GAA previews: Laois hurt provides necessary fuel for Joe McDonagh tilt

It's Ulster opposition for the Cork and Kerry minors on Saturday as they face Tyrone and Cavan, respectively, in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. 

Laois lost the 2024 Joe McDonagh Cup final to Offaly. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

SATURDAY.

Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals.

Offaly v New York, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2pm (D. Murnane, Cork) Live GAA+.

There should be some trepidation about what a New York team bring to the competition. In their inaugural entry, they were only four points poorer than Laois last year and while personnel has changed they will be fresh at the very least. Offaly should be sore with themselves that they didn’t qualify for the quarter-finals from the group stages. Verdict: Offaly.

Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, 5pm (M. McNally, Monaghan).

Laois’s incredible finish against Offaly last weekend propels them into the last-12 game and their confidence contrasts with how Westmeath let slip a quarter-final berth against Limerick. If it comes down to the closing stages again, Laois will believe but Westmeath have the firepower to subdue them. Verdict: Westmeath.

Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals.

Kerry v Cavan, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 12pm (N. Quinn, Clare).

A difference class of challenge for Kerry and one they may find shackling at times. Nevertheless, they will be expected to win. Verdict: Kerry.

Tyrone v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Ryan, Galway).

The rising tide in Tyrone is lifting all boats and it could drown Cork here if they are not careful. A tight start required to give them a chance. Cork captain Cathal McCarthy successfully appealed the red card he received against Kerry two weeks ago, meaning the St Colum's man is free to play. 
Verdict: Tyrone.

Roscommon v Louth, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm (P. Clarke, Cavan).

Channel that Leinster final heartache and Louth can make the last four. Verdict: Louth.

TG4 Football All-Ireland Ladies SFC, Round 1.

Group 1.

Galway v Tipperary, Tuam Stadium, 2pm (G. Chapman, Sligo).

Galway finished first to Tipperary’s third in Division 2 yet the points won difference was remarkable, Galway amassing 21 points to Tipperary’s nine. Galway scored twice as much as their neighbours and only one result looks on the cards. Verdict: Galway.

Group 2.

Kerry v Mayo, Austin Stack Park, 2pm (J. Murphy, Carlow).

Mayo have sure had their toils and heading to Tralee to commence their All-Ireland campaign looks an arduous one. Kerry have shown they can turn it on when they want it to but they can play within themselves to pick up the points here. Verdict: Kerry.

Group 3.

Meath v Armagh, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan).

Armagh will be disappointed to have given up their league crown but they have moved from entertainers to contenders and Meath know they must absorb plenty of punishment to take anything from this opener. Verdict: Armagh.

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship, Round 3.

Group 1.

Clare v Limerick, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 2pm (B. Kearney, Kildare).

Clare will go a long way to securing a knock-out spot with a win here and it’s well within their compass. Limerick are a youthful side who are making in-roads but Clare have the advantage. Verdict: Clare.

Wexford v Tipperary, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4pm (G. Donegan, Dublin).

Tipperary were humbled by the All-Ireland champions but they can pick up their first points against a Wexford side who have lost two games on the bounce. Verdict: Tipperary.

Group 2.

Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 2pm (D. O’Callaghan, Limerick).

Getting the home loss to Waterford out of their systems quick is the order of the day for Kilkenny. Dublin can be stubborn but it should be a second win for The Cats. Verdict: Kilkenny.

Waterford v Derry, Walsh Park, 4pm (C. McAllister, Cork).

Derry are looking like a fish out of water and after a famous win over Kilkenny, The Déise will be determined to sustain that momentum. Verdict: Waterford.

SUNDAY.

Joe McDonagh Cup final.

Kildare v Laois, Croke Park 1.45pm (M. Kennedy, Tipperary) Live RTÉ.

It’s still difficult to square how Kildare topped a table, beating Laois in Portlaoise by 11 points along the way, yet were defeated by relegated Kerry in their opening round. The Lilywhites have been superb since turning their run around with a second round win over Westmeath and that belief they have generated is a potent weapon as much as Laois will be fuelled by what was a chastening win that almost derailed their promotion challenge. What’s most impressive about Kildare this year is their spread of scorers as much as David Qualter is expected to oblige with the placed balls. Having been in a number of Christy Ring deciders, Croke Park shouldn’t be too daunting for them either but this is a Laois side that has been exposed to Liam MacCarthy Cup opposition this year. Although they were often on the losing side, that should count for something. They sure could do with some of the experienced men they have lost since last year’s final but there is enough nous and hurt in their ranks to complete the job. Verdict: Laois.

Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals.

Wexford v Antrim, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1pm (C. Lane, Cork).

Another team kicking themselves that they didn’t top their group, Wexford should be able to put behind them that loss to Fermanagh in Croke Park last weekend. Antrim are doughty but they might not be able to make this long trip worthwhile. Verdict: Wexford.

Sligo v Carlow, Tubbercurry, 2pm (B. Cassidy, Derry).

Goals were Sligo’s undoing against Kildare in their battle for No1 position in Group 1 and here they face a revived Carlow side who will ask awkward questions of them. You would imagine Sligo will do enough to avoid a surprise defeat. Verdict: Sligo.

Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final.

Offaly v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 3pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath).

Offaly showed so much bottle in Newbridge but they can't be complacent here. Verdict: Offaly.

TG4 Football All-Ireland Ladies SFC, Round 1.

Waterford v Dublin, Fraher Field, 1.30pm (B. Redmond, Wexford).

There is plenty of life remaining in this Dublin team as they demonstrated in their Leinster final win over Meath. Waterford finished ahead of them in the league on score difference and home soil helps but Dublin to squeeze by. Verdict: Dublin.