Today’s previews
FOOTBALL Connacht club SFC quarter-finals
Tourlestrane (Sligo) v Pádraig Pearses (Roscommon)
Markievicz Park, 2pm
At the eighth time of asking, Pádraig Pearses made history by landing the big one in Roscommon. They have the talent to kick on – and their three-week break will have helped to reset and refocus.
Verdict: Pádraig Pearses
Ballintubber (Mayo) v GlencarManorhamilton (Leitrim)
MacHale Park, 2pm
To see Alan Dillon still chipping in with Ballintubber shows how the Mayo football flame will never go out, no matter the hard luck stories on the All-Ireland stage. Cillian O’Connor’s return to full fitness and form has been key.
Verdict: Ballintubber
Ulster club SFC quarter-finals
Castlerahan (Cavan) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal)
Kingspan Breffni, 2.30pm A real chance that, after the slog to get over the line against Gaoth Dobhair, Naomh Conaill won’t have the legs for another testing run-out. Yet the character they have shown, suggests they can find a way.
Verdict: Naomh Conaill
Kilcoo (Down) v
Magherafelt (Derry)
Pairc Esler, 2.30pm
Danny Heavron’s post-match speech charmed the nation after Magherafelt bridged the generations with a Derry county title. Slaughtneil’s impact in Ulster and beyond will give them the belief they can mix it on the provincial stage. Verdict: Magherafelt
Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) v Trillick (Tyrone)
Brewster Park, 2.30pm
The Tyrone county final certainly won’t be remembered as a classic on a day when Lee Brennan and Mattie Donnelly (above) provided some of the stand-out moments. There’s a sense that Trillick can kick on now that they are out into the wider climes of Ulster. Verdict: Trillick
Galway SFC final replay
Corofin v Tuam Stars
Tuam Stadium, 2pm
The team bidding for the title of greatest club side the competition has seen almost came a cropper the last day. It took two ice-cool frees from Gary Sice to give them a second chance – and the All-Ireland champions are hardly going to pass it up. Verdict: Corofin
Dublin SFC final
Ballyboden St Enda’s v Thomas Davis
Parnell Park, 4pm (Live TG4)
It’s something of a throwback to see Thomas Davis return to the big stage and a reminder of the club’s status as a 1990s powerhouse when they reached the All-Ireland final. The likes of Colm Basquel, though, have been in fine form for Ballyboden, who have potential match-winners aplenty.
Verdict: Ballyboden St Enda’s
HURLING Leinster club SHC quarter-finals
Clonkill (Westmeath) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny)
TEG Cusack Park, 1.30pm An emotional week for Ballyhale, who remembered the late Eugene Aylward in the wake of last Sunday’s impressive county final win. The All-Ireland champions are too experienced to slip up here.
Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks
St Mullins (Carlow) v Cuala (Dublin) Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm Willie Maher has Cuala back on the provincial stage where they tend not to lose games since setting off on that breakthrough All-Ireland run. Coping without Con O’Callaghan against St Brigid’s showed their all-round quality.
Verdict: Cuala
Rathdowney-Errill (Laois) v St Rynagh’s (Offaly) O’Moore Park, 2.30pm
The manner in which St Rynagh’s came from behind and pinched a county title out of Birr’s hand shows a team with a keen sense of timing. This one, too, could boil down to a tight finish with Ross King’s redemption part of the Rathdowney Errill story.
Verdict: St Rynaghs (Offaly)
Munster club SHC quarter-final
Sixmilebridge (Clare) v Ballygunner (Waterford)
Sixmilebridge, 1.30pm
Between Wexford winning Leinster and Sixmilebridge winning Clare, Davy Fitzgerald continues to shape the hurling season. This is a tough one though against a Ballygunner side who reign supreme in Waterford and who have the likes of Dessie Hutchinson adding another dimension this year.
Verdict: Ballygunner
Tipperary SHC final
Borris-Ileigh v Kiladangan
Semple Stadium, 2.30pm (TG4 deferred, 5.40pm)
Kiladangan’s form and consistency has been a stand-out feature but Borris-Ileigh also have a 33-year hunger – hard to believe it’s 1986 since the club went all the way in the competition. Verdict: Borris-Ileigh