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Preview: Weekend's Gaelic Football Club action

Clontibret manager John McEntee faces his native club Crossmaglen Rangers on Saturday evening.

Clontibret manager John McEntee faces his native club Crossmaglen Rangers on Saturday evening.

Saturday 2 November

AIB Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Final

Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v Clontibret (Monaghan), Athletic Grounds, 7pm

For several reasons this is an intriguing affair with John McEntee taking charge of Clontibret against his native club, Crossmaglen Rangers.

Since Clontribet and Crossmaglen triumphed in their respective Championships that has dominated the agenda adding another sub plot.

Clontibret, with Dessie Mone, Vinny Corey, and the prolific Conor McManus impressing outfoxed Scotstown.

The O'Neill brothers were influential as Cross eventually shrugged off Ballymacnab's resistance in a thriller.

Cross have journeyed down these type of roads many times before and that is exactly why they will afford Clontibret the utmost respect.

Sunday 3 November

AIB Connacht Club SFC Quarter-Finals

Tourlestrane (Sligo) v Padraig Pearses (Roscommon), Markievicz Park, 2pm

Having earned a first ever Roscommon title, Pearses, powered by the durable Daly brothers, are in unfamiliar territory.

Tourlestrane recently completed a four in a row in Sligo and have put in some gutsy performances on the provincial stage.

Pearses will carry significant hope and momentum into this battle which promises to be an interesting game.

Ballintubber's Diarmuid O'Connor.

Ballintubber's Diarmuid O'Connor.

Ballintubber (Mayo) v Glencar-Manorhamilton (Leitrim), Elverys MacHale Park, 2pm

Ballintubber did what was required in Mayo and will embrace the Connacht challenge.

Kevin Johnson is emerging as a respected coach in the west with Ballintubber, featuring the O'Connor's and former inter-county star Alan Dillon, motoring smoothly.

Captain Conor Dolan certainly led by example for Glencar/Manorhamiltion converting a pressure free to defeat Ballinamore in a tight Leitrim decider.

AIB Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Finals

Castlerahan (Cavan) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal), Kingspan Breffni, 2.30pm

On Wednesday evening Naomh Conaill made a real statement dethroning Donegal and Ulster champions Gaoth Dobhair.

The Glenties outfit showed commendable courage and character to prevail in a second replay.

Next on a busy agenda, though, is an awkward assignment with Castlerahan, who retained the Cavan title.

Kilcoo (Down) v Magherafelt (Derry), Pairc Esler, 2.30pm

Following an emotional Derry success Magherafelt face Kilcoo, who have won seven of the last eight Down Championships.

Kilcoo twice reached Ulster finals so they have shown some decent form in the race for provincial honours.

Paul Devlin, Jerome Johnston, and Conor Laverty carry a potent threat in attack, but Magherafelt impressed in Derry with Shane Heavron and Emmet McGuckin prominent.

Mattie Donnelly is a key performer for Trillick.

Mattie Donnelly is a key performer for Trillick.

Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) v Trillick (Tyrone), Brewster Park, 2.30pm

Trillick bring a team flecked with stars to Enniskillen for what should be a tough test against Derrygonnelly Harps.

The Fermanagh club enjoyed a fine 2-10 to 0-12 triumph over Cargin in the preliminary round with Conall Jones hugely effective.

The Donnelly brothers and Lee Brennan remain key performers for Trillick.

Galway SFC Final replay

Corofin v Tuam Stars, Tuam Stadium, 2pm

A resourceful and resilient Tuam Stars display came close to causing a real shock a fortnight ago.

Gary Sice, though, remained cool and composed for Corofin kicking three of the last four points of a keenly contested match.

Corofin came through a replay at this stage last year before going on to collect provincial and national honours.

Tuam were the last team to beat Corofin in a Galway Championship encounter back in 2012. In the intervening years Corofin have six seven Championships on the spin.

Thomas Davis will contest their first Dublin SFC Final since 1991 on Sunday.

Thomas Davis will contest their first Dublin SFC Final since 1991 on Sunday.

Dublin SFC Final

Ballyboden St Enda's v Thomas Davis, Parnell Park, 4pm

Thomas Davis haven't sampled a Dublin decider since completing a three in a row back in 1991.

In the intervening years Ballyboden have triumphed in 1995, 2009, and 2015, while also losing a final in 2004.

How Thomas Davis have reached this decider is a testament to the hard work carried out in the club during the past couple of decades.

The Basquel brothers and Michael Darragh MacAuley impressed against St Jude's as Anthony Rainbow's team came from six points down at half-time.

Thomas Davis, prompted by Ciaran Farrelly and Brendan Kirby goals, stunned Kilmacud Crokes and will be hoping to produce a similarly defiant display at Parnell Park.