GAA previews: Cork will have goal chances against Roscommon, it's a case of taking them
SATURDAY.
All-Ireland SFC, Round 3.
Group 2.
Kerry v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 4.15pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan).
Picking All-Stars today, Matthew Costello would be a leading contender in the forward sextet so his absence in Tullamore can't be understated. Kerry are vulnerable but if Costello isn't there then Meath's chances of a surprise diminish considerably. That's not to say they don't have danger men in the forward line or can't cause issues for Kerry in midfield. They look an altogether better group than the one that metaphorically bent the knee in front of Kerry in Navan last year. But only few teams outlast Kerry in a scorefest and Meath aren't close to being one of them at the moment. Verdict: Kerry.
Roscommon v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 4.15pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live GAA+.
We'll get this out of the way from the get-go: Cork are going to have goal chances here. It's just their conversion rate has been abysmal and if that continues then they are facing their earliest exit in this championship format. Roscommon have a series of goal-getters but there is a worrying lack of cohesion in their ranks for some reason. In fairness, they saved their best until last in this stage last year but Cork are really beefed up around the middle and they should create the platform to create those counter opportunities. A nod for Cork if they can put them away but it's a big if. Verdict: Cork.
Group 4.
Dublin v Derry, Páirc Esler, 6.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live GAA+.
The inclusion of Con O'Callaghan in the Dublin panel named late on Thursday night will have given many of their supporters a restful sleep. That's not to say the Dublin squad won't change and O'Callaghan has been withdrawn from crucial games before but the captain is crucial to Dublin in subduing a Derry side that despite their awful run of results have upped their performance levels greatly since their lengthy post-provincial break. The Newry venue should be heaving for this one and Dublin can summon another Salthill-like display to make the last 12. Verdict: Dublin.
Galway v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni, 6.30pm (N. Mooney, Cavan) Live GAA+.
Armagh have a luxury here but Kieran McGeeney won't like it one bit. He's like Ricky Bobby's father Reese in Talladega Nights who much prefers something to be wrong than right: 'I gotta say things are pretty much perfect right now. And it's makin' me kinda of itchy.' McGeeney has to appreciate the fine job he and Armagh have done to qualify first for the last-eight. Galway have to throw everything at them to survive and that could give them invaluable insight down the line. Of course, Armagh's fringe players have something to fight for but Galway's need is so great. Verdict: Galway.
Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.
Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 5pm (L. Devenney, Mayo).
Another chance for Fermanagh to show why Enniskillen is a tough place to go. Carlow undermined that widely-held belief last month but Fermanagh bounced back well with that win over Wexford in Croke Park. Sligo were finetuned by Carlow last weekend and might have the superior attacking flourishes to land a semi-final spot. Verdict: Sligo.
Kildare v Offaly, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6.30pm (T. Murphy, Galway).
A large crowd is anticipated in Newbridge for the second part of this double-header where the home side will be fancied but they will appreciate Offaly can pack a punch and Mickey Harte will have them set up well. Averaging over 30 points a game in their group, if Kildare are to continue demonstrating they belong at a higher grade, they should be able to deliver a professional performance to advance. Verdict: Kildare.
All-Ireland JFC quarter-final.
New York v USGAA, Gaelic Park, New York 10pm Irish time (S. Hurson, Tyrone).
Verdict: New York.
All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals.
Laois v Tipperary, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Mooney, Dublin) Live GAA+.
With the greatest of respect to Laois and Kildare, it's difficult to give these games much positive coverage when the results are all but inevitable. Laois only want the season to end whereas Tipperary will want to mark their liberation from the Munster SHC with a smooth, injury-free afternoon in Portlaoise. Tipperary can't win by enough but winning is enough to set up a date with Galway. Verdict: Tipperary
Kildare v Dublin, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4pm (J. Owens, Wexford).
Widely expected to be the closer of the two preliminary quarter-finals, the feelgood factor in Kildare and momentum generated from beating Laois should help them be competitive in the first half. Asking them to refocus for Dublin after the high of last Sunday is unfair and Dublin will look to pop their balloons early on. Kildare can hold their own for some of this but not enough to table a genuine challenge. Verdict: Dublin.
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final.
Kilkenny v Waterford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7.30pm (E. Furlong, Wexford) Live TG4.
A throw-in time that does little for the promotion of the All-Ireland minor championship. Kilkenny were convincing Leinster champions but they should face a real examination from a Waterford side that are strong around the middle and came up just short in the Munster final against Cork. Verdict: Kilkenny.
TG4 All-Ireland senior ladies football championship, Round 2.
Group 1.
Donegal v Galway, Naomh Padraig Leifear, Lifford, 2pm (B. Rice, Down).
