Football previews: Maguire’s return can help Cork overcome Clare’s home advantage

BOOST: Cork defender Rory Maguire returns. Pic: Ryan Byrne, Inpho

SATURDAY 

All-Ireland SFC, Round 1, Group 1: Galway v Derry, Pearse Stadium 5.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live GAAGO.

Beating Mayo in the manner they did should give Galway great momentum going into the All-Ireland series but Derry will be sizing them up. The sting of losing to Donegal won’t leave them in a hurry and as much as Galway should win key battles in the Derry half of the field this isn’t 2022 anymore. Derry are more evolved, will be extremely hungry and, while Pádraig McGrogan will be missed, a fit Gareth McKinless is a real addition. Galway to be ones edged out on this occasion.

Verdict: Derry.

Group 2: Mayo v Cavan, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park 5pm (D. Coldrick, Meath)

There are enough seasoned operators in the Mayo team to ensure the group are not too downhearted after seeing Galway complete the three-in-a-row in Connacht. Cavan will be full of vim now that the provincial loss to Armagh is out of their systems and should be within range of Mayo for three quarters. Nevertheless, Mayo did a lot of good things against Galway that have been forgotten in the wake of that one-point loss. They just need to keep them up.

Verdict: Mayo.

Group 3: Clare v Cork, Cusack Park 6pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary).

The ticket sales for this have been dismal and it really feels like an opportunity was missed not doubling it up with the hurlers’ game. Home advantage won’t matter as much for Clare as it did in the Munster final because of the small crowd expected and Cork will have their homework done on them. Luke Fahy will be missed in the Cork defence although Rory Maguire’s return will be cheered. Dermot Coughlan is sure to occupy John Cleary’s thoughts but Seán Powter can toggle between shadowing him and adding to the Cork attack. These two can swap war stories about fighting Kerry but Cork should have gained more from their battle with them.

Verdict: Cork.

Group 4: Kerry v Monaghan, Fitzgerald Stadium 3pm (S. Hurson, Tyrone) Live GAAGO

Paul Geaney’s sharpness coming off the bench against Cork and Clare earns him a starting place but it may just be Jack O’Connor wants to give him more minutes as he did Shane Murphy against Clare. Down through the leagues, Monaghan have fared a bit better against Kerry in Kerry and they should be able to park a lot of their relegation and Ulster woes. Their honesty is the greatest calling card and Kerry can’t expect to freewheel like they did at times in Munster and get away with it. If Kerry truly are tapering their run and O’Connor claims this is the start of the real championship, they should deliver a performance to match.

Verdict: Kerry.

Tailteann Cup, Round 2, Group 1: Waterford v Kildare, Fraher Field 5pm (S. Mulhare, Laois)

Kildare may have been expected to defeat Longford but their execution was excellent and a world away from what we have seen of them previously this season. This may be a chance to exercise more of the panel.

Verdict: Kildare.

Group 2: Tipperary v Sligo, FBD Semple Stadium 2pm (B. Griffin, Kerry).

Tipperary at least made a fist of it against Antrim after a poor start in their first round clash. Sligo are another rung or two up the ladder, though, and a win seems out of reach.

Verdict: Sligo.

Wexford v Antrim, Chadwicks Wexford Park 4pm (D. Murnane, Cork)

If Wexford are to make it through to the knock-out stages, a win is required here. Antrim may have points on the board but Wexford are scoring highly and can pick up a first win.

Verdict: Wexford.

Group 3: Carlow v Fermanagh, Netwatch Cullen Park 3pm (K. Eannetta, Tyrone)

Carlow will rightly take a lot from their comeback draw against Laois but Fermanagh look in mean form after tearing Wicklow apart.

Verdict: Fermanagh.

Group 4: Limerick v Offaly, Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale 3pm (J. Henry, Mayo)

At the time of the draw, Offaly might have figured they would be travelling to Limerick with two points but they are in a low place now.

Verdict: Draw.

London v Down, McGovern Park, Ruislip 6pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin)

Forewarned is forearmed for Down after seeing London steamroll Offaly in Tullamore. They should be able to justify their favourites tag for the competition, though.

Verdict: Down.

All-Ireland U20 B FC final: Westmeath v Down, Páirc Tailteann 2.15pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan)

Verdict: Down.

SUNDAY

Tailteann Cup, Round 2, Group 1: Longford v Leitrim, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park 2.30pm (L. Devenney, Mayo)

Longford’s wounds from what Kildare did to them on opening weekend will still be visible. Leitrim can take advantage to move to four points.

Verdict: Leitrim.

Group 3 Wicklow v Laois, Echelon Park, Aughrim 3pm (C. Dourneen, Cavan)

After pushing Westmeath so close, more was expected of Wicklow against Fermanagh. Laois now have to play catch-up after sharing points with Carlow.

Verdict: Laois.

All-Ireland U20 FC final: Tyrone v Kerry, Laois Hire O’Moore Park 1pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon) Live TG4

Just how much will Ruairí McHugh’s suspension impact Tyrone in Portlaoise? Tyrone rightly remain the favourites after a blossoming Ulster championship and a heavy win over Roscommon in the semi-final. That extra-time provincial final win over Derry has set them up nicely. Kerry have had to battle but the county now has a monkey off their back in making a first final in 16 years. Rob Stack and Luke Crowley could be future senior stars and it’s unlikely Tomás Ó Sé’s side will wilt but Tyrone’s array of talent is striking.

Verdict: Tyrone.