Weekend Previews: National Football League, club championships and county finals

Saturday

National Football League

DIVISION 1A:

Cork v Kerry, Pairc Ui Rinn, 3.30 - THE fact that this is a 70-minute game is about the only similarity to the teams' summer duel. Of course there will be passion, but not much. Cork, the current holders of the Church and General league crown, start the defence with a number of players absent due to upcoming county final commitments, while there is the small matter of a hangover from their All-Ireland final defeat to exorcise.

Mark O'Connor is back, but as a wing back rather than full back (maybe to switch with Sean Og O hAilpin at some stage?), and there are enough familiar faces in attack - provided they bring their kicking boots this time - to ensure some trying times for the Kerry defence, who will miss the presence of Seamus Moynihan, transferred to the centre of the field.

Kerry are without Maurice Fitzgerald, still recovering after breaking his leg, and Dara O Se who is troubled by ankle ligament damage. A vacancy has been left at full back in the hope that Barry O'Shea passes a late fitness test.

Cork's All-Ireland momentum, and the influence of Philip Clifford in attack, could prove the difference. Prediction: Cork.

Leinster Club SHC

Faughs (Dublin) v Castletown (Laois), Parnell Park, 3.0

CLUB matches between teams from these two counties have tended to be "lively" affairs down the years. This should be a more restrained affair with the outcome likely to depend on how Paul and David Cuddy perform. If on song, then Castletown should advance to the semi-finals.

Sunday

National Football League (3.0 unless stated)

DIVISION 1A:

Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds - TYPICAL first league match of the new season - there are more names missing from the respective sides than playing, it seems. Certainly, the match promises a pale imitation of their Ulster championship clashes a few short months ago. Donegal are without Tony Boyle (knee injury), Noel Hegarty and J J Doherty, while Armagh are without the Crossmaglen Rangers and Pearse Og contingents (club-tied for the impending county final) as well as the injured Alan O'Neill. Still, only James Gallagher is new to league fare in the Donegal team, which sounds like a pretty good base for manager Declan Bonner to launch his team's new league campaign.

Prediction: Donegal.

Galway v Roscommon, Ballinasloe - EARLIER in the week, Galway manager John O'Mahony stated that the league was the perfect breeding ground for future championship players. True to his word, he has called up four new players - two of them graduates of this year's minor team - for a match which traditionally serves up good fare. But a Galway team without Ja Fallon, Michael Donnellan, Ray Silke, Martin McNamara, Sean Og de Paor, Derek Savage and Shay Walsh? Too many absentees. Advantage Roscommon. Prediction: Roscommon.

Tyrone v Dublin, Omagh - TYRONE introduce four debutants to league combat - even if one, 19-year-old Cormac McAnallen, is no stranger to battle having played in two Ulster championship matches this past summer - and, yet, manage to keep the backbone of the team intact. All of which means that the Canavans, Peter and Paschal, are ready and able for league duty . . . and that should be enough evidence of Tyrone's intent as they set out on the league trail. In contrast, Dublin are missing so many of their big names - through a combination of work commitments, extended breaks, injuries and such like - that a trip to Healy Park is about the last place you'd want to take newcomers to this level of competition.

Dublin performed well throughout last season's league but disappointed when the real questions were asked of them. New blood is needed, but it is doubtful if they will provide an immediate dividend. Prediction: Tyrone.

DIVISION 1B:

Fermanagh v Sligo, Enniskillen- POSITIVELY heady stuff for these teams, up in the top division and mixing it with the big boys. Indeed, Fermanagh and Sligo have enjoyed some great tussles (in the lower reaches of the league) in recent years and, also, at All-Ireland B level - so the move upwards was much anticipated and renewing old rivalries provides a nice introduction to Division One football for both sides. Who'll win? Fermanagh enjoyed their first championship win in yonks this summer just gone but Sligo - even without Paul Taylor - appear more capable of surviving with the traditional powers.

Prediction: Sligo.

Down v Kildare, Newry - WHERE to now for Kildare? The past 12 months have been something of a disappointment and the momentum of 1998 has been well and truly lost at this stage. Mixing new blood with old is a way of getting things back on the right track and Kildare's management have been left with no choice in the matter with the likes of Niall Buckley, Ken Doyle, Martin Lynch and Declan Kerrigan all taking a time-out from league action and forcing them to take a brave approach to the league campaign.

