GAA weekend previews: Mayo will have had enough time to lick their wounds
LICKING WOUNDS: Mayo manager Andy Moran reacts during the closing stages of the Connacht semi-final against Roscommon. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The Dermot McCabe derby and Mullingar should be full of the joys after that rare All-Ireland final success. We saw how a historic provincial triumph saw Louth take their eye off the ball last year and it could very well do here for Westmeath here in what was even more of a surprise victory. Cavan just don’t appear to be the team to poop their party. Their own support has tailed off and while they should be competitive, they mightn’t have the belief to win.
Verdict: Westmeath.
Seeing two provincial winners in Kerry and Roscommon lose last weekend would have put on Armagh on high alert if Derry didn’t already give them a spook at this same venue after they lost last year’s Ulster final. Armagh were cruising only to be reeled in by Derry before they sent over some insurance scores. Armagh are too long in the tooth to lose the run of themselves even after a first Anglo-Celt Cup since 2008 but Derry have had them in their sights for several weeks. It should be a game of small margins and Armagh’s deeper resources could be a deciding factor.
Verdict: Armagh.
The billing that Tomás Ó Sé wanted and he will want the performance to match it. Kerry have been playing within themselves to this point and a major performance is due. For Ó Sé, he will be hoping it’s third time lucky having felt the sting of Tyrone’s tail the past couple of years. Tomás Kennedy, Gearóid White, Paddy Lane and Killian Dennehy can all turn the game Kerry’s way but Tyrone are a tidy operation, success is truly breeding success at under-age and this group’s sum is greater than its parts.
Verdict: Tyrone.
Kerry have done everything right to this point and could afford to take it handy against Derry in their final group game. It might have given John “Tweek” Griffin some insight into how they will go about their business in this final. Kerry have rebuilt themselves following their relegation last year and can put the cap on [their transformation with a piece of silverware.
Verdict: Kerry.
New York blew Mayo out of the water and have Tyrone forewarned. Whether they should be in the competition in the first place is a question the GAA may have to answer.
Verdict: New York.
A game that shouldn’t be much like the Leinster semi-final. Louth shouldn’t fool themselves again and Dublin won’t carry the same confidence that they brought to that clash in Portlaoise. They won’t be so sure of themselves as they return to Croke Park so soon after the Leinster final loss but if Con O’Callaghan is fully fit he can provide the example to follow. Louth, perhaps weighed down by expectation going into the counties’ last meeting, suffered a malfunction. History also counted against them too. They can bounce back but it may just fall short of a win.
Verdict; Dublin.
Mayo have had so much time to lick their wounds after the Roscommon result that they will be short of saliva. Monaghan, on the other hand, could still be smarting after that extra-time final loss to Armagh and Mayo have to seize that opportunity.
The problem for Andy Moran’s side is Monaghan have shown so much more character of late than them and it can’t simply come down to individuals to steer the visitors to Round 2A. Monaghan may just run out of steam, though.
Verdict: Mayo.
Leitrim were perfect in the group stage and one of their five wins was a three-point one over Longford. They can repeat the dose.
Verdict: Leitrim.
What a mouthwatering game this final is shaping up to be. Aaron Niland would be a considerable loss to Galway but he will be given every chance. They still have plenty of star quality in the likes of Cullen Killeen and Jason Rabbitte although Clare’s backs were in mean form against Tipperary. They also have a nice blend of forwards options in players such as Fred Hegarty, Ronan Kilroy and Thomas O’Connor. A game that could go either way but maybe Clare will be more steeled from completing the Munster gauntlet.
Verdict: Clare.
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