Weekend GAA previews: Meath to get back to winning ways against Cork
Cork and Meath both suffered provincial heartbreak in recent weeks. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Normally, Donegal and Tyrone would command the undivided attention of each other, but Tyrone could be forgiven for having one eye on Mayo in Omagh next weekend. They were the last team in championship to break through Fortress Ballybofey but never on Jim McGuinness’s watch. McGuinness could also be forgiven for thinking ahead seeing as Cork beat them in Round 2 after Donegal’s one-week turnaround last year. Shaun Patton’s injury aside, Donegal should have enough in the tank to stave off a quickly-improving Tyrone. Verdict: Donegal.
If there are victors here, they are likely to be through to the knock-out stages and the question is just how much did the Leinster final disappointment take out of Meath. Matthew Costello’s goal aside, they were out of ideas for a large part of the second half.
Cork had their own heartache against Kerry but have had plenty of time to park it. They have their first choice full-back line restored too but the absence of Brian Hurley can’t go unnoticed and The Royals, for all their shyness in Croke Park last Sunday week, have plenty of attack options. Meath can get back to winning ways quicker. Verdict: Meath.
As several of the Louth team have said, the Leinster final was their All-Ireland so naturally almost everything that follows is going to pale in comparison. Refocusing themselves for this game will be difficult as much as confidence should be flowing through Ger Brennan’s camp. It’s been more than suggested that Monaghan were the biggest victors in the draw but now they have to start proving it and backing up their solid first half to the season. Verdict: Monaghan.
The time between losing that provincial preliminary round game and this trip to Armagh city has probably given Paddy Tally his most important stretch with his Derry side. He was chasing his tail in pre-season as a late appointee but this break will have helped no end and cleared up several injuries too. So it should be a more formidable Derry side that take on the Ulster runners-up but Armagh are old hat at recovering from such setbacks and on their own turf are even fiercer. Verdict: Armagh.
A de facto semi-final, which should draw a good crowd to Carlow town. Both have shown great flashes throughout their campaigns but both were also humbled by Kildare, Laois the latest to feel their sting last weekend. Had Laois won in Portlaoise, they were in the final and for that aspiration to slip away now would knock them back considerably. Mark Kavanagh was in mean form with 3-12 against Westmeath last weekend and Carlow can rack up big scores. Calling this one is brutally difficult but Carlow may just shade it. Verdict: Carlow.
Down won’t be pushed over here seeing as they need a point to be sure of retaining their McDonagh status. A point is unlikely to enough for Kildare to qualify for the final but they have plenty of wind in their sails after three straight wins and can add a fourth but it should be tight. Verdict: Kildare.
A difficult season for both counties and Kerry also find themselves in relegation bother after letting a lead slip against Down last weekend. Westmeath are bound to fight with everything they got but each team simply haven’t been scoring enough. Kerry to summon their best display of the season to stay up. Verdict: Kerry.
A real threat of a mismatch here and there is some justification in Monaghan’s complaints about New York’s bye to this stage. A team featuring former Cork player Seán O’Leary-Hayes and ex-Galway star and New York vice-chairman Johnny Glynn won’t be beaten. Verdict: New York.
Verdict: Clare.
Verdict: Limerick.
Only Antrim got the better of Clare in Division 1B this year and they can pick up another win over Wexford in Ennis. Verdict: Clare.
Cork sure wouldn’t have minded a Munster final before commencing their All-Ireland pursuit but they shouldn’t have too much trouble claiming the points. Verdict: Cork.
Derry were beaten in this year’s Division 2 final and while it’s a long journey for Kilkenny they should start as they mean to go on. Verdict: Kilkenny.
Dublin are licking their wounds from relegation never mind a Leinster semi-final loss to Kilkenny, and Galway will be expected to win if not with too much ease in Athenry. Verdict: Galway.
It comes down to this for Cork but if anybody is thinking this is a safety net after last Sunday’s fall, they have another thing coming. Waterford are sick and tired of all their hurling being played over just four months of the year and they will come with a bang to Leeside.
Yes, Dessie Hutchinson is not playing as well as we know he can and there is an over-dependence on Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett but there is an honesty about this Waterford side that is easy to admire. Their good defensive record will be stretched here though and if Conor Prunty seems well-matched for Brian Hayes, it’s not certain that Waterford have somebody equipped to take on Alan Connolly if he is in the mood.
The big question for Cork is in their half-back line where Rob Downey will be missed. Cormac O’Brien performed well when he came on against Limerick but the awareness of Mark Coleman and Ciarán Joyce has to be much better, especially when they will have Barron buzzing around them. Brian Roche and Tim O’Mahony can help out there too and this latest midfield partnership will be expected to break forward as well.
Cork have their seasoned men Coleman, O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Patrick Horgan but it can’t be understated the assuredness the return of Seamus Harnedy brings to the team. If Cork don’t get it all their own way early on and anxiety from the crowd spills onto the pitch, he can bring that bit of serenity. Waterford know it’s a tall order to claim a first-ever senior championship win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. They need their x-factor men to deliver but even if their powers are on show, Cork’s tidal power at home will overwhelm them. Verdict: Cork.
The absence of live TV cameras but also the deep affection in Limerick for this team of theirs means over 33,000 will be in attendance here. That’s not to forget the Clare following who will want to show their appreciation to a group of players who gave them so much joy last year.
Inter-county futures won’t be decided here but do the likes of John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell really want to finish their fine careers in a dead rubber? Clare will be back but for now Limerick won’t mind rubbing some salt into the wounds while anticipating The Banner won’t go without putting up a fight.
It’s a chance for a couple of Limerick players to stake a claim for a Munster final place too. On the basis of last Sunday, you wouldn’t change a team about their team but form is temporary and John Kiely will want the rod sharpened for a potential second bout with Cork. Verdict: Limerick.
A fascinating game in store and it’s clear the amount of work Niall Ó Ceallacháin has done with his charges. Sure, he might have been double-jobbing with Na Fianna for several months but Dublin look a well-coached side. They were the same last year under current Galway manager Micheál Donoghue and there is every chance Dublin can reign again especially when Donnycarney makes them two inches taller.
This being the third game in as many weekends, the resources of each group will be tested but Galway had it so easy against a distracted Antrim while Dublin are coming off a grueller against Kilkenny and maybe they don’t just yet have that depth. That’s not to say Galway are flooded with talent but they have old dogs for the hard road on the field and the bench. Since the loss to Kilkenny, Galway have been a different side. A point here will get them to Croke Park on Sunday fortnight. Verdict: Draw.
Backed into the corner, it’s at times like these that Davy Fitzgerald exhibits his best. Sambo McNaughton’s comments during the week will have hardened his resolve to get one mighty effort from Antrim. They have a couple of forwards back including James McNaughton.
A bit of the pep in Offaly’s step has been lost in recent weeks and the commitment to the league and early part of the championship has taken a lot out of them. They too can pull out a big performance but if Antrim are able to harness a siege mentality, they can go the distance. Verdict: Antrim.
A nothing game for either team and there will be pressure on Keith Rossiter in the coming weeks after the defeats in Dublin and Galway. Wexford will want to go out on a high but even if Kilkenny are slightly experimental, they should be too good for them. Verdict: Kilkenny.
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