CORK vWATERFORD Pairc Ui Rinn Referee S Roche (Tipperary) Even if they spurned a number of late opportunities to win, Cork won't have been unduly disappointed in Birr last Sunday. Come to think of it, Cork won't be unduly disappointed by anything in this league . . . bar their actually winning it, perhaps.

It's hard to imagine that Waterford could have been happier with their result.

Clinton Hennessy solid in goal; young Kevin Moran . . . great name for a defender . . . good at full-back; and Paul Flynn showing the way. Waterford have done well on Leeside recently. We'll take them here.

Verdict Waterford

DOWN v OFFALY Ballycran, 1.30 Referee T McIntyre (Antrim) "We think we've a fair chance of surprising Cork, " one Offaly insider announced in a conspiratorial whisper at the Farmers 15 gala evening last Friday week. "We'll certainly give it a good shot." And, hearteningly, they did, the outcome in Birr vying with events in Casement Park as the most uplifting result of the opening day of 2006.

Their heroics against the All Ireland champions won't count for a lot if Offaly regress here.

They shouldn't.

Verdict Offaly

WEXFORD v CLARE Wexford Park Referee J McDonnell (Tipperary) Away banker? Probably. Clare slapped "ve goals past Wexford in this "xture a year ago and were almost as dominant when the sides met again in the All Ireland.

Yet there was a reason Clinton Hennessy had a good game for Waterford in Dungarvan, where Wexford looked sharp, hurled with energy and were boosted by a four-point haul from Darren Stamp on one of his energetic days. Keep her goin', Darren.

Verdict Clare

DIVISION 1B GALWAY v LIMERICK Pearse Stadium Referee A Mac Suibhne (Dublin) Not much room for error when it comes to making the closing stages of this competition.

Galway are already playing catch-up, while Limerick's failure to close the game out against Tipperary could ultimately cost them dearly.

Verdict Galway

LAOIS v ANTRIM O'Moore Park Referee F Smith (Meath) Nine second-half wides couldn't prevent Antrim deservedly upsetting Galway.

Laois showed little enough at Nowlan Park. Butf Verdict Laois

TIPPERARY v KILKENNY Semple Stadium Referee M Wadding (Waterford) We're sitting on the fence.

Verdict Draw DIVISION 2A DUBLIN v WICKLOW Parnell Park Referee D Connolly (Kilkenny) Satisfactory start for Dublin on a heavy pitch in Lavey last Sunday, a "ve-point win marking their first league success . . . albeit in a lower division . . . for two seasons. They won't slip up here.

Verdict Dublin

MEATH v CARLOW Pairc Tailteann Referee J Owens (Wexford) Despite losing two players for second yellow cards, Carlow always had a bit in hand against Roscommon. Meath came from behind to see off Wicklow. Toss a coin.

Verdict Carlow

ROSCOMMON v DERRY Knockcroghery Referee A Heagney (Clare) A chance for one of the pair to get off the mark.

Verdict Roscommon

DIVISION 2B KERRY vMAYO Tralee, 1.30 Referee G Hoey (Clare) Both won their first outings, Kerry by three points in London and Mayo by nine at home to Kildare. Perhaps the locals.

Verdict Kerry

KILDARE v WESTMEATH Newbridge Referee S Whelan (Wexford) It'll be a surprise if the visitors and their aspirations come a cropper here.

VerdictWestmeath

DIVISION 3A LOUTH v DONEGAL Clann na Gael Referee HP McCusker (Down) We'll try the home team.

Verdict Louth

MONAGHAN v LEITRIM Monaghan Harps Referee D Magee (Down) Same here.

Verdict Monaghan

DIVISION 3B LONGFORD v ARMAGH Michael Fay Park Referee J Devlin (Tyrone) And here too, seeing as the hosts hit 3-13 last weekend.

Verdict Longford

Enda McEvoy

DRMCKENNA CUP FINAL TYRONE vMONAGHAN Casement Park Referee A McAlynn (Derry) It's been a bumper year for the Dr McKenna Cup with large attendances and some decent football. Tyrone (less the services of their Omagh Three) aim to clinch their third title in a row today but face a Monaghan side buoyed by recent club and county success in Dublin.

Tradition says Tyrone but form will dictate a Monaghan victory.

Verdict Monaghan FBD CUP FINAL MAYO v GALWAY Tuam Referee D Mullaney (Sligo) Old rivals Mayo and Galway take to the floor one more time with the former leading the way in Division 1A of the National League.

Galway have still to register a league win so it's hard to look beyond Mayo in this FBD decider.

Verdict Mayo

TJ Flynn