Weekend previews: Kerry's Diarmuid O'Connor and Galway's Shane Walsh return to action for All-Ireland SFC first round

Irish Examiner

16-05-2025

SATURDAY.
All-Ireland SFC, Round 1.
Group 2.
Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2.30pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live GAA+.
For the past two championships, Kerry have played a game every two weeks. Top their table and that sequence will continue into the All-Ireland quarter-finals at least. That type of rhythm is welcome but guarantees little. The only team to beat them in the group stages was one of the two Division 1 teams they have faced at this stage, Mayo in 2023. This time, promoted Roscommon will be the closest they face to a top-flight team but they have been sharpened by what happened in Cork last month.
They have developed their squad too and Paudie Clifford, Graham O'Sullivan and Paul Murphy were hardly missed in the Munster final. Diarmuid O'Connor will need time to rediscover his fine form but his return allows Joe O'Connor to go back into the half-forward spot where showed signs of promise. Roscommon will keep them honest in both halves of the field but an away win seems a stretch. Verdict: Kerry.
Group 4.
Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 5pm (D. Gough, Meath) Live GAA+.
Luka Bloom was obviously singing about Shane Walsh when he sang about somebody not coming at a better time. The x-factor of Walsh feels like the right move as Galway look to park the Connacht final when he wasn't involved and consider just how much Dublin will have a point to prove in Salthill. If Seán Bugler was involved, Dublin would certainly fancy their chances more but the half-back line they have named is a strong one but whether the trio all start is another matter.
Their announced inside line is a formidable grouping too but the crater-size gap left by Brian Fenton is now being felt. Would Stephen Cluxton's kick-outs be under such scrutiny if he were still there? Dublin have had three weeks to get their house in order. Running repairs are standard practice but this Dublin group may need more than time to fix themselves. Verdict: Galway.
Tailteann Cup, Round 2.
Group 1.
Tipperary v Kildare, Clonmel Sportsgrounds, 4pm (J. Henry, Mayo).
A noble effort by Tipperary against Sligo last weekend and they will want to ensure Kildare don't run riot like they did against Leitrim so they have a chance going into the final round of finishing a strong third and earning a preliminary quarter-final place. Verdict: Kildare.
Group 2.
Waterford v Offaly, Walsh Park, 1.30pm (C. Lane, Cork).
Waterford were hit hard by Laois in the first half of last weekend's opener and they will be wary of suffering the same fate here if they are to keep up their hopes of making the top three. Verdict: Offaly.
Wicklow v Laois, Echelon Park, 6pm (F. Kelly, Longford).
Already, this has the feel of a second/third-place play-off. Aughrim counts in Wicklow's favour where they put up a good display against Dublin but Laois should having enough to set up a derby with plenty on the line against Offaly. Verdict: Laois.
Group 3.
Antrim v Limerick, Corrigan Park, 4.30pm (K. Eannetta, Tyrone).
There was no great shame for Antrim in losing to a Westmeath side with big intentions on winning the competition. Back in Belfast, they should be more of a force but Limerick may take something from them. Verdict: Draw.
Leinster SHC, Round 4.
Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm (T. Gleeson, Dublin).
Either Micheál Donoghue wants to refresh things or he recognises almost all of Antrim's attentions will be on beating Offaly the following week and retaining their place in the Leinster SHC. James McNaughton's suspension means Antrim are without their best forward and Galway should win this without much trouble ahead of facing Dublin. Verdict: Galway.
Wexford v Offaly, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5pm (S. Hynes, Galway).
All doesn't seem to be well in Wexford and some of the decisions taken in forming their shape against Galway last week were unusual. Qualifying out of Leinster really is out of their hands but all they can do is concentrate on picking up a second win. Offaly, like Antrim, have their minds set on the final round. Verdict: Wexford.
Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 4.
Down v Kerry, McKenna Park, Ballycran, 2pm (C. Mooney, Dublin).
A win here and Kerry will be safe from dropping to the Christy Ring Cup, but Down should be able to show some of their excellent league form to move away from the bottom. Kerry will probably put their eggs in the one basket of facing Westmeath next week. Verdict: Down.
