SATURDAY 10 MAY
Ulster SFC final
Armagh v Donegal, Clones, 5.25pm
Tailteann Cup Round 1
Limerick v London, Rathkeale, 1pm,
Offaly v Wicklow, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 1.30pm
Laois v Waterford, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 3pm
Kildare v Leitrim, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 5pm
Wexford v Longford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 6.30pm
SUNDAY 11 MAY
Leinster SFC final
Meath v Louth, Croke Park, 4.15pm
Tailteann Cup Round 1
Sligo v Tipperary, Tubbercurry, 1.30pm
Fermanagh v Carlow, Brewster Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Antrim, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
ONLINE
Live blog on the Ulster and Leinster finals, with Tailteann Cup updates, on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
TV
Ulster final live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, and on BBC2 NI. Leinster final live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Westmeath v Antrim steamed live on GAA+. Highlights of all the weekend's action on The Saturday Game, from 9.40pm and The Sunday Game, starting at 9.30pm, on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player
RADIO
Live commentaries and updates on Saturday Sport/Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1, Spórt an tSathairn/Spórt an Lae ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
WEATHER
Saturday: It will be a predominantly dry day with spells of sunshine for many. However, there will be more in the way of cloud across some western and northwestern areas with the chance of a few showers there. Maximum temperatures will range from 15 to 19 degrees in light southerly breezes.
Sunday: There'll be some showers around on Sunday but also with decent spells of sunshine. Maximum temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees. For more go to met.ie.
Three out of four, that's not bad!
For those steeped in tradition, it's perhaps hard to get one's head around the fact that provincial combat will be boxed off by the second weekend in May. There was a time when such skirmishes began just as the Premier League season was ending. Indeed, the All-Ireland final, in its September staging, would often share billing with Manchester United v Liverpool. Those, not overly taken with the native games, would state the clash of the Lancashire rivals was "the bigger game" on that particular day.
Each to their own and all that!
Whatever about the time of year, this weekend's Ulster and Leinster finals certainly have that 'big game' feel about it. It's been a while since we've said that in relation to the latter decider. Between 2011 and 2024, the Dubs ruled the roost and while finals early on in that period were competitive, the margin of victory, in time, widened. Predictability, inevitability, and shrinking crowds were becoming the norm on the day the Delaney Cup was being handed out.
And then on 27 April, 2025, something changed.
Meath, for so long under the thumb of their neighbours, now dictated affairs from the off against those in blue jerseys. At the end of that semi-final tussle in Portlaoise, they were deserving winners. Fifteen years looking on, wondering would they ever take that prized scalp again?
And now standing in their way of further progression are Louth, just as they were in 2010.
Joe Sheridan, the Meath hero in a Leinster final that ended in mayhem.
The Wee County were sore afterwards. No doubt, some of the scars have not healed. A win on Sunday afternoon would surely see any bandages promptly discarded.
The final looks set to draw an attendance in excess of 50,000 in what would be the best attended decider since 2017 when 66,734 watched a Con O'Callaghan-inspired Dublin finish with nine points to spare over Kildare.
Meath-Louth in 2010 drew an attendance of 48,875.
The winner on Sunday goes into an All-Ireland group with Clare, Monaghan and Down. For the vanquished, it's Kerry, Roscommon and Cork.
Before all that on a Saturday evening, Donegal and Armagh go at it for the second year running in the quest to land the Anglo Celt Cup. Jim McGuinness' side are the holders, prevailing after a penalty shootout 12 months ago.
An outcome that left Armagh fans wondering was there a penalty-kick curse placed over all for some unknown crimes in a previous life? From that despair, however, came Sam Maguire joy some 12 weeks later. Not many would have backed the Orchard to reap such a harvest.
Here is the magical moment Donegal supporters!
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 12, 2024
Shaun Patton denied Shane McPartlan at Clones in sudden death penalties #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/KGYq9BTB6o
It's 2008 since Armagh reigned supreme in Ulster. Of course, they would like to end that wait but they'll fancy a successful defence of their All-Ireland even more.
For Donegal, since the start of the year, they've been spoken about as genuine contenders to claim Sam. The first real test of their credentials now awaits.
It sets this clash in Clones up nicely. And for whoever is victorious, Mayo, Tyrone and Cavan await in the All-Ireland series. The loser will be in a group with Galway, Dublin and Derry.
Groups of death!
And so after Mayo-Galway had us on the edge of the seat, particularly in the second half, the two remaining finals, you would hope, can also have us pining for more in the weeks ahead. Three provincial finals that were worth watching, you would take that.
Will goals flow in Clones?
In this era of football democracy, defending an All-Ireland title is that bit harder, but Armagh have been business-like and more in reaching this point. Tyrone put it up to them in the semi-final, going ahead with a few minutes left but Kieran McGeeney's men found a way when it mattered. Rory Grugan's post-hooter winner, from a placed ball, finally settled an epic.
