COUNTY FINAL PREVIEWS

TODAY ULSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS

Slaughtneil (Derry) v Omagh (Tyrone), Celtic Park, 7pm It’s as if the Ulster Council are trying to punish Slaughtneil for their dual exploits, the Saturday evening throw-in giving less time to recover from their Ulster hurling title success. That could be critical.

Verdict: Omagh Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) v Armagh Harps (Armagh), Brewster Park, 7pm Crossmaglen’s pedigree in the competition won’t do anything to harm the confidence of a promising young Harps side.

Verdict: Armagh Harps

DUBLIN SHC FINAL

Cuala v Kilmacud Crokes, Parnell Park, 3.30pm So many All-Ireland holders find it hard to put another title back-toback after a long season, so it says much about the strength-in-depth of Cuala’s squad. Colm Cronin was so impressive in taking the scoring burden off Con O’Callaghan the last day against St Vincent’s.

Verdict: Cuala

TOMORROW LEINSTER CLUB SFC FIRST ROUND

Newtown Blues (Louth) v Rathnew (Wicklow), Gaelic Grounds, 2pm After cruising to another county title where Ross Nally was in fine scoring form, Newtown Blues look primed for a provincial push.

Verdict: Newtown Blues Mullinalaghta St Columba’s (Longford) v Éire Óg (Carlow), Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm Éire Óg held tough in a fractious Carlow final replay and will need more of that hard-nosed edge to come through here.

Verdict: Éire Óg Rhode (Offaly) v Portlaoise (Laois), O’Connor Park, 2.30pm Plenty of familiar faces in the Portlaoise line-up with Paul Cahillane the top scorer in a routine county final win. The Laois champions will have serious designs on Leinster.

Verdict: Portlaoise

MUNSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINAL

Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Clonmel Sportsfield, 2pm Who could forget Michael Quinlivan’s scene-stealing Munster final winner against Nemo Rangers two years ago? Dr Crokes have been well warned.

Verdict: Dr Crokes

ULSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS

Cavan Gaels (Cavan) v Lámh Dhearg (Antrim), Kingspan Breffni, 2.30pm A 10th county medal and virtuoso display in the county final is testament to the longevity of Cavan’s prodigal son Seanie Johnston. Verdict: Cavan Gaels Scotstown (Monaghan) v Kilcar (Donegal), Clones, 2.30pm Kilcar can live easily with criticisms about the quality of the Donegal showpiece after a breakthrough win — Scotstown have a more experienced look about them though.

Verdict: Scotstown

CLARE SFC FINAL

Clondegad v Kilmurry-Ibrickane, Cusack Park, 3pm The ‘Marty ain’t going to party’ signs are up around Clondegad and the RTÉ presenter’s club have the considerable threat of Gary Brennan to get to grips with before he is set to board a plane to Australia.

Verdict: Kilmurry-Ibrickane

MEATH SFC FINAL

Simonstown Gaels v Summerhill, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm The fact that Conor Nash is back in tow after his AFL sojourn gives Simonstown Gaels a better chance of repeating last year’s breakthrough triumph.

Verdict: Simonstown Gaels

WESTMEATH SFC FINAL

Tyrrellspass v St Loman’s, TEG Cusack Park, 3.30pm A third final between this pair in the last five years, it’s a question of whether challengers Tyrrellspass can learn the lessons of previous defeats. Verdict: Tyrrellspass

WEXFORD SFC FINAL

Starlights v St Martin’s, Innovate Wexford Park, 3pm After the manner in which they stormed the Oulart citadel last weekend, St Martin’s come in full of confidence and momentum and should handle the hectic schedule.

Verdict: St Martin’s

MUNSTER CLUB SHC QUARTER-FINAL

Ballygunner (Waterford) v Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary), Walsh Park, 2pm A glamour tie to light up the weekend. Backboned by the Mahers in defence, Thurles Sarsfields’ repeated failures on the provincial remain a mystery. Michael Cahill admitted recently that they still don’t quite know how they lost out to Ballyea last year when they looked like streaking away with the game at one stage. Suggesting that will only add further motivation is one theory – it’s more a question of whether they can show the mental resolve to come out the right side of a tight finish. Because Ballygunner will really test their nerve. Pauric Mahony brings so much leadership as well as his dead-ball striking and brother Philip has been a mainstay in defence as well, in addition to the underrated Barry Coughlan who was unlucky to miss the All Stars nomination cut. Conditions at this time of year remain the great leveller but a day for Thurles Sarsfields to prove their character.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

KILKENNY SHC FINAL

Dicksboro v James Stephens, Nowlan Park, 3pm - TG4 James Stephens no doubt will temper their celebrations if they bring home the cup and the second-half powerhouse display against Ballyhale suggests they can do just that.

Verdict: James Stephens

MONDAY DUBLIN SFC FINAL

Ballymun Kickhams v St Vincent’s, Parnell Park, 7pm They’ve failed to hit the heights of 2013 when coming so close to St Patrick’s Day success so a county title is overdue for Kickhams, especially with the engine of James McCarthy in harness and the place-kicking pedigree of Dean Rock. Verdict: Ballymun Kickhams