Westmeath v Carlow, TEG Cusack Park, 4pm (J. Owens, Wexford).
Carlow's momentum was arrested against Kildare last weekend but there should be no panic. Westmeath would do themselves a huge favour picking up a second win but Carlow to prevail. Verdict: Carlow.
Christy Ring Cup, Round 5.
Derry v Wicklow, Celtic Park, 1.30pm (M. Farrell, Roscommon).
At least one of these two should be in the final and while Wicklow look down on everyone at the perch of the table Derry are scoring well and can leapfrog them. Verdict: Derry.
London v Tyrone, McGovern Park, 1.30pm (K. Parke, Antrim).
Tyrone look to be stranded and London can advance their title prospects with a third victory. Verdict: London.
Meath v Donegal, St Loman's Park, Trim 1.30pm (C. Doyle, Tipperary).
Neither should be caught by Tyrone and sent into a relegation battle. Meath have been leaking a lot yet have more points on board. Verdict: Meath.
Nickey Rackard Cup, Round 5.
Fermanagh v Mayo, Brewster Park, 2pm (C. McCluskey, Antrim).
Do Mayo chose to ease off the throttle as they have their final spot secured? It doesn't matter as Fermanagh are relegated. Verdict: Mayo.
Louth v Roscommon, Páirc Naomh Bríd, Dowdallshill 2pm (M. Redmond, Kildare).
Roscommon's score difference coupled with a win here should see them pip Sligo for the second final berth. Verdict: Roscommon.
Sligo v Armagh, Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry 2pm (J. Judge, Mayo).
No question about Sligo winning but they really have to tag on the scores to surpass Roscommon. Verdict: Sligo.
Lory Meagher Cup, Round 5.
Cavan v Leitrim, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm (K. Brady, Louth).
Cavan are safely through to the decider and may rest players. Verdict: Draw.
Monaghan v Longford, Grattan Park, Inniskeen, 2pm (A. McAleer, Donegal).
Almost a semi-final although a draw for Monaghan would be enough to face Cavan in Croke Park on Saturday week. Verdict: Monaghan.
Warwickshire v Lancashire, Páirc na hÉireann, Birmingham, 2pm (J. Clarke, Cavan).
The clash to avoid the wooden spoon. Warwickshire to add a second win. Verdict: Warwickshire.
SUNDAY.
Munster SHC, Round 4.
Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium, 2pm (S. Stack, Dublin) Live RTÉ.
The shoe is on the other foot for Tipperary. Twelve months ago, they were lambs to the slaughter a week after Cork claimed a first victory in dramatic circumstances. Cork's momentum was simply too much to handle. On this occasion, they are the ones coming off the back of an exciting first win and the feelgood factor has been amplified by a second Munster U20 title annexed on Wednesday.
Is the Tipp train too hefty to derail? Surely Liam Cahill learned from two years ago that nothing about Waterford in Thurles can be underestimated? Cahill will also appreciate that there are some Waterford players who would only love to burst his bubble. Waterford could probably do with starting Shane Bennett to sharpen the full-forward line. Otherwise, the team they have named checks a lot of boxes and Mikey Kiely's presence gives them a great aerial foil to complement Dessie Hutchinson. Tipperary showed their tactical dexterity by instructing Ronan Maher to tag Peter Duggan last week and the same flexibility is required to show Stephen Bennett and Jamie Barron the respect they deserve.
At the other end, Waterford's midfield may have to drop back that bit further to snuff out Jake Morris if Tadhg de Búrca minds the 'D'. Don't be surprised if Darragh McCarthy is drafted in from the start and Noel McGrath returned to the bench so his arrival can 'match' Austin Gleeson's. It's six years since Tipperary last won back-to-back Munster SHC games. They can just about emulate that and finish their involvement in the group stages on a high. Verdict: Tipperary.
Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 4pm (L. Gordon, Clare) Live RTÉ.
