THE PUBLICATION of the confirmed GAA National League fixtures for next season sets up a number of box-office pairings for the first weekend of the competition, February 6th and 7th.

On the Saturday night there is a reprise of the Connacht final with new Galway manager Joe Kernan taking his team to Castlebar to face Mayo. The same evening Ulster champions Tyrone head to Derry in a re-run of last June’s provincial semi-final.

Feature match on Sunday is Leinster champions Dublin’s trip to take on All-Ireland champions Kerry.

Pat Gilroy’s team will have plenty of motivation after last August’s wipe-out in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

The National Hurling League starts two weeks later with a re-match of last month’s titanic All-Ireland final – and last season’s league decider – as champions Kilkenny take on Tipperary under lights in Thurles.

Tonight– Dublin SFC Semi-final (replay): Kilmacud Crokes v Ballyboden St Enda's, Parnell Park, 8pm.