TG4 Intermediate Championship Quarter Finals
Sligo v Waterford, Birr, 2:00pm
This is a match that could really be the game of the weekend. These two sides met in the National Football League Division 3 final and it was Sligo that were to emerge as the surprise winners. Sligo have since gone on to edge a close contest against Roscommon after losing the Connacht Final against Leitrim.
Waterford had been unbeaten until that defeat at the hands of Sligo and have been unbeaten since but they will be on their highest alert for this rematch. Waterford's hopes will rest on the form of their top forward Aileen Wall with Sligo hoping that Katie Walsh can reprise the form that made her unmarkable in that league final.
Clare v Leitrim, Birr, 3:45pm
Neither team will really know what to expect going into the second match in this Birr double header. Clare have recently returned to the Intermediate ranks from senior whilst Leitrim have played a division below their opposition in the National Football League. Leitrim have been competing at the top of the Intermediate division for a number of years and will have targeted this as the season to finally claim the title.
Clare will have an abundance of experience from regularly playing the likes of Cork and Kerry in previous years. Ailish Considine is the player that will carry the threat for the Banner whilst Áine Tighe is the star forward on the Leitrim side and is sure to give Laurie Ryan a real test. With no form to look to this will be an intriguing match that is extremely hard to call.
TG4 Senior Championship Quarter Finals
Kerry v Mayo, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 4:15pm
This is the first of the clashes of championship contenders and a match that should be a great contest. Kerry dethroned Cork in Munster earlier this season in a wonderful performance full of skill and determination. They are a team that are dotted with real class performers throughout their team. Mayo had a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Galway in the Connacht final despite dominating throughout before producing a truly stunning performance to dismantle Tyrone.
What is most worrying for Kerry is that Cora Staunton has perhaps produced her best ever form to date this season and has proven that she is one of the greatest ever. Aislinn Desmond will have a real task on her hands when she faces the Carnacon legend. Kerry are not without their own scoring prowess and especially in Louise Ní Muircheartaigh who was the star of the show as Kerry defeated Cork in the Munster Final. This will be a tense and tight game that will depend a lot on how Kerry deal with Cora. The reward for the winner is a semi final against the winner of the second game in this double header.
Cork v Galway, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 6:00pm
What a game that is in prospect here. These are arguably the top two counties in the country who contested the Division 1 League final earlier this year from which Cork emerged victorious but only by a single point and that was after a replay. It is safe to say that whichever team wins this game will automatically be installed as All Ireland favourites. Cork had a rude awakening in the first game of their 'Drive for Five' when they tasted defeat at the hands of Kerry, their first championship defeat since being beaten by the same opposition in 2012.
Eamonn Ryan responded by ringing the changes for their destruction of Meath in the previous round. Rena Buckley, who scored the winning point in the replay win over Galway, will return to the engine room this weekend with Áine O'Sullivan retaining her place at full forward following her stunning performance against Meath. Aisling Hutchings has been a revelation at centre forward whilst Rhona Ní Bhuachalla will want to maintain the form that earned her a recall to the starting line up. Galway have also made some changes since their Connacht Final win over Mayo, the most surprising of which being the replacement of Annette Clarke at centre field where Marie Hoey retains her position.
Tracey Leonard has been the key attacking influence for Galway all year as the graceful forward has tormented the best defences this season but with Roisín Leonard returning to fitness alongside Patricia Gleeson at full forward this could be where the game is won. Deirdre O'Reilly will pick up the precocious young talent that is Louise Ward in what may be the key match up in this fixture. Cork will be favourites for this encounter by virtue of their recent record but they will not face a more talented team this year.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
