Preview: Weekend's senior club championship action
St Brigid's manager Anthony Cunningham. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
GAELIC FOOTBALL
Saturday November 29
AIB Leinster Club SFC Semi-Finals
Tullamore v Ballyboden St Enda's, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 1.30pm
A Croke Park AIB Leinster Club SFC Final appearance is the significant prize on offer for the victors.
Tullamore, who include former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford in their backroom, will be eager to examine Ballyboden St Enda's credentials.
At the quarter-final stage, Tullamore defeated The Downs with Harry Plunkett in excellent scoring form, contributing 1-5.
Declan Hogan, Cormac Egan, and John Furlong provide plenty of quality for Tullamore, who will be aware of Boden's considerable threat.
Colm Basquel is a classy operator, while Ross McGarry, Céin D'Arcy, and Alex Gavin are other prominent figures for the Dublin standard bearers.
Athy v Portarlington, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 2pm
It has been a hugely encouraging campaign for Athy, who will afford a talented Portarlington outfit the utmost respect.
The manner of Athy's AIB Leinster Club SFC Quarter-Final success over Summerhill illustrated their potential.
Kevin Feely remains an influential figure, while Niall Kelly and Cathal McCarron are others contributing for Athy.
Darragh Galvin starred in Portarlington's triumph over Naomh Mairtín, while Colm Murphy and Rioghan Murphy are neat finishers in attack, also.
Sunday November 30
AIB Connacht Club SFC Final
St Brigid's v Maigh Cuilinn, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 1pm
This eagerly anticipated clash in the west could go the distance.
Maigh Cuilinn won a competitive Galway SFC and have subsequently overcame Shamrock Gaels and Leitrim Gaels in the province.
Seán Kelly, Johnny Moloney, and the prolific Dessie Conneely have been influential figures for Cathal Clancy's talented team.
Brigid's, though, are well managed by Anthony Cunningham, who continues to give distinguished service in both codes.
A fantastic performance against Ballina Stephenites means Brigid's enter this decider loaded with confidence.
Ruaidhri Fallon was immense in that tussle, while Ben O'Carroll, Shane Cunnane, the Stacks, and the
returning Senan Kilbride are all delivering for the accomplished Roscommon champions.
AIB Ulster Club SFC Semi-Final
Scotstown v Newbridge, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 4pm
Abandoned due to the inclement weather last weekend, Scotstown and Newbridge meet again to determine, who joins Kilcoo in the AIB Ulster Club SFC showpiece.
Both teams are stacked with excellent footballers and it should be an exciting encounter.
When the initial fixture was stopped, Scotstown had edged into a lead and they will be intent on demonstrating their ability once more.
Rory Beggan, the Hughes', and Jack McCarron are experienced players, who want to bring Scotstown back to the summit in Ulster.
Newbridge, though, have similar ambitions with Padraig McGrogan, Conor Doherty, and Eamon Young key performers.
Ballygunner manager Jason Ryan. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
HURLING
Saturday November 29
AIB Ulster Club SHC Final
Slaughtneil v St John's, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 6pm
Throughout the past decade, Slaughtneil have repeatedly shown their greatness on this stage.
The holders, though, will be fully aware that St John's have generated momentum and bring a nifty team to Armagh on Saturday evening.
Conor Johnston and Oisín McManus scored heavily in the emphatic 3-20 to 0-12 over Setanta at the penultimate stage, while Domhnall Nugent remains an influential figure for St John's.
Slaughtneil finished strongly against Portaferry with substitute Gerald Bradley netting a critical goal when the issue was delicately poised.
Shea Cassidy, Shane McGuigan, Brendan Rogers, and Chrissy McKaigue are well versed in these type of high stakes winter matches.
Sunday November 30
AIB Munster Club SHC Final
Ballygunner v Éire Óg, Ennis, FBD Semple Stadium, 3pm
Thurles provides the backdrop for an attractive AIB Munster Club SHC Final.
Ballygunner, so relevant at this level, did what was required in impressive fashion against Sarsfields.
Pauric Mahony mined 0-10, Dessie Hutchinson clipped 2-1, and Patrick Fitzgerald struck 1-2 as Ballygunner avenged last year's defeat against the Cork club.
A similarly dynamic display will be needed because Éire Óg are hurling well under the shrewd stewardship of Gerry O'Connor.
Éire Óg edged a classic against Loughmore-Castleiney with Danny Russell supplying a remarkable 1-14.
Shane O'Donnell and David Reidy remain brilliant attacking players for Éire Óg.