Down were something of a surprise in the championship but are missing exam-tied duo Finbarr Caulfield and Brian Burns this time round while James McCartan, who has undergone back surgery, won't play this side of Christmas. Down's problems, though, don't seem to be as rough as Kildare's and home advantage should also help them.

Prediction: Down.

Derry v Mayo, Celtic Park - BRAVE, or foolish? Derry have taken the bold step of introducing five new faces - among them this year's minor team captain Patrick Bradley - for the opening league match. The wisdom of such a wholesale change in a team that is bereft of such familiar faces as Joe Brolly and Seamus Downey won't be known until later, but the task against All-Ireland semi-finalists Mayo is sure to be a tough one.

Mayo, for their part, allow Kenneth Motimer and James Nallen to neglect the attacking duties they were entrusted with during the championship and revert to something like the norm: Mortimer back to corner-back, and Nallen to midfield. Dermot Higgins, a brother of corner-back Alan, also makes his debut at wing back. Mayo, even without Maurice Sheridan in attack, look to have enough firepower not only to dismiss Derry, but to make a genuine challenge for the league title.

Prediction: Mayo.

Meath v Clare, Pairc Tailteann, Navan - TALES of woe, and plenty of absentees, from both camps. But one thing we've learned down the years is that Meath have more strength in depth than any other county. Clare's Frankie Griffin has retired and the Doonbeg players haven't been released, which won't aid their task against the All-Ireland champions, who should possess far too much firepower for the visitors.

Prediction: Meath.

DIVISION 2A:

Offaly v Louth, Tullamore; Antrim v Leitrim, Casement Park; London v Wicklow, Ruislip, Limerick v Westmeath, Limerick - THE change in the league format means that these teams really are involved in the lower reaches with no opportunity to actually win the league title. It's something which won't please Offaly, in particular, but also others who feel that they have a right to at least get rewarded for their winter endeavours. Offaly have a tough enough opening assignment against Louth but at least have home advantage and should do enough to win. Elsewhere, Leitrim and Wicklow should be rewarded for their journeys to Belfast and London respectively by taking the spoils, while Westmeath should be bankers to defeat Limerick.

DIVISION 2B:

Cavan v Monaghan, Breffni Park; Laois v Tipperary, Portlaoise; Carlow v Longford, Dr Cullen Park; Wexford v Waterford, Enniscorthy - LIKE Divison 2A, those teams confined to this section can't actually win the league. But a place in the top two will ensure promotion next season (as well as a place in the divisional semi-finals) - and that is the incentive under the new format for a number of teams who believe they have a rightful place at the top table. In this regard, Cavan and Laois probably have greater expectations than the others. Both teams face tough openers: Cavan against a Monaghan team with six newcomers, and Laois against a Tipperary side who, on their day, are capable of great things.

Both Cavan and Laois should, however, win their games, while Wexford should be too good for Waterford. The Carlow-Longford game is more of a toss-up, but a home venue may swing things Carlow's way.

CORK SHC FINAL

Blackrock v UCC, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 3.15, live on TG4 - SURPRISE packets they may be, but UCC have added some spice to the Cork hurling championship and their progress to the final - and a quest for only a third-ever title - is heady stuff. Joe Deane, whose wizardry aided Cork to the Liam McCarthy Cup, is the ace in the pack but they also have Waterford players Eoin and Dave Bennett and Tipperary duo Johnny and Eddie Enright, so they won't be any pushovers.

Blackrock are amongst the aristocrats of the game in Cork with 30 titles, but they haven't won since 1985 which means the pressure will be all the greater this time around. County players Wayne Sherlock, Alan and John Browne and Fergal Ryan provide the backbone of the 'Rock challenge and they should have the edge on experience to halt the students' run.

Prediction: Blackrock.

LEINSTER CLUB SHC (3.0)

Kilmessan (Meath) v St Martin's (Wexford), Trim; Kiltegan (Wicklow) v Birr (Offaly), Aughrim - TWO David v Goliath affairs, with the old order expected to win out in both cases. Anything other than St Martin's and Birr advancing would be a shock of huge proportions.

MUNSTER CLUB SHC REPLAY

Toomevara (Tipperary) v Ahane (Limerick), Semple Stadium, 2.30 - A WEEK after Toomevara, who had led by four points entering the final quarter, required a late equalising point to force a replay, the Tipperary men shouldn't make any mistake at the second attempt. A semi-final date with All-Ireland champions St Joseph's/ Doora-Barefield awaits the winners.