Today’s previews
FOOTBALL
Connacht club SFC semi-finals
Tír Chonaill Gaels (London) v Pádraig Pearses (Roscommon), McGovern Park, Ruislip, 2pm
Tír Chonaill Gaels displayed resolve in coming from six points down to defeat Fulham Irish in the London final but Pádraig Pearses put highly rated Sligo champions Tourlestrane to the sword.
Verdict: Pádraig Pearses
Corofin (Galway) v Ballintubber (Mayo), Tuam Stadium, 2pm Coming straight off last Sunday’s replay win over Tuam, Corofin are vulnerable against a Ballintubber side out for revenge after last year’s four-point defeat in the final. But the Galway champions are a special outfit.
Verdict: Corofin
Leinster club SFC quarterfinals
Newtown Blues (Louth) v Ballyboden St Endas (Dublin), Drogheda, 1.30pm
The club game has a reputation for being a great leveller but that will hardly apply here as Newtown face a potent Ballyboden team, headed up by the Basquel brothers, Colm and Ryan.
Verdict: Ballyboden
St Patrick’s (Wicklow) v Portlaoise (Laois), Aughrim, 1.30pm A potential shock on the cards if St Patrick’s can replicate the display which took down Ferbane but Portlaoise should have enough.
Verdict: Portlaoise
Garrycastle (Westmeath) v Ratoath (Meath), TEG Cusack Park, 1.30pm Garrycastle have experience, not least through 40-year-old Dessie Dolan, but if first-time Meath champions Ratoath have managed to park the celebrations, they have the quality.
Verdict: Ratoath
Éire Óg (Carlow) v Sarsfields (Kildare), Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
Éire Óg hit Castletown for four last time out, but they are likely to find Sarsfields a tougher nut to crack. But with Ben McCormack and team-mate Mattie Byrne, having departed for Australia recently, a shock could be on the cards.
Verdict: Éire Óg
Munster club SFC quarterfinals
Miltown-Malbay (Clare) v Rathgormack (Waterford), Miltown-Malbay, 1.30pm Rathgormack venture into Munster competition for the first time in 20 years and are sure to find it a tough experience against back-to-back Clare champions.
Verdict: Miltown-Malbay
Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Newcastlewest (Limerick), Mallow, 1.30pm
Newcastlewest manager Michael Quilligan has declared his club’s intent to claim provincial glory but, even allowing for Iain Corbett’s undoubted quality, getting over this first hurdle is
likely to prove problematic. Verdict: Nemo Rangers
Kerry SFC final
East Kerry v Dr Crokes, Austin Stack Park, 3pm
Crokes were back to form last weekend but this East Kerry team, headlined by the Clifford brothers, county star David and older brother Paudie, have the talent to bridge a 20-year wait.
Verdict: East Kerry
All-Ireland Ladies Senior Club Championship semi-finals:
Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway) v Foxrock-Cabinteely (Dublin), Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, 2pm
The Galway and Connacht champions will start as many people’s favourites against Foxrock-Cabinteely have lost two of the last three All-Ireland finals.
Verdict: Kilkerrin-Clonberne
Mourneabbey (Cork) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan); Clyda Rovers GAA club, 1pm Mourneabbey have suffered real heartbreak against Donaghmoyne, losing the final in 2015 and a semi-final 12 months later. Home advantage and a qust for revenge can give them an edge.
Verdict: Mourneabbey
HURLING
Galway SHC final
Liam Mellows v St Thomas, Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm A repeat of last year’s final should ensure Liam Mellows will seek to avenge a ninepoint mauling.
Louis Mulqueen’s team are better than that – evident in the fact that this is their third county final appearance on the bounce – but they still have a lot of ground to make up on the champions.
Verdict: St Thomas
Ulster club SHC final
Dunloy (Antrim) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Páirc Esler, 3pm
The manner in which Dunloy dismissed Ballycran in the semifinal suggests that the Antrim club can win their first provincial title in 10 years.
Verdict: Dunloy
Munster club SHC semi-finals
Borris-Ileigh (Tipperary) v Glen Rovers (Cork), Semple Stadium, 1.30pm
Can Glen Rovers overcome the disappointment of losing the
Cork final three weeks ago and can Borris-lleigh refocus seven days after a first title win in 33 years? The latter seems the more likely.
Verdict: Borris-lleigh
Ballygunner (Waterford) v Patrickswell (Limerick), Walsh Park, 1.45pm
A genuine heavyweight clash. Champions Ballygunner are seeking to reach the provincial decider for the third year on the bounce and, given the ruthless way they dismissed Sixmilebridge, the likelihood is that a potent attack headed by Pauric Mahony and Dessie Hutchinson will get the job done.
Verdict: Ballygunner