Sunday's club championship games previewed

Ulster SHC semi-finals

Ballygalget (Down) v Keady (Armagh), Casement Park, 1.45

Ballygalget had a more comfortable than expected win in the county final against Portaferry courtesy of a great half-back line display and the experienced Martin Coulter's finishing up front.

Keady lost to eventual intermediate All-Ireland winners Clonkill in last season's semi-final and this represents a big step-up.

Cushendall (Antrim) v Kevin Lynch's (Derry),

Casement Park, 3.30

Kevin Lynch's came through a testing final against Swatragh in Derry and held their opponents to just two points from play, which helped preserve the value of Feidhlim Kelly's early goal. Cushendall looked formidable chalking up a third Antrim title in four years against Loughgiel and will be favourites.

Meath SFC

Navan O'Mahony's v Summerhill, Páirc Tailteann, 3.30

An anxious weekend for O'Mahony's, the county's most successful club but who have now gone as a long without the title as ever before in their history, 11 years. Adding to the tension is that for the past two years they have lost finals despite being hot favourites. Tomorrow they face one of the other big traditions in Meath football, Summerhill, who have been guided to a first final in 18 years by two well-known names, Matt Kerrigan and Paraic Lyons. But backboned by Australia-bound Kevin Reilly, Mark Ward and Stephen Bray, Navan should just avoid prolonging their drought.

Monaghan SFC

Latton v Carrickmacross, Clones, 3.30

Carrick eliminated understrength champions Clontibret in the semi-finals with a lethal 1-2 in the closing minutes. Their forwards have been playing well but are up against the championship's meanest defence.

Conversely the problem for Latton is that despite the outstanding centrefield partnership of Aidan Farmer and Eoin Lennon they're not scoring prolifically but their experience in winning the county three years ago can stand to them here.

Roscommon SFC

Castlerea St Kevin's v Pádraig Pearse's,

Dr Hyde Park, 3.0

Still waiting for a first title, Pearses would have been comfortable favourites given their experience and the early departure of regular champions St Brigid's had Castlerea not speeded up the evolutionary process with a three-match saga in the semi-finals against Western Gaels, which has visibly raised their game. With Ger Heneghan scoring prolifically and captain Nigel Dineen in good form the Catlerea momentum might just carry them through.

Westmeath SFC

Castledaly v Garrycastle, Mullingar, 4.0

Neighbours meet with Castledaly, conquerors after a replay of defending champions and last year's Leinster finalists Tyrrellspass, seeking a first title. Opponents Garrycastle are on their fourth this decade - two of which were achieved against tomorrow's opponents. Driven by county player Derek Heavin at centre back, Castledaly may however find that their time has come.

Wicklow SFC replay

St Patrick's v Kiltegan,

Aughrim, 3.15

There is a strong sense Kiltegan might have left this behind them. Having led for a lot of the game by four points they were reeled in by an injury-time equaliser. Whether the outsiders can reprise the virtual monopoly at centrefield and restrict Paul Earls, who managed 1-2 despite close attention, is open to question. St Patrick's can retain the title they so nearly lost.

Laois SHC

Portlaoise v Rathdowney-Errill, O'Moore Park, 3.0

Driven by a poor performance when getting hammered by Camross in last year's final, Portlaoise should be well motivated but Rathdowney beat the champions in the semi-final. The sides are well balanced but Rathdowney have the strength and form to make it back-to-back disappointments for Portlaoise.

Offaly SHC

Birr v Kinnitty,

Tullamore, 3.0

After their comprehensive All-Ireland defeat last March, there was a feeling Birr might be about to slip into a quieter phase and a first-round defeat by Tullamore in the county confirmed those reservations but here they are back in a 10th successive county final. They face a Kinnitty side that responded well to Coolderry in an impressive second half. But the champions are hard to derail once they pick up momentum.