Weekend GAA previews: Cork and Limerick set for double-header
previews the weekend's GAA fixtures.
SATURDAY
Limerick v Cork, LIT Gaelic Grounds 7.30pm (K. Jordan, Tipperary). Live on Irish Examiner Sport Facebook
Two weeks out from the start of the league, both teams can approach this with abandon although there is still an experimental feel to each line-up, a little less so with the home team.
The more Limerick win, the more they are pushing themselves from a winter of discontent.
Cork have shown they are developing depth with the sides they have been fielding in their outings but Limerick will be sharpened by the run-out against Clare.
Limerick v Cork, LIT Gaelic Grounds 5.30pm (B. Griffin, Kerry)
Although Clare are missing some key players this season, Limerick’s victory over them before Christmas was a surprising one.
It was a scalp to add to Tipperary’s last year and they followed up with another against Waterford but there shouldn’t be another one here. Cork have to be sharp from the outset in Division 3 and they will give another example of that keenness here.
Offaly v Westmeath, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park 2pm (D. Fedigan, Louth)
Should be a tasty enough contest here between an Offaly team who will consider themselves promotion prospects in Division 3 and defending champions Westmeath who again look to have had another good pre-season. Offaly can pip their neighbours.
Longford v Dublin, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park 2pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath)
It will be interesting to see what management team never mind what on-field one Dessie Farrell will produce in Longford. The home county are down several players but they will be more cohesive than the visiting outfit.
Mattock Rangers (Louth) v Magheracloone (Monaghan), Crossmaglen 1.30pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary)
There’s still plenty of class in the likes of Tommy Freeman to bring the Monaghan club to Croke Park.
Oughterard (Galway) v Templenoe (Kerry), Kilmallock 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin)
Most have Oughterard written off but there is promise in their ranks and yet not enough to do serious damage to a second-in-a-lifetime Templenoe side as the next generation of Spillanes bid for more success.
Kilmaine (Mayo) v Na Gaeil (Kerry), Cusack Park Ennis 1.30pm (P. Maguire, Longford)
Both provincial titles came easy for the clubs although there is a concern about Jack Barry’s fitness for Na Gaeil. These are the occasions you don’t miss, though, and the Tralee men have the minerals to claim a final spot.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown (Wexford) v Blackhill (Monaghan), St Conleth’s Park 1.30pm (B. Judge, Sligo)
Blackhill came through a sticky enough Ulster campaign and that level of competition can stand to them here.
QUB v TU Dublin, The Dub 2pm
SUNDAY
Tyrone v Down, Athletic Grounds 2pm
Tyrone thrive in this competition and there has been no indication that they won’t again to win through to face Derry.
Kilkenny v Wexford, John Lockes Callan 2pm (S. Stack, Dublin)
The change of venue from Nowlan Park suggests neither team will be giving anything away to the other ahead of their Division 1, Group 2 in the coming weeks. Wexford may have a couple more familiar faces to seal the win.
Dublin v Galway, Parnell Park 2pm (P. Murphy, Carlow)
Dublin are moving well at the moment and their recent matches can benefit them against a cold Galway team.
Antrim v Offaly, Páirc Tailteann 2pm (J. McGrath, Westmeath)
A useful run-out for this pair ahead of Division 2A campaign. Offaly need silverware more than Antrim.
Leitrim v Roscommon, Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada 2pm
Roscommon are in a coping process but the away win over Sligo last weekend can be followed up with another.
Mayo v Galway, Elverys MacHale Park 2pm.
Both managers have named relatively strong teams for this one, which may mean more to Mayo in light of how patchy their home record is. Galway are going to need time to recalibrate to a more attacking style.
Group D, Round 1
UCD v IT Carlow, Belfield 12.30pm
Group A, Round 1
DCU DE v UL, DCU Sportsgrounds 1pm
Trinity College v Maynooth University, Santry Avenue 2pm
Verdict: Maynooth University
Group B, Round 1
TU Dublin v Mary Immaculate College, Grangegorman 2pm
LIT v WIT, Limerick IT 2pm
Verdict: LIT.
Group C, Round 1
NUIG v UCC, Dangan 2pm
NUIG v UCC, Dangan 4pm
IT Tralee v IT Carlow, Austin Stack Park 2pm
IT Sligo v UL, IT Sligo Grounds 2pm
Athlone IT v Letterkenny IT, AIT GAA Pitch 2pm
UCD v University of Ulster, Belfield 2.15pm
Maynooth University v St Mary’s, Maynooth University North Campus 2pm
DCU DE v Garda College, DCU Sportsgrounds 3pm
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