Leinster SFC Final

Garrycastle (Westmeath) v Portlaoise (Laois)

O'Connor Park, Tullamore, 2.00

Referee D Fahy (Longford)

Live, TG4, 1.30

We would all have forgiven Portlaoise if they'd spent this year sitting around a portacabin at their home ground, looking at the architects' plans that were set to mark the club out as a leader in terms of facilities, and began to feel sorry for themselves. After all it was just last year that a deal to revolutionise the club fell through due to planning permission and by the start of this season with a €6.5m debt, interest was said to be accruing at €1,000 a day.

But the club never looked for any sympathy and instead of building a new home, they have spent 2009 building quite possibly the strongest side in their rich and storied history and easily the best side anywhere in Leinster. Today that last fact should be comprehensively confirmed. That they come through the Laois championship with an average winning margin of 24 points to nine suggested something special was happening and this provincial championship has only confirmed everyone's suspicions. Against Louth champions Mattock Rangers they conceded two points, against Meath champions Seneschalstown they conceded 1-6, against Offaly champions Clara they conceded just 0-3.

But this is far from a defensive set-up as proven by the form of Aidan Fennelly, Brian McCormack and Barry Fitzgerald and the stunning performances of former Glasgow Celtic player Paul Cahillane, which have already marked him out as the next big thing in Laois football.

All of that leaves us feeling a little sorry for Garrycastle because they are well aware of the massive storm they are slowly drifting towards. Granted in Anthony Cunningham the Westmeath side have a manager a step away from conquering his second province having already guided St Brigid's to a Connacht title in 2006, Mark McCallon has been impressive from wing-back, David O'Shaughnessy is back at midfield and after an intercounty season destroyed by injuries, Dessie Dolan has been taking out his frustration on any club defender that comes close. But all that still won't be enough such is the strength of today's opposition.

Garrycastle used up a whole lot of luck in the semi-final when coming across an exhausted Ballyboden who were without Declan O'Mahony, Kenny Naughton and Conal Keaney. They'd need a whole lot more to pull of a huge upset here but that simply won't happen.

Verdict Portlaoise

Munster SFC Final

Kerins O'Rahillys (Kerry) v Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare)

Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 2.00

Referee M Condon (Waterford)

Deferred coverage, TG4, 3.10

So there's life on Strand Road after Tommy Walsh. Losing a superstar was always going to hurt but with so many big names floating about, things are still pretty good for the Kerry side. And they'll get better this afternoon. Kilmurry-Ibrickane may have more experience having won out in Munster in 2005 and having reached this stage last year, but that's about the only advantage they have going into this encounter. The Clare side are physical but O'Rahillys are far from small and will relish such a battle. And if they hold their own in that department, then it's game over.

Brian Moran and Giles O'Grady return from injury to bolster the Kerry side but expect fireworks from elsewhere. His brother's departure means that Barry John Walsh has been asked to step up sooner than expected and so far he hasn't disappointed. Declan Quill and Morgan O'Shea have both been making significant contributions and with Michael Quirke deferring his honeymoon, it suggests the Tralee side are desperate to become the seventh different Kerry team to win a Munster title. On top of that David Moran is back in the country and may play a part after his trials with St Kilda.

It will be a battle and far from comprehensive, especially with Odran O'Dywer and Enda Coughlan on the field for the Clare champions, but class always rises to the top and even post-Tommy Walsh, Kerins O'Rahillys have an awful lot of it.

Verdict Kerins O'Rahillys