Weekend previews: Can Antrim make home advantage count?

It's league finals weekend in the Lidl Ladies competition with Armagh and Kerry going head-to-head in Division 1 with Cork and Galway facing off in Division 2.

Antrim will host Armagh at Corrigan Park after alot of furore over the venue. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

SATURDAY

Leinster SFC quarter-final

Kildare v Westmeath, Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 7pm (D. Gough, Meath) GAA+.

They may have swapped places between Division 2 and 3 but the visitors’s exposure to better teams in the higher octet almost negates the home advantage Kildare possess. They were brutally unlucky at times in Division 2 and yet because they have been so long without a win there has to be some baggage here. Don’t rule out extra-time but Kildare, stinging from that Division 3 final loss, may just edge it. 

Verdict: Kildare.

Ulster SFC quarter-final

Antrim v Armagh, Corrigan Park, 12.30pm (B. Cassidy, Derry) Live BBC.

After all the furore, Antrim get to play ball where they wanted and now they have to make it count for something. The result is unlikely to go in their favour as much as Armagh haven’t been impressive on their travels this year. It won’t be here where the absence of Rian O’Neill will be felt but the All-Ireland champions do have a lot in reserve and coming through without much fuss will be the priority. 

Verdict: Armagh.

Christy Ring Cup, Round 1

Meath v London, St Loman’s Park, Trim, 1pm (M. Farrell, Roscommon).

London were flying it during the round stages of the league before they came up against Mayo and this is another step up for them. 

Verdict: Meath.

Wicklow v Tyrone, Echelon Park, 1pm (C. Doyle, Tipperary).

Tyrone come into the championship without a win to their name and may be lacking the belief to come away from Aughrim with a win. 

Verdict: Wicklow.

Derry v Donegal, Celtic Park, 3pm (C. McCloskey, Antrim).

Both of their Division 2 runs left a lot to be desired although it was Donegal who were relegated. Derry can start on a positive note. 

Verdict: Derry.

Nickey Rackard Cup, Round 1

Mayo v Roscommon, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 3pm (A. Tierney, Tipperary).

Mayo’s feelgood factor from winning some league silverware can stretch into this league opener. 

Verdict: Mayo.

Sligo v Louth, Markievicz Park, 3pm (A. McAleer, Donegal).

Louth have all the momentum from the spring and can make this trip count. 

Verdict: Sligo.

Lory Meagher Cup, Round 1

Lancashire v Longford, Abbottstown GAA CoE, 2pm (C. Daly, Kildare).

Their fortunes in the league would suggest victory will be Longford’s. 

Verdict: Longford.

Monaghan v Leitrim, Grattan Park, Inniskeen, 3pm (M. Connolly, Sligo).

Monaghan are in bad shape at the moment and Leitrim can capitalise. 

Verdict: Leitrim.

Lidl Ladies National Football League

Division 1 final

Armagh v Kerry, Croke Park, 5pm (S. Curley, Galway) Live TG4.

Kerry laughed the loudest in the championship last year in spite of losing this final against the same opposition, although Armagh followed up the success with a provincial title. It should be an ideal platform for both teams again but will there be any indication that Armagh are ready to challenge for All-Ireland honours. Armagh have to be more explosive if they are to do that. For now, Kerry’s defence looks as mean as ever and they do seem to be adjusting well to life after Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh. 

Verdict: Kerry.

Division 2 final.

Cork v Galway, Croke Park 3pm (P. Conway, Armagh) Live TG4.

Galway were flawless in their seven round outings and having beaten Cork in their last two outings they will feel they can land another psychological blow ahead of the championship. Two points separated them in the February Round 2 game. Another close encounter is in the making and Galway will fancy their chances more. 

Verdict: Cork.

SUNDAY

Leinster SFC quarter-finals

Wicklow v Dublin, Echelon Park, 2pm (S. Mulhare, Laois).

An occasion and a half for Wicklow. Whatever the result (another extra week’s preparation for Dublin never mind rest from the extra-time win over Longford would have done them the world of good), this is a day that will be spoken of for some time to come. Dublin will look to make the short trip back up the road with the result in little doubt long before the final whistle. 

Verdict: Dublin.

Meath v Offaly, Páirc Tailteann, 2.30pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary).

This could well turn out to be the best football game of the day. Meath had it easy against Carlow but here they face a team brimming with confidence and heading to Navan with little trepidation. A fit Jordan Morris and our nod for Meath would be a lot more certain. Not so now. Offaly are going to push them all the way. 

Verdict: Meath.

Louth v Laois, Cedral St Conleths Park, 3pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon).

Laois gave their best performance of the year in coming away with a facile win in Wexford. It gave them the best chance of turning their attention to this encounter. Louth know they must get to a Leinster final to be absolutely sure of making the Sam Maguire Cup. They won’t be halted here. 

Verdict: Louth.

Ulster SFC quarter-final

Tyrone v Cavan, O’Neills Healy Park, 4.15pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live RTÉ, BBC.

Given how strong they finished their league campaign, it’s surprising to hear some people speak of Tyrone being beaten in Omagh. That’s not to say Cavan won’t do it but it felt like Tyrone were looking more like themselves in those latter games. They had been unfortunate against Kerry and Galway and with three weeks of unbroken training behind and a trip to Portugal to boot they can begin with a win. 

Verdict: Tyrone.

Nickey Rackard Cup, Round 1

Fermanagh v Armagh, Brewster Park, 2pm (J. Clarke, Cavan).

Fermanagh will join Armagh in Division 3 next season but for now the advantage should lie with the away side. 

Verdict: Armagh.

Warwickshire v Cavan, Páirc na hÉireann, 12:30pm (K. Brady, Louth).

Cavan were relegated to Division 4 but should still hold sway in Birmingham. 

Verdict: Cavan.

Lidl Ladies National Football League

Division 3 final.

Cavan v Wexford, Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, 2pm (G. Canny, Mayo).

Not much between them at the top of the table this spring but Cavan were scoring for fun at times and if that trend continues Wexford will find it difficult to hold them. Verdict: Cavan.

Division 4 final.

Antrim v Fermanagh, St Tiernach’s Park, 3pm (E. O’Neill, Kildare).

A splendid run to promotion for Antrim and they can make it an eighth straight win in Clones. 

Verdict: Antrim.

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