Sunday

Leinster Club SF Championship

Rathnew (Wicklow) v Na Fianna (Dublin), Aughrim, 3.0 - Although the Na Fianna team sheet reads a bit like a who's who of Dublin football, they claimed the Dublin championship in less than spectacular fashion.

It took an optimistically fisted goal by Armagh's Des Mackin to push St Brigid's aside in the final.

Rathnew, meantime, enjoyed a fairly comfortable passage through their first round tie against Longford champions Dromard, winning on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-9. Tomorrow represents a tougher prospect for them however.

Darren Coffey will have to summon an inspired performance against Mackin if Rathnew are to flourish but even if they do engineer sufficient possession, it is difficult to envisage forwards Kevin Gill and Trevor Doyle being granted the same free reign as they enjoyed in their last outing.

With the likes of Mick Galvin, Des Farrell, Senan Connell and Karl Donnelly up front, Na Fianna have a potentially lethal attacking unit, one which could prolong their interest in the competition once they begin to click.

Verdict: Na Fianna.

Athlone (Westmeath) v Portlaoise (Laois), Portlaoise, 3.00 - Contrasting stories lie behind both team's journey to this stage of the competition. Athlone's pre-eminence at local level was achieved in almost leisurely fashion and they continued in this vein when they met Kilkenny representatives Railyard, who faded after a period of stubborn resistance.

Portlaoise celebrated their 21st county championship after a late goal by Ian Fitzgerald pushed them ahead of favourites St Joseph's.

With Colm Parkinson still flourishing in the guise of nomadic wing back (he hit three points in the final) and Stephen Kelly and the brilliant Ian Fitzgerald on song, they look like an outfit that will trouble teams with high ambitions when the ground turns muddy.

Verdict: Portlaoise.

Sarsfields (Kildare) v St Peter's, Dunboyne (Meath), Newbridge, 3.0 - After the disappointment of their early summer exit from the All-Ireland, Kildare football interests focused on local fare and not surprisingly, Sarsfields won their third title of the 1990s. With Dermot Earley at midfield and Niall Buckley due to return to the side they have a strong look about them.

Economical rather than flash, they will be asked a few tough questions by Dunboyne, their Meath opponents.

Narrowly ousted by Kilmacud in last years championship, the tiny Meath parish were chosen as this year's representatives after the county championship was delayed because of Meath's All-Ireland run.

In Nigel Crawford they have a midfielder playing at the peak of his game right now while Enda McManus brings to the defence the same resolution and organisation as has been his trademark with Meath over the years.

Verdict: Sarsfields.

Kilanerin (Wexford) v Edenderry (Offaly). Gorey, 3.00 - Kilanerin looked impressive in their county final win against Castletown, inspired as they were by Matty Forde's outstanding 1-7 performance.

Tomorrow would be a landmark win for the Wexford team. And in truth, Edenderry weren't exactly breathtaking during their win against Rhode in the Offaly final, which went to a replay. But if they step it up a gear, they will be expected to progress to the next round.

Verdict: Edenderry.

Connacht Club SF Championship

Killererin (Galway) v Crossmolina (Mayo), Tuam, 2.30 - With Padraig Joyce apparently in the form of his life, Killererin look like an attractive proposition just now. Along with his brother Tommy, he has been the mainstay of an attacking unit which spluttered a little in the drawn game against Carraroe but apart from that has been impressive.

But Crossmolina are no slouches, having already dispensed with the All-Ireland club finalists Ballina in the Mayo final.

They didn't exactly spell out their own championship pedigree in that game - it was for the most part mediocre stuff but they have undoubtedly quality. Pat McAndrew has been a star for the club in defence while James Nallen and Kieran McDonald remain two of the most gifted footballers in the county.

Verdict: Crossmolina.

Roscommon Gaels (Roscommon) v Tourlestrane (Sligo), Hyde Park, 2.30 - Two of the strongest clubs in the north-west tussle for a place in the Connacht club final. Tourlestrane have impressed throughout the 1990s and showed considerable backbone in overcoming Easkey in the county final. But it is difficult to look past a Roscommon side which boasts players such as Clifford McDonald, Michael Costello, Fergal O'Donnell and Ciaran Henegahan. Playing on local turf won't harm them either.

Verdict: Roscommon Gaels.

Munster SF Club Championship

Laune Rangers (Kerry) v Doonbeg (Clare), Killarney, 2.30 - Beaten in the Kerry championship semi-final, Laune Rangers, the county representatives in the provincial club competition, will be eager to keep their season alive.

Although their team is steeled by the Hassett brothers, Liam and Mike, and has an attack line sequined with household names like Mike Frank Russell, Billy O'Shea and Pa O'Sullivan, they haven't been going as smoothly as they'd like of late. Last Sunday, though, they suggested they are rediscovering the old form, totally over-running a weak Gaeltacht effort to qualify as Kerry club champions.

But can they end yet another impressive run by the regaining Munster champions Doonbeg? Resilience was the key to the Clare side's county final win over Ennis, with Senan Hehir and Gerry Killeen providing the main attacking impetus.

Verdict: Laune Rangers.

Ulster Club SF Championship

Bellaghy (Derry) v Enniskillen Gaels (Enniskillen), Clones, 2.30 - Bellaghy have been putting in some serious hours of late, what with their epic threegame war of attrition against Castleblayney followed by a stroll against Letterkenny. This is another steep hill for the obdurate Derry champions.

Enniskillen overcame Burren to reach this stage and their presence at this stage of the year only underlines the revival of Fermanagh's footballing fortunes. No Fermanagh outing would seem complete without the involvement of Paul Brewster and so it will be tomorrow.

They play attractive football, with Tom Brewster regularly scouting forward to pick off scores and Ronan McCabe in electric form. But they will need to be intensely primed tomorrow if they are to deny a Bellaghy team who really don't know how to quit.

Not the biggest of teams, Bellaghy nonetheless seem to absorb limitless physical punishment without so much as a blink and if you lay chances at their feet, they will be taken.

Gareth Doherty has been a revelation at wing back. Fergal Doherty is an impressive midfield leaper and Gavin Diamond doesn't miss frees too often.

Verdict: Bellaghy.

County Finals

ARMAGH SF: Crossmaglen v Pearse Og, Armagh 3.0 - The All-Ireland champions have spent their autumn dicing with danger in the club championship but as yet, they remain unbeatable. It would be a major shock if that were to change tomorrow.

Verdict: Crossmaglen.

CORK SF: Nemo Rangers v UCC, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 3.00 - The presence of the college teams in the domestic Cork championship is seen as risible by a significant number of commentators and traditionalists will be hoping for a Nemo win. The UCC debate has been exacerbated by the fact that no fewer than 13 Kerry players have made the team, including under-21 stars Michael D Cahill and Liam Murphy. Nemo feature the three Kavanagh brothers, Joe, Larry and Derek, as well as Martin Cronin and Steven O'Brien. They can also depend on the considerable talents of Colin Corkery.

Verdict: Nemo Rangers.