Preview: Weekend's club championship action
Prolific St Finbarr's forward Steven Sherlock. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
GAELIC FOOTBALL
Another lively weekend of action looms with intriguing knockout fixtures taking place throughout the country.
Three Cork SFC quarter-finals are on the agenda with Sunday's double header in Clonakilty is attractive. Carbery's match against St Finbarr's is followed by Castlehaven versus Nemo Rangers.
A competitive Donegal SFC continues with four quarter-final tussles on the agenda.
Naomh Conaill's clash against Kilcar will feature plenty of past, present, and future Donegal stars.
St Michael's encounter against Glenswilly is another fixture capturing local interest in Donegal.
Earlier in the year, Down prevailed in the Ulster SFC against Donegal, and Burren's match against Kilcoo this weekend will be worth monitoring.
In the west, Mountbellew-Moylough, boosted by the recent returns of Michael Daly and Patrick Kelly, face favourites Maigh Cuilinn in an eagerly anticipated last eight game.
The Kerry SFC continues with divisional outfits in action, while semi-final games take place in Leitrim and Longford.
Fenagh St Cailins will be hoping to dethrone Leitrim Gaels in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday.
Abbeylara, Killoe, Clonguish, and Dromard all believe that glory can be attained in Longford.
Castleblayney Faughs versus Inniskeen is one of the quarter-finals scheduled in Monaghan, while the penultimate round of the Westmeath SFC is also scheduled.
On Saturday, The Downs face Moate All Whites, while the following day St Loman's collide with Coralstown Kinnegad.
Following an encouraging campaign at inter-county level, the Wicklow SFC is proving to be exciting with Baltinglass versus Blessington the first semi-final on Saturday.
HURLING
St Mullins and Mount Leinster Rangers will do battle in the Carlow SHC Final under the Saturday night Netwatch Cullen Park lights.
There is usually drama in the Clare SHC and the 2026 edition isn't disappointing.
Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg provides the backdrop for the semi-finals. On Saturday, Scariff and Kilmaley, two clubs who've gathered momentum, clash.
The following afternoon Inagh-Kilnamona, making swift progress, meet Éire Óg, who feature David Reidy and Shane O'Donnell.
Four quarter-finals are fixed for Parnell Park in the Dublin SHC.
In Kilkenny, it should be a revealing weekend with O'Loughlin Gaels' clash against Tullaroan one of four quarter-finals.
Two Limerick SHC quarter-finals will be played at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday with Doon versus Adare following Monaleen's clash against Mungret St Paul's.
Four clubs remain in the Roscommon SHC with a semi-final double header set for Ballyforan on Sunday.
On Saturday, Thurles Sarsfields face Nenagh Éire Óg in what promises to be a thrilling Tipperary SHC semi-final.
The next day Moycarkey-Borris meet JK Brackens in another match capturing the imagination.
It will be a busy weekend too in Wexford with four quarter-finals down for decision.