GAA weekend previews

All the weekend's main GAA fixtures previewed

TODAY

2.30 unless stated

NHL Division 3A final

Kerry v Derry, Pádraig Pearses GAA Club Woodmount, Roscommon - Kerry hurling has a renewed vigour about it under John Meyler and company, unbeaten in the division this season, and tricky opposition as Derry will be, it will be a huge disappointment if Kerry don't clinch promotion today.

NHL Division Four final

Monaghan v Longford, Kingspan Breffni Park - Monaghan appear to have the slight edge but Longford are sure to be a good match for them, and promotion could go either way.

All-Ireland Vocational Schools SF 'A' final, St Malachy's, Castlewellan v Clonakilty CC, Croke Park, 12.45 - St Malachy's have a fine record in this competition but come up against an equally capable Clonakilty, who had an impressive Munster campaign this season and boast a number of prolific scoring forwards.

All-Ireland Colleges SF 'A' final: St Brendan's, Killarney v St Colman's, Newry, Croke Park, 2.30 - St Brendan's will need to raise their game if they are to halt the Ulster champions.

SUNDAY

2.30 unless stated

NFL Division One

Tyrone v Dublin, Omagh - Who could have predicted the two teams who between them have won the last seven All-Ireland football titles would be both fighting off relegation - Tyrone here, and Kerry down in Killarney?

"This is too important to lose," says Tyrone manager Mickey Harte.

For Dublin, the story is that if they win, and Mayo lose in Cork, then Dublin will join Cork in their first league final in 11 years.

For Tyrone, it's the flip side, in that if they lose, and Monaghan either draw with or beat Kerry, then Tyrone are relegated (having lost to Monaghan and Derry previously).

You would have to think this game means more to Tyrone than it does to Dublin.

Pat Gilroy continues in experimental mode. Having used 31 players in the league already, he gives competition debuts to Ross O'Carroll, Denis Bastick and Niall Corkery and replaces regular goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton with Michael Savage.

Tyrone's Philip Jordan makes his first start since last August, coming in at wing back. Ryan McMenamin moves to left corner back, while up front, Brian McGuigan replaces his younger brother Tommy, with Seán Cavanagh in at full forward. That's a fairly formidable Tyrone line-up and given what's at stake it should be enough to secure the points.

Kerry v Monaghan, Killarney - If Kerry or Monaghan lose, they'll most likely be relegated. A draw might save them both, provided Dublin beat Tyrone - but points difference could yet come into play should Derry beat Galway.

Either way neither team can afford to take any chances. Killarney. "It's a game we need to win," said Kerry manager Jack O'Connor. In that mode, Kerry will be difficult to beat and O'Connor has a few of his big guns back on board such as Paul Galvin and Tomás Ó Sé. Kerry won't be far off their championship 15.

"Destiny is in our own hands," said Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney, and few could doubt Monaghan's competitive intentions here. Damien Freeman is back after a few weeks break but if it comes down to a tight finish, Kerry have the greater firepower.

Cork v Mayo, Páirc Uí Chaoimh - A dress rehearsal for the league final two weeks later? We'll see. Cork are already there, and Mayo can seal their place too if they win here. That gives Mayo the greater ambition for victory but Cork won't want to lose at this stage and they are unquestionably the form team at the moment.

Mayo manager John O'Mahony will be putting out his best possible side, with midfielder Ronan McGarrity back in contention, and Alan Dillon also fit again despite limping off against Monaghan.

That game showed Mayo don't let the heads drop like they used to.

Cork manager Conor Counihan makes 10 changes in total from the last day's win over Derry. The problem for Mayo is that they're not exactly experimental changes. Goalkeeper Alan Quirke and defenders Anthony Lynch and Graham Canty all return to the team, the latter two making their first appearances of the year. Kieran O'Connor, Ger Spillane, Aidan Walsh.

Donncha O'Connor, Kevin McMahon, Colm O'Neill and Ciaran Sheehan also start and, given incentive to impress, Cork should spoil Mayo's hopes.

Galway v Derry, Pearse Stadium: Derry have to win to have any slight chance of surviving relegation but in all likelihood they are essentially playing for pride. Forward Paddy Bradley misses out here with a hamstring strain, but hopes to be back in action in time for Derry's Ulster football championship opener against Armagh on May 16th.

Galway are safe and with that in mind, and a championship date with New York in just three weeks time, Joe Kernan rests Kieran Fitzgerald (back ailment) and also Diarmuid Blake, who has a groin strain, and gives Conor Healy a start at midfield in place of Barry Cullinane.

Derry may win here, but it's unlikely to save them.

NFL Division Two

Donegal v Armagh, Letterkenny - The game of the day as the winners join Down in the Division Two final - and more importantly secure promotion. If it's a draw Armagh will be promoted as they have the superior scoring difference over Donegal. But both teams will be gunning for the win.

Donegal are on a bit of a roll at the moment, with further momentum coming during the week when their under-21s beat Cavan to claim a first Ulster title since 1995.

Young forward Michael Murphy hit a 1-5 on the night and when you include home advantage as well, then Donegal do look poised to advance.

Down v Laois, Newry - This has been a hugely impressive league campaign for Down who are already safely promoted. Manager James McCartan has a talented panel at his disposal and really his focus now is the Ulster championship date with Donegal.

Laois have recovered after a poor start to the campaign and their victory over Kildare in the last round was their first over their rivals since 2003. But they may find Down away too hot to handle.

Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann - Kieran McGeeney has played down the importance of promotion, but Kildare's form has been swinging between mediocre and very poor, and it's important they at least go on with a win.

Meath are in the same boat of course. They need a boost before the championship begins. They're always difficult to beat in Navan and manager Eamonn O'Brien recently had them on a warm-weather training camp in Portugal. Two reasons right there why they should win.

Tipperary v Westmeath, Thurles - Westmeath should indicate their potential by closing out here with a first win of the season.

NFL Division Three

Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni Park: Fermanagh are relegated but Cavan have it all to play for as they line up in the final race for promotion alongside Antrim, Sligo, Wexford, Louth, and Offaly. But Cavan, just like Louth and Offaly, can only make it if Sligo and Wexford each fail to take at least one point from their games.

Offaly v Louth, Tullamore - Both teams are still in remote contention for promotion. Offaly were well beaten by Cavan the last day, but should have enough class to see off their Leinster rivals here.

Sligo v Roscommon, Markievicz Park: It's endgame as far as Roscommon are concerned as Sligo will try to make their final push for promotion. Eamonn O'Hara and Adrian Marren are both back for the crucial game, Kenneth Sweeney and Donal McLynn also returning from injury, and the bottom line here is that if Sligo beat Roscommon by more than Wexford beat Antrim, then they will be in Division Two next year.

Wexford v Antrim, Wexford Park - Antrim will reach the final and clinch promotion for a second successive year if they win or draw. Even if they lose, they could still be promoted, along with Wexford, if Sligo fail to beat Roscommon. Antrim should cap off promotion with the win.

NFL Division Four

Waterford v Clare, Fraher Field - This has the potential to be the game of the day. Both teams are desperate to clinch promotion and can - provided they beat the other. With home advantage Waterford are very marginal favourites.

Wicklow v Kilkenny, Aughrim - Easy win for Wicklow.

Longford v London, Pearse Park - Longford got precious little out of this year's league, But they should have too much for London.

Limerick v Leitrim, Gaelic Grounds - Limerick are poised to return to Division Three at the first attempt and should prevail.