This weekend's matches in full
Tomorrow
Connacht Club SFC Final
Corofin (Galway) v St Brigid's (Roscommon)
Dr Hyde Park, 2pm
How much has changed in a year? Twelve months ago, St Brigid's were comprehensively beaten by Galway side Salthill-Knocknacarra and tomorrow face the city side's successors, Corofin.
The Roscommon champions pulled off an unexpected win against Crossmolina in the semi-final, but the Mayo club are an ageing side who had to replay their county final. This will be a stiffer test.
New Mayo manager John O'Mahony is in the background for Brigid's, whose manager is former Galway hurler Anthony Cunningham. Although Corofin's instincts are footballing they have sufficient work-rate to tough this out and make possession difficult for Brigid's, who are now deploying Karol Mannion at centrefield, which is a loss to the attack.
You have to go back 17 years to find the last time a club from outside Galway or Mayo won this title and that trend looks likely to continue.
Leinster Club SHC Final
Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Birr (Offaly)
Portlaoise, 2pm
There wasn't a moment in the semi-final when Ballyhale looked like losing, despite a dogged display by Rathnure. Birr made heavy weather of Craobh Chiaráin, although ultimately winning by the same margin. Although it's tempting to see this as the last thrashings of a fading Birr, the team is fairly well topped up with new blood and nearly half the team didn't start the last All-Ireland win only five seasons ago.
Brian Whelahan's son Aaron made an appearance the last day out and the father/son combination is likely to get another outing at some stage today. The Offaly champions also have great experience around the field, but there is a rhythm and edge to Ballyhale, particularly going forward with the newly crowned Hurler and Young Hurler of the Year pairing James Fitzpatrick, pulling the strings at centrefield, and Henry Shefflin, lethal in attack. Birr were well beaten by O'Loughlin Gaels three years ago and tomorrow's opponents are a hotter prospect than their predecessors.
Leinster Club SFC Semi-final
Tyrrellspass (Westmeath) v Moorefield (Kildare)
Mullingar, 2pm
Tyrrellspass are busy these times and tomorrow is their third outing in successive weeks and probably their toughest. The replay win over Arles-Killeen was a grind that could have been easier if they had converted a penalty, but after Martin Flanagan and David Glennon switched effectively to centrefield they were value for the win.
Moorefield put aside a patchy draw against Horeswood to go up the gears in the replay, which makes them favourites for this.
Munster SFC Semi-finals
The Nire (Waterford) v Aherlow (Tipperary)
Cashel, 2pm
The Nire eventually broke free of Stradbally's stranglehold in Waterford whereas Aherlow became the first Tipp club in five years to win a provincial fixture.
With the advantage of that win over Fr Casey's, Aherlow have a start on the Waterford side, who, however, have on board Shane Walsh, one of the stars of the county's under-21 success three years ago.
Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Dr Croke's (Kerry)
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.45pm
Nemo weren't exactly on fire when winning the county title, but at least they have that momentum whereas Crokes blew their own chances to take South Kerry to at least a replay.
Since 1996, Kerry clubs have managed only one win over their Cork counterparts (An Ghaeltacht's 2003 defeat of Castlehaven) and there's not much to suggest the Killarney club are about to improve that statistic.
There's been the distraction of manager Pat O'Shea's candidacy for the Kerry job and the lassitude that generally overshadows teams entering the provincial championship as losers.
Against that, Nemo are carrying the burden of suspension, injury and travel commitments, which deprives them of important players, Alan Cronin, Gearóid Ó Sé, David Niblock and Niall Geary.
Still the Cork champions are favourites.
Ulster Club SFC Semi-finals
Clontibret (Monaghan) v Crossmaglen (Armagh)
Kingspan Breffni Park, 2pm
Good response from Clontibret last week to the Cargin replay and they played some excellent football in racking up a good win.
That mobility and sharpness, if replicated, will prove a handful for Cross, who are missing Aaron Kernan, but the Armagh champions are formidable enough and have the experience to negotiate this.
Errigal Ciarán (Tyrone) v Ballinderry (Derry)
Replay - Casement Park, 1.45pm
Errigal's survival was a slight surprise given the Derry club's previous blitz of Mayobridge, but the Tyrone team rarely figure in one-way matches. Despite a gusting wind the sides were level at both half-time and the final whistle after Peter Canavan - inevitably - had fired over the equalising point into the wind.
For all Errigal's resilience Ballinderry looked the better team overall and with a week to re-adjust their sights, they should haul themselves over the line.
All-Ireland Club Women's SFC Final
Carnacon (Mayo) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan)
Dromard, 2.30pm
Two finalists who blindsided fancied opponents in the semi-finals with Donaghmoyne travelling to Ballyboden to sink the home side's chances of pursuing a three-in-a-row and Carnacon eliminating Cork champions Donoughmore.
The Monaghan side have the experience and motivation of losing last year's final and can go one better tomorrow.
DONAGHMOYNE: L Martin, J Geoghan, M Grimes, N Lynch, H Kingham, F Courtney (capt.), J Courtney, S Courtney, A Casey, L Daly, M Woods, E Murtagh, C Courtney, C McConnell, L Kingham.
CARNACON: C Brennan, N Hurst, C McGing, M Corbett, M Corbett, A Loftus, S McGing, C Egan, M Carter (capt.), N Tierney, F McHale, C Connolly, M Hallinan, C Staunton, M Staunton.
