Latest news with #PaudieClifford
The Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Journal
Cork rue missed chances in 11-point All-Ireland SFC defeat to Kerry
The 42 is the home of quality journalism for passionate Irish sports fans, bringing you closer to the stories that matter through insightful analysis and sharp sportswriting. Cork 0-20 Kerry 1-28 NOT QUITE THE Munster semi-final classic of six weeks ago, but perhaps not quite as one-sided as the 11-point margin suggests. Advertisement Kerry certainly ran out comfortable winners at the end, winning the second half by 21 points to seven, but Cork will rue a plethora of missed goal chances – three in the first half – and a late penalty that was saved, as their championship lives comes down to a meeting with Roscommon in a fortnight. Kerry will be just happy to have got out of Pairc Ui Chaoimh a second time with a win, but they will wonder at what cost. Barry Dan O'Sullivan and Paudie Clifford didn't make it to half time with injuries, and Paul Geaney didn't come back out for the second half, adding to the concern over Diarmuid O'Connor, who didn't make the match day squad. The 42 Subscribers can read the full match report here (€) The 42′s award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Try The 42 for Just €1 Limited-time offer for new subscribers Unlock every article and every podcast The only place to read Murray Kinsella, Gavin Cooney, Declan Bogue & more Specialist analysis that makes sense of the action Weekly fan-favourite rugby, football and GAA podcasts Unmissable sportswriting and features that you won't find anywhere else Get Your €1 Trial Now
The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Paudie Clifford returns, Con O'Callaghan out, as Kerry, Galway and Dublin name teams
Updated at 23.13 KERRY HAVE made two changes for Saturday's Round 2 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship match Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in: 4.45pm) Paudie Clifford comes into the team after recovering from injury, while Graham O'Sullivan also features, having come off the bench in the win over Roscommon earlier this month. Diarmuid O'Connor and Dylan Geaney make way, with the latter named among the substitutes. Meanwhile, Galway have also named their starting XV for Sunday's Round 2 fixture against Derry at Celtic Park (throw-in: 2pm). There is one change in personnel following the narrow defeat Dublin. Jack Glynn starts while Cian Hernon drops to the bench for Pádraic Joyce's men. Finally, Dublin have also confirmed how they will line out for Sunday's match versus Armagh at Croke Park (throw-in: 4pm). Tom Lahiff starts, having featured as a substitute against Galway, while Con O'Callaghan is out. Kerry team to face Cork: 1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore) Advertisement 2. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Tom O'Sullivan (Dingle) 5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort), 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes) 8. Joe O'Connor (Austin Stacks) 9. Barry Dan O'Sullivan (Dingle) 10. Graham O'Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), 11. Paudie Clifford (Fossa) 12. Seán O'Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), 13. David Clifford (Fossa), 14. Paul Geaney (Dingle), 15. Míchéal Burns (Dr Crokes) Subs: 16. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes) 17. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe) 18. Dylan Geaney (Dingle) 19. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks) 20. Paul Murphy (Rathmore) 21. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) 22. Conor Geaney (Dingle) 23. Mark O'Shea (Dr Crokes) 24. Killian Spillane (Templenoe) 25. Evan Looney (Dr Crokes) 26. Seán O'Brien (Beaufort) 27. Tom Leo O'Sullivan (Dingle) 28. Darragh Lyne (Killarney Legion) Galway team to face Derry 1. Connor Gleeson (Dunmore MacHales) 2. Johnny McGrath (Caherlistrane) 3. Seán ÓMaoilchiaráin (Arran) 4. Jack Glynn (Claregalway) 5. Dylan McHugh (Corofin) 6. Seán Kelly (Moycullen) 7. Liam Silke (Corofin) 8. Paul Conroy (St James') 9. John Maher (Salthill-Knocknacarra) 10. Matthew Thompson (Salthill-Knocknacarra) 11. Cillian McDaid (Monivea Abbey) 12. Céin Darcy (Ballyboden St Enda's) 13. Matthew Tierney (Oughterard) 14. Robert Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra) 15. Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes) Subs: 16. Conor Flaherty (Claregalway) 17. Daniel O'Flaherty (Salthill-Knocknacarra) 18. Cathal Sweeney (Salthill-Knocknacarra) 19. Kieran Molloy (Corofin) 20. Seán Fitzgerald (Bhearna) 21. Sam O'Neill (St James') 22. Peter Cooke (Moycullen) 23. John Daly (Mountbellew–Moylough) 24. Johnny Heaney (Killannin) 25. Colm Costello (Dunmore MacHales) 18. Cian Hernon (Bhearna) Dublin team to face Armagh: 1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells) 2. