Karl McKaigue, Slaughtneil, and Barry O Driscoll, Nemo Rangers, pictured ahead of the AIB All Ireland Club SFC Semi-Final on Saturday.
Saturday February 24
AIB All Ireland Club SFC Semi-Final
Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Slaughtneil (Derry), O'Moore Park, 4.30pm
Having suffered AIB All Ireland club final defeats in 2015 and 2017, Slaughtneil continue to produce wholehearted displays.
Seven time champions Nemo Rangers, though, carry a proud tradition and plenty of talent into what promises to be a fascinating battle in Portlaoise.
Corofin await the winners and whoever joins them at Croke Park on St Patrick's Day will earn their passage at O'Moore Park.
Allianz Football League Division One
Mayo v Dublin, Elverys MacHale Park, 7pm
There is always intrigue when Mayo and Dublin collide - even in February.
Having suffered defeats to Kerry and Galway, Stephen Rochford's team crave a victory.
Dublin, though, have carved out wins against Kildare, Tyrone, and Donegal with Brian Howard and Colm Basquel prominent.
A significant injury list and Cillian O'Connor's suspension hampers Mayo's cause, but the Green and Red will still be primed for this match.
A lively tussle awaits in Castlebar.
MAYO: Rob Hennelly; Caolan Crowe, Ger Cafferkey, Eoin O'Donoghue; Colm Boyle, Michael Hall, David Drake; Stephen Coen, Jason Gibbons; Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor; Jason Doherty, Andy Moran, Adam Gallagher.
Monaghan v Tyrone, Castleblayney, 7pm
** **
On the opening weekend when Mayo escaped from Clones armed with the spoils Monaghan knew a brisk response was required.
So Malachy O'Rourke's charges replied by beating Kildare and Kerry in tough encounters. Conor McManus' return added an etxra layer of attacking class in the Kerry win.
Tyrone, though, were satisfied to secure an away victory over Kildare following a couple of disappointing losses.
This match, though, will be revealing.
MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Colin Walshe, Conor Boyle, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Mone, Drew Wylie, Karl O'Connell; Darren Hughes, Niall Kearns; Paudie McKenna, Dermot Malone, Dessie Ward; Jack McCarron, Thomas Kerr, Conor McManus.
TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan, Ronan McNamee, Cathal McCarron; Conor Meyler, Padraig Hampsey, Kieran McGeary; Colm Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly; Conal McCann, Niall Sludden, Peter Harte; Lee Brennan, Richard Donnelly, Connor McAliskey.
Tipperary manager Liam Kearns.
Allianz Football League Division Two
Tipperary v Meath, Semple Stadium, 7pm
Tipperary started the campaign in blistering fashion down by the banks of the Lee.
That triumph over Cork hinted at Tipperary's potential, but a loss to Roscommon and draw to Cavan ensures this match carries real importance.
Meath have also three points on the board and the Royals suffered a big setback at Kingspan Breffni. Andy McEntee will certainly be demanding a better display in Thurles.
TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford; Shane O'Connell, John Meagher, Alan Campbell; Bill Maher, Robbie Kiely, Jimmy Feehan; Liam Casey, Steven O'Brien; Liam Boland, Josh Keane, Brian Fox; Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Liam McGrath.
Allianz Football League Division Three
Fermanagh v Derry, Brewster Park, 7pm
** **
Three wins on the spin have been posted by Rory Gallagher's charges, who are intent on making a bold bid for promotion.
Derry, though, finally got off the mark when overcoming Offaly's challenge and another success is craved by Damian McErlain's outfit.
Allianz Football League Division Four
Waterford v Carlow, Carriganore, 4pm
It has been a pleasing spell for Carlow, who are building on the encouragement of the 2017 Championship adventure.
Turlough O'Brien's team want to be in Division Three next year and these are exactly the type of matches in which victories must be registered.
Waterford remain a gritty side under Tom McGlinchey's stewardship.
WATERFORD: Stephen Enright; Brian Looby, Thomas O'Gorman, Aidan Trihy; James McGrath, Shane Ryan, Michael Curry; Tommy Prendergast, Kieran Power; Conor Murray, Joey Veale, Dylan Guiry; Jason Curry, JJ Hutchinson, Paul Whyte.
Paddy McBrearty is in excellent form for Donegal.
Sunday February 25
Allianz Football League Division One
Donegal v Kildare, Ballyshannon, 2pm
** **
Donegal were content to claim the Dr McKenna Cup following three narrow Allianz League losses.
Michael Murphy's return to fitness is a boost and Declan Bonner's team know that a victory is necessary in Ballyshannon.
Cian O'Neill's Kildare, though, are equally aware that two points need to be added to the account quickly if a quick return to Division Two is to be avoided.
KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Peter Kelly, David Hyland, Mick O'Grady; Cian O'Donoghue, Eoin Doyle, Johnny Byrne; Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick; Fergal Conway, Niall Kelly, Paul Cribbin; Ben McCormack, Daniel Flynn, Paddy Brophy.
Kerry v Galway, Austin Stack Park, 2.30pm
** **
Having invested so heavily in youth Eamonn Fitzmaurice is reasonably pleased with Kerry's four point return thus far.
Galway are buoyed up by the fact that three victories have been delivered against Tyrone, Donegal, and Mayo.
The form of captain Damien Comer is another source of optimism, but this match in Tralee offers anothern stern test - precisely what Galway want in February after seven years in Division Two.
KERRY: Brian Kelly; Shane Enright, Jason Foley, Ronan Shanahan; Paul Murphy, Peter Crowley, Brian O'Beaglaoich; Jack Barry, Barry O'Sullivan; Micheal Burns, Sean O'Shea, Stephen O'Brien; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Barry John Keane.
