This weekend's matches

Sunday

ALL-IRELAND CLUB FOOTBALL SEMI-FINALS (2.0)

Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) v Nemo Rangers (Cork), Ennis

Neither side have had their most convincing seasons to date but there have been positives in that both have improved and found good performances when needed even if Nemo's county title proved more of a scramble than the provincial championship. Nemo welcome back David Niblock and Seán O'Brien, who were unavailable before Christmas whereas Ballina confirm Ronan McGarrity will play after a slight injury scare.

McGarrity and David Brady are expected to have the edge at centrefield for Ballina but the Cork club will try to circumvent that and run the ball through the middle to a dangerous full-forward line with James Masters' finishing and the pace of Paul Kerrigan.

Ballina are probably on a last run at this but are well positioned to counter Nemo's strengths having quick half backs, a great auxiliary ball winner in Pat Harte at centre forward and in Liam Brady, a reliable free-taker. They also have a poise and unflappability that served them well when winning their All-Ireland three years ago.

Nemo's mobility and work-rate combines, however, with an acute sense of what's needed to win these matches, particularly with the lessons from two years ago against St Gall's still fresh in their mind. They can edge it.

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v St Vincent's (Dublin), Navan

The winning machine that Crossmaglen have become has familiar recurring aspects. They play the game at a sustained tempo, neither falling too far behind in matches nor pulling too far ahead. But in the closing minutes they appear to be unbeatable.

St Vincent's, for all their club tradition, are a new team at this level. Manager Mickey Whelan believes that they have picked up momentum from growing confidence through a Leinster championship that started slowly and picked up pace. With a competitive centrefield they are likely to be critically tested in defence.

Oisín McConville continues to provide the assassin's touch in matches even if he doesn't always look fully engaged and John McEntee is still pulling the strings. Tony Kernan, back to fitness, is beginning to show that his reputation for being the most talented of the family mightn't be just the usual "you should see his brother" talk.

Vincent's also have an influential centre forward as well as captain Tomás Quinn, who can hold his own with McConville in terms of scoring. The crux of this fascinating fixture is likely to come in the final 10 minutes during which Cross usually stamp their authority but as Whelan puts it: "If we're just one or two behind going into the last 10 minutes, we'd fancy ourselves." Still the All-Ireland champions deserve to be favourites.

ALL-IRELAND CLUB HURLING SEMI-FINALS (2.0)

Loughmore-Castleiney (Tipperary) v Portumna (Galway), Gaelic Grounds

This is the one fixture of the day on which injury is expected to have a major bearing. It's not just Joe Canning, whose hamstring has been causing such anxiety in Portumna, but also midfielder Enda Lynch and wing back Aidan O'Donnell, who are both shaking off knocks.

Although deservedly odds-on to win the All-Ireland were they at full throttle, Portumna don't have great strength in depth so can't afford to lose players. Word seems to be that Canning will start but after trips to the cryotherapy in Wexford, there can't be certainty that he'll come through.

Loughmore also have a hamstring problem with a key forward although Evan Sweeney is also expected to line out. He would be a big loss to the Tipperary team, who need to be near the top of their game to have a chance.

Portumna won't need Canning to do a lot in terms of stretching himself provided he can take frees and win ball. Brother Ollie in defence continues to direct proceedings, playing anywhere and covering everywhere. They have the great advantage of pace around the field.

Up front Micheál Webster provides a good target for Loughmore if they want to hit early ball although Eugene McEntee will prefer that sort of game to a ground war. This isn't beyond the Munster champions if Canning can't play but the belief here is that Portumna, with their greater experience of how to manage the two-month break and the wariness that the injury situation will naturally bring, will progress.

Birr (Offaly) v Dunloy Cúchulainns (Antrim), Clones

The Ulster champions have been energised since the clubs met five years ago with the addition of some new talent and are attracting some profile as a potential upset tomorrow in what is their centenary year and given that their semi-final record over the years is decent.

Birr have adapted well during Pad Joe Whelehan's latest coming, however. Niall Claffey has played very well at full back allowing Paul Cleary out to centre back and Brian Whelahan go to centre forward. If reports of Stephen Brown rediscovering form are accurate they add to the sense of a team too focused on regaining their place at the top of the roll of honour - Ballyhale levelled with them a year ago. Like Dunloy, they've had a series of challenge matches and will be well practised.

Malachy Molloy's injury is a loss to the Ulster champions and the four-time All-Ireland winners should go on for a crack at a fifth.