Gaelic Life McKenna Cup

Cavan v Armagh, 7.30, Kingspan Breffni Park, L Smyth (Down)

Armagh just need a draw here to take the top spot and qualifying place off Queen's ahead of next Wednesday's semi-finals, and only victory by a huge scoring margin would put Cavan in the hunt.

Verdict: Armagh.

(2.0 unless stated)

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All-Ireland Club SF quarter-final (extra-time if necessary)

Tir Chonaill Gaels (London) v Corofin (Galway), Ruislip, S McNamee (Tyrone)

Is this finally the year that Tir Chonaill Gaels finally take the scalp of a team from the mainland? They have dominated in London for the past few years and they are seeking an appearance in the All-Ireland football championship semis for the 12th time. The exiles have come close to causing an upset on a number of occasions, running both Crossmaglen (2008) and Salthill-Knocknacarra (2006) to four points, and they have a number of good operators including Leitrim's Gary McCloskey in midfield with Gary Kane, Kevin Downes, James O'Connell and Chris Moroney expected to provide the firepower.

Of course, Corofin's strength is in the experience of the likes of Kieran Fitzgerald, Garry Sice and Damien and Alan Burke and they will be expected to progress here, even in the light of Liverpool side John Mitchell's shock win over Meath outfit Moynalvey in the Junior All Ireland quarter-final.

Verdict: Corofin.

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O'Byrne Cup SF semi-finals

Louth v Wicklow, Drogheda,

ref tbc

Louth are in flying early-season form as they romped past Longford and UCD in the opening rounds. Eamonn McEnaney wants his side to continue their winning ways and will look to their potent attack, which hit 4-12 against Glenn Ryan's side, with Shane Lennon helping himself to 2-3.

Wicklow found a way past a reserve Dublin side, with Leighton Glynn running the show for them once more. That was a morale boosting win for Micko's troops, but Louth have found their groove quite quickly.

Verdict: Louth.

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Kildare v DCU, Newbridge,

E Kinsella (Laois)

With a strong-looking Meath already dispatched, Kieran McGeeney's stamp is starting to show on the Lilies. They were four points down at half-time against the Royals, but showed steely resolve to claw their way to a two- point win. They had six different scorers that day, which shows they pose a threat from several areas.

DCU were also superb in their second half display against DIT and have laid down a marker for the Sigerson Cup.

Verdict: Kildare.

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O'Byrne Shield SF semi-finals

(extra time if necessary)

Carlow v UCD, 2.15, Eire Og, C Costelloe (Offaly)

Carlow capitalised on Offaly's poor form, which even at this early stage of the season, is less than encouraging. In his second stint with the county, Luke Dempsey is well aware of the task that faces him. Silverware would be just the tonic and if Eric McCormack can hit form again, they should be too strong for the students who edged out Athlone IT in the last round.

Verdict: Carlow.

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Westmeath v Laois, Mullingar, T Quigley (Wexford)

A 23-point win over minnows Kilkenny won't have told Sean Dempsey anything he didn't already know about his Laois side, but Westmeath could change that.

Tomas O Flatharta has been blooding some panel members, but if he starts this game with the side that finished the extra-time win over Wexford, he should have a chance of an early-season trophy. However, the Kerryman knows all about his front line players and looks likely to continue to give youth its chance.

Verdict: Laois

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Gaelic Life McKenna Cup SF

Derry v Donegal, Dungivan, G Walsh (Antrim)

This is a dead rubber for Derry as new Donegal boss JJ Doherty already has them qualified with an impressive scoring average. However, with Brian Roper injured, he misses his chance to outdo Matt Gallagher's county senior appearance record, having equalled him last week with 147.

Verdict: Donegal.

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Tyrone v Monaghan, Healy Park, JJ Cleary (Derry)

The All-Ireland champs got themselves back in winning mode by beating St Mary's mid-week but whichever side wins would need a huge score to take out table-toppers Down who look safe for the semis with their 1.55 points scoring average advantage.

Verdict: Monaghan.

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McGrath Cup SF semi-finals

Cork v UCC, Pairc Ui Rinn, P Sheehy (Kerry)

The students are still hanging in there after nicking past Tipperary by a point, but this match, which will pit the Goold brothers Fintan and David against one another, looks a match too far, even if Conor Counihan's side only have four regulars.

Verdict: Cork.

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Waterford v University of Limerick, Leamybrien, B Tyrrell (Tipperary)

Waterford have beaten Tralee IT and Limerick IT, but UL, led by Enda Varley, Paddy Byrne and Fiachra Lynch, pulled off a big surprise by knocking out Limerick and since then they've got Kerry's David Moran back, so could pull off another shock here.

Verdict: University of Limerick.