Allianz Football League Division Two
Cork v Cavan, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 1pm
** **
Mattie McGleenan has introduced a raft of newcomers to inter-county football in the Allianz League and the Cavan players are adapting well.
With five points registered Cavan are unbeaten heading to Cork, who have beaten Down and Louth with Mark Collins prominent.
CORK: Anthony Casey; Sam Ryan, Jamie O'Sullivan, Micheal McSweeney; Tomas Clancy, Brian O'Driscoll, Cian Kiely; Ian Maguire, Cillian O'Hanlon; Kevin Flahive, Sean White, Ruairi Deane; Michael Hurley, Colm O'Neill, Mark Collins.
CAVAN: Raymond Galligan; Niall Murray, Padraig Faulkner, David Phillips; Martin Reilly, Ciaran Brady, Conor Moynagh; Bryan Magee, Killian Clarke; Dara McVeety, Gearoid McKiernan, Oisin Kiernan; Cian Mackey, Adrian Cole, Niall Clerkin.
Down v Clare, Pairc Esler, 2pm
** **
Another interesting encounter at Newry is imminent.
Clare were heavily defeated by Meath either side of draws with Cavan and Tipperary.
Eamonn Burns' Down, prompted by Connaire Harrison, have nicked two wins and another success would leave them nicely placed in the standings.
Roscommon manager Kevin McStay.
Louth v Roscommon, Drogheda, 2pm
** **
Roscommon staged dramatic rallies to draw with Meath and beat Tipperary.
The loss to Down, though, was a severe setback so this game against Louth matters deeply.
Pete McGrath's team have suffered three defeats in a row and they need a positive result too.
ROSCOMMON: James Featherston; Seanie McDermott, Peter Domican, David Murray; Ronan Daly, Niall Daly, Ross Timothy; Enda Smith, Conor Daly; Ciarain Murtagh, Niall Kilroy, Conor Devaney; Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciaran Lennon, Cathal Cregg.
Allianz Football League Division Three
** **
Westmeath v Sligo, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
** **
In a highly competitive Division Westmeath want to make further progress under Colin Kelly.
While the loss to Armagh was a disappointment Westmeath were happy with their triumphs away to Derry and Wexford.
Now the midlanders want to maintain their good form against Sligo in Mullingar.
Cathal Corey's Sligo have been boosted by the return of Kevin McDonnell, who featured for NUIG in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup.
Longford v Wexford, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2.30pm
** **
This is a vital game for two teams, who kept bumping into one another a couple of years ago.
Dennis Connerton's Longford have accumulated four points already and another win would almost guarantee survival.
If Wexford want to preserve their Division Three status Paul McLoughlin's youthful outfit must glean a couple of wins soon.
WEXFORD: Matt Doyle; Mark O'Neill, Jim Rossiter, Michael Furlong; Glen Malone, Brian Malone, Shane Doyle; Daithi Waters, Nick Doyle; Tiernan Rossiter, Ben Brosnan, Robert Frayne; Paul Curtis, James Stafford, Cathal Devereux.
Ethan Rafferty is a key performer for Armagh.
Offaly v Armagh, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 2.30pm
** **
Offaly, who have yet to register a point, host top of the table Armagh.
Kieran McGeeney's improving team have been solid dealing with Sligo, Armagh, and Longford.
Having come so close to earning promotion in 2017, Armagh don't want to be caught once more.
Offaly were hammered at the Athletic Grounds in their last meeting with Armagh and the Faithful will want a much improved showing in Tullamore.
OFFALY: Patrick Dunican; Declan Hogan, Paul McConway, Sean Pender; David Dempsey, Shane Nally, Niall Darby; Peter Cunningham, Michael Brazil; Jordan Hayes, Anton Sullivan, Cian Donohue; Bernard Allen, Conor Carroll, Nigel Dunne.
Allianz Football League Division Four
Wicklow v Laois, Aughrim, 2pm
John Sugrue's Laois are joint top of the Division, but they will treat the Wicklow challenge with the utmost respect.
Wicklow surprised Antrim to earn a draw in Belfast last time out so Laois will be looking to Gary Walsh for attacking inspiration once more.
LAOIS: Graham Brody; David Holland, Shane Nerney, Ruadhri Fennell; Trevor Collins, Colm Begley, Gareth Dillon; John O'Loughlin, Kieran Lillis; Alan Farrell, Paul Kingston, Niall Donoher; Ross Munnelly, Gary Walsh, Evan O'Carroll.
Leitrim v Limerick, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm
** **
The bottom two clash in Carrick-on-Shannon with a young Leitrim team hoping to gain some points and confidence ahead of the summer.
Limerick had a couple of tough fixtures at the start of their campaign, but were improved against London despite a late goal from the Exiles ensuring the spoils were divided.
London v Antrim, Ruislip, 2.30pm
** **
Ciaran Deely's London have posted four points from three games.
That London have been so competitive and hard working is a testament to the work being carried out by Deely.
Antrim, now being managed by Lenny Harbinson, will know that a pumped up London can cause teams trouble.
The Saffrons are a point behind Carlow and Laois in the table so they need to win in Ruislip.
ANTRIM: Chris Kerr; Peter Healy, Patrick Gallagher, Niall Delargy; Kevin O'Boyle, Mark Sweeney, James Laverty; Sean Burke, Paddy McAleer; Matthew Fitzpatrick, Conor Murray, Paddy McBride; CJ McGourty, Colum Duffin, Ryan Murray.
