Kerry bidding to avenge Roscommon blow
Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s side return to Dublin for the first time since their opening weekend defeat to Dublin. Their game, where they hope to avoid a repeat of their round two loss at home to Roscommon, is the 2pm curtain-raiser to the other semi-final between table toppers Dublin and Donegal, which throws in at 4pm.
Not since their 2010 Division 1 final win over Derry have the Kingdom won a non-regulation league match, their only knockout appearance since then being their 2012 semi-final loss to Mayo after extra-time.
Maurice Deegan has been appointed to officiate the game where Kerry will also be aiming to stretch their winning run to six matches. Dublin put their 100% record on the line against a Donegal side who have lost their last four outings, one of them coming against Jim Gavin’s side in Croke Park last Saturday week. Armagh man Padraig Hughes takes charge of their clash.
Meanwhile, Semple Stadium will host the Division 1 semi-finals for the first time since 2013 when All-Ireland champions Kilkenny’s game against Clare tops the bill, following the meeting of reigning league title holders Waterford and Limerick. Thurles has been chosen after Nowlan Park last year and the Gaelic Grounds in 2014.
Both Kilkenny and Clare face injury concerns, with Clare’s Colm Galvin (shoulder) and Kilkenny’s Paul Murphy (do), the Fennelly brothers Colin and Michael (hamstring), and Rob Lennon (do) all on the treatment table.
However, Clare may be able to call on Shane O’Donnell (foot) and David McInerney (back) who missed Sunday’s win over Tipperary while Tony Kelly (ankle) could be an option.
Hurling Division 1B promotion/relegation play-off: Westmeath v Laois, O’Connor Park, 3.30pm, (J Keenan, Wicklow); Hurling Division 2B promotion/relegation play-off: Donegal v Roscommon, TBC, 5pm, (J Keane, Galway); Hurling Division 3A promotion/relegation play-off: Fermanagh v Tyrone, Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, 3.30pm, (J Connors, Donegal).
Football Division 1 semi-finals: Kerry v Roscommon, Croke Park, 2pm, (M Deegan, Laois); Dublin v Donegal, Croke Park, 4pm, (P Hughes, Armagh) (Both TG4 Live).
Hurling Division 1 semi-finals: Waterford v Limerick, Semple Stadium, 2pm; Kilkenny v Clare, Semple Stadium, 4pm, (Both TG4 Live).
Football Division 3 final: Kildare v Clare, Croke Park, TBC; Football Division 4 final: Antrim v Louth, Croke Park, TBC.
Football Division 1 final, Croke Park, 4pm; Football Division 2 final: Tyrone v Cavan, Croke Park, 2pm, (Both TG4 Live).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
