Today’s Previews
ULSTER CLUB SFC FINAL
Slaughtneil (Derry) v Cavan Gaels (Cavan), Athletic Grounds, 3pm Forty years after their only previous appearance in the final, Cavan Gaels are back on the biggest stage in the Ulster club game. Slaughtneil are weakened by the loss of dual players Micheál McGrath and Cormac O’Doherty to injury and Jason Reilly’s team may argue, after last weekend’s dramatic injury-time win over Derrygonnelly, that momentum may be their friend. But while Cavan Gaels will believe that their best chance may lie in an open game of ball, Slaughtneil showed against Kilcar that they are well capable of finding their scoring boots.
Verdict: Slaughtneil
CONNACHT CLUB SFC FINAL
Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) v Corofin (Galway), Tuam Stadium, 2pm If the pattern of the past four years holds firm – which has seen these two clubs share the Connacht title evenly between them – it should make for a short journey home for Castlebar. The Mayo champions have made heavy work of getting to the final. In contrast, there was a breathless verve about Corofin in defeating St Brigid’s in a game of exceptional quality. This team is more than capable of repeating its 2014 AllIreland success. An eight title will take them clear of Roscommon’s Clan na Gael at the top of Connacht’s roll of honour. Verdict: Corofin
MUNSTER CLUB SFC FINAL
Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Páirc Uí Rinn, 2pm It is seven years and counting since Nemo won the last of their 15 Munster titles and Dr Crokes have reason enough to remember it. However, the Killarney club are the unbackable 2/5 favourites here. Their bench is full of players who have worn the Kerry shirt at some level – and with Colm Cooper still showing the way, they look the more likely.
Verdict: Dr Crokes
LEINSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS
Rathnew (Wicklow) v Moorefield (Kildare), Aughrim, 2pm Moorefield, not least their ace forward Eanna O’Connor, were impressive in seeing off Portlaoise while the Kildare champions welcome back the suspended pair of Daryl Flynn and David Whyte. But Rathnew will fancy their chances of heading back to their first final since 2001.
Verdict: Rathnew St Loman’s (Westmeath) v Simonstown Gaels (Meath), Mullingar, 2pm St Loman’s will get nothing easy against the Meath champions here, but Loman’s are a hard-nosed team and boast the best player left in this competition. You can’t hang everything on one player, but Loman’s John Heslin – who has scored 3-13 in his last two games – to get them over the line.
Verdict: St Loman’s