All-Ireland Football Club Championship final: Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Corofin (Galway) (today, Croke Park, 2pm, live on TG4)
NEMO Rangers can further enhance their standing as the most successful football club in Ireland if they can overcome a Corofin side chasing a second All-Ireland title in four years.
Nemo managed to hold off the great Crossmaglen team to remain at the top of the roll of honour by one title, and they can stretch further clear if they can lift the Andy Merrigan Cup for an seventh time at Croke Park, with another win coming before the cup came into existence.
It would be a fine parting shot for their manager Larry Kavanagh as he will step down afterwards with a new management team appointed for the 2018 season.
Corofin, meanwhile, are chasing a third title after wins in 1998 and 2014.
Both clubs overcame adversity in their semi-finals. The Galway side’s was more pronounced after the controversial sending off of Martin Farragher in the opening seconds of their win over Moorefield. Unsurprisingly, Farragher’s appeal was successful.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Kevin O’Brien’s players called on all their experience to get over the line.
The match was in the balance right until the final moments until Liam Silke raced through and finished high to the net to give his side a 1-6 to 0-6 win.
Nemo were so clearly second best in the first half of their semi-final against Slaughtneil, the side Corofin defeated in the final four years ago.
They were held scoreless for 20 minutes and trailed 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. In truth, the deficit should have much more.
Whatever message Kavanagh delivered at half-time seeped in quickly because after conceding another point, they soon went from four points down to four points up - Luke Connolly grabbing a crucial goal.
Slaughtneil were out on their feet but pure doggedness allowed them to force extra time. Nemo owned those additional 20 minutes though with Connolly netting again to help them to a 2-19 to 1-14 win.
Both sides have marked St Patrick’s Day with magical triumphs in the past; both know how to win at Croke Park.
Corofin can still call on much of their 2013/14 squad, but something sparked with Nemo in the second half of that Slaughtneil game.
Sean Cavanagh had an unexpected Croke Park swan song and Tomás Ó Sé might get the chance to follow suit.
Odds: Nemo Rangers: 1/1 D: 15/2 Corofin: 11/10
Verdict: Nemo Rangers
Division One
Kerry v Kildare
(tonight, Austin Stack Park, 7pm, live on eir Sport 2)
APART from last year, Kerry haven’t exactly been a league force under Eamonn Fitzmaurice. This is the third time that they have been on four points after five games but they escaped relegation on the two previous occasions – 2013 and ’14. Paul Geaney and Sean O’Shea are doubts, but they should have too much for a doomed Kildare.
Odds: H: 2/7 D: 10/1 A: 7/2
Verdict: Kerry
Monaghan v Donegal
(tomorrow, Clones, 2pm)
MONAGHAN have been a real bogey side for Donegal in recent years and they can leave the Tir Chonaill men on the brink of relegation with a win. They will be without Fintan Kelly, who was sent off in the defeat to Galway last week. Donegal badly missed Paddy McBrearty in their loss to Tyrone last weekend, and the star forward could be absent again. Martin O’Reilly and Paul Brennan are also doubtful.
Odds: H: 8/11 D: 15/2 A: 6/4
Verdict: Monaghan
Mayo v Tyrone
(tomorrow, Elvery’s MacHale Park, 2pm)
BOTH these sides moved onto four points last week with Tyrone beating Donegal and Mayo recording a fine win away to Kildare. Darren McCurry has since left the Red Hand panel while Mickey Harte is giving Mickey O’Neill his chance in goals. Mayo will be without Keith Higgins as he attempts to get their hurlers up to Division 2A at the expense of Down.
Odds: H: 8/11 D 15/2: A: 6/4
Verdict: Tyrone
Galway v Dublin
(tomorrow, Pearse Stadium, 2pm)
THERE will be a phoney war at Pearse Stadium as Galway and Dublin clash with a League final meeting in a couple of weeks an almost certainty. Monaghan could still make the top two, but who would bet against Dublin losing twice in a row? They certainly laid down a marker in the second half against Kerry last week but it did come at a price as Cian O’Sullivan has been ruled out to July after picking up a shoulder injury.
Odds: H: 3/1 D: 9/1 A: 1/3
Verdict: Dublin
Division Two
Cork v Clare
(tonight, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7pm, live on eir Sport 1)
CLARE will welcome back Jamie Malone from suspension but will be without Ciaran Russell and Gordon Kelly as they serve match-bans. Cork have lost two of their three home games this year, but four points on the road means that they can move into second – for 20-odd hours at least – should they come out on top.
Odds: H: 4/11 D: 8/1 A: 3/1
Verdict: Cork
Down v Tipperary
(tomorrow, Pairc Esler, 2pm)
DOWN manager Eamonn Burns will serve a touchline ban for this after being dismissed in their defeat to Cavan last week. They’ve also suffered a few withdrawals with Barry O’Hagan and Keith Quinn leaving this week. Tipperary are pushing hard for promotion and may add to Down’s home woes.
Odds: H: 6/5 D: 15/2 A: 10/11
Verdict: Tipperary
Louth v Meath
(tomorrow, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm)
LOUTH look so out of their depth in Division Two, but if they can’t get up for this derby then Pete McGrath will be even more worried. An away win would probably lead to an all-or-nothing clash between Meath and Down next week.
Odds: H: 9/2 D: 10/1 A: 2/9
Verdict: Louth
Roscommon v Cavan
(tomorrow, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm)
ROSCOMMON finish out the campaign with two home games so they will be very confident of securing promotion. John McManus will miss out through injury though. Cavan need one win to secure promotion, but they may have to wait.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 15/2 A: 7/4
Verdict: Roscommon
DIVISION THREE
Derry v Wexford
(tomorrow, Celtic Park, 1pm)
DERRY will be without Brendan Rogers (hamstring) and Chrissy McKaigue (taking time off) as they try and secure the win that would basically guarantee their safety. Wexford have been abysmal this season and should be relegated by the close of play.
Odds: H: 1/5 D: 12/1 A: 4/1
Verdict: Derry
Fermanagh v Armagh
(tomorrow, Brewster Park, 2pm)
EOIN Donnelly is expected to be fit for Fermanagh while Armagh are set to be without six or seven starters. A home win looks a safe prediction to ensure a dramatic end to the Division Three promotion race.
Odds: H: 5/4 D: 7/1 A: 5/6
Verdict: Fermanagh
Longford v Westmeath
(tomorrow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm)
A LONGFORD win would leave four teams hunting promotion on the final day. They will be without key player Michael Quinn though as he is getting married today. Westmeath had a great win over Fermanagh last week and are unbeaten on the road.
Odds: H: 6/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/6
Verdict: Longford
Offaly v Sligo
(tomorrow, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 3pm)
THE loser here will be in huge trouble heading into the last day and Offaly may just swing it as they try and build on last week’s win in Wexford.
Odds: H: 11/10 D: 15/2 A: 10/11
Verdict: Offaly
DIVISION FOUR
Antrim v Carlow
(tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 1pm)
A LOSS for Antrim would leave Carlow out of reach and would really open the door for Laois to take the second promotion spot. They need to make the most of home advantage.
Odds: H: 6/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/6
Verdict: Antrim
Waterford v Leitrim
(tomorrow, Ardmore, 2pm)
WITH one win between them, these sides are battling it out to avoid finishing bottom.
Odds: H: 4/6 D: 15/2 A: 6/4
Verdict: Draw
Wicklow v Limerick
(tomorrow, Joule Park, 2pm)
BOTH sides have disappointed this season with the result here mattering little.
Odds: H: 1/1 D: 15/2 A: 1/1
Verdict: Wicklow