County Previews ...

Previews from around the country

ARMAGH: One of the greatest winning streaks in any sport is on the line tomorrow as Crossmaglen Rangers attempt to win a record 12th consecutive county senior football title. The incredible thing is not just that unbeaten run, but also the fact that they start this game as such overwhelming favourites.

The reigning All-Ireland champions still boast leading Armagh players such as Oisín McConville, Aaron Kernan and goalkeeper Paul Hearty, and the home advantage makes the task facing Pearse Óg all the more difficult. Yet the challengers, who won three previous county titles in 1985, 1989 and 1992, aren't without hope, with some recent input from former Armagh selector Paul Grimley. Expect the crashing sound to resonate around the country should Crossmaglen lose.

CARLOW: A double-bill of county football semi-finals takes place in Dr Cullen Park tomorrow, starting with Eire Óg against Rathvilly. Eire Óg, the champions of 2005, are traditionally one of the strongest clubs in the county, holders of a leading 23 titles, while Rathvilly have only four titles to date, most recently in 1991.

The second semi-final between Palatine and Clonegal-Kildavin takes centre stage, simply because it marks a repeat of last year's final. On that occasion, Palatine won by the closest of margins - 1-9 to 0-11 - to claim a fifth county title, and second in six years. Kildavin haven't won since 1973, and that hunger, combined with last year's tight battle, should make for a particularly memorable game.

DERRY:The Derry football championship remains one of the most competitive in the country, and this weekend's two semi-finals reflect that. This evening in Ballinascreen, Bellaghy - the 2005 champions - take on Dungiven, one of the strongest dual clubs in the county, and who last won the football title in 1997. It promises to be tight, with Bellaghy's recent form probably enough to shade it.

Tomorrow it's the turn of reigning county champions Ballinderry, who last year beat Loup, and who find Glenullin in their way of another final. Ballinderry have several county stars including Enda Muldoon and Conleth Gilligan, and that scoring threat up front should be enough to handle Glenullin, who last won the title in 1985.

DONEGAL: One of the classic David v Goliath contests takes place in Ballybofey tomorrow when St Eunan's face Glenswilly in the county football final. For St Eunan's, there is the added incentive of losing the last two county finals, last year to Gweedore, and the year before that to Naomh Conaill, but the Letterkenny club have traditionally been one of the leaders on the football front, winning 11 titles to date, the last in 2001. For Glenswilly that's the ominous challenge in store tomorrow, and with St Eunan's boasting such skilled players as Rory Kavanagh and Brendan Devenney it's hard to see them causing a David-style upset.

GALWAY: Last year Galway brought a motion to GAA Congress, designed by the Athenry club, seeking a ban to be placed on third level institutions taking part in the provincial club championships, but which was defeated. Well now the Galway football championship finds itself facing that scenario as NUIG take on Killererin in one tomorrow's two semi-finals to be played at Tuam Stadium.

Killererin, chasing a fifth title, will start as clear favourites, not least of all as they still boast the services of Padraic Joyce and cousin Nicholas Joyce. In the other semi-final, Caltra, the 2003 champions and subsequent All-Ireland winners, face Milltown, who are seeking their first title since 1981.

KILDARE: You couldn't design a more appealing county semi-final than Clane against Sarsfields, for years the kingpins of Kildare club football, who meet at 5pm this evening in Newbridge. Sarsfields last won the title in 2005, giving them their 11th in all, but Clane are still the standard bearers with 17 titles, even if the last one came in 1997. Sarsfields will start this replay as marginal favourites, and anyone attending may want to look out for Kieran McGeeney, whose attendance may confirm his future role as county manager.

KERRY: After winning a first county title in 2004, South Kerry are chasing a fourth in successive, and given the talent the divisional club has on board, it's hard to bet against them. All-Ireland winning captain Declan O'Sullivan fronts the highly impressive attack that also includes Bryan Sheehan, the free-taking successor to Maurice Fitzgerald, and while Fitzgerald hasn't played for the club since last year's final he remains a big influence. They face the other divisional side Mid-Kerry in Killarney tomorrow afternoon, while the other semi-final takes place in Tralee this afternoon, the replay between Feale Rangers and Kilcummin. Feale Rangers field Kerry's All-Ireland winner Paul Galvin , and look out for a certain Mike McCarthy still doing the business for Kilcummin.

LAOIS: Tomorrow's hurling final between Portlaoise and Camross takes centre stage, as Camross look to extend their leading number of titles to 23, the last of those won in 1996. Portlaoise, however, collected the title in 2004, and may well have the momentum to win it.

In football, the semi-final clash between reigning champions Arles-Killeen and Stradbally takes place this evening in Portlaoise. Stradbally were outright winners two years ago, while Arles-Killeen, who boast well-known forwards Beano McDonald and Donie Brennan, fell to Ballyroan Gaels in last year's final, perhaps giving them the impetus to take this one.

LONGFORD: Another attractive football title up for grabs in Pearse Park tomorrow. Dromard have won the title as recently as 2005 and 2000, while Colmcille are looking for their first title since 1958 - and that promises a closely fought contest with typical club fervour.

MAYO: There seems to be great turnover in the Mayo football championship, and with two-time defending champions Crossmolina already out, this year's edition features Charlestown, who last won in 2001, against Ballina, the champions of 2004 and still the leading force with a record 34 titles. On that basis alone the winning signals point towards Ballina.

ROSCOMMON: This is one of the rare finals featuring a rematch of last year as the defending champions St Brigid's again do battle with St Faitheach's. Last year St Brigid's won 1-7 to 1-5, for a seventh title, while St Faithleach's are still chasing their second title, the first won in 1965. But with Frankie Dolan still doing the business for St Brigid's it looks like back-to-back titles for the champions.

SLIGO: With defending champions Curry out there are two eagerly-awaited semi-finals in Tubbercurry tomorrow, starting with St John's against Tourlestrane, who last won in 1999. That's followed by Eastern Harps against Easkey, with Harps showing the better form of late. As expected there are several players from Sligo's Connacht winning team in action, including Philip Greene, Charles Harrison, Michael McNamara (all St John's), Eamon O'Hara and Brendan Egan (Tourlestrane), Ross Donovan and Paul McGovern (Eastern Harps) and Connacht winning captain Noel McGuire (Easkey).