WITH JUST OVER a fortnight to go to the start of the Allianz leagues, the 2014 season continues to crank into action this weekend.
The McGrath Cup final takes place along with the semi-finals in the O’Byrne Cup and the Dr McKenna Cup.
Here’s the lowdown on the action across the four provinces.
Connacht
The finalists of this year’s FBD League will be known after Sunday’s final round of games in the two sections.
In Section A, the key game is between Roscommon and Mayo in Ballinlough. The winners will advance to the final while a draw will probably suffice for Roscommon due to scoring difference.
In Section B, Leitrim are in pole position as the only side with a 100% record so far. A draw at home to Sligo will ensure the reigning champions advance to the decider.
FBD League
Section A
IT Sligo v NUI Galway, Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan, 2pm.
Roscommon v Mayo, Ballinlough, 2pm.
Section B
Galway v GMIT, Tuam Stadium, 2pm.
Leitrim v Sligo, Ballinamore, 2pm.
The Leitrim players celebrate last year’s FBD League final win
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Leinster
There are a total of 16 games over the weekend in the Bord Na Móna Leinster GAA series.
The big games are Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup semi-finals in Newbridge and Navan with county sides Kildare and Meath in action against third-level outfits UCD and DCU.
The quarter-finals of the Walsh Cup take place over the course of Saturday and Sunday with Wexford, Dublin, Kilkenny and Offaly all making their seasonal bows.
Friday
Walsh Shield semi-final
Laois v Carlow, Heywood, 7.30pm.
Saturday
Walsh Cup quarter-finals
Wexford v NUI Galway, Gorey, 2pm.
Dublin v UCD, Parnell Park, 7pm.
Kehoe Cup
Queen’s University v Down, Queen’s University, Belfast, 6.30pm.
Sunday
O’Byrne Cup semi-finals
Kildare v UCD, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 2pm.
Meath v DCU, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 2pm.
Walsh Cup quarter-finals
Offaly v Galway, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2pm.
Kilkenny v Dublin IT, Freshford, 2pm.
Kehoe Cup
Fingal v Longford, Naomh Barróg, Kilbarrack, 2pm.
Louth v GMIT, Dowdallshill, 2pm.
Kildare v Roscommon, Hawkfield, 1pm.
DCU v Derry, St Clare’s DCU, 2pm.
Trinity College v Armagh, Clann Na Gael, Ringsend, 2pm.
Meath v St Patrick’s (Drumcondra), Trim, 12.30pm.
Wicklow v Mayo, Bray Emmetts, 2pm.
Walsh Shield semi-final
Westmeath v Antrim, Cusack Park, Mullingar, 2pm.
Anthony Daly and Brian Cody will see their teams in action this weekend
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Munster
Cork and Kerry square off in Mallow on Sunday in the McGrath Cup final as Brian Cuthbert and Eamonn Fitzmaurice both hope to land early season silverware.
There are also four Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-finals on Sunday with All-Ireland champions Clare making their 2014 bow.
Sunday
McGrath Cup final
Cork v Kerry, Mallow, 2pm.
Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-finals
Kerry v Tipperary, Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 1pm.
Waterford IT v UL, WIT GAA grounds, Carriganore, 2pm.
Clare v Limerick, Sixmilebridge, 2pm.
UCC v Mary Immaculate College, Mardyke, 2pm.
Kerry’s Anthony Maher and Cork’s Aidan Walsh
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Ulster
There’s Dr McKenna Cup final places on offer on Sunday in Omagh and Enniskillen. Mickey Harte’s Tyrone, Brian McIver’s Derry, Terry Hyland’s Cavan and Malachy O’Rourke’s Monaghan are all in action.
Sunday
Power NI Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals
Tyrone v Derry, Healy Park, Omagh, 2pm.
Cavan v Monaghan, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 2pm.
