SUNDAY
AIB Leinster club SHC quarter-finals: Rathdowney/Erill (Laois) v O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny), Portlaoise, 2.30.Having broken free of Ballyhale's grip on the Kilkenny championship, there is no way O'Loughlin Gaels won't be making the most of this winter. A thriving underage system and some seasons which ended in cul de sacs of bad luck have produced a balanced and tenacious side. An amalgamation five years ago has brought decent things to Rathdowney/Errill and this year's was their third title. That experience is unlikely to be sufficient, however.
Raharney (Westmeath) v Coolderry (Offaly), Mullingar, 2.30. Raharney just about got over the line in the Westmeath final with a Brian Connaughton goal deep into injury-time. Ken Hogan's Coolderry were comfortable ending the reign of novel champions Tullamore in Offaly. A forward line boasting Brian Carroll, Cathal Parlon and Damien Murray should be sufficient unto the day.
AIB Ulster club SFC quarter-finals: Crossmaglen (Armagh) v St Gall's (Antrim), Crossmaglen, 2.30. The superficial view is Crossmaglen have had a year in the wilderness and have returned renewed and ready to resume their long reign in Ulster. Look more closely and the 14th Armagh title in 15 years was won pretty much by the same squad as won the 13th and then ran out of steam. In other words, for all their guile and experience, Cross (missing Jamie Clarke) may struggle to match the running and exuberance that brought St Gall's the most romantic of All-Ireland wins last year.
Coalisland (Tyrone) v Roslea (Fermanagh), Omagh, 2.30.
Coalisland secured their first Tyrone title in two decades by staying cool in a tense decider in Omagh against Carrickmore.
Roslea Shamrocks had been a similar amount of time away from the honey pot but have emerged to fulfil several years’ potential. Roslea to cause an upset.
Clontibret (Monaghan) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal), Ballybofey, 2.30.Clontibret have practice at coming out these tight corners with their noses just in front and Donegal teams have an altogether horrific record in this competition. Clon by a handful.
AIB Munster club SHC quarter-final:Crusheen (Clare) v Kilmallock (Limerick), Cusack Park, 2.0. The Clare hurling championship is a robustly democratic business. The last 10 championships have been shared between nine clubs. All good, but Clare teams have tended to come to provincial fare a little wet behind the ears and a little worse the wear for celebrating. Kilmallock ended a long wait themselves but will be a little more gimlet-eyed and have seasoned talent like Gavin O'Mahony in central defence and Andrew O'Shaughnessy up front. The midfield of Eoin Ryan and Paudie O'Brien looks tasty and the corner forward Mulcahy brothers, Jake and Graeme, present the case for a Kilmallock win.
Tipperary SH final:Thurles Sarsfields v Clonoulty- Rossmore, Thurles, 3.0. Thurles looked tasty against Loughmore/Castleiney in their 2-19 to 2-13 quarter-final win but beating Toome' in the semi-final was a big step forward psychologically. Clonoulty- Rossmore will look back for nourishment to the 2008 semi-final clash with Sars when extra-time and a replay were needed before they expired. The Butler cousins, Tom and Tommy (as imposing a full forward as a club full back will meet), and the Hammersleys, Timmy and Connor, will offer a threat up front, but Thurles have too much.
Dublin SH final:Ballyboden St Enda's v St Vincent's, Parnell Park, 3.30. 'Boden, going for their fourth title on the trot, play St Vincent's, the only unbeaten team in the competition. Arguably the best players in this year's championship have been the big ballers, Conal Keaney of 'Boden and Diarmuid Connolly of Vin's. The teams drew earlier in the summer. Ballyboden looked a little weary until their demolition of O'Toole's last week. Vin's almost got caught by St Jude's but bounced back in last week's semi to give Kilmacud a 16-point seeing to. And you demand a prediction? Draw. Now go away.
Galway SH final:Clarinbridge v Loughrea, Pearse Stadium, 2.30. Loughrea, having lost three county finals in the time of Portumna's dominance, feel they have more to prove, especially in light of the 2006 final which they won but never truly got to enjoy.
Loughrea held Portumna scoreless from the 24th minute of their semi-final until 11 minutes from the end. During that time they hit 0-7. Neil Keary, fresh from the minors, scored 0-11, nine from frees and one 65. That sort of resolution should bring Loughrea just their third title.
