Today's other stories in brief

TODAY

Dr McKenna Cup (Ulster SF) final

Derry v Down, 7.30, Casement Park

Derry manager Paddy Crozier has been expressing his satisfaction with the team's progress in the Dr McKenna Cup campaign and the opportunity to road test a few new players ahead of next week's NFL opening weekend. The midweek win over Fermanagh, however, was marked by big contributions from familiar faces in attack, All Star Paddy Bradley and Colin Devlin - an ever-present during the county's impressive All-Ireland run once he gained a starting place.

Down manager Ross Carr has been involved in a public spat with Martin McHugh over the Donegal pundit's dismissive attitude to Down's progress. McHugh has a point in that the opposition selections haven't been earth-shattering but Carr's side have picked up some momentum and have been scoring well along the way. Derry, many Ulster people's tip for the province this year, look capable of getting the year off to a silvery start.

Connacht SHL final

Galway Development v GMIT, 2.0, AthenryGalway's emerging talent were well able to give Sligo a vigorous trimming last weekend and even though GMIT recorded a good win over Mayo and have a couple of good young Galway hurlers in their own ranks, the county team should be too strong.

TOMORROW

O'Byrne Cup (Leinster SF) semi-final replay Carlow v Dublin, 2.0, Dr Cullen Park

In a way it's helpful for Paul Caffrey to get another outing against the Carlow side that nearly deposed the holders during the week, in another it must have been dispiriting to see how lacklustre his experimental charges were for long periods. The new-look defence looked porous under pressure and whereas Eamonn Fennell, whose performances to date have been encouraging at centrefield, got on the ball his inaccuracy was startling - as to be fair was the team's in general.

Paul Bealin was also trailing players and he will be happy with the fighting response he got from the team after they had slipped six points behind in the early stages. Conditions were so bad that there wasn't much to be learned technically but Carlow showed great spirit and shot some fine scores, including Eric McCormack's dead-ball kicking.

Home advantage and the confidence gained from going the distance with Dublin will benefit Bealin's side but Dublin have an awful lot of room for improvement.

Munster Cup (SH) final

Tipperary v Waterford, 2.0, Templemore

Despite not being back training yet Waterford had a good win last week against Fitzgibbon holders Limerick IT and their A-list cast of players. Justin McCarthy's side fielded a strong selection with Wayne Hutchison showing well on his call-up at wing back and more experienced names also playing their part - Tom Feeney showed that he hasn't gone away with a display that reminded everyone of the great 2006 season that he had before spending last year in the margins. Holders Tipp have also had a good campaign to date, which sets up Liam Sheedy nicely for the NHL in two weeks' time. The full forward line was particularly lively last week with Eoin Kelly, Lar Corbett and Pa Bourke bagging 4-12 of the 4-14 total between them (including eight dead-ball scores in Kelly's 1-9). Close contest may be ending in a home win.

McGrath Cup (Munster SF) final

Clare v Limerick, 2.0, Cooraclare

Given last year's calamities Clare will be happy to have reached this final whereas Limerick will be looking to win the trophy. Always in control during the semi-final against Cork IT, Clare gave notice that they will be a different proposition this year. Mickey O'Sullivan has run the rule over nearly 30 players in the competition to date and with things ticking over nicely he can guide Limerick to a heartening start to 2008.

O'Byrne Shield (Leinster SF) semi-final

Wicklow v Laois, 2.0, Aughrim

Laois were in the news for the loss through early retirement of two former All Stars, Tom Kelly and Joe Higgins. In the circumstances it's not easy to see how motivated they'll be for this but they have enough talent to win.

Walsh Cup (Leinster SH) semi-finals

UCD v Antrim, 1.0, Belfield

UCD's superior sharpness told against Dublin last week and so too did Antrim's in what was a morale-raising defeat of Kilkenny - their first competitive win over the Black and Amber in 16 years. Liam Watson stood out for Terence McNaughton's team, who showed great composure when the All-Ireland champions came back at them in the second half. They get home advantage for the final if they come through this but the students look more likely.

Offaly v Wexford, 2.0, Tullamore

Offaly had to scramble to get past Down on Thursday night and although they've home advantage the team might find the rapid-fire fixtures arrangement to their disadvantage against a Wexford team that showed plenty of commitment in edging out Laois last week.

Kehoe Cup (Leinster SH)

Kildare v DIT, 2.0, Newbridge - DIT can advance.

Dublin Fingal v Carlow, 2.0 Fingallians- An out-sized win over Longford sets up Carlow for further progress.

Wicklow v Roscommon, 2.0, Bray- Wicklow can make home advantage pay against the Rackard Cup holders.

All-Ireland club SFC quarter-final

Tír Chonaill Gaels (London) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh), 1.30 Ruislip

The London champions have a respectable record at this stage of the championship without having actually won a match.

Ticking over well in the recent challenge victory over John Moores University, their previous meeting with Cross was 10 years ago when the Armagh leviathans won well. Three years ago, however, Kingdom Kerry Gaels gave Crossmaglen a fright on their last trip to London and the visitors are without Paul McKeown and Francie Bellew. Still it's hard to see the champions stumbling.

All-Ireland club IFC semi-finals: Moycullen (Galway) v Annascaul (Kerry), Limerick Gaelic Grounds, 2.00; Fingal Ravens (Dublin) v Ballinagh (Cavan), Páirc Tailteann, 2.00. Extra time if necessary. All-Ireland club JFC semi-finals: St Colman's (Galway) v Canovee (Cork), Askeaton, 2.00; Clan na nGael (Meath) v Rock St Patrick's (Tyrone), Newry, 2.00 Extra time if necessary. All-Ireland club IHC semi-finals: Tommy Larkins (Galway) v Cloonlara (Clare), Nenagh, 2.00; Clonkill v Keady (Armagh), Ballybay, 2.00 Extra time if necessary. All-Ireland club JHC semi-finals: Sylane (Galway) v Moyle Rovers (Tipperary), Portlaoise, 2.00; Conahy Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Glen Rovers (Antrim) 2.00. Extra time if necessary.