Weekend previews: Ryan's Cork selection smells of intent
STATEMENT OF INTENT: Brian Hayes of Cork in action. Pic: James Lawlor
"The best teams are consistently making the semi-final and final stages of competitions,” said Cork selector Donal O’Mahony two years ago. This may as well be a semi-final and Cork may as well have one foot in it seeing as a draw is as good for a win in qualifying for the final here. Galway will be raging to bounce back from a mediocre display against Limerick but the team named by Pat Ryan feels like a statement of intent and backed by a large crowd they can make the last two. Verdict: Cork.
The likes of Declan Hannon and Darragh O’Donovan get so much needed game-time here while Diarmaid Byrnes and Gearóid Hegarty return to Limerick’s right flank. Wexford will appreciate the examination here as Limerick count down to their opening Munster game against Tipperary. Verdict: Limerick.
Even taking the U20s out of the Tipperary team, it’s a strong side Liam Cahill has named for this final round game ahead of their final against Cork or Galway. Some have a point to prove having been left on the bench for a lot of the league. Clare will want to show some sparkle after a difficult couple of months. Verdict: Clare.
Offaly aren’t going to lay down their guns here but knowing that they are likely to tango again on Saturday week won’t be too perturbed if they lose. After a shaky start, Peter Queally’s men have been the form team in Division 1B and are also the top scorers. They can confirm their return to the top flight. Verdict: Waterford.
A useful evening for both teams but nothing other than that as Carlow did their heavy lifting against Laois last weekend and avoided the drop. Verdict: Carlow.
Dublin’s attitude to this game could be coloured by news of events in Waterford. Promotion is a long shot as they require The Déise to lose and a major score difference change. They can live up to their side of the bargain anyway. Verdict: Dublin.
Assuming Kerry take care of business in Tyrone, if there are losers here they will be joining The Red Handers in Division 3 in 2025. A draw would suffice for Donegal who have been scoring more and conceding less than their neighbours. Verdict: Donegal.
A case of perfect timing if Meath were to win here and nobble Kildare for their last promotion place alongside Down. It’s within their capabilities but the Lilywhites have done little wrong up to this point and not much to indicate they will be caught on the line. Verdict: Kildare.
A campaign of exploration for Kerry as they look to strengthen their squad and fill gaps in their team. It’s been mixed but they can finish on a high to ensure relegation isn’t a factor. Verdict: Kerry.
A virtual semi-final here. Wicklow will squeeze past Mayo on the head-to-head differential if they take the two points. Mayo can withstand the home challenge. Verdict: Mayo.
If London are already thinking about the final, they could be forgiven. Armagh sure hope they will be distracted as they look to climb out of the relegation zone. Verdict: Armagh.
Roscommon are perilously close to going down but they can inflict another defeat on Sligo and avoid joining them in Division 4 probably at the expense of Cavan. Verdict: Roscommon.
A must-win game for Fermanagh if they are to ascend to Division 3 with Louth. They should too. Verdict: Fermanagh.
Leitrim have to hope Lancashire can take something from Fermanagh while they win in Mayo. Verdict: Leitrim.
Little on the line here aside from championship preparations. Longford to pick up a third win. Verdict: Longford.
The league resumes after its break with high-flying Armagh making the trip south. A sixth straight win for the visitors appears the likeliest outcome. Verdict: Armagh.
Victory for the All-Ireland champions and they can ensure they will be facing The Orchard County in the final. Meath are right behind them so it should be a decent contest. Verdict: Kerry.
Anything but a win for Tyrone and demotion is staring them in the face. Dublin aren’t out of the woods yet either but they can make this trip a worthwhile one. Verdict: Dublin.
There has to be some fight in Mayo. Without a point, they are in serious trouble. Kildare to land a third win to move away from difficulty. Verdict: Kildare.
Galway will be hurt by how they performed against Tipperary on their home soil last day out but they can put it out of their mind with a hefty victory here. Verdict: Galway.
A top-of-the-table meeting in Drom and Inch and Tipperary will fancy their chances of bringing to an end Cork’s 100% record to this point. They have the energy levels to match if not overcome the All-Ireland champions. The know-how advantage lies with Cork, though. Verdict: Cork.
