Previews of the weekend's matches
Saturday (2.0 unless stated)
O'Byrne Cup (Leinster SF) semi-final
Wicklow v Dublin, Aughrim - Mick O'Dwyer will be well pleased with his opening couple of weeks in the Wicklow job. He's trawled through the panel for the two morale-generating wins to date and been successful in tight finishes before good crowds. Darragh Ó hAnnaidh did a good job at full back while Paul Earls has been in accurate form on the other square.
Dublin's concerns are similar in needing to uncover some new players, especially at full back. Some of the younger names, Declan O'Mahony, Dermot Connolly and David O'Callaghan have been playing well and this will be another useful run-out. Dublin are prone to flatlining at this time of the year so a home win isn't out of the question but a hard-fought win looks more likely.
Dr McKenna Cup (Ulster SF)
Section B: Cavan v Tyrone, Kingspan Breffni Park, 6.30- Tyrone's zeal for this competition has led them to extreme measures and even if no one really wants confrontation or swingeing punishment for fielding four players already selected by their colleges the fact is Tyrone breached the regulations. The sideshow apart, Mickey Harte's team have been impressive in illustrating the county's emerging talent. Cavan have also started the year well under Donal Keoghan but their victories over Derry and Queen's have been more laboured than those of this evening's opponents and that should be reflected in the outcome.
Connacht SH League
Galway Development v Roscommon, Fuerty- Deferred because of weather last week this will be a low-key first competitive fixture for Ger Loughnane, who has been talking up his panel this week.
Sunday
O'Byrne Cup (Leinster SF) semi-final
Offaly v Laois, Tullamore- Offaly appear to have uncovered another lethal corner forward, Ken Casey who shot 2-2 in last week's win over DIT. Laois aren't dealing off a full deck but have been efficient in beating Kildare and Louth. Pat Roe took Carlow to an O'Byrne Cup in 2002 and can take Offaly a step farther in the same direction.
O'Byrne Shield (Leinster SF) semi-finals
Longford v Kildare, Longford- Kildare's improved form last week may not be enough against Luke Dempsey's exuberant side.
Carlow v Athlone IT, Carlow, 2.30 - Athlone were left high and dry by DCU's withdrawal and may further regret the lack of match practice.
Kehoe Cup (Leinster SH)
Carlow v Longford, Carlow, 12.45; Meath v Roscommon, Trim; Carlow IT v Mayo, Carlow IT; Athlone IT v Trinity.
Walsh Cup (Leinster SH)
Laois v Down, Rathdowney, 2.30- Gerard Coulter's team, with a number of long-term injuries cleared up, will give themselves a good chance of getting a result.
McGrath Cup (Munster SF) semi-final
Limerick v UCC, Newcastle West- Mickey O'Sullivan's hopes of recruiting some of the dual players looks to have come to nothing and with Stephen Kelly making noises about rugby, the Limerick manager will be glad to take a look at as many new players as possible. Gruelling win over Tipp last week might leave them at the mercy of the match-fit students.
Munster SH Cup quarter-finals
Waterford v Limerick IT, Dungarvan- Waterford will do well to get past an LIT side chasing a second Fitzgibbon in three years.
Cork v Cork IT, Páirc Uí Chaoimh- With quite a few players off on college teams Cork manager Gerald McCarthy will be in particularly experimental mode but can still start his competitive year on a positive note.
Tipperary v Waterford IT, Nenagh- Tipp were pushed to the wire by UL last week and can expect at least the same from this.
Clare v Kerry, Kilmoyley- Kerry actually beat Clare in the first League match after the 1995 All-Ireland, a warming memory given the likely outcome here.
Dr McKenna Cup (Ulster SF)
Section A: St Mary's v Fermanagh, Tempo- Fermanagh gave a young Armagh plenty to think about last week and can break their duck tomorrow.
Armagh v Monaghan, Clones -Joe Kernan has had to dig deep, between club- and college-tied players as well as injuries, to put out teams. He says he's happy with what he's seen but Monaghan's ambitions might be more
Section B: Derry v Queen's, Belfast- Derry haven't shown much more than is already known and were sliced apart by an experimental Tyrone when the match was still a contest last week. On second-half form, they can, however, win this.
Section C: Donegal v Down, Ballybofey- Hard to see Down reversing last summer's championship defeat.
UU Jordanstown v Antrim, Casement Park- Having drawn one and lost the other by a point, Antrim will have hopes of doing better against UUJ but the Poly are going too well.
Connacht League (SF)
Section A: NUI Galway v Sligo IT, Dangan -Sligo IT are positioning themselves for another Sigerson and can win this.
Mayo v Roscommon, Ballyhaunis, 2.30- Won't be one of the more epic encounters between old comrades John Maughan and John O'Mahony but will probably be the first win of the latter's second coming.
Section B: Sligo v Leitrim, Markievicz Park- There hasn't been much between the sides in recent times but Sligo can make the best of home advantage.
Galway-Mayo IT v Galway, Indreabhán- Peter Ford's side should finish on maximum points.
