By Declan Bogue
Ulster Senior Club Championship
semi-final Slaughtneil v Kilcar (Saturday, Healy Park, 6.30pm) THE law of averages would suggest that Slaughtneil’s run could not go on forever, but they will ride it out for the time being.
The rumour around Donegal has suggested that some key figures for Kilcar are carrying knocks and that a key figure spent some time on holiday after the somewhat unexpected victory over Scotstown in the quarter-final.
There’s just no way anyone sensible would be betting against Slaughtneil, even if it was tiddlywinks, right now. VERDICT: Slaughtneil
Ulster Senior Club Championship semi-final Derrygonnelly v Cavan Gaels
(Sunday, Clones, 2.00pm) WITH Micheál Lyng (right), Seanie Johnston and Martin Dunne in their forward ranks, the Gaels have a serious arsenal of firepower to carry into this series.
Fears of Derrygonnelly fullback Tiernan Daly being out
VERDICT:
Ulster Intermediate Club Championship semi-final
Moy v Newbridge
(Sunday,
Athletic Grounds,
12.45pm) NEWBRIDGE were highly-impressive in their second-half dismantling of Belcoo in the quarter-final.
However, they are coming up against a side on a different level of conditioning, with Colm Cavanagh newly-minted as a Made Man with his All-Star last weekend. VERDICT: Moy
Ulster Intermediate Club Championship semi-final Milford v Rostrevor (Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 2.30pm) THE names around this Rostrevor outfit, with Shane Mulholland managing and Caolan Mooney on the pitch, means the St Bronagh’s are going to be fancied from afar to make it to an Ulster final.
Milford came through a tough test in the last round against Armagh champions Killeavey, but may find things a little too much for them in the Athletic Grounds.
VERDICT: Rostrevor
Ulster Junior Club Championship
semi-final Belnaleck v Doire Trasna (Sunday, Clones, 12.15pm) BELNALECK undoubtedly have the higher-profile players in this contest, with a few county men such as the Cullen twins, Che and Lee, Kane Connor and Ciaran McBrien among their number.
They could spring something of a surprise here.
VERDICT: Belnaleck
Ulster Junior Club Championship semi-final Naomh Colmcille v Tattyreagh
(Sunday, Celtic Park, 2.30pm) TATTYREAGH have come through the harder side of the Ulster draw and should progress here. VERDICT: Tattyreagh
International Rules Test
Australia v Ireland (Sunday, Adelaide Oval, 4.10pm
local time) IMPOSSIBLE to predict any of these games, but it is clear that the Ireland squad has been weakened by the complete absence of any Dublin players.
Factor in the loss of Tyrone’s Conor McKenna, and it is obvious that Joe Kernan’s hand is significantly weakened.
Watch out for the legendary Gary Ablett in these Tests, the 33-year-old making his first appearance in this code. VERDICT: Australia