Seven wonders for the weekend: US GAA finals this weekend

1 Hurling team with a difference to contest North American finals

More than 2,500 GAA players making up more than 120 teams will contest this year's North American Gaelic Games finals in Boston this weekend but one team is sure to command special attention.

The Barley House Wolves are made up entirely of combat veterans who fell in love with hurling following a chance encounter with the game. While being transferred through Shannon Airport, a number of men were taken by the game they saw on TV and started their own club and they compete in this weekend's finals.

2 A touch of fennell in your soup?

DERVAL O'Rourke needs no introduction and the famous Irish hurdler is about to launch her new healthy eating cookbook - 'Food for the Fast Lane' - upon the world.

What caught our eye especially was the recipe on page 35: 'Eamonn Fennell's soup'. O'Rourke explained that, in her time spent training alongside the former Dublin midfielder in gyms "most of the time our chats revolve around food."

As if to underline the changing face of the GAA, Fennell's recipe doesn't feature those great meat and spuds staples but: broccoli, sweet potato, garlic, mascarpone and some ground nutmeg!

3 Crokes Sevens to draw big names

The Kilmacud Crokes club in Dublin have confirmed that they will once again host their much-loved Sevens tournament on the weekend of the hurling final.

In existence since 1973, the likes of DJ Carey, Eoin Kelly and Joe Canning have graced the One Direct-sponsored competition and it's set to attract a host of big names this time around.

The action gets under way on Saturday, September 5 at 10.30 in the morning at the various venues in Glenalbyn, UCD, Deerpark, Silverpark, Naomh Olaf and Bray Emmets with the final to be played in Pairc De Burca, Glenalbyn at 6.30 that evening. Full fixtures will be available next week.

4 Cork youngster to get his Croke Park kicks for UCF

One American football player will see his boyhood dreams come through when the University of Central Florida take on Penn State in Croke Park tomorrow. Sean Galvin moved from his Cork base to the States as a teenager and he'll take to the Jones' Road field as kicker for the University of Central Florida tomorrow.

"It was kinda unbelievable to be honest," said Galvin, who has designs on a career in the NFL. "I don't know when it was locked in, but it was locked in before the season last year. I can't believe it's happening."

5 Charity hurling preview night attracts All Star team

A charity All-Ireland hurling preview night takes place in Younges, The Ragg tonight with some of hurling's biggest names on hand to give their opinions on Sunday week's eagerly awaited decider between great rivals Tipperary and Kilkenny.

Ger Loughnane, TJ Ryan, DJ Carey, Tommy Dunne and a host of others will be present from 8.30 tonight with tickets priced at just €10.

Proceeds go to Suir Haven Cancer Support Centre and Pieta House.

6 A prize money just can't buy in Boston

Time is running out to win a chance to join this year's All Star football trip in Boston from November 27 to December 2.

To enter, go to the Cadbury GAA Facebook page before Sunday and tell them why you think you deserve to win by submitting a photo or video of yourself to show that you are the ultimate GAA fan.

The prize includes flights, five nights' accommodation in the team hotel, exclusive access to the All Stars training, a meet and greet with the players and match tickets. as well as €2,000 spending money.

7 London hurling and football finals go live on 'Irish TV'

The London senior football and hurling finals will be broadcast live for the first time this weekend. 'Irish TV' will broadcast both games on Sky 191, Freeview 400, all free-to-air boxes, and online at irishtv.ie.

Kilburn Gaels and Sean Treacys meet in the hurling decider at Ruislip tomorrow before the footballers of Tír Chonaill Gaels and Fulham Irish clash on Sunday. Coverage on both days starts at 5.0.