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Preview: Weekend's provincial football championship action

Aidan O'Shea, Mayo, and Seán Fitzgerald, Galway, in Allianz Football League action earlier this year. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Aidan O'Shea, Mayo, and Seán Fitzgerald, Galway, in Allianz Football League action earlier this year. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Sunday May 5

Munster SFC Final

Clare v Kerry, Cusack Park, 1.45pm, RTE

This will be a 13th Munster SFC Final meeting involving these two counties.

Clare's only victory was a famous triumph way back in 1992.

Before that the Banner hadn't defeated Kerry in championship fare since 1949.

Jack O'Connor's talented outfit overcame a shaky start to defeat Cork in the penultimate round.

Tom O'Sullivan and Gavin White will scamper forward at every available opportunity to support a classy attack featuring Seán O'Shea and the Clifford brothers.

It has been a satisfying campaign so far for Clare under Mark Fitzgerald.

Clare finished third in Division Three of the Allianz Football League before defeating Waterford in the Munster SFC Semi-Final with the minimum of fuss.

Emmet McMahon, Mark McInerney, Aaron Griffin, and Ciaran Downes were prominent for Clare in that triumph.

Clare: Stephen Ryan; Manus Doherty, Cillian Brennan, Ronan Lanigan; Alan Sweeney, Cillian Rouine, Ikem Ugweru; Darragh Bohannon, Brian McNamara; Daniel Walsh, Dermot Coughlan, Gavin Murray; Emmet McMahon, Aaron Griffin, Ciarán Downes.

Subs: Tristan O'Callaghan, Micheál Garry, Darren Nagle, Mark McInerney, Cormac Murray, Fergal Ginnane, James Curran, Diarmuid O'Donnell, Joe McGann, Jamie Stack, Tom McDonald.

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan; Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Tadhg Morley, Gavin White; Diarmuid O'Connor, Joe O'Connor; Dara Moynihan, Paudie Clifford, Cillian Burke; Tony Brosnan, David Clifford, Seán O'Shea.

Subs: Shane Ryan, Seán O'Brien, Adrian Spillane, Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Dylan Casey, Paul Geaney, Stephen O'Brien, Mike Breen, Killian Spillane, Darragh Roche, Armin Heinrich.

Connacht SFC Final

Galway v Mayo, Pearse Stadium, 4pm, RTE

It should be a lively game in Salthill.

Galway survived a real scare against Sligo at Markievicz Park to ensure they will contest a provincial decider for the ninth year in a row.

In that time Galway have won four titles, but Mayo defeated the Tribesmen in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final last year.

Kevin McStay's charges have claimed championship wins over New York and Roscommon with Ryan O'Donoghue prominent.

Aidan O'Shea and Tommy Conroy are other players, who can cause Galway some bother.

Injuries have ravaged Galway's campaign so far, but Shane Walsh and Damien Comer featured in the success against Sligo.

Several other players have been missing for Galway, who will know about Mayo's pace and power.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, Seán Kelly; Johnny Heaney, John Maher, Céin D'Arcy; Rob Finnerty, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Eoin Kelly, Daniel O'Flaherty, Jack McCabe, Cathal Sweeney, Kieran Molloy, Liam Ó Conghaile, Cillian Ó Curraoin, Matthew Tierney, Sam O'Neill.

Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Sam Callinan; Paddy Durcan, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh; Stephen Coen, Mattie Ruane; Jordan Flynn, Fergal Boland, Jack Carney; Aidan O'Shea, Tommy Conroy, Ryan O'Donoghue.

Subs: Rob Hennelly, Enda Hession, Conor Loftus, Darren McHale, Eoghan McLaughlin, Cillian O'Connor, Diarmuid O'Connor, Pádraig O'Hora, Kevin Quinn, Paul Towey, Bob Tuohy.