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf) 3. Theo Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes) 22. Sean McMahon (Raheny) 5. Alex Gavin (Ballyboden St Enda's) 6. Brian Howard (Raheny) 7. Tom Lahiff (St Judes') 8. Peader ÓCofaigh-Byrne (Cuala) 9. Killian McGinnis (Skerries Harps) 12. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock) 11. Lorcan O'Dell (Templeogue Synge St) 12. Sean Bugler (Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh) 13. Brian O'Leary (Na Fianna) 14. Cormac Costello (Whitehall) 15. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda's) Subs: 16. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams) 17. Luke Breathnach (Ballinteer St John's) 18. Nathan Doran (Clontarf) 19. Lee Gannon (Whitehall Colmcille) 20. Davy Keogh (Thomas Davis) 21. Greg McEneaney (Skerries Harps) 22. Eoghan O'Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille) 23. Dan O'Leary (St Sylvesters) 24. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge St) 25. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams) 26. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Con O'Callaghan ruled out for Dublin, Diarmuid O'Connor misses out for Kerry
Con O'Callaghan has not been included in the Dublin squad for Sunday's All-Ireland group game against All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park. The Cuala ace came off injured in the Round 1 win over Galway and will not compete unless he is on the standby list and added late on. Dublin manager Dessie Farrell has named 14 of the players who defeated the Tribe County last time out with Tom Lahiff coming into the side in place of O'Callaghan having replaced him off the bench against Galway. Kerry are also without a key player for their trip to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday as Diarmuid O'Connor is not included. Dylan Geaney drops down to the bench with Paudie Clifford and Graham O'Sullivan coming into the starting team. Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; David Byrne, Theo Clancy, Seán MacMahon; Alex Gavin, Brian Howard, Tom Lahiff; Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Killian McGinnis; Ciarán Kilkenny, Lorcan O'Dell, Seán Bugler; Brian O'Leary, Cormac Costello, Colm Basquel Kerry: Shane Ryan; Dylan Casey, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Joe O'Connor, Barry Dan O'Sullivan; Graham O'Sullivan, Paudie Clifford, Seán O'Shea; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Micheál Burns
Irish Examiner
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kerry's new fab four, the Cork question and did the Rossies smell blood: Talking Points from Kerry's summer cruise over Rossies
Adding some panache to Kingdom's Joe show IT hasn't happened yet this season for various reasons, but a Kerry half-forward line of Joe O'Connor, Paudie Clifford and Sean O'Shea has potency and a whiff of panache written all over it. With Diarmuid O'Connor back at centre-field for the facile All-Ireland SFC victory over Roscommon on Saturday, it allowed his managerial namesake Jack to move his Tralee namesake Joe up a line to right half forward. Paudie Clifford worked out Saturday morning in Currans and is expected to resume full training this week as eyes turn to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on May 31. He missed out on Saturday with a quad strain but will be available for the Cork game, says his manager. Joe O'Connor kicked two first half points against the Rossies, and the work he has put into his finishing is plain for everyone to see. 'The new rules, getting one v ones, gives you a chance, which we didn't have for a number of years, the Austin Stacks powerhouse said afterwards in Killarney. 'If you are any bit of a threat and you're confident with your running game, you can hurt teams. If you see space, you can finish. (Coach) Cian O'Neill has come back in this year, and along with other management they are very good with the players, challenging and pushing me to get better. It's something I have been working on. There is so much more space and you are going to be in position to score. So you have to capitalise,' he said. Kerry's new fab four The deadly quartet of David and Paudie Clifford, Sean O'Shea and Paul Geaney command plenty of glowing commentary at the business end of the pitch. But what about the emergence of the two (unrelated) O'Connors, Diarmuid and Joe, Barry Dan O'Sullivan and now Mike Breen over the course of the past year? Music to the discerning ears of Kerry boss Jack O'Connor. 