GAA previews: Castlelyons hoping to cause upset against Thomastown
FINALS WEEKEND: Castlelyons' Colm Barry sends Tooreen's Fergal Boland flying. Picture: Ger Rogers
Castlelyons (Cork) v Thomastown (Kilkenny), Croke Park 7pm (M. Kennedy, Tipperary) Live TG4
Castlelyons won’t mind in the slightest that they are fully expected to be on the wrong side of the result here. After falling short of making the senior grade in Kilkenny the last few years, Thomastown now look unshackled and have been putting up some big scores against teams.
In Castlelyons and men like Anthony Spillane, they face a team whose attack is as impressive as theirs but it’s in defence where the Kilkenny side have the advantage.
Thomastown.
St Catherine’s (Cork) v Tullogher-Rosberon (Kilkenny), Croke Park 5pm (C. McDonald, Antrim) Live TG4
It’s seven years since a Cork team last beat a Kilkenny one at this level – Mayfield overcoming Mooncoin by a point. Kilkenny clubs have overcome Cork outfits twice since then and Walter Walsh and Co are fancied to continue that trend here.
Having said that, St Catherine’s beat last year’s runners-up Easkey in their semi-final and if they can subdue Walsh they have a fighting chance.
Tullogher-Rosbercon.
Armagh v Derry, Box-It Athletic Grounds 4pm (P. Clarke, Cavan)
After fielding a development team against Donegal, Armagh have been slowly building up their resources. A good tussle in store here but Derry to squeak it.
Derry.
Donegal v Down, The Dub 4pm (B. Winters, Tyrone).
: Donegal.
Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park 1.30pm (E. O’Connor, Offaly)
A couple of enterprising displays from Wexford thus far, although Dublin tyros’ second-half comeback against Offaly suggests they’ll be stronger again.
: Dublin.
Wicklow v Laois, Rathnew 12pm (D. Stynes, Dublin)
: Wicklow.
Westmeath v Louth, Kinnegad 1pm (P. McDermott, Kildare)
Westmeath.
Roscommon v London, Connacht GAA AirDome 7pm (C. Ryan, Galway)
London were full value for their win over Mayo and clearly have a good bit of work done. Roscommon are forewarned and will be forearmed.
: Roscommon.
Cill na Martra (Cork) v St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna (Armagh), Croke Park 3.30pm (L. Devenney, Mayo) Live TG4
It’s quite the ensemble of players St Patrick’s have. Led by Aidan Nugent, three county players is a handsome return for an intermediate team and Cill na Martra fully appreciate what they’re coming up against.
They showed their steel to keep Allenwood at bay last weekend but then Cill na Martra were full of nous too in how they staved off Castlerea. Since dismissing Milltown, they have been embraced the expectation on them. It’s lessened to a degree here but John Evans’ Croke Park final record is good and the Ó Duinníns will be difficult to handle.
: Cill na Martra.
Arva (Cavan) v Listowel Emmets (Kerry), Croke Park 1.30pm (A. Nolan, Wicklow) Live TG4
Six of the last All-Ireland junior titles have been won by Kerry clubs and not since 2007 have a team from Ulster beaten one from the Kingdom at this stage. Arva’s string of wins to this point would suggest they’re capable of bridging the gap to Greencastle’s win over Duagh. Neither team were truly tested last weekend.
Listowel Emmets have conceded just 3-7 in their last three games. They won’t be as mean here but they can be miserly enough to win.
: Listowel Emmets.
Group A
Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Rinn 2pm (E. Stapleton, Limerick)
If Clare fancy another competitive game before the start of the league, they need to win this clash. Cork should field more of their regular faces and that know-how can set up a de facto semi-final against Limerick in Rathkeale on Wednesday.
Cork.
Group B
Tipperary v Kerry, MacDonagh Park, Nenagh 2pm
A challenge game in all but name seeing as both teams have been beaten by Waterford and have nothing to fight for. After some players were unavailable last week, Tipperary will be able to call on more recognisable names.
: Tipperary.
Group A.
Tipperary v Limerick, Templetuohy 2pm (E. Morrissey, Waterford).
Kerry are already through to the final but this should be a usual outing for both counties. Limerick were beaten comprehensively by the Kingdom but should be good enough for the win.
: Limerick.
Group B
Cork v Waterford, Mallow 2pm (P. O’Sullivan, Kerry)
Only a monumental defeat will deny Cork a duel with Kerry on January 19. John Cleary will look to give game-time to fringe players as Paul Shankey gets to know his Waterford players.
Cork.
Monaghan v Donegal, Castleblayney 1pm (M. Loughran, Tyrone).
A nice fillip for Donegal as Jim McGuinness is restored to the sideline. Monaghan have shown their traditional battling qualities in the group stage. However, it mightn’t be enough to subdue in-form Donegal.
: Donegal.
Group 1.
Wexford v Carlow, Chadwicks Wexford Park 1.30pm (M. Redmond, Kildare).
Carlow were a distant second to Kilkenny during the week. An improvement is required in performance but it won’t come in the form of a result.
Wexford.
Group 2
Antrim v Dublin, Parnell Park 1.30pm (J. McGrath, Westmeath).
Antrim had a couple of useful run-outs in the McGurk Cup. Nevertheless, Dublin looked sharp in easing past Westmeath in their previous game.
Dublin.
Group 3
Galway v Laois, Duggan Park 1.30pm (A. Kinahan, Offaly)
Galway were well on their way to cruising past Offaly before the fog set in last weekend. Laois have to be on their toes to stay in this for as long as they can.
Galway.
Meath v Down, Longwood 1.30pm (C. Goff, Wicklow).
: Meath.
Wicklow v Kildare, Bray Emmets 1.30pm (M. Ryan, Dublin).
: Kildare.
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