A look ahead at the weekend's fixtures:
Saturday
All-Ireland club SHC semi-final
Ballyhale Shamrocks(Kilkenny) v Toomevara(Tipperary), Portlaoise, 1.0- A great collision of a match between two big clubs has been slightly undermined by Toomevara's and John O'Brien's misfortune. The Tipp side's hugely influential forward is out with a hip injury sustained in a car crash before Christmas. Paul McGrath's absence through suspension is a further loss. Whereas the team manager Pat Herbert has some depth in his panel there was always a sense the style and quality of Shamrocks would make things hard enough for Toome, but the absence of key players has depressed expectations.
A Munster campaign that was slugged out in often dire conditions drew sensational finishes from the Tipperary champions in the semi-final and final and they have the advantage of experience and competitive seasoning. But, as has been argued here before, the AIB club championships don't have a great track record in rewarding experience and the Kilkenny men's deficiency in terms of tight conclusions reflects how good they were in Leinster. They too have picked up an injury with Keith Nolan missing out.
It's true Ballyhale are such a formidable collective they don't rely disproportionately on James Fitzpatrick and Henry Shefflin but they have been getting great performances from them. Shefflin's face-off with Benny Dunne will be an important indicator. The inescapable conclusion is that Toomevara, having been weakened in defence and attack, are going to be too stretched to be in a position to take this at the wire.
National Football League
(7.30 unless stated)
Division One A
Kerry v Cork, Tralee- There's an irony in Kieran Donaghy's return for tonight's match given his suspension for last July's Munster replay between the counties was served while Anthony Lynch played - having been conjured free on appeal from a lengthier ban. Both sides had disappointing results last week although Cork had to battle with only 13 players after the dismissals of Nicholas Murphy and James Masters. Kerry are rusty and under-strength, particularly with Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan resting for the club semi-final. There was some surprise Eoin Cadogan didn't keep his place after an impressive debut for Cork and overall the defence played well. Kerry's half-forward line was wiped out and Pat O'Shea shuffles the deck again although whether he resists the temptation to move Donaghy into the edge of the square is open to question. A good chance for Cork to create difficulties for their old rivals.
Limerick v Dublin, Gaelic Grounds, 2.0- Dublin make two changes from last week's disappointment under lights but they are significant additions. The return of Bryan Cullen for his first start should restore some order to the defence, as Colin Moran looked uncomfortable at centre back. Ross McConnell's call-up will be an opportunity to see if he can translate some of his Sigerson form with DCU to this stage and expand Dublin's centrefield options. Mickey O'Sullivan makes one change despite last week's opener against Fermanagh having to be postponed to next week. Dublin should be too strong.
Tyrone v Fermanagh, Omagh- A year ago Fermanagh won this encounter but all the indications are Tyrone are in far more urgent form. The supply of new players has thrown up a number of candidates for promotion to the panel. Mickey Harte has named a virtually alternative defence with only Dermot Carlin remaining from last week. Peter Donnelly is at full back. The rest of the team is more established. Kevin Hughes and Colm McCullagh come in after steadying the effort in last week's second half and Stephen O'Neill is on the bench. Fermanagh's full back Barry Owens made his name in matches against Tyrone but he'll have his work cut out tonight.
Division One B
Laois v Galway, Portlaoise- Laois's first major outing under the O'Moore Park lights comes in a fraught fixture. Both teams expected to get off to a better start than ended up being the case. This was more of a surprise in Laois's case as they had looked sharp in the O'Byrne Cup final. Galway are missing plenty of first-choice players but even so were aimless last week against Derry. It's a distinct possibility they'll struggle at centrefield and in that the home side can score enough to get their campaign off the mark.
Division Two A
Monaghan v Longford, Clones, 2.30- Another major promotion contest for Monaghan, who put away Roscommon last week. Longford helped themselves against London, which wasn't great preparation but their forwards are dangerous. The problem is likely to be at the back where they're not as strong and face a lively attack.