Donegal will want to give a good account of themselves at home but may have one eye on the Tipperary game knowing that winning that will get them into the knock-out stages. Galway are in fine fettle. Verdict: Galway.
Group 2.
Cork v Kerry, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm (S. Curley, Galway) Live TG4.
Kerry showed the mark of champions when the sides met in the Munster championship even if their recent win over Mayo was on the laborious side. Cork can make life difficult for patches but Kerry look certs to top the group. Verdict: Kerry.
Group 3.
Kildare v Meath, Hawkfield CoE, 12.45pm (S. Mulvihill, Kerry) Live TG4.
Courtesy of the Armagh-Meath draw, Kildare know a win in either of their games will see them through but their form doesn't indicate that a surprise is on the cards. Meath to jump to the No1 spot for the time being. Verdict: Meath.
Group 4.
Dublin v Leitrim, Parnell Park, 2pm (G. Canny, Mayo).
Not that it was humbling – Waterford's credentials have been there for everyone to see – but being held by The Déise serves as a reminder to Dublin that they are not going to have it all their own way. They can comfortably seal their passage to the quarter-finals here all the same. Verdict: Dublin.
SUNDAY.
All-Ireland SFC, Round 3.
Group 1.
Donegal v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 4pm (P. Faloon, Down) Live RTÉ.
The venue may have given Donegal a cause for siege mentality but there will be plenty of locals paying in to see a good contest and hoping Mayo might be sent packing from the competition. The two-week gap from beating Tyrone will be beneficial to Mayo when they have struggled badly to back up championship performances one weekend after the next. Donegal have shown that their underbelly isn't completely protected and despite being so well drilled they can be porous at the back. Mayo just don't seem to be the type of team that can have a real cut at exposing that. Show some dash and they have a chance but this game is more likely to follow a formulaic theme, which will suit Donegal. Verdict: Donegal.
Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park, 4pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon).
Among the victorious Tyrone support that left Ballybofey last month, there were those who felt the absence of Shaun Patton and Donegal's high wide count masked the significance of the win. Mayo shattered any grand designs Tyrone had about themselves and here they will have to be gritty and relentless to stop Cavan. It appears a couple of key Tyrone players are playing with injuries but there can be no mitigating factors when a quarter-final place is on the line. Verdict: Tyrone.
Group 3.
Louth v Clare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin).
As discussions about the Munster SFC format being rejigged to take away Clare's semi-final seeding, it would be an opportune time to remind people in the province why they have been a fixture in the Sam Maguire Cup group stages these past three years. Louth have found it difficult to hit terra firma since the Leinster final heroics but this game, while not a failsafe, was probably always in the back of their minds. Win here and they would have a shot at a preliminary quarter-final. Clare will deliver a display far better than their last three outings but Louth should have a small cushion at the final whistle. Verdict: Louth.
Monaghan v Down, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 2pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live RTÉ.
A de factor preliminary quarter-final a week before the preliminary quarter-final where the winners in Armagh city will enjoy a two-week gap before their last eight assignment. Down need only a draw to top the group and in Pat Havern and Odhrán Murdock they have real ballers but Monaghan's list of match-winners is lengthier and they are playing some beautiful football. Verdict: Monaghan.
Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.
Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 1.15pm (J. Molloy, Galway) Live GAA+.
It mightn't match the buzz there was around Aughrim when Dublin visited in the Leinster championship but there should be a sense of occasion around this clash. Westmeath have had to qualify with an extra outing but should be too good for the hosts even if their captain Dean Healy is playing out of his skin. Verdict: Westmeath.
Limerick v Wexford, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm (B. Griffin, Kerry) Live GAA+.
Limerick's revolution under Jimmy Lee has been a compelling story. There were some rough times at the outset of his management as he negotiated a braindrain but the fruits of his labours are being seen now. Wexford amassed five goals against Antrim last weekend but they will find their opponents here miserly. Limerick to back up their win over Westmeath with another fine victory. Verdict: Limerick.
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final.
Cork v Clare, FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm (C. Doyle, Tipperary) Live TG4.