Nine of Armagh's starting XV got on the scoresheet, the same number applies to Donegal from those on from the start against Down. McGuinness' side, while not as eye-catching, were in control for the most part in their semi-final victory, with the manager able to call key players ashore well before the final whistle.
*Donegal are bidding to win the Ulster title for the seventh time in 15 seasons. They are also chasing two-in-a-row for the third time, having previously achieved it 2011-2012 and 2018-2019
Donegal will be hoping that injuries to Caolan McGonagle, Eoghan Bán Gallagher and Mark Curran have cleared up. Michael Murphy, Paddy McBrearty and Ryan McHugh are still showing the way, with Murphy landing some trademark scores the last day.
Six of the Armagh team that started the All-Ireland final lined out against Tyrone. New faces like Tomas McCormack, Callum O'Neill, and Darragh McMullen have taken their chance, while established names are making their mark off the bench, namely Stefan Campbell and Conor Turbitt. And then there's Ciaran Mackin, Aaron McKay and Joe McElroy, all close to returning from injury.
*Kieran McGeeney is in his 11th season as Armagh manager; Jim McGuinness is the second season of his second spell as Donegal manager, having had four seasons (2011-14) in his first term
In previewing the final on these pages, Lee Keegan is expecting both sides to prove their worth outside the scoring arc
"I'm anticipating a clinic in two-point shooting in Clones," he said. "Last year's Ulster final gave us an exhibition of long-range scoring.
"With the reward doubled this year and an abundance of excellent kickers on either team, I'd expect more of the same on Saturday.
"Neither team has been burying many goals. Armagh didn't score one the last day and Donegal have only four in 10 matches - though they have been creating enough chances."
Will it be case of taking your points and finally the goals will come on Saturday evening?
If so, we're in for a treat.
Wee County's greater trajectory
It's 1957 since Louth last won Leinster, the same year the county won its only All-Ireland, when captained by famed musician Dermot O'Brien. Meath, on the other hand, have enjoyed more success over the years, winning five All-Irelands since Louth's greatest day. That quintet can be added to, to include the wins in 1949 and '54.
That was then and tradition perhaps means little to those who are representing their counties today. Some may not remember 2010. Leaving aside the 'goal' that decided that final, Meath could always be relied upon to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, particularly in the Seán Boylan era. Dublin, Kildare, Westmeath and Cork knew all about that Royal defiance, as epitomised by the Lyons, Harnans, Beggys and Flynns of this world.
*This year's Leinster finalists have met 45 times in the championship, with Meath winning 21 to Louth's 18 while six were drawn
When the county's stock took a nosedive, and it was a sharp decline, Meath were no longer to be feared. Can Robbie Brennan (above) make Meath scary opposition again?
Time will tell, but his first year at the helm has them back at a spot where supporters thought they may not reach. Inspired by a full-forward line of James Conlon, Keith Curtis and Eoghan Frayne, they have reasons to dream big again.
Louth fell away somewhat after 2010. Mickey Harte's arrival in the autumn of 2020 would herald better days. From the depths of Division 4 to Division 2 and now a third successive Leinster final appearance, the Wee County, now under the care of Ger Brennan will feel that this is their time to bring home tangible silverware.
*Most of Louth's championship successes over Meath were pre-1950 when they won 15 times
In league and championship, they, in the main, have had the measure of Meath in recent seasons.
Fourteen players that didn't feature last year have been used in 2025 and eight of those are brand new. Throw in an Under-20 side that conquered Leinster and Brennan sees positivity everywhere.
"There is a lot going well and a lot of players putting their hand up for selection," he told RTÉ Sport.
"While during the league, we were wondering how many players we would have for training, now the challenge we have is who we are going to pick for the Leinster final, which is a great headache to have."
Can Louth, a bit further on in their development and after edging Kildare in the semi, justify the tag from those who see them as slight favourites?
Tailteann Round 1
The fourth staging of the competition begins with eight games this weekend. New York will enter the competition at the preliminary round stage. The top team in each of the four groups qualifies automatically for the quarter-finals. The four teams placed second and three of the best third-place teams, along with New York, will be paired off to decide the other last-eight teams.
Westmeath, Offaly, Kildare and Sligo are those fancied to go far in the competition, with the Lake County the inaugural winners in 2022.
This weekend sees the start of the fourth staging of the #TailteannCup - at Croke Park @MartyMofficial got the thoughts of players from some of the competing counties #rtesport #rtenews #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/kcSowULjm9
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) May 6, 2025
Offaly v Wicklow and Westmeath v Antrim are two of the ties that stand out across this opening round.
After performing with credit against Mayo in the Connacht semi-final, much focus will also be on Leitrim ahead of what is a tough opener for them away to Kildare.
