Weekend Football previews: Dublin doubt points needle towards Louth
Con O'Callaghan of Dublin kicks despite the attempted block of Louth's Bevan Duffy. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Will he, won’t he, this perennial question about Con O’Callaghan’s fitness clouds this encounter. If he is fit, and it’s difficult to believe he after how he reacted to his latest setback in Aughrim, Dublin can put some of their detractors back in the box. He is that good, that influential.
Ciarán Kilkenny being available again helps too and Niall Scully is in great form. Louth’s record against Dublin has been dreadful down through the year but Gavin Devlin is a man with a plan.
They have options from the bench too and are probably in a better position going into this game in Portlaoise than Meath were when they shocked Dublin there 12 months ago. Dublin being an unknown is unusual and it’s that doubt that points the needle towards their opponents.
Louth.
As early as the fourth round of Division 1, Monaghan were turning their attentions to the championship and making a good stab of reaching a first Ulster final in five years. They have players back, put up a mighty score beating Cavan in Clones and have an array of scorers. Derry should expect a game but they have a forward line that can break most sides and Eoin McEvoy’s return to midfield is welcome.
Along with Conor Glass and Brendan Rogers, his presence gives Derry a real size factor in the middle, which Rory Beggan will have to beat. Both teams have named unchanged sides but this shouldn’t be a cagey affair. Derry to do enough.
Verdict: Derry.
The disappointing news about Luke Loughlin’s fitness was the last thing Westmeath needed to hear before what is their best chance to reach a Leinster final in 10 years. Their forward line still reads well but Loughlin has the x-factor and could have been the difference to tip the scales in Tullamore. For Westmeath, there is obviously more riding on this game as a win means Sam Maguire Cup football.
Kildare should be able to play with some more freedom but for the first time since 2009 the Delaney Cup is clearly in front of them. They are probably relying on youth a little too much but old hand Kevin Feely can show the way.
Verdict: Kildare.
Down know plenty about Armagh but they wouldn’t have been able to dedicate 10 days of sessions and training in the build-up to this game as they did to the Donegal one simply by virtue of the short turnaround. Would Conor Laverty have appreciated another week?
You would guess so because Armagh weren’t exactly stretched by Fermanagh last weekend. Down’s momentum and it being a derby make for a replenishing cocktail and Odhrán Murdock could again be a match-winner. It may not be the semi-final Armagh expected but they are a diligent crew that haven’t been sized up like Donegal.
They will have the energy for Down and the experience not to be the second vaunted team they bite in the space of a week.
Verdict: Armagh.
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