Seven points separated the sides in Tulla back in the middle of April but such are the vagaries at minor level that not much can be ruled out here. Yes, Cork are Munster champions and should seal an All-Ireland final date but Clare will want to set the tone early on as a means of creating doubt. They are on the back of two good wins too since Cork's provincial final but Cork were flawless in Munster and can carry on that form. Verdict: Cork.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
27 minutes ago
- The 42
The shock of the weekend? Let us make an argument for Down topping their group
THOSE CASTING AROUND for a little value over the weekend could do worse than turn a discerning eye to the meeting of Down and Monaghan, in Armagh this Sunday. At the time of writing, Down were 13/5 to get the win that would give them a quarter-final spot and a crucial week's rest. Long odds that are hard to justify once you get under the skin of this game. It wouldn't take much to build a case for such long odds around Down. Relegated to division 3 after just one season in division 2, they are in the Sam Maguire competition by virtue of having won the Tailteann Cup last year, one year on from losing the final against Meath in a game that showed up the deficiencies in their physical profile. Off to the championship they went and an away tie against Fermanagh. With eight minutes left on the clock, they trailed by seven points, 0-21 to 0-14. They then ran in a series of scores to snatch a victory. Daniel Guinness followed a two-pointer with a goal. Pat Havern scored twice and Ryan McEvoy grabbed a late goal. Ryan McEvoy nets a late goal against Fermanagh. Lorcan Doherty / INPHO Lorcan Doherty / INPHO / INPHO 'Somebody said Dick Turpin wore a mask,' the Wildean Down selector Mickey Donnelly bon motted to reporters afterwards. That win took them through to an Ulster semi-final, where it felt that they were being held – Scrappy-Doo fashion – at arm's length against a vastly more mature Donegal, even though the margin was just six points in the end. Onto the group stages. They opened with a 17-point win over Clare in Ennis and received exactly zero credit for it. Advertisement For their home game, they beat Louth. It took a last-gasp block from Adam Crimmins on Tommy Durnin who looked set to kick the two-pointer that would have snatched the win for Louth. Adam Crimmins gets a late block on Tommy Durnin. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Still and all, still no credit. A Louth defeat put down to a Leinster final win hangover. Once you finish up doing Down down, there they sit, on top of Group 3. Two wins from two. A points difference of +18. Their relegation? It happened despite them winning three games, finishing level with Louth but losing out on the head-to-head rule. Three years into his spell in charge, Conor Laverty has made Down as competitive as they have been since James McCartan was in charge. It hasn't been straightforward, but the management have shown impressive agility in getting a little bit more out of the players they have. With the addition of Ciaran Meenagh to the backroom, you can see how the efficiency of the Down attacks mirrors that of the Derry team that he coached in 2022 and 2023. There have been setbacks. Liam Kerr did not return for this season after looking like the sharpest forward they had in the first two seasons. Anthony Morgan has gone travelling. Instead of booting a ball in Pairc Esler, Charlie Smyth instead is booting one around Caesar's Superdome as a kicker for the New Orleans Saints. The goalkeeper position is a neat place to start. The need for a mobile goalkeeper to come out the field left Niall Kane unsuitable to modern requirements. For a while John O'Hare of Glen filled the position but his passing was more likely to be a lay-off handpass rather than getting his head up to ping the ball 50 metres. For a time, they tinkered with the notion of present coach and 2010 All-Star Marty Clarke restarting his county career as a goalkeeper and he had done some work with goalkeeping coach John Devine. Ronan Burns of Drumgath has filled the void. Just 19-years-old, he is the youngest intercounty goalkeeper on the circuit and his potential is huge. What the bare scoreline against Fermanagh doesn't tell you was Burns' four goal chances saved. Some seasoned players have found their way into serious form. Odhran Murdock has found a new level. Danny Magill is scoring for fun. Daniel Guinness was a player who only looked comfortable while fisting points over the bar and is taking far more risks now. One element of adopting to the new rules is how Down, who had been big-game hunters and prolific goal-scorers in the mould of Kilcoo under Laverty, have switched focus entirely to concentrate on two-pointers, like a stadium rock band introducing an element of drum 'n' bass to keep things fresh. Pat Havern has emerged as a leading proponent of the art and craft. And he's relocated from being a frustrated inside-forward starved of possession, to a floating attacker around the middle third, awaiting the chance to strike. Again, sensible measures tailored to maximising the effect of their weaponry. It's a hard tag to shake off and perhaps it goes back to the Tailteann Cup defeat against Meath, but they aren't the tallest crew around. Fermanagh strung a series of big men such as Joe McDade, Conor McGee, Brandon Horan and Darragh McGurn across the middle and made hay on the Down kickout. In fact, the Down comeback only began after Fermanagh took off McGee in the 58th minute. Donegal don't miss when it comes to exploiting well-signposted weaknesses among the opposition, but they have been using their skyscrapers like this for years. With a