THE BIG MATCH this week?

No contest, it’s got to be in Ballybofey for next Sunday’s Ulster quarter-final.

The reigning All-Ireland champions making their seasonal bow always ensures plenty interest and the identity of Donegal’s opponents increases that even more.

They face Mickey Harte’s Tyrone side in a blockbuster clash in the North-West.

But there are other big names getting their summer campaigns up and running this week with Cork and Kerry both in action in Munster quarter-finals.

There are also football ties in Connacht and Leinster next Sunday afternoon.

Saturday May 25th
Munster SFC quarter-final
Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 7pm, (Ref: Michael Duffy, Sligo).

Sunday May 26th
Munster SFC quarter-final
Kerry v Tipperary, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, 2pm, (Ref: Conor Lane, Cork), (RTE)
Connacht SFC quarter-final
London v Sligo, Ruislip, 2.30pm, (Ref: Padraig O’Sullivan, Kerry)
Leinster SFC first round
Laois v Louth, O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 3pm, (Ref: Cormac Reilly, Meath)
Wicklow v Longford, Aughrim, 3.30pm, (Ref: Barry Cassidy, Derry)
Ulster SFC quarter-final
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 4pm, (Ref: Joe McQuillan, Cavan) , (RTE/BBC)

There is also junior and minor football provincial championship action this weekend.

Saturday May 25th
Munster JFC quarter-final
Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 5pm, (Ref: David Grogan, Tipperary)
Sunday May 26th
Munster JFC quarter-final
Kerry v Tipperary, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, 12pm, (Ref: Maurice Condon, Waterford)
Ulster MFC quarter-finals
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 2pm, (Ref: D Connolly, Monaghan)
Antrim v Monaghan, Páirc Esler, Newry, 7pm, (Ref: S McKinley, Armagh)
Cavan v Fermanagh, Clones,  7pm, (Ref: K Trainor, Down)

And finally here are the clashes on the agenda for the Christy Ring Cup and the Nicky Rackard Cup this weekend.

Saturday May 25th
Christy Ring Cup semi-finals
Meath v Down, Trim, 3pm
Kerry v Kildare, Tralee, 3pm
Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals
Donegal v Monaghan, Letterkenny, 3pm
Roscommon v Tyrone, Athleague, 3pm

Your GAA championship weekend review

Gaffers Chat – Alan Mulholland and James Horan on their Connacht showdown