A preview of the weekend's matches
TODAY
Dr McKenna Cup (Ulster SF) final
Derry v Tyrone,Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 7.30pm – Tyrone aim to make it third time lucky after losing the past two finals and to avenge defeat by this evening's opponents last year. Mickey Harte has brought in a couple of new names, including Mattie Donnelly who impressed for UUJ in last year's Sigerson Cup. With Owen Mulligan also back in form, Tyrone can take a first title in five years against a more experimental Derry selection that has Paddy Bradley on the way back from injury.
Charity match
Tipperary v Munster, MacDonagh Park Nenagh, 3pm – Liam Sheedy takes charge of the Munster selection to face a Tipp side temporarily in the pink, as they don commemorative jerseys in recognition of Breast Cancer Ireland. The match will be streamed live on the Munster GAA website.
Kehoe Cup (SH) Kildare v GMIT, Newbridge, 12.30pm
TOMORROW
(Matches at 2pm unless stated and extra time if necessary)
O’Byrne Cup (Leinster SF) final
Kildare v DCU, Newbridge –The context here is DCU's Sigerson commitments next Tuesday when they open their campaign against Cork IT, but Niall Moyna says that the college won't be holding back.
“We’ve lost players already. Johnny Cooper will be playing in the Dublin league final and obviously Martin McElhinney and Michael Murphy won’t be playing (the Donegal pair are injured), and Robert Hennelly’s out as well. But we’ll be making sure we put out a strong side. To do otherwise would be to disrespect Kildare and the spirit of the competition.”
Holders Kildare were in good shape last week when easing past a groggy Dublin and Kieran McGeeney’s men can retain the trophy.
McGrath Cup (Munster SF) final
Tipperary v Cork, Clonmel Sportsfield Tipperary football's resurgence continues with the seniors in a first McGrath Cup final in nine years. They've cut a swathe through third-level teams to get here, accounting comfortably in the semi-final for Sigerson holders UCC. Barry Grogan has amassed 4-13, all but six points from play. Cork have question marks over Colm O'Neill ( hamstring pull) and Patrick Kelly. Tipp could make the most of home advantage.
Munster Cup (SH) preliminary round
Kerry v IT Tralee Fitzgerald Stadium,
Clare v Waterford IT, Sixmilebridge.
Walsh Cup (Leinster SH)
UCD v Galway Belfield; Laois v Dublin, Rathdowney; Kilkenny v NUI Galway, Freshford – Anthony Cunningham’s first competitive game in charge of Galway takes place in Belfield. Dublin’s hurlers begin, against Teddy McCarthy’s Laois, the arduous task of maintaining upward momentum after the county’s best season in 50 years. Kilkenny will experimental for the visit of NUIG to Freshford.
O’Byrne Shield (Leinster SF) final
Wexford v Laois, Wexford Park 2.30pm
Walsh Shield (Leinster SH) semi-finals Wexford v Offaly Wexford Park, 12.45pm; Carlow v DIT, Carlow, 2pm
Kehoe Cup (Leinster SH)
Wicklow v St Patrick’s Drumcondra,
Éire Óg, Greystones Meath v DCU, Páirc Tailteann TCD v Down, Clan na Gael, Ringsend, 5pm
Kehoe Shield (Leinster SH) semi-finals
Louth v Fingal, Darver; Roscommon v Armagh, Athleague.
