Football previews: Ulster rivalries make for close encounters
Saturday
All-Ireland SFC
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 7pm (Live, GAA+)
– Donegal beat Armagh by a late score in extra time to retain the Ulster title. In the semi-final, Armagh beat Tyrone with the last kick of the match. That's how little separates the teams on paper. Jim McGuinness has had Tyrone's number so far in both of his periods of management but against that, this weekend's counterpart is not Mickey Harte nor Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan but Malachy O'Rourke, who twice led Monaghan to Ulster final victories over Donegal.
Tyrone didn't deserve to be as close to Armagh as they were but they very nearly won and O'Rourke has had four weeks with the team since then and is bound to have devised a plan for this. They are also strengthened by the return of Mattie Donnelly and Conor Meyler, which raises their ceiling. The Ulster champions though are able to recall a valuable player of their own, as Eoin Bán Gallagher returns from injury. They were very impressive in the provincial final, leading for a great deal of the match and inspired by Michael Murphy's renaissance as an intercounty player. They are not as prone as Armagh to tune out of matches and look likely to make their proven assets of relentlessness and focus count.
Verdict:
Donegal
Armagh v Derry, Athletic Grounds, 5pm
– This fixture last year was a horror show for Derry and they will be mindful not to revisit it but already they have improved on last year's championship by being less catastrophically undone by Donegal. This is their first match since then, as opposed to 12 months ago when they had added a comprehensive defeat by Galway to their CV before taking on Armagh.
READ MORE
Derry have had a dispiriting year to date. Relegation followed a campaign in which late scores in a couple of matches cost them dearly. They were generally competitive and can be so again here. The All-Ireland champions have to internalise another Ulster final defeat but they have been beaten in 70 minutes just once in the past three years of championship fixtures. Rian O'Neill, who was prominent in last year's thumping, continues his return to play protocols and isn't named in this weekend's match panel.
Verdict:
Armagh
Louth's Sam Mulroy during the Leinster final againt Meath. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Louth v Monaghan, St Conleth's Park, 4.45pm (Live, GAA+)
– A certain amount of disgruntlement in Monaghan about the venue for this given that they have been providing a home from home for Louth in Inniskeen while their new grounds are developed, but the Leinster champions have opted for Newbridge as their preferred location. They were well beaten by Monaghan in the league and the counties drew in last year's championship.
It will be a function of how successfully Louth can park their great success from a fortnight ago. Their calm demeanour when behind and in protecting the lead in the closing minutes spoke volumes for their confidence. Monaghan however were highly competitive against Donegal and as a bonus, welcome back Killian Lavelle from injury. The highest scoring team in the league, they will be confident of getting scores.
Verdict:
Monaghan
Meath v Cork, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm
– An old rivalry from the 1980s and '90s is rebooted. Both had epic provincial semi-finals, Meath to lower the curtain on Dublin's perennial dominance and Cork by taking Kerry to extra time and coming within fractions of winning or forcing penalties.
Leinster final disappointment has intervened for Meath but on a more positive note, Jordan Morris is back. Home advantage might be worth something but Cork have a more settled look around centrefield and although Brian Hurley is not fit, they have enough up front to win.
