A look ahead to all the gaelic games action:
Today
National Football League
(2.30pm unless stated)
Division Four
Antrim v Kilkenny, Casement Park, 7pm- Kilkenny predictably got a bit burned on re-entering orbit last week and this doesn't promise much relief. The improvement in Antrim's performances last year under Jody Gormley was confirmed last week with a good win in Aughrim. Home win.
Tipperary v Clare, Ardfinnan- Even allowing for Kilkenny's shortcomings, Tipp showed impressive urgency in their first NFL outing under John Evans. Clare had a bad start with indiscipline leaving them three men short and costing them in a tightly balanced match. Tipperary to edge this.
Carlow v Offaly, Dr Cullen Park- Paul Bealin's team wrapped up a good win on the road last week, taking their chances against a Clare side apparently bent on self-destruction. Offaly had the expected big win in London and can take a significant step by winning here.
Waterford v Wicklow, Dungarvan- Wicklow will be hugely disappointed to have lost a solid lead at home to Antrim but should make the experience count against Waterford, who begin their campaign today.
O'Byrne Shield (SF) Final
Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise, 7.30pm- Contrasting fortunes in last week's NFL and Kildare can maintain that momentum.
All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior Club finalsat Croke Park
JHC: Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) v Conahy Shamrocks (Kilkenny), 6.00, P Green (Galway); IHC: Thomas Larkins (Galway) v Clonkill (Westmeath), 7.45, C McAllister (Cork).
Tomorrow
National Hurling League
(2.30pm unless stated)
Division One A
Waterford v Wexford, Walsh Park- At the start of last year's NHL Wexford took an awful hammering from their neighbours but Justin McCarthy's team, eventual winners of the title, were at a more advanced stage of readiness. John Meyler has been experimenting with various panellists and McCarthy is short some of his most experienced players, who are currently taking a break.
Wexford are also waiting on word from Rory McCarthy, Declan Ruth and Michael Jordan about their future plans. But Damien Fitzhenry is back after injury and sits on the bench. Dermot Flynn lines out in goal. The win over a shadow Tipperary last week was a step up on the anaemic defeat by Offaly in the Walsh Cup. Waterford will be without All Stars Tony Browne, Ken McGrath, Paul Flynn and Stephen Molumphy but should still have enough to make a winning start.
Dublin v Antrim, Parnell Park- A big match for both sides with Antrim definitely in the ascendant. Their decision to field a young side in the Walsh Cup paid off spectacularly with wins over Kilkenny, UCD and Offaly landing the trophy. The corresponding match last season was in Belfast and cost Dublin a place in the play-offs. Optimists will point to last year's great start against Kilkenny and Galway despite a moderate pre-season but the best player at that stage was Ronan Fallon, who's unavailable. A creditable win over Clare suggests home advantage can swing this.
Division One B
Limerick v Laois, Gaelic Grounds- Laois manager Damien Fox has had to adjust to the bad news that dual players Darren Rooney, Cahir Healy and John O'Loughlin have opted for football. Conversely Richie Bennis hands a debut to a dual player, Stephen Lavin in an experienced team featuring nine of the All-Ireland team. Brian Geary's long-term injury means that Paudie O'Dwyer returns to his under-21 position at centre back. Limerick should bag the points.
Galway v Clare, Pearse Stadium- Ger Loughnane meets up with the second of his All-Ireland winning selectors, Michael McNamara. Last summer's defeat by Clare marked a low point for Galway and there will be an intense focus this season to see if Loughnane is more successful at establishing a settled side during this year's NHL. Although only six of the side that lost to Kilkenny in July are named the team looks experienced. Clare experiment with seven newcomers making their debuts and Frank Lohan the sole survivor of the 1995 gold-rush. McNamara is waiting for the return of Tony Griffin, Diarmuid McMahon and Alan Markham as well as maybe David Fitzgerald. Galway should have something to spare.
Tipperary v Offaly, Thurles- Liam Sheedy got off to a great start with a confident run through the Munster Cup with some high-yield displays by the full forward line. Conor O'Mahony returns to centre back in one of three changes to the side that won the pre-season competition against Waterford. Joe Caesar is one of two NHL debutants, along with club-mate Pat Kerwick, and Tipp have to be favoured against Offaly who lost last week's Walsh Cup final in Belfast.
Division Two A
Kerry v Westmeath, Tralee- Westmeath's greater match practice makes them favourites.
Roscommon v Kildare, Athleague- A good display in last week's challenge against Wexford suggests the points will be travelling east.
Wicklow v Mayo, Arklow- Home side to start on a positive note.
Division Two B
Down v Carlow, Ballycran- Home advantage can swing this for Down against Jim Greene's side.
Meath v Derry, Páirc Tailteann- Having reached the Kehoe Cup final Meath will fancy their chances.
Armagh v London, Killeavey, 2.00- Armagh to survive a tricky test.
Division Three
Tyrone v Donegal, Omagh;
Longford v Sligo, Carrickedmond
Division Four
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Tempo; Leitrim v Cavan, Carrick-on-Shannon.
