laboured in Munster last year and a slack first half cost them the final against Nemo Rangers. Martin McMahon is expected to mark Colm Cooper and will give it a good shot if Peter O'Dwyer can help limit the supply at centrefield but overall the Clare champions are unlikely to have the firepower to spring a surprise.

Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) v UCC (Cork), Clonmel, 2.0 –UCC are more fully equipped than when beating Monaleen and well into the college term they have the advantage of easier-access collective training. Although two of the remaining Sigerson medallists from last season, Johnny Buckley and Daithí Casey have opted to play with Dr Crokes, two of the stars of that side, Seán Kiely and Kerry under-21 Peter Crowley are still available and another Kerry prospect Paul Geaney has graduated from the Freshers.

Moyle Rovers aren’t the force they were when reaching the Munster final all those years ago in the days of Declan Browne and they arrive as beaten county finalists. They can still provide a searching test for the college team but UCC should progress.

Ulster SFC semi-final: Burren (Down) v Latton (Monaghan), Morgan Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 2.30– Burren manager Frank Dawson rather desperately contended that Latton should be favourites, as this is their third run at the province in recent years. The Monaghan champions however waited until last week for their first win at this level and look to be lacking the cutting edge necessary to overcome the accomplished Down champions, who with back-to-back county titles are looking to expand on their great tradition in the championship. Latton won't be easily brushed aside but they are definite underdogs.

Seán Moran