GAA Previews: Clooney-Quin now among those dreaming big in Clare

Game by game guide to the weekend's GAA action

THE MIGHT QUIN: Clooney-Quin's John Conneely and Ballyea's James Murphy and Cillian Brennan in action during the Clare SHC clash at Cusack Park, Ennis. Pic: Eamon Ward

SATURDAY

Clare SHC quarter-finals: Kilmaley v Feakle, Cusack Park 3pm 

With Ballyea and Sixmilebridge gone, everyone will be dreaming of going all the way. This should be tense and that might work in Kilmaley’s favour. 

Verdict: Kilmaley.

Clooney-Quin v Scariff, Cusack Park 5pm

One of the favourites to win the Canon Hamilton Group, Clooney-Quin will want to show their strength. 

Verdict: Clooney-Quin.

Tipperary SFC quarter-finals: Loughmore-Castleiney v Moyle Rovers, Golden 1.30 pm 

Noel McGrath’s injury is a worry for the dual men of mid Tipperary but they can replicate their hurling achievement of last week and make the last four. 

Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney.

Clonmel Commercials v Ballina, Templemore 4pm

The only question here is how much Clonmel are going to win by as south meets north. 

Verdict: Clonmel Commercials.

Armagh SFC quarter-final: Crossmaglen Rangers v Armagh Harps, Silverbridge 5pm 

Crossmaglen are showing a bit more of their old black magic and should prevail with some comfort. 

Verdict: Crossmaglen Rangers.

Cavan SFC quarter-final: Kingscourt Stars v Cavan Gaels, Kingspan Breffni 4pm 

Cavan Gaels are still fighting to get back to the form of their halcyon days. 

Verdict: Kingscourt Stars.

Killygarry v Gowna Kingspan Breffni 6pm

Last year’s runners-up haven’t been as sharp this year. Gowna to pull through. 

Verdict: Gowna.

Dublin SFC quarter-finals: Kilmacud Crokes v Ballymun Kickhams, Parnell Park 4.45pm 

Ballymun may be full of All-Ireland winning talent but the champions don’t look like they’re letting up. 

Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes.

Ballyboden St Enda’s v Castleknock, Parnell Park 6.45pm

Another quarter-final for Castleknock and Ciarán Kilkenny is in better form than last year. Still, it’s unlikely to be enough. 

Verdict: Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Kildare SFC quarter-finals: Celbridge v Sarsfields, Manguard Park Pitch 1 4pm 

Celbridge are fancied to take this against the most decorated club in the county. 

Verdict: Celbridge.

Clane v Johnstownbridge, Manguard Park Pitch 1 6pm

Plenty of inter-county talent in the Johnstownbridge ranks yet Clane look like they’re on a mission to make up for last year’s final loss. 

Verdict: Clane.

Meath SFC semi-final: Summerhill v Donaghmore-Ashbourne, Páirc Tailteann 5pm 

Four finals in the last six seasons, four times beaten, Summerhill can at least put themselves into the final two. 

Verdict: Summerhill.

Roscommon SFC quarter-finals: West Roscommon v Pádraig Pearses, Ballyforan 3.30pm 

A Pádraig Pearses victory looks close to a foregone conclusion. 

Verdict: Pádraig Pearses.

St. Brigid’s v North Roscommon, Strokestown, 6pm

The divisional side will be no match for St Brigid’s. 

Verdict: St Brigid’s.

Wicklow SHC semi-final: Bray Emmets v Glenealy, Echelon Park, Aughrim 4pm.

The north Wicklow outfit are building again towards another county title and beyond. 

Verdict: Bray Emmets.

SUNDAY

Clare SHC quarter-finals: Crusheen v Newmarket-on-Fergus, Cusack Park 1.45pm 

Of the remaining eight teams, Newmarket-on-Fergus were the last to claim the county crown. They should come through here. 

Verdict: Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Clonlara v Éire Óg Ennis, Cusack Park 4.15pm

Clonlara should be in this until the final whistle but the Ennis men would be favoured to succeed. 

