GAA: Today

All-Ireland Schools SF A Final

St Colman’s, Newry v St Jarlath’s, Tuam, Croke Park, 1.45pm (live TG4) – A clash of the colleges’ game’s aristocracy as the top two on the Hogan Cup roll of honour meet.

Colman’s are odds-on this afternoon because they feature a number of last year’s winning team, including Down minor Caolan Mooney, who is to follow in Martin Clarke’s footsteps next year having signed for AFL side Collingwood.

A good win over Cork’s Chríost Rí in the semi-finals showcased Jarlath’s quality, but it may not happen for them this year.

All-Ireland VS SF A Final

Clonakilty CC v Gallen CS, Ferbane, Croke Park, noon (live TG4) – Two sides with notable scoring potential should provide an attacking game. The Offaly school fought hard for an impressive win over Holy Trinity Cookstown in the semi-final whereas Clonakilty simply cruised past Athenry and will be favourites to put titles back-to-back.

Women’s Football Schools A Final

Coláiste na Sceilge, Cahersiveen v St Leo’s, Carlow, 2pm, Croagh, Limerick – Two of the game’s heavy hitters, the schools also met in last month’s All-Ireland B basketball final with the Carlow girls winning.

A good few will be renewing rivalries as the Kerry school take on the holders, who emphatically beat last year’s finalists Loreto Omagh in the semi-finals. Close but Leo’s to retain their title.

Tomorrow

(all matches 2.30pm)

NFL Division One

Cork v Armagh, Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Big week for Cork football with the under-21s crushing Kerry and now this opportunity to reach a third league final in successive years. The holders have been in subdued form in recent matches and have scored goals in only two matches.

They are missing Paddy Kelly but John Miskella is getting back to form and Paul Kerrigan has 70 minutes under his belt. Armagh’s home form has put them in a precarious position but with Crossmaglen players coming back they’ll hope to be more competitive. Hard though to see past the required home win.

Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium – Already in the final, Dublin can experiment but this should be a fiercely contested match given Galway’s desperate need for the points. Pat Gilroy gives Seán Murray a run in his best position at centrefield where Finian Hanley was moved with great success in the last match.

Pádraic Joyce is back on board and played a big role in the precious win in Armagh. Despite their urgency, the home side will struggle to win this.

Kerry v Down, Killarney – It had been a great league for Kerry up until the news of David Moran’s cruciate injury. Jack O’Connor has run his eye over a good few new players and lost just two matches, each by a point.

This gives Kerry the chance to avenge for the visitors’ championship win last August and push their campaign to reach the final down to the wire. Down have done well and can also get to Croke Park but need a favour from neighbours Armagh.

Kerry to push on.

Monaghan v Mayo, Inniskeen – The allure of this fixture for Monaghan was severely compromised when Mayo beat Cork last week, meaning James Horan’s side couldn’t be caught. The home team are now disproportionately interested in the outcome but Eamonn McEneaney’s rotten luck with injuries makes the task of winning – with sufficient in hand to survive a scoring difference comparison should Galway beat Dublin – very hard to envisage.

NFL Division Two

Antrim v Derry, Casement Park – Derry were impressive in turning around last week’s match against Meath. Paddy Bradley is an injury doubt but brother Eoin is available again after suspension for this match against an Antrim side managed by their father. The home side haven’t managed to gain much traction in the division and look on their way out of it.

Kildare v Sligo, Newbridge – The meagre return from his forwards in Dungannon last week left Kieran McGeeney unimpressed although he can be satisfied with improvement at the back and the lowest goals concession in the top three divisions.

A win for Sligo would see them safe but the Kildare backlash is likely to leave them depending on the kindness of strangers.

Laois v Donegal, Portlaoise – Realistically even a narrow defeat promotes Donegal but Jim McGuinness’s team are unbeaten and unlikely to surrender that distinction lightly. Their consistently hard -working style makes them more likely winners than Laois who lie second and can go up if they win.

Meath v Tyrone, Páirc Tailteann – Meath have been poor to date and their lack of mobility was badly exposed by Derry last week. It’s not a good recommendation to take into a match with Tyrone, who have smoothly picked up momentum.

NFL Division Three

Cavan v Tipperary, Kingspan Breffni Park – With one bound Cavan were free and they can stay like that against a Tipp team that beat the table-toppers last week.

Limerick v Wexford, Newcastlewest – A calamitous sequence of wides cost Limerick last week’s match with Westmeath and in all likelihood their place in the division. Wexford need to win or risk getting caught in a complicated pile-up. Away win.

Waterford v Louth, Dungarvan – It’s been a fine season for John Owens’s Waterford even if they are short odds immediately to make the return trip to the basement. Unlucky to lose to Offaly, they will put plenty of pressure on Louth, who squandered early momentum.

Westmeath v Offaly, Cusack Park – Big cross-border rivalry with the added spice that a win for either side sends them back up to Division Two. Westmeath have recovered well from a mediocre start and Offaly have also recovered well. Away win.

NFL Division Four

Fermanagh v London, Brewster Park – Some relief for Fermanagh, who are also third in the Fair Play Index.

Longford v Carlow, Pearse Park – A win for Longford puts them up and although Carlow aren’t out of it yet Glenn Ryan’s team can stamp their visas.

Roscommon v Leitrim, Dr Hyde Park – Roscommon’s momentum makes a home win more likely.

Wicklow v Clare, Aughrim – Too may draws have hobbled Wicklow’s promotion drive. Clare have been flat this season. Home win to keep Mick O’Dwyer’s team in line should Longford slip.

NHL Division Three B

Sligo v Donegal, Markievicz Park; Roscommon v Louth, Athleague; Monaghan v Mayo, Clones.