Division Two B
Antrim v Meath, Casement Park- Meath were steeped to get a share of the points last week but will find Antrim more biddable than Cavan. Jody Gormley's team spoiled some early graft by leaking goals in Aughrim. They should be better tomorrow but it probably won't be enough.
Cavan v Wicklow, Breffni Park- Cavan confirmed the reasonable impression made in the McKenna Cup by out-manoeuvring Meath with only 14 men. This will be a good test of how improved Wicklow are under Mick O'Dwyer.
Kehoe Cup (Leinster SH) final
Carlow v DIT, Carlow, 2.30- Good, substantial win for Carlow against Wicklow last week. DIT will be a sterner test but not an insuperable one.
Sunday
All-Ireland club SHC semi-final
Cushendall(Antrim) v Loughrea(Galway), Mullingar, 1.0- From the moment Loughrea performed the Galway final heist there were suspicions they might be susceptible to the Ulster champions. That, however, is to underestimate the caution with which the Galway champions view the task. The county's All-Ireland winners of recent times, Athenry and Portumna, cut their teeth getting turned over by Dunloy at this stage. Loughrea are both warned and not playing opponents as experienced as Dunloy.
Cushendall, like Loughrea, had to scramble to get through to this stage. Their defence is strong and pitched against a moderate attack but at the other end, Loughrea haven't conceded a goal in seven championship matches. Manager Pat O'Connor is recovering from back surgery and former Clare manager Cyril Lyons has stepped in. It may be close but Loughrea will survive.
National Football League
(1.30 unless stated)
Division One A
Donegal v Mayo, Ballybofey- This mightn't have been identified as a red-letter match for Mayo but last weekend's results have confirmed Donegal as contenders for one of the top-four spots. John O'Mahony was relieved to defeat Kerry. The need to experiment and gather points is a burden for all teams but especially for those that need to find new players. So far so good for Mayo. James Kilcullen made an impression at full back and Billy Joe Padden was promising at centre back. It wasn't all plain sailing and up front the Connacht champions laboured. Donegal have strengthened the team from last week with the return of captain Neil Gallagher. They played a tight game in defence and around the middle and steadily picked off points.The hunch here is Mayo will raise their game.
Division One B
Down v Kildare, Newcastle- Under new manager Ross Carr Down have an intolerable injury burden. It's not surprising results have been going poorly in the circumstances. A year ago they managed to upset Kildare in Newbridge after the home team had done as they did last week, beat Armagh. John Doyle's phenomenal returns continue and that alone is reason to expect an away win.
Derry v Westmeath, Celtic Park- Unexpected wins for both sides and some good individual performances. Des Dolan is an injury concern for Westmeath. In the eyes of some he had his best game for the county last week in the defeat of Laois. Damien Healy's selection at centrefield to partner Martin Flanagan gives the visitors a mobile pairing against the more traditional Derry unit but on the basis they are likely to score more, the home side are favourites.
Armagh v Louth, Crossmaglen- Armagh's experimental team ran aground in Newbridge while Louth were dismissing Down. Eamonn McEneaney's team is impressive whereas Armagh are scoping around for players as experiments and cover for the Crossmaglen players and others unavailable through injury. They do need points and if they don't get them here, are in trouble as regards next year's Division One.
Division Two A
Offaly v Carlow, Tullamore- Defeat by Leitrim has ramped up the pressure on Offaly but this will bring some respite.
Clare v Leitrim, Cusack Park- A convincing win over Carlow represented a necessary start for Clare and at home they will be improved but Leitrim can make it a worthwhile journey.
London v Roscommon, Ruislip- Little consolation as it will be after last week's defeat by Monaghan, Roscommon will hack up.
Division Two B
Wexford v Tipperary, Wexford Park- Wexford's defeat was probably the biggest shock of the opening weekend. This becomes a vital match for Paul Bealin's team. Tipp tussled well for a point last week but shock value alone says Wexford.
Sligo v Waterford, Markievicz Park- Victory for Waterford in this fixture last year spelled the end for Dominic Corrigan's term. John Kiely's team are improving but venue tilts this against them.
