Previews: Clonmel Commercials won't let opportunity slip 

Clonmel Commercials' Michael Quinlivan. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

SATURDAY 

Tipperary SFC final.

Clonmel Commercials v Kilsheelan-Kilcash, FBD Semple Stadium, 3pm (S. Lonergan, Moyle Rovers).

Much more on the line here for Commercials than just a first senior title in two years. There’s the derby element too but it could be a truly poignant day for them if they honour the late Philly Ryan with the club’s 22nd title, thus becoming the outright record holders of the O’Dwyer Cup. They can’t think about the desired outcome too much and their opponents, looking for a fifth-ever title, have a kick in them. You would think the likes of Michael Quinlivan have been around the block too long to let this opportunity slip. Verdict: Clonmel Commercials.

AIB Connacht SFC quarter-final.

Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) v North London Shamrocks (London), Connacht CoE, Bekan, 6.30pm (J. Molloy, Galway).

North London Shamrocks reaffirmed their superiority in London but this is obviously a difficult trip for them. Ballina might still be heady on their comeback final win over Westport but they can repeat last year’s victory. Verdict: Ballina Stephenites.

AIB Ulster Club SFC quarter-finals.

Kingscourt Stars (Cavan) v Erne Gaels, Belleek (Fermanagh), Kingspan Breffni, 5.30pm (E. McFeely, Donegal).

For a club that only won it’s first county title in 10 years, Kingscourt are expected to progress to the last four against an Erne Gaels side who have more recent Ulster experience. The home team may prevail but not with much to spare. Verdict: Kingscourt Stars.

Loughmacrory (Tyrone) v Kilcoo (Down), O’Neills Healy Park, 7.15pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live RTÉ.

A classic case of young bulls versus old bulls here as Kilcoo will want to exert all of their experience and nous in Omagh. Loughmacrory has some dazzling players like Eoin McElholm and in winning a first Tyrone SFC title they showed grit but Kilcoo are one determined crew. Verdict: Kilcoo.

AIB Munster Club JFC quarter-finals.

Shamrocks (Waterford) v Buttevant (Cork), Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, 1.30pm (G. Twomey, Clare).

Buttevant’s belief is sky high and they can build on their historic county title to advance to the last four. Verdict: Buttevant.

Killimer (Clare) v Clonmel Óg (Tipperary), Kilmihil, 2.30pm (B. Crowley, Cork).

Killimer have been picking up silverware in recent years and form and venue points in their favour. Verdict: Killimer.

SUNDAY 

Limerick SFC final.

Mungret St Paul’s v Newcastle West, Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, 3.30pm (T. McGrath, Oola).

There are few stronger dual clubs in Limerick than Mungret right now. They are one of the most progressive units in the county as they have qualified for a first senior football final in 24 years and only their second ever. Did knocking out champions Adare take too much out of them? That’s what Newcastle West will be hoping although they had to draw deep from their well to overcome Fr Casey’s. The men from the west are no stranger to finals and can make that familiarity count. Verdict: Newcastle West.

AIB Munster Club SFC quarter-final.

Éire Óg, Ennis (Clare) v Rathgormack (Waterford), Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 1.30pm (D. Murnane, Cork).

The first of two provincial outings in the space of seven days in Ennis for eight of Éire Óg’s dual players. Hurling manager Jerry O’Connor will be hoping they all come through unscathed for the visit of Loughmore-Castleiney next week. The proximity of Rathgormack’s county final win to this game – one week – should work in the favour of the hosts. Verdict: Éire Óg, Ennis.

AIB Munster Club IFC quarter-finals.

Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) v Aghabullogue (Cork), Templetuohy, 1.30pm (J. Hayes, Limerick).

Peter Creedon is winning titles again. Both clubs’s county titles came just last weekend but Thurles’s win over Rockwell Rovers also required extra-time. The rigours of that could creep up on them. Verdict: Aghabullogue.

Corofin (Clare) v Stradbally (Waterford), Corofin, 1.30pm (J. Regan, Cork).

A second consecutive Waterford premier intermediate title has Stradbally well set up for this game even if it is a long trip. Corofin are capable of putting up big scores but may be thwarted here. Verdict: Stradbally.

AIB Connacht SFC quarter-final.

Shamrock Gaels (Sligo) v Moycullen (Galway), Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry, 1.30pm (I. Monaghan, Roscommon).

It’s a question of Shamrock Gaels’ ambitions here. Have they been sated by a famous county championship success or do they plan on going further? Because Moycullen certainly do and you would imagine it is going to take something extraordinary to prevent them qualifying for the semi-finals. Verdict: Moycullen.

AIB Leinster Club SHC quarter-finals.

Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly), UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.45pm (P. Dunne, Laois) Live TG4.

There’s a fair chance of a good contest here irrespective of Henry Shefflin’s men knowing Nowlan Park so well. Kilcormac-Killoughey have a fine manager themselves in Declan Laffan and Adam Screeney and Charlie Mitchell will command respect from the Shamrocks’s full-back line. Still, it’s difficult to see beyond the Kilkenny champs. Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Clough-Ballacolla (Laois) v Castletown-Geoghegan (Westmeath), Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 1.30pm (A. Kinahan, Offaly).

A game that really could go either way and Clough-Ballacolla still possess some of the talent that brought them to the 2021 final but Castletown-Geoghegan can shade it after being tested by Lough Lene Gaels. Verdict: Castletown-Geoghegan.

Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) v Naas (Kildare), Netwatch Cullen Park, 1.30pm (E. Furlong, Wexford).

Naas will again have aspirations of going all the way and winning Leinster but this is the type of game that could prove awkward. At the same time, Mount Leinster Rangers are playing their first competitive game since August. Verdict: Naas.

St Martin’s (Wexford) v Na Fianna (Dublin), Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3pm (S. Cleere, Kilkenny).

St Martin’s won’t shirk in the physical stakes in this quarter-final but Na Fianna will feel a sense of freedom having come through a difficult encounter with Lucan Sarsfields and can express themselves. Verdict: Na Fianna.

AIB Ulster Club SFC quarter-finals.

Scotstown (Monaghan) v Naomh Conall (Donegal), St Tiernach’s Park, 1.30pm (P. Faloon, Down).

Clones is the happiest of hunting grounds for Scotstown but they will a lot in their favour to see off a team as doughty as the Glenties men. They tick so many boxes from starlets like Finnbarr Roarty to wiliness in Anthony Thompson. It’s a good thing Scotstown have a lot of those qualities themselves. Verdict: Scotstown.

Madden Rapparees (Armagh) v Sean O’Leary’s, Newbridge (Derry), Box-It Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm (S. Hurson, Tyrone) Live TG4.

The scenes in Madden last month were truly joyous and you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel delight for the Grimleys. If they can park that monumental day for them, they have a chance here but Newbridge will be keen to make a better show of their second successive showing in Ulster. Verdict: Newbridge.