Sunday’s GAA previews: Kilmacud Crokes should have enough in Leinster

Leinster Club SHC quarter-finals Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Rathdowney-Errill (Laois) Parnell Park, 2.30 Although Rathdowney-Errill's on-off habit of winning the Laois title every second year since 2006 has given them a fair amount of practice in Leinster, it has been their misfortune on the last three occasions to run into the eventual champions each time.

Here they face a Crokes side with Ryan O’Dwyer, Niall Corcoran and the O’Carroll brothers all offering a stout case for their attention after squeaking to an extra-time win in the Dublin final last Friday. Ollie Baker’s southsiders ought to have enough about them.

Raharney (Westmeath) v St Mullins (Carlow) Cusack Park, 2.30 With Mount Leinster Rangers surprise early casualties in the Carlow championship, St Mullins have a tough task on their hands here against a Raharney side buttressed by the likes of Conor Jordan and Conor Greville.

The Westmeath side have a potent attack in the shape of Paul Greville and the 17-yearold Doyle twins who scored 1-10 between them in the county final. That scoring power should carry the day.

Shelmaliers (Wexford) v Kilcormac/Killoughey (Offaly) Wexford Park, 2.30 –deferred showing on TG4 While three titles in a row for Kilcormac/Killoughey in Offaly is no mean achievement in and of itself, the manner in which they are beginning to carry all before them is especially impressive. They were the only unbeaten team in the group stages of the Offaly championship and won the final against St Rynagh's by 12 points.

Shelmaliers have put in a sterling few weeks to make it this far but you have to suspect a brilliant season that brought their first Wexford title is about to end.

Ulster Club SHC final Cushendall (Antrim) v Portaferry (Down) Owenbeg, 2.30 Cushendall have made heavy weather of getting this far, scratching and clawing their way through five games, as opposed to Portaferry's three. But their sound defensive make-up has meant the concession of just a single goal so far and they look battle-hardened here against Portaferry, a club that has never won an Ulster club title.

Tipperary SHC final Thurles Sarsfields v Loughmore-Castleiney Semple Stadium, 3.30 Oddly enough for two teams that have dominated the Tipp championship in recent years – winning six of the last nine titles between them – this is their first meeting in a final.

Loughmore-Castleiney put in the more impressive semi-final display when shrugging Mullinahone aside. Sarsfields had to dig a little deeper and needed to spring Lar Corbett from the bench in the second half against Templederry, but there’s little doubt these are the two best sides in Tipp.

There is ample firepower on both sides – various McGraths for the holders, Pa Bourke and Aidan McCormack chief among the snipers for Sars.

If the rain holds off, it should be high-scoring. Either way, Loughmore-Castleiney might just have enough.

Ulster Club SFC quarter-finals Omagh St Endas (Tyrone) v Crossmaglen (Armagh) Omagh, 2.30 – Live on TG4 The great survivors, Omagh, are here on the back of two last-minute wins grabbed through two last-minute goals against Dromore and Carrickmore. They've had ample opportunity to live up to the flaky tag traditionally stitched on them, but to their credit they've stuck on each time. Still, this looks like the end of the road. Cross' haven't been tested yet and might not be this side of an Ulster final.

Clontibret (Monaghan) v St Gall’s (Antrim) Clones, 2.30 Clontibret shivered the timbers of the Ulster championship somewhat with their win over Kilcoo last time out, strangling the Down side with a packed defence and catching them at the death with a sucker-punch goal from Dessie Mone.

Though the bookies have them down as favourites here, they can’t boast St Gall’s experience outside their own county.

The Monaghan side certainly have the players in Mone, Conor McManus and Vinnie Corey through their spine but St Gall's are old hands at this and could progress.

Munster Club SFC quarter-final Ballylanders (Limerick) v The Nire (Waterford) Kilmallock, 2.30 The Nire look to have found a gem in 18-year-old Conor Gleeson who lit up the county final against Stradbally, and with Liam Lawlor and Shane Walsh driving the side on, they look the sounder prospect against the Limerick champions.

Kerry SFC final replay Mid Kerry v Austin Stacks Fitzgerald Stadium, 2.45 Entertaining fare in the drawn game. Stacks are surely kicking themselves that they didn’t see it out after being four points ahead with the wind behind them. With Kieran Donaghy and Daniel Bohan to the fore, they have enough nous not to give Mid Kerry any more second chances.

Donegal SFC final Glenswilly v St Eunans Ballybofey, 4.00 Glenswilly have been living on a knife edge since they lost their opening match to Kilcar – not only having to win matches but by designated amounts to stay alive. They've been teetering most of the way and St Eunans can topple them here.