Saturday
Waterford Crystal Cup (Munster SH) semi-finals
Cork v Clare, Mallow, 1.0 – Cork make the customary raft of changes, resting Paudie O'Sullivan after his first 70 minutes on the field in nearly two years – allowing for his prolific contributions off the bench in last year's championship. Last year's deputy goalkeeper Darren McCarthy also caught the eye with two goals at corner forward against CIT but he stays put. Clare had a restorative win over Tipp but David Fitzgerald's focus is, like Cork's, more on preparation.
Limerick v UCC, Kilmallock, 2.0 – TJ Ryan is processing an impressive absentee list between injuries, college commitments and the absence of Kilmallock players on All-Ireland club duty. UCC can become the first college team to win this competition although their thoughts must be turning to the Fitzgibbon Cup.
McGrath Cup (Munster SF) final
Waterford v UCC, Fraher Field, 6.0 – Waterford's unexpected win over Cork last week ensures an historic final as the county haven't won the competition since its inaugural staging 34 years ago and no college team has yet taken the title. It's also seven years since anyone outside the Cork-Kerry duopoly took the trophy. New Waterford manager Tom McGlinchey isn't getting carried away but victory here would be the ideal preface to the league season. UCC's defence of the Sigerson Cup begins in a few days and might disrupt Billy Morgan's team in a first final since 2009.
McKenna Cup (Ulster SF) final
Cavan v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 7.30 – Mickey Harte's determination to compete in all competitions has been evident in recent McKenna Cup campaigns and Tyrone are going for a fourth successive title. The teams met in last year's final and the holders won comfortably; this year Cavan have battled back to this stage whereas Tyrone have largely cruised. The quality of the Tyrone forwards is clear as was the urgency of the attacking strategy which yielded three early goals in the semi-final against Armagh. Terry Hyland is bringing through some of the successful under-21s of recent years and looking forward to the season back in Division Two when the league begins.
Sunday O'Byrne Cup (Leinster SF) final
Kildare v Dublin, Newbridge, 2.0 – Kildare are chasing serial success and have been showing good form in the competition to date. Jason Ryan has a useful-looking defence with All Star Peter Kelly back after missing last year with injury. He has lost a couple of forwards, Seán Hurley and Paddy Brophy, to the AFL but regained Daniel Flynn. Dublin are still without a large number of first-team players and Jim Gavin's trialling in full flow. Michael Dara Macauley was back last week in Navan but needs plenty of match practice after his lengthy injury lay-off. There were good displays from Shane Carthy and Tomás Brady and Dean Rock's accuracy was top-class. A big crowd and a lively afternoon in prospect then and a chance for the Dublin management to chalk up this trophy at their third attempt.
Connacht FBD SF league final
Roscommon v Galway, Kiltoom, 2.15 – Both counties registered some improvement last year. Galway stayed in Division Two and Roscommon joined them. They each put in better championship shifts against Mayo than the previous year and went on respectable runs in the championship – Galway all the way to Croke Park quarter-finals for the first time since 2008. Under new manager Kevin Walsh they have been steady whereas Roscommon lost to NUIG before beating Mayo. They have further parallels in their recent under-21 successes, having reached in alternate years the past four All-Ireland finals. Galway won theirs but Roscommon lost on both occasions to Dublin. . Galway maybe look more reliable this time around.
Walsh Cup Leinster SH round three
Group 2: Dublin v Antrim, Parnell Park, 2.0 – Ger Cunningham got off to a good start last week and changes nearly the entire team. Antrim are in the relatively unusual position of not missing their county champions' players.
Group 3: Laois v Wexford, Abbeyleix, 2.0 – Wexford looked impressive last week in their opening match against UCD and will look to maintain form against a decent Laois outfit as the winner here qualifies from the group.
Group 4: Offaly v Galway, O'Connor Park, 2.0 – Galway were more comfortable winners than the five-point scoreline against Westmeath suggested. Conversely Offaly won by the same five-point margin in Mullingar but weren't as convincing.
All-Ireland club IFC semi-finals
St Croan's (Roscommon) v Sean O'Mahonys (Louth), Breffni Park;
Ardfert (Kerry) v Warrenpoint (Down), O'Moore Park, both at 2.0
Former Roscommon player David Casey takes Croan's into this as favourites even with injury concerns surrounding one of their best forwards Shane Smyth. Kerry have the best record in this championship and Ardfert won it eight years ago but Ulster champions boast a clinical attack.
All-Ireland club IHC semi-finals
Cappataggle (Galway) v Kilburn Gaels (London), Gaelic Grounds, 1.0;
Cappoquin (Waterford) v O'Donovan Rossa (Antrim), Cusack Park, 2.0
After Kilburn's victory over Kilkenny champions Mullinavat, the London club are favourites against a fitful Cappataggle but it mightn't be as straightforward.
Cappoquin should defeat O'Donovan Rossa, on their way back to senior in Antrim but the Waterford side will know they have to be careful after Ballysaggart's fate at the hands of Creggan Kickhams in last year's junior final.
