Preview: Weekend's Gaelic Football Championship action
Paul Kerrigan, Cork, and David Moran, Kerry, during the 2018 Munster SFC Final.
Saturday June 22
Munster Senior Football Championship Final
Cork v Kerry, Paric Uí Chaoimh, 7pm
It is now seven years since Cork defeated Kerry in Championship football.
The recent evidence isn't exactly favourable either for Cork, who suffered a 3-18 to 2-14 loss at this exact stage in 2018.
Relegation to Division Three of the Allianz Football League hurt Cork, but they responded well in the Munster Semi-Final.
Limerick had stunned Tipperary, but Cork, prompted by Ruairi Deane and Brian Hurley, cruised to a facile win.
Hurley struck two majors, while Mark Collins' nine point haul was another key factor in that win.
Kerry endured a difficult second half in Ennis, but still prevailed despite Clare's late rally.
Early on Paul Geaney, James O'Donoghue, and David Clifford had offered glimpses of real attacking class.
Peter Keane will be eager to secure silverware down south and a much coveted place in the All Ireland SFC Quarter-Finals Group Phase.
Having won the last six provincial titles Kerry have set the standard in Munster for much of the past decade.
CORK: Mark White; Nathan Walsh, James Loughrey, Kevin Flahive; Liam O'Donovan, Sean White, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Killian O'Hanlon; Paul Kerrigan, Ruairi Deane, Kevin O'Driscoll; Mark Collins, Brian Hurley, Stephen Sherlock.
KERRY: Shane Ryan; Jason Foley, Tadhg Morley, Tom O'Sullivan; Paul Murphy, Jack Sherwood, Gavin White; David Moran, Jack Barry; Diarmuid O'Connor, Sean O'Shea, Stephen O'Brien; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Dara Moynihan.
All Ireland SFC Round Two Qualifiers
Antrim v Kildare, Corrigan Park, 3pm
It has been a strange campaign for Kildare, who know that a tricky test looms in Belfast.
Antrim, with Matthew Fitzpatrick enterprising, secured a fine Round One triumph over Louth in Drogheda.
That was an important result for Antrim, who had been soundly beaten by Tyrone in Ulster.
Kildare have already played in four matches in Leinster, but the performance levels have varied.
A narrow win against Wicklow, followed by a draw and replay success over Longford, prior to a heavy loss to Dublin.
Considering the strides that were made during last year's qualifiers, the Lilywhites want to remain relevant.
KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mark Dempsey, Mick O'Grady, Peter Kelly; Cian O'Donoghue, Eoin Doyle, David Hyland; Kevin Feely, Fergal Conway; David Slattery, Chris Healy, Keith Cribbin; Adam Tyrrell, Ben McCormack, Neil Flynn.
Laois football manager John Sugrue.
Derry v Laois, Owenbeg, 5pm
This should be an interesting tussle involving two counties' who will feel that reaching the last eight is possible.
Laois earned back to back promotions under John Sugrue, but the Leinster SFC Semi-Final loss to Meath was a blow.
Derry adeqautely dealt with a tricky situation by winning the Allianz Football League Division Four crown by claiming eight victories on the spin.
Subsequently in the Championship Derry were competitive before eventually losing to Tyrone.
A mammoth trek to Wexford wasn't the ideal Round One qualifier, but the 4-16 to 0-10 scoreline confirmed that Derry were ready for that challenge.
The next game with Laois will certainly be more revealing.
DERRY: Thomas Mallon; Karl McKaigue, Brendan Rogers, Ruairi Mooney; Jason Rocks, Chrissy McKaigue, Niall Keenan; Conor McAtamney, Ciaran McFaul; Emmett Bradley, Benny Heron, Padraig Cassidy; Shane McGuigan, Ryan Bell, Enda Lynn.
LAOIS: Graham Brody; Stephen Attride, Denis Booth, Gareth Dillon; Sean O'Flynn, Robert Pigott, Patrick O'Sullivan; John O'Loughlin, Kieran Lillis; Daniel O'Reilly, Conor Boyle, Damien O'Connor; Paul Kingston, Colm Murphy, Evan O'Carroll.