Verdict:
Cork
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA previews: Laois hurt provides necessary fuel for Joe McDonagh tilt
SATURDAY. Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals. Offaly v New York, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 2pm (D. Murnane, Cork) Live GAA+. There should be some trepidation about what a New York team bring to the competition. In their inaugural entry, they were only four points poorer than Laois last year and while personnel has changed they will be fresh at the very least. Offaly should be sore with themselves that they didn't qualify for the quarter-finals from the group stages. Verdict: Offaly. Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, 5pm (M. McNally, Monaghan). Laois's incredible finish against Offaly last weekend propels them into the last-12 game and their confidence contrasts with how Westmeath let slip a quarter-final berth against Limerick. If it comes down to the closing stages again, Laois will believe but Westmeath have the firepower to subdue them. Verdict: Westmeath. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals. Kerry v Cavan, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 12pm (N. Quinn, Clare). A difference class of challenge for Kerry and one they may find shackling at times. Nevertheless, they will be expected to win. Verdict: Kerry. Tyrone v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Ryan, Galway). The rising tide in Tyrone is lifting all boats and it could drown Cork here if they are not careful. A tight start required to give them a chance. Cork captain Cathal McCarthy successfully appealed the red card he received against Kerry two weeks ago, meaning the St Colum's man is free to play. Verdict: Tyrone. Roscommon v Louth, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm (P. Clarke, Cavan). Channel that Leinster final heartache and Louth can make the last four. Verdict: Louth. TG4 Football All-Ireland Ladies SFC, Round 1. Group 1. Galway v Tipperary, Tuam Stadium, 2pm (G. Chapman, Sligo). Galway finished first to Tipperary's third in Division 2 yet the points won difference was remarkable, Galway amassing 21 points to Tipperary's nine. Galway scored twice as much as their neighbours and only one result looks on the cards. Verdict: Galway. Group 2. Kerry v Mayo, Austin Stack Park, 2pm (J. Murphy, Carlow). Mayo have sure had their toils and heading to Tralee to commence their All-Ireland campaign looks an arduous one. Kerry have shown they can turn it on when they want it to but they can play within themselves to pick up the points here. Verdict: Kerry. Group 3. Meath v Armagh, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan). Armagh will be disappointed to have given up their league crown but they have moved from entertainers to contenders and Meath know they must absorb plenty of punishment to take anything from this opener. Verdict: Armagh. Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship, Round 3. Group 1. Clare v Limerick, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 2pm (B. Kearney, Kildare). Clare will go a long way to securing a knock-out spot with a win here and it's well within their compass. Limerick are a youthful side who are making in-roads but Clare have the advantage. Verdict: Clare. Wexford v Tipperary, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 4pm (G. Donegan, Dublin). Tipperary were humbled by the All-Ireland champions but they can pick up their first points against a Wexford side who have lost two games on the bounce. Verdict: Tipperary. Group 2. Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 2pm (D. O'Callaghan, Limerick). Getting the home loss to Waterford out of their systems quick is the order of the day for Kilkenny. Dublin can be stubborn but it should be a second win for The Cats. Verdict: Kilkenny. Waterford v Derry, Walsh Park, 4pm (C. McAllister, Cork). Derry are looking like a fish out of water and after a famous win over Kilkenny, The Déise will be determined to sustain that momentum. Verdict: Waterford. SUNDAY. Joe McDonagh Cup final. Kildare v Laois, Croke Park 1.45pm (M. Kennedy, Tipperary) Live RTÉ. It's still difficult to square how Kildare topped a table, beating Laois in Portlaoise by 11 points along the way, yet were defeated by relegated Kerry in their opening round. The Lilywhites have been superb since turning their run around with a second round win over Westmeath and that belief they have generated is a potent weapon as much as Laois will be fuelled by what was a chastening win that almost derailed their promotion challenge. What's most impressive about Kildare this year is their spread of scorers as much as David Qualter is expected to oblige with the placed balls. Having been in a number of Christy Ring deciders, Croke Park shouldn't be too daunting for them either but this is a Laois side that has been exposed to Liam MacCarthy Cup opposition this year. Although they were often on the losing side, that should count for something. They sure could do with some of the experienced men they have lost since last year's final but there is enough nous and hurt in their ranks to complete the job. Verdict: Laois. Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals. Wexford v Antrim, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1pm (C. Lane, Cork). Another team kicking themselves that they didn't top their group, Wexford should be able to put behind them that loss to Fermanagh in Croke Park last weekend. Antrim are doughty but they might not be able to make this long trip worthwhile. Verdict: Wexford. Sligo v Carlow, Tubbercurry, 2pm (B. Cassidy, Derry). Goals were Sligo's undoing against Kildare in their battle for No1 position in Group 1 and here they face a revived Carlow side who will ask awkward questions of them. You would imagine Sligo will do enough to avoid a surprise defeat. Verdict: Sligo. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final. Offaly v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 3pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath). Offaly showed so much bottle in Newbridge but they can't be complacent here. Verdict: Offaly. TG4 Football All-Ireland Ladies SFC, Round 1. Waterford v Dublin, Fraher Field, 1.30pm (B. Redmond, Wexford). There is plenty of life remaining in this Dublin team as they demonstrated in their Leinster final win over Meath. Waterford finished ahead of them in the league on score difference and home soil helps but Dublin to squeeze by. Verdict: Dublin.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Minnie Hauk secures an 11th Oaks success for Aidan O'Brien at Epsom
