This weekend's previews

Today

KERRY: Favourites South Kerry got pegged back at the death last week by Mid Kerry as the drawn semi-final provided yet another replay in the county. The champions encountered problems in the pace of Darren O'Sullivan and the consistent scoring threat of Kieran Foley. Still Declan O'Sullivan, Bryan Sheehan and company will be expected to negotiate this hurdle successfully to meet Feale Rangers in the final and close in on a fourth title on the spin. (Killarney, 4.0)

MONAGHAN: Champions Clontibret take on their predecessors Latton in the second of this afternoon's Monaghan football semi-finals at St Tiernach's Park. Vinny Corey, outstanding for the county this summer, is joined by his twin Martin as Clontibret attempt to repeat their win against the same opponents earlier in the season. Eoin Lennon's team will have learned from that and have the potential to turn the tables. The winners will play either Inniskeen or Castleblayney.

Like Clontibret, Inniskeen are undefeated in the campaign to date but 'Blayney, with Dermot McArdle and the prolific Ciarán Hanratty on board, could well change that statistic. (Clones, 4.0 and 2.30)

CLARE: The first of the county hurling semi-finals brings together the 1996 All-Ireland champions Sixmilebridge, chasing a first county title in five years, and Crusheen, whose history is less opulent and who haven't even been in a final for 33 years. They've been impressively consistent this year but lack the scoring power that Niall Gilligan brings to the Bridge. (Cusack Park, 4.0)

LAOIS: Portlaoise and Mountmellick clash for the first time at senior level with Mountmellick having made big strides since coming up from intermediate last year. They took their chances against an understrength St Joseph's in the quarter-finals. Favourites Portlaoise welcome back Colm Parkinson although another county star Brian McCormack went on holidays to the US and may not be back for this evening's encounter. (Portlaoise, 7.30)

Tomorrow

CARLOW: Champions Mount Leinster Rangers play St Mullins in a rerun of last year's hurling final. Both were impressive semi-final winners. The football semi-final replay reunites Rathvilly who came back strongly in the second half of the drawn match and Éire Óg. (Dr Cullen Park, 1.45 and 3.45)

CLARE: The second of the county hurling semi-finals pits Tulla, who trounced a fancied Newmarket side in the quarter-finals, against Clarecastle who are trying to reach a fourth final this decade whereas their opponents are celebrating a first semi-final since 1955. (Cusack Park, 3.30)

CORK: Hurling champions Erin's Own edge a step closer to retaining the title when taking on surprise semi-finalists St Finbarr's. (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4.0)

DERRY: Kevin Lynch's are defending champions and favourites as they chase a fourth title in five years, having last season taken Cushendall to a replay in the Ulster final. (Celtic Park, 4.0)

DOWN: Mayobridge are chasing a fourth successive title and face into their seventh final in a row. They will be favourites with a number of well known names, principally Benny Coulter, at their disposal. Longstone are serious contenders and gained some national prominence last month when winning the Kilmacud Sevens. (Newry, 4.0)

KERRY: There's a chance of a double success for some of the Lixnaw players - Paul Galvin and Eamonn Fitzmaurice included - who will also line out for Feale Rangers in the football final. Lixnaw are managed by Eamonn Cregan while former Clare captain and manager Anthony Daly has had a good season with Kilmoyley bringing them through the harder side of the draw. (Tralee, 3.30)

KILDARE: The most recent winners of the title, Sarsfields and Mooretown, clash in the football final in St Conleth's Park. Given the attrition rate among clubs that go the distance in the All-Ireland championship, it's impressive that holders Moorefield, who less than eight months ago were replaying an All-Ireland semi-final against Dr Crokes, are back in the county final. Des Brennan has replaced Séamus Dowling as manager (Newbridge, 3.30)

MEATH: The football semi-finals pit Navan O'Mahony's against Dunboyne for the first time since controversially losing to them two years ago on an objection. Simonstown face Seneschalstown in the other match. (Navan, 1.30 and 4.30)

OFFALY: The surprise exit of Rhode, champions for the past three years, came after a great display by Shamrocks, managed by All-Ireland under-21 medallist Mark Plunkett, who are now on the verge of a first senior title. Opponents Tullamore would probably have been second favourites after Rhode at the start of the season but Shamrocks look more likely now. (Tullamore, 3.30)

SLIGO: The injury jinx that interfered with Eamonn O'Hara's input to a memorable season for the county continues this weekend with his participation unlikely in the county final. The Tourlestrane club he captained to county titles in 1999 and 2004 take on Eastern Harps who haven't won the county for five years. After straightforward semi-final wins this is expected to be a keenly-fought affair. (Markievicz Park, 3.30)

TIPPERARY: Recent under-21 titles in 2003 and '04 have come good for Killenaule who play Drom-Inch in a hurling semi-final double bill in Semple Stadium. The second match sees Eire Óg from Nenagh, conquerors of champions Toomevara, take on Loughmore-Castleiney (Thurles, 2.0 and 3.30)

WESTMEATH: Mullingar Shamrocks take on Coralstown-Kinnegad to see who'll face Tyrrellspass in the final. Shamrocks have looked more impressive but Kinnegad have faced tougher matches. (Mullingar, 3.30)

WICKLOW: Outsiders Kiltegan attempt to follow up on their ambush of holders Carnew against a Gleanealy side well equipped with intercounty hurlers. (Aughrim 4.0)

WEXFORD: In the hurling semi-finals Oulart are fancied to avenge last year's final defeat by Rathnure while St Martin's are favourites to get past Buffer's Alley. The latter haven't come out on top in the county for 15 years. (Wexford Park, 2.00 and 3.30)