Ulster Club Football Final preview

Peter Canavan (right): Back to his darting best

The duel between Bellaghy full-back David O'Neill and Peter Canavan could go a long way towards deciding Sunday's Ulster Club Football Final.

O'Neill's performance in Bellaghy's semi-final win over Gowna indicated that he is back to full health after his long-standing viral complaint again reared up on him during the summer.

There is no doubt that O'Neill is potentially one of the best defenders in modern day gaelic football but his career has been inhibited by the viral condition.

The full-back will need to be at his best to restrain a Canavan who appears to be in his best form since his glory days of 1995/96.

Darting runs

The former Allstar's darting runs have started to reappear and his performance in the win over Castleblayney was truly special.

Thankfully the game definitely will go ahead after worries earlier in the week over the condition of the Clones pitch.

The surface will be heavy but it shouldn't overly detract from the quality of the game - unless the weather dictates otherwise.

Errigal Ciaran, already without Joe Lynch after he lost the sight of an eye earlier in the campaign, will probably go into the match without full-forward Enda McGinley who picked up concussion against Castleblayney.

Full strength

Bellaghy's concerns over forward Joe Cassidy and corner-back Peter Diamond appear to have abated so the Derry Champions should be close to full strength.

As ever midfield will be crucial with John Mulholland and Fergal Doherty up against Errigal pair Hugh Quinn and Peter Loughran.

David O'Neill: Career inhibited by illness

Doherty performed exceptionally against Gowna and Bellaghy manager Seamus Birt will be looking for a repeat showing.

But forwards win matches and Errigal Ciaran look to possess the more potent attack.

Prove decisive

The presence of Canavan and his International Rules team colleague Eoin Gormley could prove decisive.

In the Harp Armagh Championship meanwhile, Crossmaglen bid to get back on form after their heavy defeat by Castleblayney in the Ulster series.

Cross have home advantage for their semi-final against Cullaville and should progress to the decider against Pearse Ogs.

Other matches:

Saturday:

Leinster Club SHC - Portlaoise 2.30: Birr (Offaly) v Castletown (Laois).

Sunday:

Leinster Club SFC - Longford 2.30: Abbeylara (Longford) v Na Fianna (Dublin); Tullamore 2.30: Rhode (Offaly) v Newtown Blues (Louth); Carlow (2.30) O'Hanrahan's (Carlow) v Coralstown/Kinnegad (Westmeath); Navan (2.30) Dunshaughlin (Meath) v Rathnew (Navan).

Connacht Club SFC: Crossmolina (2.30) Crossmolina (Mayo) v Bunninadden (Sligo).

Munster Club SHC: Limerick (2pm) Toomevara (Tipperary) v Patrickswell (Limerick).