This weekend's action
Today
Ulster SHC Final
Cushendall v Kevin Lynch's Casement Park, 2pm
Geoffrey McGonigal nailed his 37th championship goal to lead Dungiven to this final against favourites Cushendall. Along with McGonigal, Emmett McKeever and Phelim Kelly have been in impressive form. However, Cushendall have the players and experience to make sure the Saffron county send forward a representative team yet again.
Tomorrow
Mayo SFC Final Replay
Ballaghaderreen v Crossmolina McHale Park, 1pm
An agonising conclusion for Ballaghaderreen last weekend, with Ciarán McDonald concocting a last-minute goal from a free which Peadar Gardiner fisted home to earn the favourites a draw. Given Crossmolina's quality and experience, they will be favoured to push on this weekend.
Kilkenny SHC Final
Ballyhale Shamrocks v O'Loughlin Gaels
Nowlan Park, 3pm
Maurice Alyward has guided Ballyhale back to a second consecutive final. Spearheaded by Henry Shefflin and James Fitzpatrick, last year's disappointment may be telling.
O'Loughlin Gaels - under the training of senior player Andy Comerford, recovered from a poor league and dispatched reigning champions James Stephens in the semi-final. They represent a substantial hurdle in Shefflin's tilt at winter honours but the Shamrocks, who have fired 1-18 on their last two outings, ought to get the job done this time.
Munster SHC Quarter-finals
Ballyduff (Kerry) v Toomevara (Tipperary), Ballyduff, 2pm
Toomevara battled against the dying of the light in the Tipperary final, coming from seven points down to edge past Nenagh. With the Dunnes and John O'Brien and Francis Devanney in form, they will have too much for the Kerry champions.
Bruree (Limerick) v Wolfe Tones (Clare), Shannon, 2pm
Bruree's first county championship for 113 years, led by Limerick veteran Stephen McDonagh, was one of the great local stories of the year.
Although novice champion clubs have a habit of performing well in the provincial arena, Wolfe Tones are formidable. The Lohans and the O'Connells are hurling as well as ever, Kevin McCarthy hit 1-6 in the county final against Newmarket and Patsy Keyes ran the show for the forwards. The adventure may end here for Bruree.
Leinster SFC First Rounds
Tyrellspass (Westmeath) v Abbeylara (Longford)
Mullingar, 1.30pm
After an encouraging year for Longford, Abbeylara's Niall Sheridan, who did not feature for the county in the summer, blasted the goal that set his club up for the domestic championship.For this, they will have the services of midfielder Kevin Smith, who missed the county final through injury.
Tyrellspass, though, have proven game winners in Martin Flanagan and Denis Glennon. The advantage of playing in Mullingar may swing it for them.
Moorefield (Kildare) v Horeswood (Wexford), Newbridge, 2.30pm
Moorefield are progressing in a low-key way. The Kildare champions easily dealt with first round opponents St Patrick's with a strong input from Ronan Sweeney, Paul Earls and Patrick Murray. They will be expected to deal with Horeswood, who will be dependent on another big hour from Diarmuid Kinsella.
Palatine (Carlow) v Rhode (Offaly), Carlow, 2.30pm
Palatine are in the Leinster competition for the first time (they last won a county title in 1952). They are facing seasoned campaigners in Rhode, a team weighted with names like Pascal Kellegahan, Shane Sullivan, Roy Malone and the McNamee brothers. No shocks here.