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Waterford Crystal SH semi-finals

Tipperary v University of Limerick, Cahir, C McAllister (Cork)

The first sighting of Tipp, who beat Waterford mid-week, proved Liam Sheedy is not thinking experimentally right now, but this star-laden college side, featuring Limerick's Seamus Hickey, Offaly's Brian Carroll and Tipp's own Ryan O'Dwyer will give them a right rattle.

Verdict: Tipperary.

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Clare v Waterford IT, Meelick,

J Ryan (Tipperary)

Clare only narrowly accounted for WIT's nemesis (Limerick IT, featuring Joe Canning and Seamus Callinan), but the reigning Fitzgibbon Cup champions still beat new-look Cork last week, while under strength and will have the likes of TJ Reid and Shane Fives back now.

Verdict: Waterford IT.

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Walsh Cup SH (extra time if necessary)

Wexford v UCD, Ferns, D Connolly (Kilkenny)

It's Colm Bonnar's first game in charge, but he has been hit with the news that Keith Rossiter, Paul Roche and Darren Stamp are likely to be sidelined until well into March.

Bonnar's inter-district games have helped him unearth some new talent, while long-serving goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry is likely to be held in reserve for a while yet.

Verdict: Wexford.

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Offaly v Galway, Tullamore, A Stapleton (Laois)

A bright new dawn for Galway hurlers under the reign of John McIntyre as they get their first taste of Leinster hurling in Tullamore. Damian McClearn, midfielder Eoin Forde, and wing forwards Joe Gantley and Paul Killilea make their debuts for the Tribesmen, while Ger Farragher will be expected to provide the firepower.

Offaly have lost dual star Sean Ryan to the footballers and that is a blow to Joe Dooley, while Brian Carroll and Michael Verney are cup-tied due to their involvement with UL.

Verdict: Galway.

Laois v Antrim, Rathdowney, D Murphy (Wexford)

Antrim will be without the talented Liam Watson as he opts to concentrate on his soccer career, but there is a renewed sense of optimism in the Ulster county, who will play in front of a packed Croke Park when they take on Dublin in their opening Leinster Championship bow.

Verdict: Antrim.

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Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, J Owens (Wexford)

A first outing of the season for the All-Ireland champions. Whatever Kilkenny do in this part of the season, it seems to have little impact on their championship form and Brian Cody has already stated his intention to use the less celebrated members of his squad.

This is Dublin's first competitive run under Anthony Daly, but the absence of David O'Callaghan is significant. Liam Rushe, Shane Durkin and Tommy Somers make their debuts for the Dubs.

Verdict: Kilkenny.

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Kehoe Cup SH

(extra time if necessary)

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Wicklow v Westmeath, Greystones, D O'Donovan (Dublin)

Westmeath have established themselves as one of the most competitive counties in the second tier and they should be too strong in their first outing of the season.

Verdict: Westmeath.

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Fingal v DCU, Fingallians, M Bartley (Meath)

Cian O'Mahony fired 3-1 as the Dublin outfit cruised past Louth and a similar performance will be enough here.

Verdict: Fingal.

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Down v DIT, Newry,

E Morris (Dublin)

Paul Braniff was the star of the Down show as they ousted reigning champions Meath in Navan last weekend, while Eamonn Clarke was tormentor-in-chief for DIT against Kildare and the students can progress here.

Verdict: DIT.

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Carlow v Roscommon, 1.30, Carlow, F Smith (Meath)

Mervyn Connaughton's late, late show helped the Rossies to victory over Longford, but the reigning Christy Ring Cup champions are at another level.

Verdict: Carlow.

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Kehoe Shield SH (extra-time if necessary)

Meath v Kildare, Navan, J McGrath (Westmeath)

Neil Hackett was to the fore despite Meath's loss to Down last weekend while Kildare were well off the pace against the students of DIT.

Verdict: Meath.

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FBD league SF

NUIG v Sligo IT, Dangan, H Beirne (Roscommon)

NUIG had the ball in the net inside 20 seconds against Roscommon last time out, but still needed an injury-time point to ensure a share of the spoils.

Sligo were on the receiving end of a 19-point hiding by Mayo last time out and they seem over reliant on Roscommon star Enda Kenny.

Verdict: NUIG.

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Mayo v Roscommon, Ballyahunis, M Duffy (Sligo)

John O'Mahony's men were emphatic as they beat Sligo IT in the last round. That was the perfect response to the shock defeat to NUIG, while Roscommon were held to a draw by the same side. Fergal O'Donnell's regime should bring rewards, but it will take time to bed in.

Verdict: Mayo.

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Sligo v Leitrim, Coola, P McGovern (Galway)

New Sligo boss Kevin Walsh got his first win when his charges beat Sligo IT last time out and he looks set to build on that. Leitrim put up a good showing against Galway as Mickey Moran continues his experimentation.

Verdict: Sligo.

- Donnchadh Boyle and Cliona Foley