THERE’S EARLY SEASON silverware up for grabs this weekend in Connacht, Leinster and Ulster.
The pre-season football competitions in the three provinces are all down to the final stage.
Leitrim, Kildare and Tyrone will all be hoping to retain their titles while Roscommon, Meath and Cavan stand in their way.
There’s also hurling action in Leinster and Munster this weekend.
CONNACHT
Can Leitrim retain their title in this competition? They overturned Sligo in last year’s final and face Roscommon at home on Sunday.
Sunday
FBD League final
Leitrim v Roscommon, Páirc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2pm.
Leitrim captain Emlyn Mulligan after last year’s FBD League final
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
LEINSTER
There’s 12 games down for decision in the Bórd Na Móna GAA series this weekend between the O’Byrne Cup, the Walsh Cup and the Kehoe Cup.
There’ll be plenty focus on the O’Byrne Cup final on Sunday as well as the Walsh Cup semi-finals.
Saturday
Kehoe Cup quarter-final
Kildare v GMIT, Newbridge, 2pm.
Sunday
O’Byrne Cup final
Kildare v Meath, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 2pm.
Walsh Cup semi-finals
Kilkenny v Galway, Freshford, 2pm.
Wexford v Dublin, Gorey, 2pm.
Kehoe Cup quarter-finals
Fingal v Down, Naomh Barrog, Kilbarrack, 2pm.
Trinity College v Derry, Clanna Gael, 2pm.
Meath v Wicklow, Trim, 2pm.
Kehoe Shield
Longford v Queen’s University, Devine Park Edgeworthstown, 2pm.
Louth v Roscommon, Dowdallshill, 2pm.
DCU v Armagh, St Clare’s, DCU, 2pm.
St Patrick’s College v Mayo, Na Fianna, Mobhi Road, 2pm.
Kildare’s Padraig Fogarty celebrates in last Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup semi-final
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
MUNSTER
The last four stage has been reached with Clare and Tipperary the inter-county sides still involved against the students of UCC and UL
Sunday
Waterford Crystal Cup semi-finals
Clare v UCC, Sixmilebridge, 2pm
Tipperary v UL, McDonagh Park, Nenagh, 2pm.
The Clare hurlers after last Sunday’s Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-final
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
ULSTER
After last Sunday’s semi-final win over Derry, Mickey Harte takes his Tyrone side into action as they chase their third successive Dr McKenna Cup crown.
Standing in their way is Cavan who last won this competition in 2000.
Saturday
Dr McKenna Cup final
Cavan v Tyrone, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 7.30pm.
