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Preview: Weekend's Gaelic Football Championship action

Fionn Fitzgerald, Kerry, and Gary Brennan, Clare, pictured with referee Padraig Hughes in Cusack Park in 2017.

Fionn Fitzgerald, Kerry, and Gary Brennan, Clare, pictured with referee Padraig Hughes in Cusack Park in 2017.

Sunday June 3

Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Fermanagh v Monaghan, Healy Park, 2pm

A year ago Monaghan, boosted by the introduction of pacy players, pulled clear to defeat Fermanagh by 1-20 to 1-11 in the Ulster Championship preliminary round.

It is unlikely to be such an open encounter on this occasion as Fermanagh are buoyed up by a stirring success over Armagh.

That injected Rory Gallagher's panel with confidence and momentum ahead of a demanding contest with Monaghan, who were splendid when beating Tyrone.

Conor McManus' added to his collection of great scores in the closing moments of that Tyrone triumph, while Rory Beggan, Vinny Corey, and Darren Hughes remain influential players for Malachy O'Rourke's team.

FERMANAGH: Patrick Cadden; Kane Connor, Che Cullen, Michael Jones; Barry Mulrone, James McMahon, Lee Cullen; Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Jones; Paul McCusker, Declan McCusker, Aidan Breen; Sean Quigley, Conall Jones, Seamus Quigley.

MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Mone, Vinny Corey, Fintan Kelly; Karl O'Connell, Darren Hughes; Kieran Hughes, Niall Kearns, Dessie Ward; Ryan McAnespie, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus.

Munster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Kerry v Clare, Fitzgerald Stadium, 3.30pm

Eamonn Fitzmaurice is introducing exciting new talent into the Kerry set-up.

During the Allianz Football League Kerry used 37 players and demonstrated a willingness to experiment.

Clare also had a significant turnover in players and they will benefit from the convincing win over Limerick a fortnight ago.

Since 1992 Clare haven't defeated Kerry in the Championship, but Colm Collins has the Banner as a respected force down south once more.

Kerry will know the danger a pumped up Clare will bring to Killarney. Watching how Kerry's youngsters cope promises to be interesting.

CLARE: Eamon Tubridy; Gordon Kelly, Killian Brennan, Eoghan Collins; Pearse Lillis, Aaron Fitzgerald, Cian O'Dea; Gary Brennan, Cathal O'Connor; Kieran Malone, Eoin Cleary, Jamie Malone; Eibhin Courtney, Keelan Sexton, David Tubridy.

Connacht Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Galway v Sligo, Pearse Stadium, 3.30pm

Having contested the last two Connacht finals Galway have shown decent form in the west in recent years, but they will treat the Sligo challenge with the utmost respect.

Sligo's underage improvements in recent years ensures Cathal Corey's panel is nicely stocked with promising footballers.

The same could be stated about Galway too with Kevin Walsh continuing to integrate young players into the Tribe set-up.

Galway did just enough to defeat Mayo in Castlebar which was a statement victory especially as Walsh's outfit have defeated the Green and Red for three Championships in a row.

With captain Damien Comer a potent threat Galway will want to make a good start to establish control in Pearse Stadium, but Sligo will be hard working, while Adrian Marren has excelled on this exact stage before.

GALWAY: Ruairi Lavelle; Declan Kyne, Sean Andy O'Ceallaigh, David Wynne; Cathal Sweeney, Gareth Bradshaw, Sean Kelly; Paul Conroy, Tom Flynn; Eamonn Brannigan, Shane Walsh, Johnny Heaney; Ian Burke, Damien Comer, Barry McHugh.

SLIGO: Aidan Devaney; Charlie Harrison, Eoin McHugh, Ross Donovan; Neil Ewing, Adrian McIntyre, Gerard O'Kelly/Lynch; Niall Murphy, Kevin McDonnell; Paddy O'Connor, Liam Gaughan, Cathal Henry; Kyle Cawley, Pat Hughes, Adrian Marren.