Club championship action in all provinces
Up north, the quarter-final replay between Crossmaglen Rangers and Errigal Ciaran is certain to be one of the day’s most intriguing attractions. The Armagh representatives and former All-Ireland champions led 3-6 to 0-8 at the three-quarter stage in the drawn game last Sunday, but Errigal launched a comeback to earn a draw.
However, talisman Peter Canavan is in serious doubt after sustaining a leg injury last weekend. The game will be televised live on TG4.
Elsewhere in Ulster, Fermanagh champions Enniskillen Gaels will be bidding to reach the provincial final for the first time since 1999.
But first, they must overcome Cavan champions Gowna at Clones. Enniskillen beat St Gall’s (Antrim) 0-12 to 2-4 in the quarter-final, while Gowna edged out Clontibret (Monaghan) by a point (0-11 to 1-7) in their last outing.
In Connacht, Corofin, of Galway, the 1998 All-Ireland champions, travel to Markievicz Park to take on Eastern Harps (Sligo), with the winners due to play Strokestown (Roscommon) in the semi-final a week later. Former All-Ireland champions Crossmolina, of Mayo, await in the final.
County stars Kieran Fitzgerald, Michael and Kieran Comer, and former All-Ireland SFC-winning captain Ray Silke head the
Corofin challenge, while Sligo players Brendan Philips and Mark Cosgrove will anchor Harps.
In Leinster this week, Garrycastle take on Moorefield, and Mattock Rangers play Tullamore at the quarter-final stage. Garrycastle ousted Portlaoise (1-7 to 0-8) in the opening round, while this is Moorefield’s first foray outside of Kildare this season. However, they acquired valuable Leinster experience two years ago when they beat Dunshaughlin in the quarter-final, before losing to eventual champions O’Hanrahan’s (Carlow) by a point in the semi-final.
Tullamore are also making their first outing of this provincial campaign. They face an onerous task against Mattock Rangers, of Louth.
Defending champions Dunshaughlin meet Trim in the Meath county football final on Sunday. The winners will play Rathvilly (Carlow) in the quarter-final on Sunday week.
The Munster quarter-final in Walsh Park on Saturday features Waterford champions Stradbally against Limerick representatives Monaleen, who beat Adare by a point in the county final replay last Sunday.
Meanwhile, there is one hurling game to be decided as Cork’s Blackrock, who lost to Ballygunner in last year’s AIB Munster hurling final, begin their 2002 bid for provincial honours against Kerry champions Kilmoyley at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.
Kilmoyley will start as outsiders against a star-studded Blackrock team which can call on Cork stars Wayne Sherlock, Alan Cummins, and John and Alan Browne. The winners will play former Munster and All-Ireland champions Sixmilebridge (Clare) in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, the draw for the Leinster hurling semi-finals on Sunday week pits Rathnure (Wexford) against Young Irelands (Kilkenny). All-Ireland champions Birr (Offaly) will play St Mullins (Carlow).
