GAA weekend previews
A good performance here could turn things around for Down even though they are all but consigned to Division 2 in 2017. The only occasion they showed some heart was away to Monaghan. Otherwise, they have looked like fish out of water with even their own supporters fearing the trimming they are likely to receive from the reigning Division 1 and All-Ireland champions.
Dublin
Both sides have picked up four points from eight with Fermanagh’s two wins coming at home. Brewster Park is not an enticing place to go for visiting teams and Cavan, although they’re coming off two wins on the bounce and are scoring more than ever, may have to settle for a point.
Draw
Limerick have been bitterly unlucky in this campaign compared to Westmeath who have looked downright poor. The law of averages suggest things should fall the home team’s way eventually.
Limerick.
One positive to come from Cork’s crushing defeat to Dublin was the realisation nobody is sacred on this Cork team. Kieran Kingston has shown that he isn’t afraid to bench anybody who is not performing. At the same time, so many have failed to pull up their socks that confidence levels are bound to be close to rock bottom. Giving Kilkenny a run for their money is all Cork can really hope for but another two points for the visitors and it’s a quarter-final for them. They’ll also want to show their last trip, losing in Walsh Park, was a blip.
Kilkenny.
TJ Ryan will be looking for a professional display here. Ennis tomorrow week is undoubtedly on everybody’s mind but there’s still something to play for here as regards score difference. Declan Hannon has been in scintillating form and last year’s U21 starlets look like they’re settling in well.
Limerick
Westmeath can secure the final promotion spot against a struggling Kildare outfit.
Westmeath
Roscommon
Our Lady’s Templemore had a good win over Gort Community School in last weekend’s quarter-final (1-18 to 0-14) and will again look to Jamie Bergin and Brian McGrath if they are to edge past the Leinster and All-Ireland champions. Adrian Mullen is the dangerman for the title holders, with the likes of Martin Keoghan, Darren Mullen and Edmond Delaney impressing in the recent Leinster decider.
St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny
A second outing in the space of five days for the Harty Cup champions who overcame Kilkenny CBS on Tuesday. Paul O’Brien, Peter Casey and Paraic O’Loughlin clipped 2-10 of their quarter-final tally and the performance of their three leading forwards will be crucial if Ard Scoil Rís are to bridge a five-year gap to their last All-Ireland final appearance. The Connacht champions are backboned by six of Galway’s All-Ireland minor winning team from last September, including sharpshooter Evan Niland who hit 0-12 in their provincial final win.
Presentation College Athenry
St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
Dunshaughlin CC
oláiste Chríost Rí
“A relegation battle,” as Seamus McEnaney has dubbed it although both could yet secure semi-final spots. With a two-week break following, both sides can afford to go hammer and tongs at this one and there were plenty of signs of recovery in the Cork display last weekend. Swallow up Conor McManus here as they did to Bernard Brogan last week and they can claim their second win of the campaign. Easier said than done but there was a promising purpose to their play in Croke Park.
Cork
Hard helmets were required in Austin Stack Park last week and they are likely to be donned again here considering how attritional meetings between this pair have been in recent seasons. Mayo had got their act together prior to their first win last weekend, particularly in defence where they have been brutishly good. It could be argued they will be missing almost a third of their first team in Cillian O’Connor, Barry Moran, Tom Cunniffe and Keith Higgins but their replacements have indicated depth. Kerry will arrive buzzing having dismissed Donegal in a bloody bruiser, the second Ulster opponents they have beaten in seven days, but another home defeat would be a setback for Mayo notwithstanding its relegation implications.
Mayo
The Roscommon management’s biggest job this past week would have been to convince their players there remains plenty still to do in this campaign. With six points accrued after three wins on the bounce, they are all but certain of Division 1 football next year but if they want a semi-final berth they will need two or three points from their last three games. Donegal will be too mean to provide them with anything.
Donegal
Laois have been limp and their win over Armagh should be viewed dimly as Armagh are the only team below them. Derry can avoid a third straight defeat to resurrect their promotion hopes.
Derry
Tyrone are a juggernaut at present and will confirm their Division 1 status if not tomorrow then in round 6. We fancy they will have to postpone their celebrations as Meath have more than a point to prove here. They have been constructing handsome leads only to lose focus. Tyrone will ensure they won’t get ahead of themselves.
Meath
If Armagh don’t respond from their feeble showing against Cavan then their outlook is bleak not just for remaining in Division 2 but for the championship. There is bound to be some heart shown but Galway have been strong on their travels and know they missed a major promotion opportunity last Sunday.
Galway
Kildare man meets Kildare man on the sideline but Cian O’Neill’s friendship with Niall Carew will be cast aside as the Lilywhites look to confirm their return to Division 2 as quickly as possible. A tight encounter beckons but Kildare have that bit more class.
Kildare
Relegation was whispered about in Tipperary prior to this campaign but in fairness to Liam Kearns he has been able to overcome the mass unavailability issues to the extent that Tipperary are now looking up. Longford can bring themselves into the promotion stakes with a win but Tipperary aren’t goal-shy, having bagged seven so far.
Tipperary
Similar to Longford-Tipperary, one team’s hopes of joining Kildare in Division 2 next season rests on how they fare in Tullamore. Offaly have been strong at home and they will need to be again to foil Clare who have won their last two matches.
Draw
It’s difficult not to believe the bad old days have returned for London football. In losing four games, they have already conceded more goals than they did in their seven matches last season. They stand a chance against Leitrim but only a slight one.
Leitrim
Waterford are Division 4’s version of Limerick. Two of their three defeats have come by a point; the other by two. They have conceded just one goal too. Tom McGlinchey is making progress but another defeat is on the cards.
Waterford
It’s hard to make out this Carlow team considering they’ve wavered from impressive to dismal in their four games. Louth were stung by Leitrim and can’t afford another slip-up if they are to jump to Division 3.
Louth
Only Antrim have got the better of Wexford so far and Wicklow make the short trip having lost their last two outings.
Wexford
Having had victories snatched from their grasp at the death by both Kilkenny and Waterford, Tipperary may realise the cruelty of the tight margins that exist in Division 1A. Travelling to Salthill, they can at least rely on the fact they’ve played higher intensity hurling than the hosts and that should come in handy tomorrow afternoon. Michael Ryan should know who he can rely on in such a battle. Micheál Donoghue is still figuring out who his leaders are.
Tipperary
Those who believe Waterford will relax a little given their quarter-final spot is safe would do well to remind themselves of how Dublin cut them so deep at this same venue two years’ ago when they sent them to Division 1B. It wasn’t the most auspicious of starts to Derek McGrath’s reign but since then they are undefeated in the league and can squeeze another victory to make it 11 wins on the trot.
Waterford
Wexford appear to have recovered from their early season trough and can start to look forward to a quarter-final with a win here. James Breen and Shaun Murphy will be missing while there are doubts about Paul Roche and David Dunne’s fitness. But they can prevail against an Offaly team who have struggled to find the net.
Wexford
There’s little doubt Ciaran Carey and Mark Foley’s modus operandi is concentrated on Kerry at present but the Limerick in them wouldn’t mind upsetting Clare a little the week before their crucial promotion game with TJ Ryan’s men. Clare won’t expect to win as easily as Wexford did in Tralee last Sunday. Still, a win should be well within their range.
Clare.
London.
Antrim.
Meath.
Mayo
Down
Fingal
Tyrone
Longford
Sligo
Clare
Wexford
Galway
Limerick
Cork
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