If Kilkenny are to stay up, they simply must win this derby. Waterford won’t be daunted by the trip up the M9 but the home team may just be able to summon enough character for three points. Verdict: Kilkenny.
It certainly looks and feels as if Kieran McGeeney was putting most of his focus on the home games this year. Armagh have looked extraordinary at times at the Athletic Grounds and ordinary elsewhere. They can help ease their relegation worries with a third win. Verdict: Armagh.
The word on the street is the extent of Diarmuid O’Connor’s shoulder problem won’t be known until Monday. He sure is a loss here and Kerry also can’t call on Seán O’Shea or Tom O’Sullivan. Cian O’Neill may have the inside track on Galway with the new rules negates that edge somewhat. Galway want to be in a Division 1 final. Providing their finishing is better this week, they will be in a Division final. Verdict: Galway.
Considerable money was placed on Tyrone last weekend when the Donegal team was announced. Jim McGuinness may chose to experiment again and Mayo, who are in that strange zone between reaching a final and going down, want to be safe than sorry. Verdict: Mayo.
After Brian Fenton and James McCarthy’s departures not to mention those of Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and John Small, Dublin wouldn’t have been expected to make a second successive Division 1 final. It’s been a heartening campaign for the new kids on the block and they can back up a fine win in Kerry with another good away performance here. Tyrone’s needs are greater but they may have to settle for a point. Verdict: Draw.
As if relegation isn’t stressful enough, Sam Maguire Cup qualification weighs further on Cork’s minds but the win over Louth was a most welcome return to form. Cavan need a lot to go their way to be promoted but they have a lot going for them right now. Cork have shown they play better when their backs are to the wall. Verdict: Draw.
Too big to hold within Louth, they return to where they saw off Cork in a preliminary quarter-final last year. Despite losing to Monaghan, Meath remain firmly in the hunt for promotion. Louth haven’t been hitting their 2024 standards. Verdict: Meath.
Monaghan can’t and won’t be thinking their work is done even if their promotion rivals are away from home. Truly, they are best placed to go up but they have to finish the job. Down are as hungry for points but Monaghan’s extra bit of quality can be the margin. Verdict: Monaghan.
Despite Davy Burke’s protestations, Roscommon would be many people’s fancy to make the final along with Monaghan. They may not have the head-to-head advantage over Meath but Westmeath’s interests in the division concluded last weekend and their score difference is bound to improve. Verdict: Roscommon.
From three or four rounds ago, it was expected this would work out as a promotion play-off of sorts. Only one is likely to be a Division 2 side next season and Offaly seem most likely. That’s not to say Clare won’t win – they actually should – but they have to be careful about not priortising score difference over the two points. Verdict: Clare.
Fermanagh can keep their toes in the water for promotion with another home victory. Laois’ race in this league is run and Fermanagh can climb to nine points to at least keep the other top teams in the division honest. Verdict: Fermanagh.
Antrim won’t be blamed for checking out in Newbridge when the odds of them staying up are stacked against them. After recent setbacks, Kildare should give themselves the best chance of promotion with a big win. Verdict: Kildare.
At the time of writing, this game is going ahead and Sligo can cast all their relegation fears aside with a third win on the bounce. Verdict: Sligo.
Limerick are all but up alongside Wexford but it can be solidified with a fourth win, which would be a testament to Jimmy Lee’s management following a tough 2024. Verdict: Limerick.
Just a point separates them in the league and Carlow claimed a second win last weekend but The Exiles will want a boost before Roscommon come to town in a couple of weeks. Verdict: London.
Wexford could have pressed the brakes against Tipperary last week but chose otherwise. It seems finishing the round stages with a 100% record is a goal of theirs. Verdict: Wexford.
It's not surprising that Tipperary’s campaign has come apart after a positive start. They are in the process of rebuilding. Verdict: Wicklow.
Inconsistency defines both counties’ runs to this point and Donegal only have one win to their name. A second should come their way but Tipperary won’t give up easily. Verdict: Donegal.
Cork remain in pursuit of Galway at the top of the table. A number of their wins have been tight affairs and this clash could follow a similar vein. They seem to thrive in them, though. Verdict: Cork.
Westmeath needs points fast although Roscommon don’t have enough of them to simply give up. Verdict: Roscommon.
Galway have been excellent in their first five games but should be examined sternly here by the home side. Verdict: Galway.
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