The landscape of the 2022 championship will be a lot clearer after this weekend.
Last week didn’t get off to the best start as Saturday’s provincial football finals were pretty dull and predictable affairs, but Sunday saw things pick up with very competitive games in Connacht and Ulster.
This weekend, it’s hurling’s turn to show how these finals are supposed to be played, and it doesn’t get much bigger than Galway’s Leinster decider against Kilkenny.
Frosty handshakes will only be the tip of the iceberg in that one, but before we even get to that you have got some back door action between Cork and Louth in the football, as well as a tasty showdown between Mayo and Monaghan.
Offaly will be looking to continue the feel-good factor in the county as they take on New York in the Tailteann Cup quarter final, while Clare and Meath will be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats.
Antrim are officially out of the race in football terms, but they play Kerry in the Joe McDonagh Cup final in hurling, and it’s live on RTÉ 2.
Sunday will see the All-Ireland champions Tyrone face off against familiar rivals Armagh, in a repeat of their fiery league game that got so much coverage for all of the wrong reasons.
It’s do or die this time though, as one of these top table teams will be exiting the All-Ireland, and that’s followed by Sligo’s Tailteann Cup tie with Leitrim, in a match that’s too close to call.
The weekend finishes off with the Munster hurling final as reigning champions Limerick battle it out with Clare, and then you can catch your breath after an action packed couple of days.
Saturday
1pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Clare v Laois – All-Ireland minor hurling quarter-final round 3.
2pm: GAAGO – Cork v Louth – All-Ireland senior football qualifier.
2pm: GAAGO – Offaly v New York – Tailteann Cup quarter-final.
4pm: Sky Sports Arena – Mayo v Monaghan – All-Ireland senior football qualifier.
4.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Antrim v Kerry – Joe McDonagh Cup final.
6pm: GAAGO – Clare v Meath – All-Ireland senior football qualifier.
7pm: RTÉ 2 – Galway v Kilkenny – Leinster senior hurling final.
Sunday
1.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Armagh v Tyrone – All-Ireland senior football qualifier.
3pm: GAAGO – Leitrim v Sligo – Tailteann Cup quarter-final.
4pm: RTÉ 2 – Clare v Limerick – Munster senior hurling final.
9.30pm: RTÉ 2 – The Sunday Game highlights.
