Club Final Previews

Tomorrow (All games 2.00 unless stated)

Leinster SFC final: Na Fianna (Dublin) v Sarsfields (Kildare) Pairc Tailteann, Navan (Live on TG4) - Na Fianna won't know themselves. Jason Sherlock and Senan Connell missed their most recent championship outing (against Portlaoise) due to suspension but are back for the big one.

In theory, the return of the duo should further bolster an attack that isn't short of talent anyway. This will be the Dublin club's biggest test yet, however. After a hesitant start to the provincial campaign, Sarsfields have really got into their stride. Niall Buckley has been to the forefront of much that has been good about the Kildare side's progress and Pauric Brennan has provided tremendous back-up.

This is new terrain for Na Fianna, but they appear to have the necessary firepower to see them through. Apart from the return of Sherlock and Connell, they also have that old warhorse Mick Galvin, who has been an inspirational captain, and Dessie Farrell, who has been just inspirational. Add in the two Armaghmen, Des Mackin and Kieran McGeeney, it looks like a winning cocktail.

History too is on the side of the Dublin team. Six Dublin clubs have previously lifted the Leinster club title, only one Kildare club - Raheens, back in 1981 - have managed the feat.

Prediction: Na Fianna.

Munster SFC Final: Doonbeg (Clare) v University College Cork (Cork) Gaelic Grounds, Limerick - Rather unkindly dubbed the "University of the Kingdom" because of the large number of Kerry players in their ranks, UCC probably don't have the widespread support that teams from that county could normally expect. Nevertheless, any team that can overcome Nemo Rangers in a Cork final - and all the passion that entails - and then progress to the provincial final deserves respect.

Micheal Cronin has been an inspirational captain while Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Ian Twiss have played their parts in UCC's memorable year which has seen them win the Sigerson Cup and, of course, the county title. Indeed, they are seeking to maintain a quite extraordinary record in the championship which saw them win the Munster title in both their previous excursions: in 1971 and 1973.

Doonbeg lost out in two previous finals before making it a case of third-time-lucky last year. Winning a championship is a commendable feat, successfully defending it is something else entirely. But Doonbeg have made a good fist of it so far. The one month's lay-off could either militate against them, or go in their favour.

However, their win over Kerry's Laune Rangers in the semi-final showed they have lost none of the hunger that brought them to provincial glory last year and, with Francis McInerney again proving an inspirational figure, Doonbeg will certainly be hard to beat.

Prediction: Doonbeg.

All-Ireland SHC quarter-final - St Gabriel's (London) v Athenry (Galway) Ruislip - Too many star names in the Galway team's ranks to anticipate anything other than a comfortable win. Prediction: Athenry.

All-Ireland B SFC

Final: Antrim v Fermanagh Casement Park - Finally we get around to the `B' final, which was originally pencilled into the schedule for October 17th last. Perhaps the procrastination is as good an indication as any about how the competition is really viewed by those that matter . . . but it is a final and both teams will be anxious to claim some silverware to finish off the century.

Antrim have shown signs in recent times of shedding the Cinderella image which their footballers have had for a number of years, but, in reality, there can be only one winner this time round. Fermanagh are playing a higher standard of football in the National League and seem to have more class all round with Paul Brewster expected to be an influential figure.

Prediction: Fermanagh.

NFL Previews

Division 1A: Tyrone v Roscommon, Dungannon - Both teams had expected to ease into their winter break and probably do a bit of Sunday shopping in the run-up to Christmas. Humbug. The GAC - and last week's inconsiderate storm - have ruined those plans and the two sides must get this game out of the way before they can ease down.

Tyrone's two games in the league have confirmed the inconsistency of league football at this juncture of the year: they hammered Dublin, and were hammered themselves by Kerry. For good measure, Dublin then beat Kerry. Still, home advantage should probably see Tyrone back to their true selves.

Prediction: Tyrone.

Division 2B - Wicklow v Westmeath Aughrim - Some bad blood, and probably a sense of unfinished business, from their last league outing which resulted in one player receiving a serious facial injury and then a tribunal that stretched on into the summer. It's never easy to go to Aughrim and emerge with the points, but Westmeath's young team seem to be on a more upward curve than the home side.

Prediction: Westmeath.