What’s on and where?
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: London vs Fermanagh, Ruislip (Saturday, 1.30pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Antrim vs Westmeath, Casement Park (Saturday, 2pm)
All-Ireland SHC Qualifier: Cork vs Offaly, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Saturday, 2.30pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Clare vs Down, Cusack Park (Saturday, 3pm)
All-Ireland SHC Qualifier: Antrim vs Carlow, Casement Park (Saturday, 4pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Cavan vs Longford, Kingspan Breffni Park (Saturday, 5pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Wicklow vs Sligo, Aughrim (Saturday, 5pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Laois vs Tipperary, Port Laoise (Saturday, 7pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Louth vs Meath, Kingspan Breffni Park (Saturday 7pm)
All-Ireland SFC Qualifier: Offaly vs Monaghan, O’Connor Park (Saturday, 7pm).
All-Ireland Leinster SFC semi-final: Carlow vs Wexford, Croke Park (Sunday, 2pm)
All-Ireland Leinster SFC semi-final: Dublin vs Kildare, Croke Park (Sunday, 4pm)
All-Ireland Connacht SFC semi-final: Mayo vs Galway, MacHale Park (Sunday, 2pm)
All-Ireland Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal vs Tyrone, Clones (Sunday, 3.30pm)
What’s on the telly?
RTE2 are showing live coverage of the football qualifier between Louth and Meath at Breffni Park on Saturday. The coverage starts at 6.40pm for a 7pm throw-in. Sunday’s the big day, however, and the same channel has coverage of the Leinster SFC semi-finals from Croke Park. Mayo v Galway is up first at 2pm, followed straight away by Dublin’s clash with Kildare. BBC2, meanwhile, show coverage of Tyrone vs Donegal from 3.30pm.
Any important team news?
Saturday
London vs Fermanagh: Barry Mulrone and Hugh Brady are both massive doubts as Fermanagh head over to Ruislip, with manager John O’Neill admitting plans for the season have been marred by player withdrawals. Mulrone has an ankle injury and Brady looks set to miss out with a back problem. London, on the other hand, have shown fine form recently and will be looking to Paul Geraghty to fire them to a famous win.
Antrim vs Westmeath: Westmeath are lacking confidence at the moment and the fact that Antrim beat them in the small ball game last weekend will not help. While Pat Flanagan has two of the game’s form forwards in Dessie Dolan and Denis Glennon, they lack the strength in depth they had in the past. Antrim, meanwhile, have reaped the benefits of James Loughrey’s return and they will fancy their chances of an upset.
Cork vs Offaly: The defection of Derek Molloy to the States has been offset by the return to the Offaly squad of Brendan Murphy. Shane Dooley is one of the country’s finest hurlers so the Faithful, while not expected to threaten the big boys, know that a win over the Rebels is well within their reach.
Clare vs Down: Clare look set to struggle against a powerful Down side that will include Benny Coulter, Paul McComiskey and Martin Clarke. Rory Donnelly proved a rare bright spark during the Munster championship schooling at the hands of Cork but one man can not be expected to go it alone against a side as accomplished as Down.
Antrim vs Carlow: Antrim will be looking to Neil McManus to continue his hot streak and put the Barrowsiders to the sword at Casement Park. Carlow may have been disappointed to lose to Westmeath but the Saffrons are a step up in class again, and the minnows will likely struggle.
Cavan vs Longford: Seanie Johnston will be the focal point for Cavan’s footballers as they look to take their outstanding youth form into the championship. Ray Cullivan is missing, sent off early against Donegal, but the Breffni men hope that his absence is not felt too keenly. For all of Cavan’s promise, Longford go into the match as favourites, with Brian Kavanagh, Paul Barden and Sean McCormack all showing fine form.
Wicklow vs Sligo: Sligo boss Kevin Walsh is without three of his main players for the trip to play Wicklow. Brian Curran and Alan Costello are both suspended and Kenneth Sweeney is spending the summer in London. Key forwards David Kelly and Sean Davey are injured, though Johnny Davey and Colm McGee return. Sligo’s woes make Wicklow slight favourites in Mick O’Dwyer’s final year at the helm.
Laois vs Tipperary: The biggest problem for the Premier has been the loss of several players, including Conor Sweeney, Peter Acheson and goalkeeper Matthew O’Donnell, to emigration. They have failed to impress this year and, with MJ Tierney back in the Laois side after his Twitter controversy, the O’Moore County can be considered favourites.
Louth vs Meath: Meath have doubts over the fitness of Stephen Bray and veteran Graham Geraghty as they look to get over their recent defeat to Kildare by beating their old Leinster final foes. Seamus McEneaney must also decide whether to stick with the midfield pairing of Nigel Crawford and Brian Meade, which has not worked. They do still possess the likes of Joe Sheridan, Graham Reilly and Shane O’Rourke, but Louth’s defence is strong and they are boosted by the return of All-Star nominee John O’Brien.
Offaly vs Monaghan: Monaghan will be expected to cope without the absent Tommy Freeman as they possess plenty of quality up front in the shape of Conor McManus, Paul Finlay and Stephen Gollogly. Offaly, on the other hand, are not in great shape and far too much emphasis is being put on the talents of Rhode forward Niall McNamee.
Sunday
Carlow vs Wexford: Despite impressing in a shock win over Louth, Carlow know they have it all do if they are to beat free-scoring Wexford and reach the Leinster Final on Sunday. Luke Dempsey’s side have shown great skill so far but Wexford have the brilliant likes of Ciaran Lyng and Ben Brosnan just waiting to fire them to glory.
Dublin vs Kildare: Philly McMahon is missing for Dublin with a medial knee ligament injury so St Vincent’s clubman Paul Conlon comes in at right corner back. Barry Cahill makes way for Denis Bastick, while Michael Darragh Macauley has recovered from a foot injury. The two counties’ last Championship meeting came in 2009 when Dublin won the Leinster final and Pat Gilroy’s men are looking for their sixth provincial decider in seven years. Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney has kept faith with the same starting fifteen which defeated Meath, meaning that John Doyle is once again named in midfield and Daryl Flynn stays on the bench.
Mayo vs Galway: Mayo have fitness concerns over corner forward Jason Doherty and know that if he fails to make it, they will have a mountain to climb. James Horan received heavy criticism for the way his side played against London and he also has worries over Trevor Howley and Dermot Geraghty. However, Ronan McGarrity is available after a lengthy spell out. The Tribesmen come into the match on foot of a poor league campaign, so Mayo will be hoping they can turn their year around.
Donegal v Tyrone: An ageing Tyrone defence will have it all to do on Sunday with Colm McFadden and youngster Patrick McBrearty recently showing up well for Donegal, who can include captain Michael Murphy after he had a red card overturned. Joe and Justin McMahon are doubts for Tyrone, as is Aidan Cassidy, but at least they have Kevin Hughes fit again.
Pick of the weekend
All eyes will fall on Croke Park on Sunday as Carlow and Wexford vie for the chance to face either the mighty Dubs, looking for their sixth Leinster final in seven years, or Kieran McGeeney’s Lilywhites.
Reading list
Ruaidhri O’Connor on Dublin’s ‘great blue hope’
Luke Dempsey tries to dampen expectations in The Irish Times
Hogan Stand give their predictions
