Weekend GAA Previews: Cork and Clare to bank first Munster wins

There are also football semi-finals in Ulster and Leinster this weekend.

Seán Bugler of Dublin in action against Seán Coffey of Meath during the 2024 Leinster SFC quarter-final at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

SATURDAY 

Ulster SFC semi-final: Armagh v Tyrone, Clones, 4.45pm. Referee: David Gough (Meath),  GAA+ 

Armagh were given plenty to think about by a fired-up and hard hitting Antrim last time out. Their hand is stronger this time with All-Stars Aidan Forker, Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt fit to start and Paddy Burns recalled too. Tyrone, who hit Cavan hard and early last time out, have made two big changes, recalling Darragh Canavan and Mattie Donnelly up front.

Verdict: Armagh 

Leinster SHC, Round 2: Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park, 4.30pm. Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary). GAA+ 

Is it too early to call this a shoot-out for third in the Leinster table and the last qualifying position? Probably given Galway's form but it's a highly significant match for both teams. Wexford, who beat Antrim comfortably, are favourites but Dublin are fresh off a gutsy win over Offaly at Parnell Park and have home advantage again. What Dublin do to curtail Lee Chin will be intriguing.

Verdict: Dublin 

Offaly v Galway, Tullamore, 6.30pm. Referee: James Owens (Wexford) 

Offaly will feel they left a big win over Dublin behind them last weekend. If they can conjure a similar performance, and if Galway are as lacklustre again as they were in Kilkenny, a shock could be on the cards. Offaly are unchanged but, significantly, a fit again Adam Screeney is among the subs this time. Galway have made a single switch, drafting in the ultra-experienced Daithí Burke.

Verdict: Galway 

Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 2: Down v Laois, Ballycran, 1.30pm. Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford) 

Laois, many people's tournament favourites, are fresh off a 3-25 to 1-22 win over Westmeath. Down conceded 6-23 to Carlow and badly need a pick-me-up.

Verdict: Laois 

Kildare v Westmeath, Newbridge, 4.30pm. Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)

Kildare are boosted by Cathal Dowling's return in attack after injury. Back-to-back home defeats could end their title chances. Westmeath burned out after a decent start against Laois last weekend.

Verdict: Westmeath 

Christy Ring Cup, Round 3: Tyrone v Donegal, Carrickmore, 12.30pm. Referee: Ciaran O'Regan (Cork) 

A clash of two teams desperate to stop the rot after respective back-to-back defeats.

Verdict: Donegal 

Derry v Meath, Celtic Park, 1pm. Referee: James Clarke (Cavan) 

Table-toppers Derry, runners up in 2024, face a Meath side that recovered from losing to London by thrashing Tyrone. Meath have recalled Nicky Potterton and Kris Gorman.

Verdict: Derry 

Wicklow v London, Aughrim, 1pm. Referee: Nicholas Barry (Waterford) 

A potential cracker between a Wicklow side with a perfect record and a London team that is full scores and which pushed Derry hard last weekend.

Verdict: Wicklow 

SUNDAY 

Leinster SFC semi-finals: Kildare v Louth, Tullamore, 2pm. Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry). GAA+ 

Both sides won their quarter-finals by two-point margins, Kildare seeing off Westmeath and Louth dispatching Laois. Aside from a Leinster final place, the big carrot for the winners is avoiding the Tailteann Cup. Sam Mulroy's absence, in a game of this magnitude, could be costly for Louth. The back-to-back finalists are still favourites but this is an opportunity for a landmark win for Brian Flanagan's developing Kildare.

Verdict: Kildare 

Meath v Dublin, Portlaoise, 4pm. Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone). GAA+

You won't find many tipping Meath for a first win over Dublin since 2010 but the Dubs' form has been skittish enough to suggest it's not the formality it once was. Dublin have recalled Stephen Cluxton in goals and, interestingly, named Ciaran Kilkenny at midfield. John Small is on the bench too, ending retirement talk. Meath have recalled Sean Coffey and Shane Walsh. Jordan Morris and Jack Kinlough are still out.

Verdict: Dublin 

Ulster SFC semi-final: Down v Donegal, Clones, 3pm. Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan). BBC 

It's only two years ago that Down had five points to spare in an Ulster quarter-final against Donegal. You can get 9/1 now on a repeat Down win. Jim McGuinness has named an unchanged team from the side that led from pillar to post against Monaghan, albeit winning by two points. Down came from seven back to defeat Fermanagh.

Verdict: Donegal 

Leinster SHC Round 2: Antrim v Kilkenny, Corrigan Park, 2pm. Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway) 

As much as Corrigan Park is a cauldron and a fortress of sorts for Antrim teams, it's hard to see Kilkenny coming unstuck here. They beat Galway by 12 points while Antrim lost to Wexford by 11. Injuries are Kilkenny's only issue. Tommy Walsh and Stephen Donnelly are in for injured duo Shane Murphy and Adrian Mullen. There's no TJ Reid or David Blanchfield either.

Verdict: Kilkenny 

Munster SHC Round 2: Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park, 2pm. Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin). RTÉ 

Peter Queally's Championship bow as Waterford manager. He has drafted in Conor Prunty, Kieran Bennett, Jack Prendergast and Kevin Mahony from the side that won the Division 1B league final. Austin Gleeson, Mikey Kiely and Patrick Fitzgerald are fit enough for bench duties. Clare, who rallied to draw with Cork, have brought in Cian Galvin for Diarmuid Ryan.

Verdict: Clare 

Cork v Tipperary, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 4pm. Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick). RTÉ 

Truth be told, neither team was expected to draw in Round 1. Tipp were probably happy with their point against Limerick, Cork not so much after being reeled in by Clare. Tipp's challenge is to pick up where Clare left off. Cork have home advantage and, they will feel, the superior firepower too, as they displayed against Tipp in the league final. Declan Dalton is in for the suspended Shane Barrett. Tipp are unchanged.

Verdict: Cork 

Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 2: Kerry v Carlow, Tralee, 2pm. Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath) 

Chris Nolan's hat-trick of goals helped get Carlow off to a roaring start last weekend. The 2023 champions demolished Down while Kerry reeled off the game's last five points to beat Kildare by one.

Verdict: Carlow