Saturday
Leinster SHC, Round 4
Antrim v Galway, Corrigan Park 2pm
(M Kennedy, Tipperary)
Can Darren Gleeson summon his men to wash another heavy away defeat out of their hair? It’s a major ask when they were again flat on the travels last weekend and Galway are a team that has to make up for lost points in a hurry. It’s been a chastening time for both groups and there should be a spikiness on show in Belfast. If Galway are to win silverware under Henry Shefflin this season then they need to send out a message ahead of facing Dublin next weekend. Any sign of doubt and Antrim will make a game of it, but you would think Galway are too experienced and too hurt to be caught for the second round in succession.
Verdict: Galway.
Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park 6pm
(J Murphy, Limerick) Live GAAGO
A lot of harsh truths are bound to have been issued in Kilkenny training this past week.
Carlow are a progressive hurling team, but even a man down and without Ballyhale Shamrocks’ stars Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody they should have been able to cope. Kilkenny do seem to be playing within themselves and it might just be they are waiting for bigger assignments, but they can’t look beyond this trip to Donnycarney against a side that will at least match them physically.
Dublin were so professional in how they ran Antrim ragged and they have been building nicely towards this date. They will expect to win, but a sore Kilkenny side with Cody back in tow will be fierce.
Verdict: Kilkenny.
Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 4
Laois v Down, Laois Hire O’Moore Park 3pm (C Cunning, Antrim)
Laois have broken the back of making it to the final but have to go about their business efficiently here as Down have been holding their own at this level and still have a chance of reaching the decider.
Verdict: Laois.
Westmeath v Meath, TEG Cusack Park 6pm (J Clarke, Cavan)
Westmeath’s fall from grace in 12 months has been hefty. From beating Wexford and almost staying in the Leinster SHC, they now need to win here to avoid dropping another level. They should but it’s a sad situation.
Verdict: Westmeath.
Christy Ring Cup, Round 5
London v Kildare, McGovern Park 1pm (K Parke, Antrim)
London need to win to qualify for the final but no team has been as impressive as Kildare in this tier.
Verdict: Kildare.
Sligo v Derry, Markievicz Park 1pm (C O’Regan, Cork)
Derry can win for a fourth time and set up a decider against Kildare.
Verdict: Derry
Tyrone v Wicklow, Páirc Colmcille, Carrickmore 1pm (J Judge, Mayo)
Close to a dead rubber for both teams as they should both avoid relegation.
Verdict: Tyrone.
Nickey Rackard Cup, Round 5
Roscommon v Mayo, Dr Hyde Park 1pm (A McAleer, Donegal).
Effectively a semi-final as Donegal have already progressed to the final. Mayo’s firepower to define the day.
Verdict: Mayo.
Armagh v Monaghan, Box-It Athletic Grounds 2pm (C Daly, Kildare)
Monaghan need a massive win to help stave off demotion, but it looks beyond them.
Verdict: Armagh.
Louth v Donegal, Naomh BrĂd, Dowdallshill 2pm (N O’Toole, Waterford)
Donegal can afford to treat this one lightly, but a winning habit is not worth breaking.
Verdict: Donegal.
Lory Meagher Cup, Round 5
Leitrim v Cavan, Shane McGettigan Park, Drumshanbo 1pm (M Connolly, Sligo)
Plenty on the line for both final-chasing teams, but Cavan to pull through.
Verdict: Cavan.
Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park 1pm (K Brady, Louth)
Longford know what they have to do to leapfrog Fermanagh, but their opponents are undefeated.
Verdict: Fermanagh.
Warwickshire v Lancashire, Páirc nah Éireann, Birmingham 2pm (P. Owens, Down)
Lancashire look like this year’s wooden spoon recipients.
Verdict: Warwickshire.
Sunday
Munster SHC, Round 4
Clare v Waterford, Cusack Park 2pm (L Gordon, Galway) Live RTÉ
Not in the five-year history of the Munster SHC round-robin have Waterford had more reason to travel with more than hope to Ennis. In 2018, the first round game came off relegation to Division 1B. Two years ago, they looked a busted flush after Cork had surprised them in Walsh Park. Now, they go to Cusack Park undefeated, but the difficulty is Clare are stronger than those previous occasions and revived after fluffing their lines against Limerick in Ennis last month. Darragh Lohan’s inclusion, after playing so well towards the end of the league and the loss to Limerick, incrementally strengthens the team as Tony Kelly’s selection on the bench buttresses the squad. Perhaps Brian Lohan sees Kelly as the hammer to bang the hammer of Tadhg de Búrca, availing of de Búrca’s sentry-like cover of the “D”. If Kelly doesn’t roam then Mark Rodgers certainly will. Conor Prunty’s absence is significant for Waterford, but the Déise forwards are brash and will throw something different at the Clare back-line. With Shane Bennett, Peter Hogan, and the two Fitzgeralds to come on, there are options for Davy Fitzgerald. You just sense, though, that Clare aren’t going to let things slip again. Forget all the issues the two managers have with each other, what it comes down to is Clare having more players in-form. Peter Duggan has rediscovered something. Waterford to be within a stone’s throw at the end, but Clare to push above them in the table.
Verdict: Clare.
Tipperary v Cork, FBD Semple Stadium 4pm (T Walsh, Waterford) Live RTÉ
On The Big Mo, Cork ride into their home away from home believing that they have broken the curse of just finishing short. The weight of the spell cast on them had been burdensome, but with one run, one penalty, and one goal it has been lifted. Tipperary supporters may have the better seats in Thurles, but they could find themselves outnumbered in what is sure to be another blistering atmosphere involving a Cork team. Tipperary won’t expect Cork’s tank to be running low after exerting themselves so much against Limerick. If anything, the visitors’ levels will be higher than before they went into that Round 4 game. So, Cork will again be expected to begin positively although don’t underestimate how much that point in Walsh Park was worth to Tipperary psychologically. Seán O’Donoghue’s resolve has remained strong despite setbacks in recent games, but if Jake Morris was picking a team to face to revive his form it would be Cork. Knowing they can’t lose, Tipperary have to play as demented as they did at times against Waterford. For a team known for goals, they haven’t been converting them and they will be needed against Cork who probably have the jump on them in point scorers. High stakes, bad breaks, expect more spills and thrills, but Cork will feel irresistible after seeing off Limerick. As this game reaches a crescendo, that will be key.
Verdict: Cork.
Leinster SHC, Round 4
Carlow v Wexford, Netwatch Cullen Park 3pm (T Gleeson, Dublin)
Some of it has to do with scheduling but the only team that has put together back-to-back wins thus far has been Dublin. That’s what Wexford simply need if they are to stay in the hunt for a first Leinster final in three years. At least Rory O’Connor took some of the scoring responsibility off Lee Chin’s broad shoulders the last day, but it was at this stage of the competition that they were tripped up by Westmeath last year and even if they put daylight between themselves and Carlow they can’t sit back and relax. Perhaps the result in Belfast on Saturday will determine Carlow’s approach here, to go whole hog or wait for what could be a relegation play-off against Antrim. To back up their draw against Kilkenny would be a great feat.
Verdict: Wexford.
Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 4
Offaly v Kerry, Glenisk O’Connor Park 1pm (N Malone, Clare)
After making a fine start to the campaign, Kerry were dealt quite the reality check against Laois at home in the previous round. Offaly were the better side for parts before going down to Laois and have bounced back well from it. If the tide is rising all boats in Offaly hurling then they can add a third win to put one foot into a final.
Verdict: Offaly.
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