Weekend GAA previews: Loughmore's double dynamic can maintain momentum
Loughmore-Castleiney’s Ciaran Connolly in action against JK Brackens. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
The double is well and truly on for Éire Óg who are defending this title. Lissycasey are aiming for a first final appearance since 2007. Anything but a win for the Ennis outfit would be a shock.
Éire Óg, Ennis.
Glen will feel they have bigger fish to fry as they look to get their hands on the John McLaughlin Cup.
Glen.
A convincing victory is in the making for the Magherafelt club.
O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt.
After losing their first game, Gaoth Dobhair have gone on a winning run that is unlikely to come to a halt here as solid as the Creeslough/Dunfanaghy outfit have been. It should be a contest, all the same.
Gaoth Dobhair.
The Stillorgan side should sail through this last eight game with plenty to spare.
Kilmacud Crokes.
All of St Vincents’s eggs are in this basket after their footballers were relegated while Ballyboden’s footballers have high hopes.
St Vincent’s.
Runners-up the last two seasons, Maigh Cuilinn aren’t going to be denied a last four place.
Maigh Cuillin.
Naas’s domination of the county will be hard stopped and if it is to end, it’ll likely come in a final.
Naas.
Maynooth will be eager to set up what should be another date with Naas but must take care of business.
Maynooth.
Glenmore are slight favourites but there are enough wise heads in the Dicksboro crew to squeeze a win.
Dicksboro.
As one of the most progressive clubs in the county, Bennettsbridge can make another step forward and follow up last year’s semi-final appearance.
Bennettsbridge.
There is an open feeling to this Longford competition as the runners-up of the last two seasons face off. Clonguish might have a little more in their locker.
Clonguish.
So close to relegation the last couple of seasons, Skryne have turned things around to the point that they are marginally favoured to pull through. Paul Galvin’s Ratoath will thrive on being the underdogs.
Ratoath.
Cashel have certainly impressed upon their return to the senior ranks and to say they are in bonus territory would be wrong. At the same time, Holycross were excellent in the group stages.
Holycross-Ballycahill.
Some indifferent displays from Toomevara this time around after reaching last year’s final while the momentum Loughmore-Castleiney generate through their dual pursuits is huge.
Loughmore-Castleiney.
This championship is known as the most cut-throat in the country but the Ballygawley men can keep alive their hopes of doing a rare back-to-back.
Errigal Ciarán.
St Anne’s have been knocking at the door these last few seasons whereas the Gorey side burst through it in 2023. The hunger in Rathangan should be greater.
St Anne’s, Rathangan.
Lee Chin will have to be subdued if St Aidan’s are going to have real designs on emulating the 2022 success.
Ferns St Aidan’s.
Little between these two even if Crosserlough are defending the title. If it comes down to appetite, Gowna should have the edge.
Gowna.
Kingscourt Stars are being readily missed but they are capable of making a game of this.
Ramor United.
Cratloe v St Joseph’s-Doora Barefield, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 2.30pm.
The 2023 champions will be expected to set up a tasty clash with Éire Óg providing they can see off a club looking to get back to the ultimate stage for the first time in 13 years.
Cratloe.
Slaughtneil may not be the force they once were but a win here is well within their capabilities.
Slaughtneil.
The champions won’t be stopped here but bigger challenges will be forthcoming.
Seán O’Leary’s, Newbridge.
The Donegal town have been the surprise package of the championship but this is a wily team they will look to upset here. The Glenties have some excellent young players too like Finnbarr Roarty, young footballer of the year nominee.
Naomh Conaill.
Another solid group campaign for Lucan should be followed by a quarter-final win.
Lucan Sarsfields.
Cuala lean more on their footballers here and All-Ireland champions Na Fianna may just be a little fresher.
Na Fianna.
Some green shoots are emerging in Dunmore but they are encountering a machine here.
Corofin.
Tuam are fancied to come through but can’t be taken anything for granted.
Tuam Stars.
The much-vaunted forward line of Salthill-Knocknacarra should be too good for Paul Conroy and company.
Salthill-Knocknacarra.
St Brendan’s performance against Mid Kerry last weekend wouldn’t inspire much confidence against a South Kerry side who were unfortunate not to pip the men from the west last weekend.
South Kerry.
As much as it was a heavy loss to East Kerry, you would think the extra game last weekend would give St Kieran’s an advantage going into this knockout affair. All the same, North Kerry might be a new combination but they are a strong one.
North Kerry.
A great tussle in store here as Henry Shefflin faces the team he took charge of after his golden period with Ballyhale. The champions Thomastown deserve huge respect yet Ballyhale look like they’re just about to hit their groove.
Ballyhale Shamrocks.
Last year’s runners-up O’Loughlin Gaels have a cause and Clara will need a performance and a half to deny them advancing.
O’Loughlin Gaels.
The border club aim to reach a second final in five years but Portarlington are going for a fifth title in six seasons and don’t appear to be flailing.
Portarlington.
Courtwood will try and avoid playing the occasion as much as possible – they have yet to reach a senior final – whereas this is familiar territory for St Joseph’s.
St Joseph’s.
The 2023 winners will be expected to take care of a Rathcline club that haven’t been in the final two since the late 1970s.
Last year’s victors have a major task on their hands to set up the opportunity to retain their crown. Summerhill are a doughty outfit but Dunshaughlin can shade it.
Dunshaughlin.
Eddie Brennan will soon turn his attentions to assisting Derek Lyng in the Kilkenny set-up but he is again getting a song out of the mid-Tipperary club.
Moycarkey-Borris.
After seeing off Kiladangan, the Cloughjordan men will be thinking anything’s possible and Nenagh would be known as underachievers. Extra-time may be required.
Nenagh Éire Óg.
Victory over Dromore can give Edendork the belief to come through this sticky encounter.
Edendork St Malachy’s.
Loughmacrory’s name should be in the pot by Sunday evening.
Loughmacrory St Teresa’s.
These two met in the first game back after the pandemic and like then St Martin’s will be the team expected to win.
St Martin’s.
The record championship winners haven’t made a final since 2011. They should be one step away following this clash.
Rathnure
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