Lips are licked, appetites whetted and whistles wetted. The Munster senior hurling championship has been moving nicely but it's here where it is expected to hit warp speed. Limerick will insist there is nothing personal about last championship's disappointments, that they are bigger than that, but the fact is the first and ultimate blows were dealt by Cork. They occupy a lot of their thoughts and while nothing tangible other than a Munster final appearance might be lost on Sunday, the bragging rights have to be restored. Twice last year Cork chose not to read into the green giants/machine magnification of Limerick and maintaining that healthy level of disrespect while recognising they stung them bad has to be their attitude.
The problem is not only are Limerick now picking from a full deck (though Cork's bench looks almost fully stocked), Cian Lynch now seems to have put his ankle issues fully behind him. Keeping the ball away from Kyle Hayes is more difficult when he is in the middle. The right side of Limerick's defence may be a target for Shane Barrett but Diarmaid Byrnes is in better form than this time last year. Limerick have also had two good SHC run-outs; Cork have really only had one and even if the delay may have aided Rob Downey's knee, four weeks without a game brings some doubt. It's going to be fierce, possibly too much at times. As John Kiely said earlier this year, players and managements have to play their part too.
Nobody wants anybody standing back from anybody on Sunday but some of the theatrics and acting-the-big-man antics that have sullied the game at times this year need to be parked out on the Ennis Road. These are two brilliant teams who may just cancel each other, which combined with a Tipperary win, would knock Clare out of the championship. It's a result that is not out of the question but for more reasons to avenge than Cork have to reenforce their recent superiority over them, it should be first blood to Limerick. Verdict: Limerick.
Leinster SHC, Round 4.
Kilkenny v Dublin, UPMC Nowlan Park, 3pm (M. Kennedy, Tipperary) Live GAA+.
Dublin's high standard of coaching has been a talking point among some of their managements who have faced them so far. The quality of their play has to be complimented too. Cian O'Sullivan appears to have brought his game to another level and Dublin won't be found wanting in the physical stakes against Kilkenny either. To avoid any awkwardness in Wexford on Sunday week, The Cats will want another couple of points. They are moving well, some players are threatening a return to 2020 form and another new role has been found for Paddy Deegan, but make no mistake this is the biggest test they have faced so far. Verdict: Kilkenny.
Joe McDonagh Cup, Round 4.
Laois v Kildare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 3pm (N. Malone, Clare).
Kildare will be buoyed by what they achieved in Carlow and yet this is a Laois side that have put their league woes behind them to maintain a 100% record in the McDonagh Cup after three games. They can extend it to a fourth. Verdict: Laois.
All-Ireland SFC, Round 1.
Group 1.
Mayo v Cavan, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 2.30pm (P. Faloon, Down).
Back to the grind for Mayo and at times this might feel like one as they attempt to get on after another Connacht championship disappointment. Cavan will be full of spirit and might even smell blood so it's imperative Mayo initially absorb what's flung at them. The two-week break from losing to Galway may have convinced the Mayo management that they should at least try with being more direct. Verdict: Mayo.
Group 3.
Clare v Down, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 2pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon).
Less than 1,000 are expected to take in this game in Ennis but it should be a decent contest. Clare's home record has been superb this year and Down have shown they aren't the greatest travellers. But just how much the Munster final drubbing has affected The Banner remains to be seen. Verdict: Down.
Tailteann Cup, Round 2.
Group 1.
Leitrim v Sligo, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 1.30pm (J. Molloy, Galway) Live GAA+.
As much as this is a derby, Sligo may discover this is a less difficult encounter than what Tipperary presented them with at home last weekend. Leitrim might have put more onus on this and their final round game but Sligo can add another couple of points. Verdict: Sligo.
Group 3.
London v Westmeath, McGovern Park, 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin).
A trip Westmeath would be wise not to take for granted. London will hope they can take something from this and then build up for a big final day encounter with Antrim. Westmeath look too good to be complacent, though. Verdict: Westmeath.
Group 4.
Carlow v Wexford, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.30pm (D. Murnane, Cork).
Carlow will be feeling sky high after coming away from Enniskillen with two points. Wexford were nine points better than their neighbours back in February but the margin should be much closer here, even overturned. Verd ict: Wexford.
Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan).
Fermanagh understand they can't afford another slip-up and they should be able to harness some of their frustrations to keep themselves in the hunt for the knock-out stages. Verdict: Fermanagh.