GAA previews: Nothing to separate Cats and Tribesmen, Munster hurling bonanza throws in
TJ Reid of Kilkenny is tackled by Padraic Mannion of Galway and Daithí Burke of Galway. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Before last year, Kilkenny had never beaten Galway in a round game and they are not expected to here. The Cats’ team shows four changes from the side that were trounced in Salthill last month.
Galway know what’s coming and their energy levels shouldn’t be in question but Kilkenny are too proud not to at least deliver a performance. Verdict: Draw.
Wexford saw how Kildare were able to target Antrim in the league and they are seen as the quarry now. The Offaly game probably matters most to The Lilywhites but this is the next best and Wexford should be forewarned. Verdict: Wexford.
Down the likes of Charlie Mitchell and Donal Shirley, Offaly may find it difficult to find form after a humbling league run. Dublin are by no means the finished article but they have depth from the bench if they require it here. Verdict: Dublin.
Down’s win in the final round of the league was no surprise but expect a far better Antrim performance here. Injuries have cleared up and they are contenders. Verdict: Antrim.
Laois excelled in Division 2 but weren’t exposed to the same strong opposition faced by Carlow. Perhaps momentum gets Laois over the line. Verdict: Laois.
Meath can bounce back from a stinging opening defeat to Kerry. Verdict: Meath.
Verdict: Fermanagh.
Verdict: Sligo.
Antrim were respectable in going down to Armagh in their one provincial game last season and now under Mark Doran should be able to at least challenge Derry for periods. Derry may be on the easier side of the draw but can’t look too far ahead. Verdict: Derry.
Waterford’s injury list has cleared up a bit with the exception of Conor Prunty whose long-standing quad issue means Mark Fitzgerald is a square peg in a round hole at full-back. There are suggestions not everybody named in the Déise line-up is 100%.
There might be a change or two before throw-in as well as in the Clare line-up – if Shane O’Donnell can hold a hurley, he is bound to start. Clare’s poor home Munster SHC record starting out has to be on their minds here and Waterford have begun impressively at the outset the last couple of years.
The Banner will worry about the quality of their Division 1B preparations. They have the stalwarts to negotiate a tricky tie. Verdict: Clare.
One point Ronan Maher made this week resonates: good league form often augurs good championship form.
Tipperary weren’t all that good in the secondary competition whereas it was a third final in four years for Cork. You do get the sense Tipperary weren’t as worked up about the league this year and this date was a burning one from a long way out. To try and reinstate some authority in Thurles is a goal of theirs.
The issue is Cork love the place and have injected some exciting players into their attack. Tipperary may be encouraged by Cork opting for the same defence as nine months ago only rearranged but for that very game the one team who should be champing is Cork.
If Brian Hayes gets any type of ball, he is dangerous. For that reason, don’t be surprised if Tipperary again apply a sweeper for at least some parts of the game, even if one of Cork’s inside line spends time outside. So possibly the same tactic but not the same result. Verdict: Cork.
The Exiles will be full of gusto for this one but Westmeath should be able to weather what’s thrown at them. Verdict: Westmeath.
Mark McHugh has a right to complain about the quick turnaround. Westmeath sure would benefit from an extra week. Expectation is something relatively new to Meath and how they deal with it here will be interesting. A win for them, all the same. Verdict: Meath.
Wexford should have Louth’s full respect. Both teams finished their respective divisions with a string of victories and it won’t be surprising if it turns out to be the best of the four quarter-finals. Louth have been down this road too often to crash. Verdict: Louth.
It was in this game at the same venue 12 months ago where the faultlines in Dublin’s game began to show. Wicklow shone against Carlow but Dublin should be much hungrier this time around, even if they are minding a couple of injuries. Verdict: Dublin.
Kildare might not be coming into this game with much to show and Laois will be buoyed by their goals against Offaly. It’s a slippery one for Brian Flanagan’s relatively young side but they can make home advantage count. Verdict: Kildare.
Not a derby that inspires as it would have done in the not-too distant past. Both are searching for something but you would think Monaghan’s Division 1 exposure this year gives them an advantage not to mention the venue. Verdict: Monaghan.
Wicklow’s league form was nowhere to be seen last weekend and Derry appear to be gunning for a final. Verdict: Derry.
The only way is up for Kerry after a fine win over Meath and they can double their points. Verdict: Kerry.
Verdict: Mayo.
Verdict: Leitrim.
Verdict: Cavan.
Verdict: Longford.
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