Friday January 18

Bord Na Mona O'Byrne Cup Final

Dublin v Westmeath, Parnell Park, 8pm

This environment has been used by Dublin to experiment and there was plenty to admire in how they competed against Meath at Parnell Park at the penultimate stage.

A penalty shootout supplied some late drama with the net result being the emerging Dublin talent will be afforded another opportunity to shine.

Westmeath, under the well regarded Jack Cooney, are satisfied with how they have fared in the O'Byrne Cup with the recent wins over Kildare and Longford particularly encouraging.

Cooney's objective is to be fully prepared for a demanding Allianz League Division Three which promises to be brimful of keenly contested encounters.

The midlanders' have also used the competition to assess fringe players, but established figures such as Ger Egan and Callum McCormack were instrumental against Longford.

DUBLIN: Andy Bunyan; Nathan Doran, Sean McMahon, Ciaran Smith; Cian O'Connor, Conor Mullally, Robbie McDaid; Darren Gavin, Cormac Howley; Ryan Basquel, Aaron Byrne, Sean Bugler; Stephen Smith, Callum Pearson, Oisin Lynch.

WESTMEATH: Eoin Carberry; Killian Daly, Ronan Wallace, Boidu Sayeh; Noel O'Reilly, James Dolan, David Lynch; Sean Flanagan, Noel Mulligan; Ger Egan, Callum McCormack, Joe Halligan; Ronan O'Toole, Kieran Martin, Sam Duncan.

Saturday January 19

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Final

Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 7.30pm

Before Donegal claimed Dr McKenna Cup glory in 2018 Tyrone had triumphed six years in a row.

That confirms how seriously Mickey Harte treats the competition and his mixture of youth and experience have impressed thus far.

Armagh haven't won the McKenna Cup since 1994, but Kieran McGeeney's team have chalked up some impressive displays recently.

The Semi-Final win over Donegal was noteworthy with Jamie Clarke's availability adding to the feel good factor.

Stephen Sheridan and Niall Grimley are capable of thundering forward to nail scores, while Jemar Hall and Rory Grugan both contributed handsomely.

Kyle Coney is back in Tyrone colours making an impact, while Darragh Canavan is viewed as an exciting prospect.

TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Ciaran McLaughlin, Ronan McNamee, Liam Rafferty; Tiernan McCann, Aidan McCrory, Michael Cassidy; Conan Grugan, Declan McClure; Niall Sludden, Ronan O’Neill, Conal McCann; Darren McCurry, Peter Harte, Cathal McShane.

Sunday January 20

Connacht FBD League Final

Galway v Roscommon, Tuam Stadium, 1.30pm

For the fifth year on the spin Galway and Roscommon contest the Connacht FBD League decider.

Roscommon earned wins in 2015 and 2018 either side of two Galway victories so there usually is little between the teams.

Galway finished strongly to beat Mayo in a penalty shootout with Mountbellew-Moylough's Barry McHugh, John Daly, and Michael Daly supplying all of Galway's 1-9 total.

John Daly suffered an injury in the Mayo encounter which was disappointing considering his assured display, while the entrance of Michael into the match as a substitute boosted the Galway attack considerably.

Roscommon also delivered when it counted in the second half and it will be interesting to see what approach is adopted under new boss Anthony Cunningham.

HURLING

Saturday January 19

Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup Hurling Final

Wexford v Galway, Enniscorthy, 2pm

At the Semi-Final stage Wexford and Galway both eked out solid victories in difficult circumstances.

Paudie Foley's crisp free taking was the key as Wexford eventually shrugged off Kilkenny's challenge to advance.

In Parnell Park Dublin staged a gritty rally against Galway, but Joe Canning's delightful sideline cut proved to be the decisive score.

Canning added experience and guile to the Galway attack in the closing stages, but Micheal Donoghue could reflect with satisfaction on how some promising talent fared at the Donnycarney venue.

Cathal Mannion was another significant influence for Galway, who are without several important players due to club commitments with St Thomas' and Oranmore-Maree.

Wexford finished strongly to defeat Kilkenny with Foley's seven point contribution critical.

Davy Fitzgerald carried out some experiments in that encounter and is likely to do so again when a youthful Galway outfit visits Enniscorthy.