cast of Michael Langan, Hugh McFadden, Michael Murphy, Ciaran Thompson, Caolan McGonagle and Jason McGee they are well-staffed in that regard and again, they put Down under stress. The question is, can Monaghan do the same? The half-back line as named of Ryan O'Toole, Dessie Ward and Conor McCarthy are not particularly tall. Neither is the half-forward line of Stephen O'Hanlon, Micheál Bannigan and Ryan McAnespie. Michael McCarville and Gavin McPhillips have been named to start here. But don't be surprised if Darren Hughes and Killian Lavelle are late replacements to add a bit of heft to the middle third. Related Reads As Derry seek to kick losing habit in Dublin game, kickouts and attacking role are key A summer's evening among the Mayo faithful is one well spent Calculators out: The final permutations for the All-Ireland football group stages Elsewhere, Down have markers. In the past, Ceilum Doherty has played well up against Monaghan's key man Conor McCarthy when they met in Kilcoo and Scotstown colours in the Ulster club. Miceál Rooney would appear the right fit for Stephen O'Hanlon for agility and pace, while Peter Fegan could get the job of spending an evening with Jack McCarron. Finally, finally, finally. In 2012, these two met in the same venue, the last time they played in Armagh. Monaghan built up a heavy lead in the first half, but Down unleashed an absolute onslaught on them in the second half. The most memorable thing about the whole game is the way in which the former Monaghan manager Vinny Corey, couldn't lay a glove on the extremely elusive Conor Laverty that day. Conor Laverty after Down defeated Monaghan in Armagh, 2012. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO Omens everywhere. I'll be having a nibble anyway. * Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
‘I love the bones of them' – Tony McEntee bids an emotional farewell to Sligo after five years at the helm
It was an emotional Tony McEntee who told the press that he was standing down as Sligo manager after five years in charge following their 0-21 to 1-16 defeat to Fermanagh in the Tailteann Cup semi-final.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Tipperary's hammering of Laois raises further questions about viability of current preliminary quarter-final format
ANOTHER preliminary quarter-final, and another Munster county wins in a landslide. The future of the backdoor for Joe McDonagh teams into the All-Ireland series has been questioned heavily since the Munster final had to go to penalties — and events in Portlaoise yesterday look like more evidence for the prosecution. Advertisement Explosive starts to each half meant that Tipperary never switched out of second gear in their battle with a Laois side that lacked both physical and mental energy. Whatever about extending the season for the Joe McDonagh Cup winners — though And how much Tipp boss Liam Cahill learned ahead of what will be a very different type of battle with Galway next week remains to be seen. The visitors' Willie Connors had hoisted over three excellent points from midfield to take Laois sweeper Paddy Purcell out of the game. Advertisement Read More On GAA And when Tipp did get inside, Jason Forde from a tight angle made it 1-5 to no score after five minutes. During the week, GAA president Jarlath Burns spoke about how important these games are to the counties, and around 6,640 supporters filed into O'Moore Park for yesterday's double header. But they did not have the chance to entertain the possibility of an upset, or even get 35 minutes of a competitive fixture that might road-test the Premier County. Purcell finally got Laois off the mark and an impressive save from Cathal Dunne to deny Darragh McCarthy was another spark that finally got the O'Moore County going — and for the remainder of the first half, they hung on Tipp's coat-tails. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Close to goal, the Tipperary full-backs were imperious as Bryan O'Mara marshalled a line that was in complete control. But Pádraig Delaney and Donnacha Hartnett scored from distance, while Purcell also weighed in with points that kept the gap at a single-digit margin for the remainder of the first half. GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather Those scores served to balance out some fine points from Andrew Ormond and John McGrath. Within five minutes of the restart, Tipperary shattered the ten-point barrier when Purcell scored to make it 1-18 to 0-13. Advertisement By the time Laois scored again, Sam O'Farrell and Forde both found the net with precise finishes. The remaining half an hour was high on honest endeavour but completely lacking in Championship intensity, with the crowd only sparking into life when John McGrath hit the crossbar and Peter McGarry the post. 1 Jason Forde was the top scorer as Tipp ran out 3-32 to 0-18 winners Against Galway next Saturday, those chances will be all-important. Yesterday, the only difference it made was on the statistician's notes. Advertisement TIPPERARY: R Shelly; M Breen, B O'Mara, R Doyle 0-1; C Morgan, R Maher, S Kennedy; W Connors 0-5, J Caesar 0-1; A Tynan 0-1, A Ormond 0-3, S O'Farrell 1-1; J Forde 2-5 2f, J McGrath 0-3, D McCarthy 0-9, 6f, 1 65. Subs: J Ryan for Doyle h-t, O O'Donoghue 0-1 for Ormond 47 mins, P McGarry 0-1 for Maher 47, B McGrath for Morgan 54, J Fogarty 0-1 for McCarthy 55. LAOIS: C Dunne; C Comerford, L Cleere, D Hartnett 0-1; R Mullaney, P Delaney 0-1, J Walshe 0-1; P Purcell 0-4, A Corby, M Dowling; Tomás Keyes 0-9, 6f, B Conroy, J Keyes 0-1. Subs: T Cuddy for Delaney 35 mins, J Lennon for Corby 49, A Dunphy 0-1 for Dowling 51, P Dunne for Mullaney 56, M Phelan for Walshe 64. Advertisement REFEREE: C Mooney (Dublin).
