A guide to all the action today and tomorrow in Gaelic games

TODAY

LEINSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL (refixture)

Portlaoise (Laois) v Clara (Offaly), O'Moore Park, 2.15pm– Last week's abandoned semi-final was shaping up into a fascinating encounter when nature intervened. Portlaoise didn't look quite as formidable as anticipated, whereas Clara were resilient and efficient. The early goal and constant threat of Thomas Deehan kept the Offaly champions in control for most of the play. Against that the home side showed good composure to pick off the points that played them back into the match even if there were also some awful inaccuracies. The belief here is Portlaoise have more variety to their game and if they can avoid another poor start, they can seal a final encounter with Garrycastle.

Patrons will be admitted to this fixture free of charge.

TOMORROW

CONNACHT CLUB SFC FINAL

Charlestown (Mayo) v Corofin (Galway), Fr O'Hara Park, 2pm– There was some surprise last week that this match had to be called off so early given the acknowledged resilience of the Charlestown pitch, but in the circumstances an early decision had to be made. The basic equation hasn't changed much over the past seven days in that David Tiernan will still be missing from the Charlestown line-up, although Richard Haran, who was very influential in the county final, is rated as having a better chance of starting. It remains a long shot for the Mayo side. Their exertions in getting past Castlerea shouldn't obscure how well they lasted the pace into extra-time and how convincingly they prevailed in the end. But Corofin are experienced at this level and have a physical advantage that will count for something in the heavy conditions. Charlestown's home venue is certainly a factor in their favour and their closely worked, industrious support game and ball retention will compensate for both the weather and their opponents' stronger presence. But it's still hard not to see the reigning champions retaining their title.

LEINSTER CLUB SHC FINAL

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Tullamore (Offaly), Tullamore, 2.15– It's one of the great attractions of the club championship that there is no logic to each year's field. A county that sends out the All-Ireland champions one season ends up with its representatives gone in the first round in the next. Whereas Birr wouldn't be favourites for this had they won the Offaly title even though they beat Shamrocks two years ago, their All-Ireland pedigree would have given them a status that Tullamore don't enjoy going into this. To be strictly fair the struggle to get past Clonkill, All-Ireland intermediate champions less than two years ago, is material evidence against the underdogs but they are picking up experience as they go and have some good young players, principally Offaly's Shane Dooley, as well as some hugely experienced figures like coach and former All-Ireland medallist Kevin Martin. Shamrocks haven't been running smoothly throughout this campaign but that's as close as the teams can be positioned. The champions, bidding to put provincial titles back-to-back for the first time, however have been through much the harder side of the draw having to cope with both of their strongest challengers.

Oulart’s brave challenge nearly ended Ballyhale’s season but they got out alive after extra-time and a decent Ballyboden side were overwhelmed in the semi-final.

More relevantly there are signs that Shamrocks’ top guns are hitting better form, with both Henry Shefflin and James Fitzpatrick firing again. That, together with the support of the younger talents, the Reids and Fennellys, makes the champions unbackable.

MUNSTER CLUB SHC FINAL

Newtownshandrum (Cork) v Ballygunner (Waterford), Semple Stadium, 2pm– Both clubs have bounced back out of the where are they now file and both have successfully introduced new faces to an experienced team. Newtown are the favourites here, having won the province more recently as well as claiming the All-Ireland six seasons ago. Their form has been very good this winter following a big win over champions Sarsfields in Cork, even if after a largely unopposed second half, and they have impressively hurdled a tricky away match with Thurles and what looked a demanding semi-final against an Adare team that specialises in thwarting opponents.

It’s been a good year for the Gunners as well. Although not much was expected of them, they are so far unbeaten. One observer of the semi-finals reckoned the Waterford club have to get on top of Pat Mulcahy at centre back if they want to disrupt the well-orchestrated supply line into the forwards.

Whether that task falls to an enforcer like Andy Maloney or an offensive threat such as Shane O’Sullivan remains to the seen. But the big problem for the Waterford side is this venue offers Newtown both size and a decent surface.

Ballygunner’s vulnerability to pace was evident in Cratloe’s Seán Collins helping himself to five points in the semi-final. The scale of that threat from Newtown is significantly more menacing and with Ben OConnor to finish, the Cork side deserve to be favourites.

ULSTER CLUB SFC FINAL

St Gall's (Antrim) v Loup (Derry), Newry, 2.30pm– An intriguing final between the great underachievers of Ulster football and the altogether more opportunistic Derry champions. Each club has one provincial title this decade but whereas the Loup have had just one shot at it, St Gall's have been very regular contenders throughout the 2000s.

The Antrim side were impressive, however, in putting away a tough Clontibret side, albeit one weakened by injuries, and will be confident they can make their individual technical superiority count. Gall’s are heavily favoured by the bookies but Loup are a knotty proposition.

Galvanised by the management of John Brennan and the input of Martin McElkennon, the Derry champions have a good combination of youth and experience. Their defence is backboned by Brian Doyle, a year out of minor, at centre back and Joe O’Kane, one of the Ulster medallists from six years ago when, coincidentally, they beat Gall’s. The Loup also have a resilient game plan, designed to frustrate opponents and still be there when the match is up for grabs. Their centrefield and middle operatives feature veteran performers Johnny McBride and Paul McFlynn, so the Belfast club will need to graft hard if they are to service the classy Rory Gallagher and the McGourty brothers in attack. Four years ago Gall’s directed kick-outs to the wings effectively to cut out Bellaghy’s centrefield in the final they won. Similar tactical gambits may be required tomorrow and a shock win for the Derry men is a live possibility.

- Seán Moran