Weekend previews: Cork's pool of resources can drench the Déise

Diarmuid Healy of Cork in action against Jack Prendergast of Waterford. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster SHC, Round 3: Waterford v Cork, Azzurri Walsh Park, 6pm (S. Stack, Dublin) Live GAA+.

All or nothing. Just the way Waterford like it. The safety net of the round robin has not yet been to their liking but the high-wire risk to this game  gives it the element the county has craved. 

The mainshaft of Cork’s defence is absent and if they only had a week to get themselves together, this could be even trickier. They have had two and it was most impressive that the scans and diagnoses of Ciarán Joyce and Rob Downey’s injuries were known less than 24 hours after the game. 

Damien Cahalane has had good days against Stephen Bennett at this location so he will likely be stitched to him if the man of the moment plays inside. Bennett is a ball of perpetual motion and is bound to appear everywhere. 

Waterford have to blaze from the off, which Cork will know, but they can’t expect them to burn off when their championship is on the line. 

Cork can’t be too cool but their pool of resources can drench the Déise. 

Verdict: Cork 

Leinster SHC, Round 3: Kildare v Galway, Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 3.30pm (C. Flynn, Westmeath) Live GAA+.

What way should Kildare take Galway giving their U20s a rest for this encounter? It remains a strong team that Micheál Donoghue has named but Galway have the luxury of picking their battles for their starlets and this ain’t one of them. 

Kildare will be keen to keep this respectable. Galway won’t want too many injuries before Dublin come to town next week. 

Verdict: Galway.

Wexford v Dublin, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4pm (S. Hynes, Galway) Live RTÉ.

A couple of days after they were blown out by Kilkenny, Wexford met Carlow in a challenge game and won by a couple of points. Morale isn’t too high in the Wexford camp but you imagine they will raise themselves at home and put in a display. 

Dublin are chasing having been held by Offaly in Tullamore and in the past this venue hasn’t been overly kind to them and they do have full-back line questions to answer. 

Discipline was an issue for them in the league game but keep their heads and victory is theirs. 

Verdict: Dublin.

Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 3: Down v Carlow, McKenna Park, Ballycran, 1pm (E. Furlong, Wexford).

Down have shown Carlow a form of respect by bringing this game to the Ards Peninsula. They will need their home advantages in this top-of-the-table affair. Carlow look a different side to the one that struggled in the league. 

Verdict: Draw.

Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, 5pm (B. Keon, Galway).

Both have felt Carlow’s rod in their opening rounds and this has the feel of a semi-final about it. That’s assuming the winners also beat Down. Laois have more momentum following the win over Antrim. 

Verdict: Laois.

Christy Ring Cup, Round 4: Kerry v Wicklow, Austin Stack Park, 1pm (M. Farrell, Offaly).

Kerry already appear to be destined for the final and lowly Wicklow shouldn’t trouble them. 

Verdict: Kerry.

Meath v Derry, St Loman’s Park, Trim, 1pm (N. O’Toole, Waterford)

Lose here and Meath can goodbye to their chances of making the final. They should be able to keep their hopes alive. 

Verdict: Meath.

Donegal v Roscommon, O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny, 7pm (K. Parke, Antrim).

Roscommon look in real relegation bother and Donegal aren’t going to show much pity. Verdict: Donegal.

Nickey Rackard Cup, Round 4: Armagh v Louth, Thomas Davis, Corrinshego, 2pm (A. McAleer, Donegal).

Little to suggest Armagh are going to pick up a first win. 

Verdict: Louth.

Tyrone v Fermanagh, Tyrone CoE, Garvaghey, 2pm (J. Judge, Mayo).

Tyrone have their eyes set on a title and can make it four wins from four.

Verdict: Tyrone.

Mayo v Sligo, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 2pm (C. O’Regan, Cork).

A semi-final of sorts. Mayo may just be able to swing it. 

Verdict: Mayo.

Lory Meagher Cup, Round 4: Monaghan v Lancashire, Páirc Grattan, Inniskeen, 1pm (C. Daly, Kildare).

Verdict: Monaghan.

Cavan v Longford, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm (C. O’Donovan, Tipperary).

Verdict: Longford.

Leitrim v Warwickshire, Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 2pm (M. Connolly, Sligo).

Verdict: Leitrim.

Tailteann Cup, Round 1: Clare v Offaly, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 4pm (B. Griffin, Kerry).

Offaly’s list of unavailables doesn’t appear to have cleared enough to believe they will undermine home advantage in Ennis. Verdict: Clare.

Wexford v Limerick, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 6pm (S. Mulhare, Laois).

These two served up a high-scoring quarter-final last year and should be in the business end again. On this occasion, Wexford can come out on top.

Verdict: Wexford.

SUNDAY

Tailteann Cup, Round 1: Sligo v Tipperary, Markievicz Park, 12.45pm (K. Eannetta, Tyrone).

Sligo have had enough time to lick their wounds after the loss to Leitrim to recalibrate and put their minds to going long into this competition. 

Verdict: Sligo.

Carlow v Antrim, Netwatch Cullen Park, 1.30pm (C. Dourneen, Cavan).

Carlow may have taken their eye off the ball against Wicklow yet they have shown enough promise to believe they will advance. 

Verdict: Carlow.

Laois v Wicklow, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin) Live GAA+.

Wicklow certainly put a lot into their Leinster campaign. If it hasn’t taken too much out of them, they can build on it although this game may come too early. 

Verdict: Laois.

Waterford v London, Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, 2pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary).

A good draw for both teams. London had more than enough for Waterford in Ruislip in the league and can slip by them here. 

Verdict: London.

Fermanagh v Longford, Brewster Park, 3pm (B. Cassidy, Derry).

The question for Longford is are they happy with their lot with promotion. Fermanagh in Enniskillen can be a stubborn sort. 

Verdict: Fermanagh.

Dalata Hotel Group All-Ireland U20B FC semi-final: Sligo v Tipperary, Markievicz Park, 2.45pm (C. Ryan, Galway).

Verdict: Sligo.

Leinster SHC, Round 3: Offaly v Kilkenny, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 3pm (J. Murphy, Limerick).

Kilkenny may be back up and running but their heavy win over Wexford was more of a reflection on how poor Wexford were than their bouncebackability. Offaly shouldn’t be too perturbed. 

They put up a fight in the league encounter, have enough physical players not to cower to Kilkenny but the required ruthlessness is the step they have yet to take. 

Verdict: Kilkenny.

Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 3: London v Antrim, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm (N. Malone, Clare).

A time of turmoil for Antrim hurling but there should be enough of a rally among the group to make this a winning trip and stave off the threat of relegation. 

Verdict: Antrim.