Longford v Tyrone, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 5pm
Tyrone are the most efficient team in the qualifiers reaching the Quarter-Finals on seven occasions from that route.
Mickey Harte has repeatedly shown a willingness and ability to respond after harrowing Ulster losses.
That is what Tyrone must do once more as the Donegal match hurt deeply.
Longford lost a Leinster Quarter-Final replay badly to Kildare, but Padraic Davis' team did well to overcome Carlow without any real fuss.
The reward for that display is a home tie against the 2018 All Ireland finalists so this will be a match worth monitoring.
LONGFORD: Paddy Collum; Patrick Fox, Donal McElligott, Barry O’Farrell; Colm P Smyth, Padraig McCormack, Darren Quinn; John Keegan, David McGivney; Gary Rogers, Barry McKeon, Michael Quinn; Daniel Mimnagh, James McGivney, Joseph Hagan.
The prolific Ger Egan has enjoyed a productive campaign for Westmeath.
Westmeath v Limerick, TEG Cusack Park, 6pm
A third Championship meeting between Westmeath and Limerick with the midlanders' prevailing in the previous two games.
Westmeath were disappointed with how their Leinster encounter with Laois unfolded, but Jack Cooney's team were worthy winners against Waterford.
Billy Lee's Limerick stunned Tipperary down south, but Cork dictated the agenda at Pairc Ui Rinn.
Iain Corbett and Jamie Lee have fared well for Limerick, who will need to restrict the in form Westmeath forwards Ronan O'Toole and Ger Egan.
WESTMEATH: Eoin Carberry; Boidu Sayeh, Ronan Wallace, Kevin Maguire; Killian Daly, Frank Boyle, James Dolan; Denis Corroon, John Heslin; David Lynch, Callum McCormack, Joe Halligan; Kieran Martin, Ger Egan, Ronan O'Toole.
LIMERICK: Donal O'Sullivan; Brian Fanning, Sean O'Dea, Colm McSweeney; Gordon Brown, Iain Corbett, Cillian Fahy; Darragh Treacy, Tommie Childs; Tony McCarthy, Michael Fitzgibbon, James Naughton; Padraig De Brun, Seamus O'Carroll, Jamie Lee.
Leitrim v Clare, Avantcard Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 6pm
A first ever Championship meeting involving Leitrim and Clare in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Clare finished strongly when losing to Kerry, but a shaky start proved costly in that game.
The enduring excellence of Gary Brennan was evident in that Cusack Park encounter, but Leitrim took heart from how they defeated Wicklow in Round One of the Qualifiers.
A tough Connacht Championship loss to Roscommon was deflating, but Terry Hyland's men delivered on home turf. Now they are gunning for a second summer win in a row.
CLARE: Stephen Ryan; Dean Ryan, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly; Conall O Hainifein, Aaron Fitzgerald, Sean Collins; Gary Brennan, Cathal O'Connor; Sean O'Donoghue, Eoin Cleary, Jamie Malone; Gavin Cooney, David Tubridy, Cian O'Dea.
The exciting Jarly Og Burns is emerging as a key player for Armagh.
Monaghan v Armagh, St Tiernach's Park, 7pm
It should be a fascinating affair in Clones as Monaghan and Armagh collide.
Monghan just about survived against Fermanagh in Round One of the Qualifiers, while Armagh will be anxious to return to winning ways after losing a gripping Ulster SFC Semi-Final replay to Cavan.
Kieran McGeeney's mixture of developing and established players is blending nicely with Jarly Og Burns and Rian O'Neill enjoying productive spells.
Monaghan, though, are a seasoned outfit, who have survived these type of assignments before.
Last year's march to the All Ireland semi-finals being the ultimate case in point as Malachy O'Rourke is an experienced manager.
Armagh will be eager to take a prized scalp so an intriguing 70 minutes awaits.
Down v Mayo, Pairc Esler, 7pm
A bumper crowd is anticipated in Newry as Mayo seek to embark on another adventure.
