A look at the weekend's matches

TODAY

Clare SHC semi-final: Sixmilebridge v Cratloe, Cusack Park, 4pm – A re-engagement of the county under-21 final in the spring, with a good few of the participants also appearing this afternoon, the match is enlivened by the expected return of new county manager Davy Fitzgerald, who steps into goal to alleviate an injury crisis. It should be a winning intervention.

Leitrim SHC Final: Cluainín Iomáint v Gortletteragh, Carrick-on-Shannon, 4pm – Cluainín are on the trail of a Manorhamilton double, with the footballers having recently knocked off a four-in-a-row as well as a first hurling title in over 50 years. The form against Carrick in the semi-final suggests they’ll do it.

Tyrone SFC semi-final: Clonoe O’Rahilly’s v Derrylaughan Kevin Barrys, Dungannon, 4.30 – Damien Cassidy’s Clonoe will be favourites to win this intriguing parish rivalry against newly promoted Derrylaughin, who haven’t been to this stage for over 20 years.

TOMORROW

Carlow SHC final replay: Mount Leinster Rangers v Naomh Eoin, Dr Cullen Park, 3.45 – A late, late equaliser last week saw Naomh Eoin squeeze a replay out of a low-scoring thriller. MLR will be frustrated not to have closed it out but can make amends tomorrow.

Clare SHC semi-final: Crusheen v Kilmaley, Cusack Park, 2.30 – Crusheen should edge this one but the teams are well-matched, having drawn earlier in the championship.

Kildare SFC final: Athy v Carbury, St Conleth’s Park – Some welcome variety for neutrals in the county sees the big Newbridge clubs off the pace this season. Athy beat 2009 champions St Laurence’s in the semi-finals but had to survive two penalty concessions (neither of which were converted) to reach a first county final in 16 years. It’s even longer – 1988 – since Carbury were present on the big day but they got past Celbridge to bridge the gap. Athy have been making moves at underage level in recent years and have Michael Foley, hotly tipped for an All Star, at the back expected to do battle with his county man Eoghan O’Flaherty. It’s expected to be competitive with Athy maybe shading the verdict.

Kilkenny SHC semi-finals: James Stephens v St Martin’s, Nowlan Park, 2pm – James Stephens have the quality and experience to give Ballyhale a tussle in the final and certainly should be able to get past an emerging Martin’s.

Ballyhale Shamrocks v O’Loughlin Gaels, Nowlan Park, 3.30 – Clash of the last two Leinster champions brings twice All-Ireland winners Ballyhale together with the holders. Although they got a fright from Carrickshock, Shamrocks are packing a lot of fire-power in the front three lines – the Fennellys, Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid – and should reach the final.

Laois SHC final: Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise, O’Moore Park, 3.45 – Managed by former county captain John O’Sullivan, Clough-Ballacolla are on the trail of the title they won two years ago and are strong favourites against an occasionally brittle Portlaoise.

Meath SHC final: Kildalkey v Navan O’Mahonys, Páirc Tailteann, 3.30 – A much improved season from O’Mahony’s, who arrive unbeaten in the final, may not be enough to stop Kildalkey completing a three-in-a-row.

Offaly SFC final: Clara v Edenderry, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 3.30 – Clara are in their third successive final and defeated champions Rhode along the way. John Reynolds and Tomás Deehan give them a cutting edge up front but they’ll need to be careful against an improving Edenderry side, who are expected to push this all the way, even if Clara have to be favourites ultimately to take the title.

Sligo SHC final: Calry/St Joseph’s v Tubbercurry, Markievicz Park, 4pm – Renewing a rivalry that dominated county finals in the past decade, the clubs are back, with Tubbercurry likely to repeat their win in the early stages of the championship if not by quite so big a margin.

Roscommon SFC Final: St Brigid’s v Elphin, Dr Hyde Park, 4pm – A rerun of last year’s final, which St Brigid’s made heavier weather of than expected. The champions have in the meantime been to an All-Ireland final and will be expected to reassert themselves in the county and have another serious crack at the provincial title. In the semi-finals they looked the more impressive and with well-known names like Peter Domican, Karol Mannion, Senan Kilbride and Frankie Dolan on board they can repeat last year’s success.

Tyrone SFC semi-final: Dromore St Dympna’s v Omagh St Enda’s, Pomeroy, 4.30 – In the second semi-final, an experienced and defensively-strong Dromore look to keep Omagh from the top table. Joe McMahon emerged unscathed from a motor accident during the week and is all set to play for Omagh, who eliminated champions Coalisland and might spring a surprise.

Monaghan SFC final: Latton O’Rahillys v Scotstown, Inniskeen, 3.30 – Latton, as the more experienced and in recent years more successful club, look more likely winners against opposition that haven’t won the title in just under 20 years. The scoring exploits of Kieran Hughes have been a big feature of Scotstown’s run to the final but Latton have ground out results and can do so again.

Wexford SHC final: Oulart the Ballagh v Rathnure, Wexford Park, 3pm – The clubs met in 2006 when Rathnure took the title after a replay and tomorrow they aim to stop Oulart’s three-in-a-row ambitions for a remarkable third time. It’s hard to see it happening as Liam Dunne’s charges have been consistent all season and must be fired on by their inexplicable collapse in last season’s Leinster championship, having gone into the final quarter looking likely to eliminate eventual All-Ireland finalists O’Loughlin Gaels. Rathnure have a useful side but it lacks the all-round strength of the experienced champions.

Seán Moran