Aidan O'Brien teed up perfectly for the Betfred Epsom Derby with Oaks glory for Minnie Hauk on Friday, a success that also completed a Group One double for jockey Ryan Moore. After Moore on Jan Brueghel upset Calandagan in the Coronation Cup, Minnie Hauk delivered O'Brien a remarkable 11th Oaks success when beating her stable companion Whirl. The Irish trainer made history in 2012 when completing the Oaks, Coronation Cup, Derby hat-trick and will try to pull off the same feat on Saturday. He is represented by his trio of Delacroix, The Lion In Winter and Lambourn in the colts' classic. It was O'Brien's 46th English Classic and the Ballydoyle team outpointed their Godolphin rivals, whose hot favourite Desert Flower looked all at sea on the Epsom contours before staying on to finish third. READ MORE Minnie Hauk made 'abnormal' progress from her previous Chester success according to her trainer and at one point looked likely to win with authority. However, after hanging down the camber, her comparative inexperience allowed Whirl to rally. Wayne Lordan had been keen to make the running on his mount and she showed admirable resolution to make her stable companion fight hard for a neck success. 'She's a very classy filly. She was just ready to run at Chester, she barely made it, but she made abnormal improvement from Chester, which we thought she might – it was all class rather than stamina or fitness, she just has a lot of class,' O'Brien said. 'Whirl ran a great race, she stays, she's by Wootton Bassett and it is very unusual what they are doing, they are speed horses but a lot are staying as well. She was fighting back again at the line, that's incredible really,' he added. EPSOM, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Ryan Moore riding Jan Brueghel (R) win The Betfred Coronation Cup during Ladies Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse on June 06, 2025 in Epsom, England. (Photo by) Jan Brueghel progressed to Classic success in last year's St Leger and although he lost his unbeaten record over an inadequate trip on his seasonal reappearance it set him up ideally for more top-flight success here to earn O'Brien a 10th success in the race. The French star Calandagan got a perfect tow into the final furlong but couldn't overhaul his Irish rival, who rallied to win by half-a-length on the easy ground conditions. 'He was unbeaten last year and he was the biggest penalty kick ever in the Melbourne Cup, but didn't get to run [after failing a pre-race veterinary test in Australia],' O'Brien said. 'At Group One level he is a mile-and-a-half-plus horse and he's a very tough horse who would still be unbeaten if I hadn't run him at the Curragh,' he added. The international weekend Classic action finishes minutes into Sunday morning in upstate New York as the final leg of the US Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, takes place in Saratoga. With Belmont Park still being redeveloped, its most famous race has been moved again, and the result is a drop in trip to 10 furlongs to suit Saratoga's layout. The race off just after midnight on Saturday (12.04am Irish-time) sees the first three from the Kentucky Derby – Sovereignty, Journalism and Baeza – renew rivalry. In the interim since Churchill Downs, Journalism has won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, the second leg of the Triple Crown, a race bypassed by Sovereignty to wait for the Belmont.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's play-off opponents in tie that could prove crucial to World Cup bid
Carla Ward has described October's play-off against Belgium as a 'difficult challenge' - with the Girls in Green's path to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil set to be determined by the outcome of the two-legged tie. Ireland are bidding for a backdoor entry to League A, which would guarantee them a play-off regardless of how they do in the qualifiers. Failure to top their group in the recent Nations League campaign - which ended in a 1-0 win against Slovenia in Páirc Uí Chaoimh - has left Ward's side relying on promotion via the play-offs. The draw on Friday pitted Ireland against Belgium, currently 20th in the FIFA world rankings. Belgium finished third in their League A group, which also included Spain, England and Portugal. They demonstrated their threat by securing a 3-2 home win against England in April, just four days after losing 5-0 to the reigning European champions in Ashton Gate. Ward said: 'We now know our opponents for this play-off and our preparation for those two games starts now. 'We know that Belgium are a very good team with a strong history in women's football, so this will be a difficult challenge for us but one that we are excited to take on. 'Having won five of our six group games in the Nations League and ended with a very good performance against Slovenia, we are building day by day, game by game. 'We have a fantastic team spirit, a brilliant support staff and a group of players who are ready to take that next step in their progression. 'Next up are two games against the United States, which will help as part of our preparation but the Play-Off is our next target. 'We want to reach League A to play against top-ranked teams and be in the best position possible going into the 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next year.' Dates and venues for the two games will be confirmed in due course.
