GAA previews: Everything you need to know ahead of the weekend action
TROPHY TILT: Clare manager Brian Lohan. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Not the first time there are question marks over the availability of Kilkenny players named to start. Adrian Mullen should be fit from the off and he will be a sight for sore Cats’ eyes but Mikey Carey’s ankle injury will be difficult to shrug off. John Donnelly’s fingertip injury may be worth the risk of beginning him in a game where part of the reward for the winners is a four-week break. Donnelly sure gave the Dublin defence plenty to think about in Parnell Park a few weeks ago but it’s his honesty and ability to spoil the genesis of opposition attacks that makes his inclusion appealing. To stop Dublin in their tracks will be at the forefront of Derek Lyng’s mind. He won’t want to be feeling like Henry Shefflin two weeks ago lamenting how old his team looked against the vitality of Dublin’s charges. Kilkenny will have to hit hard from the outset and put a squeeze on Micheál Donoghue’s side that either stops or makes them think twice about running at them. Dublin have a spine that can match Kilkenny and there is a nice sprinkling of experience to call from off the bench but it’s asking much of a team that don’t yet have a statement win to their name to produce it in a final. You would think that a fifth straight Leinster title wouldn’t enthuse Kilkenny but when it’s the straightest road to an All-Ireland crown they have been without for nine years it won’t be ignored. : Kilkenny.
The noise and cheer that enveloped Offaly’s U20s can’t be replicated but they should still bring a decent crowd to rally on the seniors to complete a magical seven days for the county. Four of the U20s are set to start and Johnny Kelly is right to harness their form and the dash they possess, especially in Croke Park where they will have more chance to express themselves. Truth be told, Offaly were the better team in the counties’ opening round game but Laois’ nous won out as Paddy Purcell hit them for a brace of goals. Willie Maher’s defence are meaner too but the tide rises in Offaly and it’s easy to believe this is another boat of theirs that will float. : Offaly.
After seasons that must have tormented them at times, there is light at the end of the tunnel for both counties based on their finishes to the group stages. Tipperary’s win over Wexford was a surprise but that late goal could do them wonders. Limerick, however, are coming off back-to-back wins and appear to be a bit further around the corner than their neighbours. : Limerick.
Now that they straightened themselves, Wicklow have to be watched closely here. Leitrim don’t have the benefit of home advantage and while their seven-point loss to Kildare was rough on them for the effort they put in they can’t feel sorry for themselves facing a revived Wicklow. Leitrim to go through after extra-time. : Leitrim.
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Derry can add their second win in three games as Limerick look for their first. : Derry.
Waterford won’t make the short trip with much fear but do they have the ruthlessness to inflict a mildly surprising defeat on Kilkenny. Verdict: Kilkenny.
The league champions opened their shoulders against Derry and should pull off another comfortable victory here. : Tipperary.
It’s been a soft launch for Cork thus far but after losing to Dublin Clare have to bounce back to keep in the hunt for the knock-outs. All the same, Cork to win. : Cork.
Dublin appear to be more competitive this year than last. Wexford are progressing but Dublin should have four points to their names by mid-afternoon. : Dublin.
Galway seem to have regressed somewhat based on recent displays. Nevertheless, they can take care of business in Salthill. : Galway.
The loss of Aimee Mackin to a cruciate injury is one that Armagh are going to have to absorb if they want to build on a fine league. : Draw.
Coming into last weekend, it felt like Offaly’s U20s' time had come. After two final heartaches at different age grades, they had earned their spurs. Comparisons with Clare aren’t easily drawn – this is year five of the Brian Lohan era, after all – but things are falling into place. Clare have more players in form than Limerick, Tony Kelly resembles more of a cog than a fulcrum and they don’t just have final beef with Limerick but fresh beef too following the game they threw away in Ennis in April. Certainly, they seem to switch off at the most inopportune times but allowing teams back into games is a lesser ailment than Limerick’s habit of falling back eight or nine points. Those who exclaim that it’s all about the five, not the six-in-a-row for Limerick, that they might want to face Wexford in a couple of weeks, that they may wish to avoid a rampant Cork in the semi-final, simply don’t understand Limerick. For what happened in Cork last month, there are plenty of Limerick players who would love to face Pat Ryan’s side again this year whenever, wherever. Their desire is almost beyond reproach but there is a doubt about their reserves here. A green Limerick bench contributed six points the last day but against a jaded Waterford side their task was easier. Clare are not tired – tired of losing Munster finals, perhaps – and it would be surprising if Limerick’s reserves scored so much again. If more of Limerick’s leading men were playing better (Aaron Gillane has not scored from play in his last two games), that might not matter but they are also down two-thirds of a full-forward line and in the middle nobody has really pushed the piano as wilfully in Darragh O’Donovan’s absence. If this Clare team can’t do it now, the question is not when but if they ever can. Lose a second time to Limerick this championship and the consequences are stark for this championship and possibly beyond. A defeat would hardly spook Limerick even if their proud record of winning 13 straight finals would come to an end. There will be no prizes for guessing a sixth one-score championship game between the teams but Clare can come out the right side of one in a provincial decider. Their time isn’t now but it should be now. : Clare.
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It’s a bit of a shot in the dark for Laois although they will undoubtedly have tapped their ex-pats for information on New York who have been out of action since losing to Mayo by 15 points the second weekend in April. Laois have regressed slightly from the league but can make the last eight. : Laois.
A game that Antrim should negotiate but London may have been keeping themselves for this game having all but qualified before facing Limerick last weekend. The Saffrons boast the best record of the four third-placed teams. : Antirm.
A stern enough opening for All-Ireland runners-up of the last two years Kerry but one they should handle. : Kerry.
Cork’s league form didn’t inspire confidence although they improved in the Munster run. Laois have been struggling too. : Cork.
The league campaign was largely a getting-to-know-you exercise for new Mayo manager Liam McHale. They will have to be sharp to stay with the champions. : Dublin.
