Armagh senior football team manager Kieran McGeeney. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Ulster SFC Semi-Finals
Saturday April 26
Armagh v Tyrone, St Tiernach's Park, 4.45pm, GAA+
This should be an interesting encounter in Clones.
All-Ireland champions Armagh did exactly what was necessary at Corrigan Park against a spirited Antrim outfit, who produced a defiant display on home turf.
Tyrone, with Darren McCurry prominent, adequately dealt with a Cavan comeback mission at the quarter-final stage.
Having reached Ulster SFC deciders with Fermanagh and Monaghan, Malachy O'Rourke will be eager to steer Tyrone into the provincial showpiece.
Despite some recent injuries, Tyrone still had sufficient depth to overcome Cavan, who improved in the second half at O'Neill's Healy Park.
Kieran McGeary was influential, driving forward to land three points, while Brian Kennedy and Conn Kilpatrick remain key figures for Tyrone, who will hope to have Darragh Canavan back in action.
Armagh, prompted by the splendid Rory Grugan and Callum O'Neill, in attack enjoyed a high scoring win over Antrim in Belfast.
That match illustrated the options available to Kieran McGeeney, who will be fully aware of the threat Tyrone pose.
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Tomas McCormack; Ross McQuillan, Greg McCabe, Jarly Óg Burns; Callum O'Neill, Connaire Mackin; Aidan Forker, Oisín Conaty, Peter McGrane; Rory Grugan, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.
Subs: Blaine Hughes, Shane McPartlan, Oisín O'Neill, Jemar Hall, Tiernan Kelly, Cian McConville, Darragh McMullan, Niall Grimley, Ben Crealey, Gareth Murphy, Stefan Campbell.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Aidan Clarke, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Aodhan Donaghy, Mattie Donnelly, Ciarán Daly; Darren McCurry, Peter Harte, Darragh Canavan.
Subs: Oisín O'Kane, Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Frank Burns, Ben McDonnell, Shea O'Hare, Joe Oguz, Mark Bradley, Seánie O'Donnell, Ruairi Canavan, Eoin McElholm.
Sunday April 27
Down v Donegal, St Tiernach's Park, 3pm
A storming finish against Fermanagh earned Down an Ulster SFC semi-final against an in form Donegal.
Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness were key figures for Down in that triumph over Fermanagh, while Pat Havern continues to supply scores and leadership.
Down, though, will know that a demanding assignment awaits against Donegal, who have already defeated Derry and Monaghan.
Last weekend's quarter-final success over Monaghan was hard earned with Michael Langan and Peadar Mogan dynamic throughout.
Having won the provincial title last year before reaching the All-Ireland SFC Semi-Finals, Donegal want to stay relevant.
The return of Michael Murphy added class and experienced to an already extremely talented panel.
Down were highly competitive against eventual All-Ireland winners Armagh last year prior to gleaning the Tailteann Cup.
Conor Laverty has proven to be a shrewd figure for Down, who will relish this upcoming tussle.
Down: Ronan Burns; Patrick McCarthy, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty; Ryan Magill, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney; Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy; Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock, Eugene Branagan; James Guinness, Pat Havern, Conor McCrickard.
Subs: John O'Hare, Ruairi McCormack, Aaron McClements, Donal Scullion, Shay Millar, Adam Crimmins, Finn McElroy, Caolan Mooney, Gareth McKibben, Patrick Brooks, John McGeough.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Stephen McMenamin, Ciarán Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Daire Ó Baoill, Ciarán Thompson, Shane O'Donnell; Paddy McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Conor O'Donnell.
Subs: Gavin Mulrean, Caolan McColgan, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Odhran Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Eoin McHugh, Jeaic MacCeallabhuí, Jamie Brennan, Niall O'Donnell, Oisín Gallen, Jason McGee.
Kevin Feely remains a key performer for Kildare. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Leinster SFC Semi-Finals
Sunday April 27
Louth v Kildare, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 2pm, GAA+
The stakes are piled high in Tullamore between two counties intent on reaching a Leinster SFC decider and the All-Ireland series.
Louth have reached the last two provincial deciders capturing the diligent work carried out initially by Mickey Harte and Ger Brennan.
A connection has been forged between Brennan and the Louth players, who coped without Sam Mulroy in a lively quarter-final win over Laois.
Ciaran Byrne starred in that victory, while Ciaran Downey, Andy McDonnell and Ryan Burns also contributed handsomely.
Kildare attained promotion from Division Three of the Allianz Football League and did enough to beat a Luke Loughlin inspired Westmeath in Newbridge in the Championship.
David Hyland and Alex Beirne were instrumental in that victory, while Kevin Feely continues to deliver for the Lilywhites.
Kildare: Cian Burke; Ryan Burke, Mark Dempsey, Brian Byrne; Ryan Houlihan, David Hyland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton; Colm Dalton, Alex Beirne, Ben McCormack; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Brian McLoughlin.
Subs: Didier Cordonnier, Niall O'Sullivan, Mick O'Grady, Jack McKevitt, Tommy Gill, Kevin Flynn, Aaron Masterson, Cathal Hagney, Darragh Swords, Niall Kelly, Jimmy Hyland.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmet Carolan, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Daire Nally, Peter Lynch, Conal McKeever; Tommy Durnin, Andy McDonnell; Paul Matthews, Ciarán Downey, Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle, Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns.
Subs: Tiarnan Markey, Liam Jackson, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon, Fearghal Malone, Dara McDonnell, Dan Corcoran, Conor Branigan, Seán Reynolds, Dylan McKeown, Bevan Duffy.
Meath v Dublin, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 4pm, GAA+
Dublin have beaten Meath in their last nine Championship encounters.
The Royals haven't overcome Dublin since a goal laden 5-9 to 0-13 Leinster SFC Semi-Final victory.
In the intervening decade and a half Dublin enjoyed many good days and they're looking to make it 44 Leinster Championship wins on the spin this Sunday.
Seán Bugler was prominent throughout the Allianz Football League for Dublin, while Con O'Callaghan's brilliance guided Dublin to a Leinster Quarter-Final victory over Wicklow.
Brian Howard and Ciaran Kilkenny are other accomplished and experienced players for Dublin, who will afford Meath the utmost respect.
Robbie Brennan's charges staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Offaly in Navan with Mathew Costello and Conor Duke outstanding.
James Conlon was effective too in the closing stages, clipping 1-2 as Meath, who trailed by 10 at the interval, eventually won by seven points.
Meath: Billy Hogan; Séamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Seán Coffey, Ciarán Caulfield; Jack Flynn, Bryan Menton; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Keith Curtis; Mathew Costello, Shane Walsh, Eoghan Fryane.
Subs: Seán Brennan, Seán Ryan, Ronan Ryan, Adam O'Neill, Daithí McGowan, Cian McBride, James McEntee, James Conlon, Aaron Lynch, Eoin Harkin, Cathal Hickey.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; David Byrne, Theo Clancy, Conor Tyrell; Brian Howard, Greg McEneaney, Tom Lahiff; Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Ciarán Kilkenny; Niall Scully, Seán Bugler, Kevin Lahiff; Ross McGarry, Con O'Callaghan, Colm Basquel.
Subs: Evan Comerford, Cormac Costello, Nathan Doran, Alex Gavin, Davy Keogh, James Madden, Killian McGinnis, Lorcan O'Dell, Brian O'Leary, John Small, Paddy Small.
