A look ahead at this weekend's Gaelic games fixtures

Sunday

National Football League

(Matches at 2.30 unless stated)

Division One

Tyrone v Mayo, Omagh:These teams could contrive a draw that would guarantee both of them safety from the, albeit, remote threat of relegation. Mayo have done enough work to stay up and, but for peevish misfortune, might have been challenging for a place in the final.

John O'Mahony has changed a lot of the furniture and the team that played Galway a week ago had only six of the players who started the calamitous championship match between the counties 11 months ago. Even allowing for injuries and trial runs that's a radical overhaul.

Tyrone have had a subdued campaign, labouring at centrefield, juggling options in defence and limited in attack. The three strike forwards of the golden era, Canavan, O'Neill and Mulligan are retired in the first two cases and injured and lacking form in Mulligan's, although tomorrow there is a welcome first start in two years for Brian McGuigan.

Mickey Harte can not be blamed for running the rule over as many candidates as possible but time flies and Down in the championship are only seven weeks away. This probably won't matter in the greater scheme of things but Mayo's form is more settled.

Donegal v Derry, Letterkenny:If Derry win they're into the final; it's not as clear-cut in Donegal's case but this is an appetising fixture ahead of the counties' championship meeting on June 1st. Derry have had the more impressive campaign even though the teams are level on points, given the late steals by Donegal against Kerry and Mayo.

Letterkenny had its first NFL fixture since the 1970s last season when Kerry played there.

Brendan Devenney exploited his local knowledge that day and has rejoined the panel this week after long-term injury but could appear.

With Fergal Doherty back on board, last week Derry's centrefield supply to Paddy Bradley improved dramatically and the Glenullin All Star did the rest.

If Derry won comfortably against Tyrone, Donegal rode their luck in beating Laois. The visitors have the greater incentive (Donegal's poor scoring difference means even a win won't guarantee they can defend their title in the final) and can progress to a first final in eight years.

Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise:Barring last-day upheavals both sides are going down. Laois had the added burden of premature retirements and injuries. Now with the injuries clearing and Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly back from retirement, Liam Kearns can look forward to the championship with a sense of optimism.

Kildare have been even unluckier and could have had more from last week's trip to Kerry but for, according to manager Kieran McGeeney, a lack of composure in scoring positions. A big win would keep the trapdoor open for Kildare but the hunch is Laois will close it regardless of results elsewhere.

Galway v Kerry, Pearse Stadium:Two of the happiest teams in the NFL. Pat O'Shea's All-Ireland champions have improvised through the spring in the absence of heavy-hitters, including half the first-choice forwards, and still come out within striking distance of the divisional final.

Gradually his missing personnel is reassembling, with Colm Cooper home if not match-ready and Declan O'Sullivan also back in the frame.

Galway have been playing some attractive forward-oriented football, with Pádraic Joyce rejuvenated in his partnership with Michael Meehan from centre forward.

There was bad news during the week when it emerged Joe Bergin will miss the rest of the season unless Galway reach the All-Ireland semi-final.

There will be some interesting match-ups tomorrow, with Marc Ó Sé probably picking up Meehan and Finian Hanley trying to reprise the tactical coup on Kieran Donaghy, organised by John O'Mahony in the Connacht-Munster Railway Cup semi-final in October 2006 in which the Kerry full forward nonetheless managed a great goal.

Galway could survive a defeat but only in certain circumstances. They have a bad record against Kerry this decade but this is a chance to improve on it.

Division Two (refixture)

Armagh v Dublin, Crossmaglen:Dublin can confirm their promotion tomorrow but Paul Caffrey has gone with an experimental line-up, including a centrefield of Eamonn Fennell and Paul Flynn. Bryan Cullen is selected in what many believe is his best position at centre back, although a switch between him and Collie Moran in the half forwards is a possibility.

The Dublin manager will be pleased to have got to the cusp of Division One and at the same time tried a good number of new players.

Although Armagh are in transition and had a disappointing match against Meath last week, Crossmaglen isn't the best place for squad rotation.

But Dublin have been steady rather than spectacular and need the result, whereas the home side have no further interest in the division. Away win.

Division Three (refixture)

Down v Limerick, Newry:Disaster of a defeat for Down last week and one that leaves their promotion hopes hanging by a thread. Crucial weekend for Limerick, who will be hoping Congress today readmits Division Four teams to the qualifiers. Failing that they'll need to win this.

NationaL Hurling League Division One semi-finals

(Extra time if necessary)

Cork v Galway, Gaelic Grounds, 3.30:Two teams very happy: Cork to have progressed to this stage and uncovered some serviceable talent in the process and Galway because the most eagerly-awaited senior debut in years comes to pass with Joe Canning lining out at last. As selected, he is due to face Diarmuid O'Sullivan, which would be a hardy introduction to the trade, although Iarlaith Tannian has played full forward for most of the campaign and may switch there.

This has been a better league for Ger Loughnane than last year's and he will welcome this as a good test of how things are progressing.

The diagnostic process is even more welcome to Gerald McCarthy, for whom this promises a great test of his younger charges, particularly Stephen White and Leigh Desmond. Galway may have more drive to get to the final.

Kilkenny v Tipperary, Nowlan Park: 4.15:This is a perfect test for Liam Sheedy and all he has achieved to date in the league. Tipperary have the experience of having won here last week and, although it's little remembered in the wider scheme of things, they beat Kilkenny at the venue last year.

Tipperary break up the full-forward line by dropping Pa Bourke and persevering with the policy of trying as many candidates as possible. Good and all as the progress has been, the performance will need to be improved on last week, as to give Kilkenny the sort of openings extended to Waterford would invite certain defeat.

Sheedy pinpointed the inability of the forwards to retain possession as his main disappointment last week and he tried a few players in an attempt to resolve the situation.

Ultimately the industry of Shane McGrath at centrefield and the accuracy of Eoin Kelly did the trick but Kilkenny will provide a tougher test and can establish a winning platform in the middle. Further improvement and a competitive display would be welcome to Tipp. Anything else is strictly bonus territory.

Division Two semi-finals

Westmeath v Down, Kingspan Breffni Park, 2.30:Involved again in the senior championship, Westmeath will want to go the distance in the league and they can advance to the final.

Kerry v Carlow, Gaelic Grounds, 1.30:The division's only unbeaten record should survive Carlow's trip to Limerick.

Division Three final

Donegal v Louth, Rooskey, 2.30.

Division Four final

Down South v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni Park, 4.15.

Saturday

All-Ireland VS A final

Borrisokane v Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown, Nowlan Park, 3.30:Rory Hickey's 1-8 helped Johnstown hold off the formidable challenge of Borris in the semi-final. The schools met before in the final of three years ago with the Tipp team winning but the tables may turned sufficiently for the Kilkenny school to avenge that defeat.

All-Ireland Colleges A final

De La Salle Waterford v Thurles CBS, Nowlan Park, 5.15:A rerun of the Harty Cup final, with Waterford hot favourites to record back-to-back All-Irelands, which would be a terrific achievement. But the Tipperary school have impressed since losing the Munster final and accounted for Leinster finalists Kilkenny CBS and the highly-rated Dublin Colleges, putting in a finely-judged display of tactical defence in the semi-final and showing admirable economy up front.

The problem is De La Salle show no signs of slowing down and their clinical dismantling of Gort in the semi-final showed they remain focused, with Stephen Power accumulating big scores.

Underdogs Thurles have a chance if they have learned from of losing to their opponents in the past two provincial finals. But, so far, De la Salle have resisted any temptation towards complacency and should retain the Croke Cup.