Verdict: Éire Óg Ennis.

Tipperary SFC quarter-finals: Upperchurch-Drombane v Kilsheelan-Kilcash Cashel 1.30pm 

The 2022 finalists will have to fight all the way to make the last four. 

Verdict: Upperchurch-Drombane.

JK Brackens v Killenaule, Boherlahan 4pm

JK Brackens to keep their hopes alive of a first final appearance in four years. 

Verdict: JK Brackens.

Armagh SFC quarter-finals: Killeavy St Moninna v Clan na Gael, Box-It Athletic Grounds 5pm 

Stevie McDonnell’s club is making great strides in recent times and can come out on top here. 

Verdict: Killeavy St Moninna.

Clann Éireann v Silverbridge, Box-It Athletic Grounds 7pm

Clann Éireann seemed the greatest threat to Crossmaglen defending their title. 

Verdict: Clann Éireann.

Carlow SFC semi-finals: Tinryland v Bagenalstown, Netwatch Cullen Park 2.15pm

Last year’s runners-up to get to the final once more. 

Verdict: Tinryland

Rathvilly v Éire Óg, Netwatch Cullen Park 4pm

Turlough O’Brien’s Éire Óg may just come up short. 

Verdict: Rathvilly.

Cavan SFC quarter-final: Crosserlough v Ballinagh, Kingspan Breffni 6pm

A Crosserlough win is on the cards. 

Verdict: Crosserlough.

Dublin SFC quarter-finals: St Jude’s v Cuala, Parnell Park 2pm

Cuala may have Con O’Callaghan but this St Jude’s team is well seasoned and have been knocking at the door the last few years. 

Verdict: St Jude’s.

Raheny v St Vincent’s, Parnell Park 4pm

From avoiding relegation last year, Raheny are favourites to see off their vaunted neighbours. 

Verdict: Raheny.

Kildare SFC quarter-fianls: Raheens v Athy, Manguard Park Pitch 1 4pm

Raheens simply can’t match the firepower of their opponents. 

Verdict: Athy.

Naas v Moorefield, Manguard Park Pitch 1 6pm

Moorefield are one proud club but they’ll need much more to challenge Naas. 

Verdict: Naas.

Leitrim SFC semi-finals: Fenagh-St Caillins v Mohill, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada 3pm

A fourth consecutive final is within Mohill’s reach but they will be tested. 

Verdict: Mohill.

Ballinamore Seán Heslin’s v St Mary’s, Kiltoghert, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada 5pm

The 2022 champions should be too good for Mickey Graham’s side. 

Verdict: St Mary’s, Kiltoghert.

Meath SFC semi-final: Wolfe Tones v Ratoath, Páirc Tailteann 4.30pm 

Wolfe Tones will be buoyed by their handsome win over Simonstown Gaels but Ratoath are a different prospect. 

Verdict: Ratoath.

Offaly SFC final: Ferbane v Tullamore, Glenisk O’Connor Park 2.15pm

With Rhode out of the way, Tullamore have to be mindful not to think that this is anything like a foregone conclusion. Ferbane still have several of their 2019 winning team involved but the home team have looked the better team in the championship up to now. 

Verdict: Tullamore.

Roscommon SFC quarter-finals: Roscommon Gaels v Oran, Kiltoom 1pm

Oran won’t give a bad account of themselves but it mightn’t be a winning one. 

Verdict: Roscommon Gaels.

Boyle v Clann na Gael, Enfield 3.30pm

This should be the highlight of the weekend’s four quarter-finals and one which Boyle can prevail in. 

Verdict: Boyle.

Westmeath SHC semi-final: Lough Lene Gaels v Castletown Geoghegan, TEG Cusack Park 4.30pm 

A Castletown Geoghegan win seems the wisest prediction. 

Verdict: Castletown Geoghegan.

Wicklow SHC semi-final Carnew Emmets v Kiltegan, Echelon Park, Aughrim 3pm

Carnew to make a first final appearance in three years. 

Verdict: Carnew Emmets.