'I don't know who got man of the match but I'd have given it to Mike Breen,' the manager reflected. ' That's the Mike I've been waiting a long time for. He was a minor in 2015 and we always felt he had great talent but the difference now is he's just had an injury-free run, and he is growing. He's 27 now, a lot of football left in him, and we feel his career can properly take off now.' Barry Dan O'Sullivan was touted to be the one keeping the seat warm for Diarmuid O'Connor's return from a shoulder injury, but that word never reached Dingle. It will be interesting to see who misses out on the start against Cork with Paudie Clifford likely to return. Diarmuid O'Connor also kicked two points against Roscommon on his return. 'He was having a savage year until he got injured, he just gives us another weapon,' manager O'Connor said afterwards. And there's more to return. Paul Murphy (and other squad members) were cleared to play with their clubs on Sunday in Kerry SFL games, something O'Connor has mostly been good to his word on. 'Some of the lads will play Co League this weekend which will help get them up to speed.' With the win in their sails… Here's a question? Would Roscommon have gone for the same pedestrian tempo to their game had they been forced to play with the stiff Killarney breeze in the first half? Comments from both dressing rooms afterwards indicated that the visitors' methodical approach in the early stages was as much about killing clock against the breeze as frustrating their hosts. It worked to some degree. Davy Burke's side were probably the better-looking outfit early doors. Said Kerry's Joe O'Connor: 'in the conditions, that first half was challenging. Roscommon came out with a game plan to frustrate us. We felt the heat in the first half, tracking bodies over and back.' Added his manager: 'Roscommon made it difficult for us, holding onto the ball for long chunks of time. We were a bit lethargic and stood back off them instead of going man on man. They didn't appear to have notion of kicking it inside. We got to grips with things a bit better in the second half, we started winning midfield.' From a Rossies' point of view, coach Mark Doran felt their first half performance deserved more than an 0-11 to 0-6 half time deficit. 'We were caught for a breach just before half time, they kicked the two point free and we went five down into the break instead of three. With the breeze we thought we could ask a few more questions.' The ex-Slaughtneil coach added: 'We had six shots into the goalkeeper's hands in the second half. That's criminal. But we'd be reasonably happy with the performance. There is a gap between that to top three or four and the rest.' Roscommon reckon they smelt blood Coach Mark Doran says Roscommon felt they were in with a shout of a win before the game – and nothing that happened in the first half diminished that belief as they reflected in the half-time dressing room. 'The big learning is we created many chances but didn't take them. That's an energy sapper. For 45 minutes we were really competitive. At half time, the layers smelt blood and we did, but we needed to be taking every chance. 'If we didn't create chances it would be a bigger problem, so it's fixable. Our All-Ireland final is the Hyde against Meath in two weeks, then if we win that we can start thinking of that second place, but we did come down to Killarney thinking we could get a win. But once we missed those chances and Kerry go down the other end and raise a flag, the energy starts to sap out of you.' Battle of the Pairc II TO those who say Kerry are forever on-message when it comes to facing Cork, Jack O'Connor can pull his 'I-told-ye-so card' from the bottom of the deck. The Kingdom return to Pairc Ui Chaoimh in a fortnight, with many wondering in advance what version of the Rebels will show up this time. Cork's management were basking in the open terrace sunshine at Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday, casting an eye over two of their group rivals, and they'll hardly have been petrified by what they saw. 'At least everyone knows now we will have a battle down in Cork,' said Jack O'Connor. 'Let's see who will improve the most from the last game, which I must say I thoroughly enjoyed. I am hoping a good Kerry crowd will travel up again because those who went last time certainly got value for their twenty quid, maybe the best few bob they spent this year.' Added Joe O'Connor: 'We knew it would be a tight game in Cork and will be a serious battle again. They are an underrated team.' There were less than 7,000 in Killarney on a glorious summer's Saturday. 'The throw in time wasn't ideal,' the Kerry manager said. 'Even if it was Saturday evening at, say, 6pm, we would be edging towards 10,000, but a lot of folk are out at 2.30 in the afternoon. But I presume that's a tv schedule thing and something that is out of our control.'
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Weekend previews: Kerry's Diarmuid O'Connor and Galway's Shane Walsh return to action for All-Ireland SFC first round
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.