Down were content to defeat Tipperary in Round One, but now face a Mayo team, who will be striving to be far more clinical converting opportunities.
Roscommon's resilience frustrated Mayo in Connacht, but the green and red are boosted by the recent return of talisman Cillian O'Connor.
The Ballintubber forward will provide scoring punch, but Mayo will treat the Down challenge with the utmost care and respect.
Paddy Tally's charges lost a thriller to Armagh after extra-time prior to doing enough against Tipperary in Newry.
MAYO: David Clarke; Chris Barrett, Brendan Harrison, Keith Higgins; Lee Keegan, Colm Boyle, Paddy Durcan; Diarmuid O'Connor, Aidan O'Shea; Fionn McDonagh, Conor Loftus, Jason Doherty; Kevin McLoughlin, Darren Coen, Andy Moran.
Declan Bonner and Mickey Graham pictured ahead of the Ulster SFC Final.
Sunday June 23
Ulster Senior Football Championship Final
Cavan v Donegal, St Tiernach's Park, 2pm
A brimful Clones provides the backdrop to an eagerly anticipated Ulster Final.
Cavan are back in a provincial showpiece for the first time since 2001 against Donegal, who are busy preparing for an eighth decider in nine years.
Expectation has been attached to this Cavan crop for several campaigns, but they have produced under the shrewd guidance of Mickey Graham.
Overcoming neighbours Monaghan injected Cavan with confidence, while the subsequent two game saga with Armagh added further belief.
Killian Clarke, Gearoid McKiernan, and Dara McVeety have all been central figures for Cavan, who have responded in determined fashion following relegation to Division Two of the Allianz Football League.
Inevitably Michael Murphy was instrumental during Donegal's victory over Tyrone in the penultimate round.
Shaun Patton was effective as goalkeeper, while Donegal were primed for that encounter.
These are encouraging times for Donegal, but a pumped up Cavan will make the short journey to St Tiernach's Park believing that a surprise can be casued.
Dublin's Brian Fenton and Meath's Graham Reilly collide during the Sean Cox Fundraiser game played at Pairc Tailteann last December.
Leinster Senior Football Championship Final
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 4pm
It has been a spell of dominance in Leinster for Dublin, who are seeking to claim a 14th provincial crown in 15 years.
For a while Dublin struggled to deliver on the national stage, but that is precisely what they have done in splendid fashion since 2011.
In recent campaigns Jim Gavin has integrated emerging talent impressively with capable performers delivering consistently for Dublin.
Facile victories over Louth and Kildare illustrated the depth and dynamism of the Dublin panel with Cormac Costello registering 1-21 in those two outings.
Brian Fenton, Con O'Callaghan, and Paul Mannion have contributed handsomely to those successes also, but Meath will want to see how far they have travelled.
After gaining promotion to Division One of the Allianz Football League, Andy McEntee's outfit have chalked up Leinster triumphs over Offaly, Carlow, and Laois.
Mickey Newman's return to the inter-county fold has been notable, while James Conlon was particularly prominent against Laois.
Bryan Menton's influence at centrefield is significant, but Meath are aware that the most demanding test of them all awaits at GAA headquarters.
All Ireland SFC Round Two Qualifiers
Offaly v Sligo, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 2pm
It has been a most demanding campaign for Sligo, who have lost all eight competitive fixtures in League and Championship in 2019.
Paul Taylor's youthful panel were spirited against Galway, but still lost by 13 points.
Niall Murphy is a sharp finisher, who has the ability to cause Offaly problems.
John Maughan's Faithful team only lost to Meath in Leinster by two before overcoming London in Round One of the Qualifiers by 10.
Niall McNamee and Bernard Allen are crafty footballers for Offaly, who will want to maintain the momentum that is being generated.
OFFALY: Paddy Dunican; Declan Hogan, Eoin Rigney, David Dempsey; Cian Donohoe, Johnny Moloney, Niall Darby; Eoin Carroll, Peter Cunningham; Shane Horan, Anton Sullivan, Cathal Mangan; Bernard Allen, Niall McNamee, Ruairi McNamee.
