Weekend GAA Previews: McGeeney's opportunity with McGuinness preoccupied
Paul Kingston of Laois
One final where you can predict with confidence that both teams will be going at it. Westmeath got a taste for the Sam Maguire Cup last year and they hardly let themselves down as Tailteann Cup winners. The title and a chance of making the top 16 is a large carrot for both teams.
Nothing separated them in Mullingar earlier this month although Down were more wasteful. Westmeath’s attack is potent but Down look to have the advantage overall.
Down.
Laois didn’t go out to lose to Leitrim a couple of weeks ago but they knew two points in the final round against Waterford would secure promotion. With a youthful group, Justin McNulty also has the sage figureheads of Evan O’Carroll and Paul Kingston at their spear. Leitrim will embrace a rare trip to Croke Park but Sligo next weekend will prey on their thoughts.
Laois.
Derry were by far and away the best team in Division 3A this year. Tyrone have momentum but it will take a lot to down their neighbours.
Derry.
Tipperary recorded an excellent win over Kilkenny last weekend and while Clare have been a bogey team at times they can secure a fourth win to make the final.
Tipperary
It should be a ding-dong battle in Ballinasloe as the winners will make the decider. A tough one to call but Galway are coming off the back of two good wins.
Galway.
Waterford have shown flashes of the form that brought them to last year’s All-Ireland final but not enough to be in the reckoning for the final. Kilkenny have been patchy.
Draw
The final received a promotional boost when Brendan Rogers insisted Derry would be taking this game more seriously than last year’s Division 2 final. Back then, Derry seemed content to give their all for the first half and then ease off although Conor Glass’ injury may have had an influence.
A lot is rightly being made of Derry’s scoring threat from deep but that too was on display from Dublin against Tyrone and Kerry. Brian Fenton will rub his hands at getting to oppose Conor Glass having been denied the chance in Celtic Park.
With such talent on the bench, so much is going right for Dublin and seeing off a fuelled Derry side will give them the perfect launchpad into the championship.
Dublin.
With Donegal perhaps preoccupied with Celtic Park in a few weeks and the likes of Paddy McBrearty on the treatment table, this is a gilt-edged opportunity for Kieran McGeeney to bank first silverware as Armagh boss, though he will have a date with Fermanagh in mind.
Sure, Rian O’Neill is only coming back and didn’t set pulses racing in Cork, but the one thing Armagh have these days is depth. Jim McGuinness won't want to ship a psychological punch from a fellow Ulster team, but won’t want to overextend his troops so close to championship.
These two are likely to see each other again. For now, bragging rights to The Orchard.
Armagh.
Willie Maher will demand a response from Laois after they fell five points short of Carlow in the round game in Portlaoise. They have been scoring for fun since and Tomás Keyes is proving a goal-getter but consistent Carlow will see this as a launchpad into a Leinster SHC run. Losing to a McDonagh Cup side would be a blow before upcoming tests against Galway and Dublin.
Carlow
Mayo’s goals were the difference when they clashed on Sligo soil a couple of weeks ago, while Sligo have lost some of ruthlessness they showed in earlier rounds.
Mayo.
Warwickshire don’t have fond memories of their last venture to Enniskillen in February when they were 11 points inferior, though they have won two out of two since.
Fermanagh.
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