PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS

LEINSTER U21FC SEMI-FINAL OFFALY V LAOIS Dr Cullen Pk, 7.30, B Cawley (Kildare)

LAOIS beat Louth last time out despite finishing the game with 14 men but an impressive 1-8 from Sean Moore, 1-4 of which came from play, put Gary Kavanagh’s side through. Offaly only scored 1-6 against Wexford in difficult conditions and that was enough but Laois will be a step up here. Odds: Offaly 5/4 Laois 5/6 Draw 7/1

Verdict: Laois

MUNSTER U21FC SEMI-FINALS WATERFORD V KERRY Fraher Field, 7.30, S Lonergan (Tipp’)

KERRY weren’t as convincing as might have been expected in their openinground win over Clare but Jack O’Connor has stuck with the same team for tonight’s encounter. He’s still without Brian Ó Beaglaoich while Killian Spillane, who kicked three points after coming on as a sub, is held in reserve. Waterford are boosted by the presence of senior hurler Conor Gleeson but the odds reflect just what sort of task the Déise are facing.

Odds: Waterford 20/1 Kerry 1/200 Draw 50/1

Verdict: Kerry CORK V LIMERICK Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30, R Hickey (Clare)

CORK can call on seven of the side that featured in last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Mayo with another three, including Michael Hurley, held in reserve. Still Limerick have the advantage of having already played in the competition and they were gutsy when seeing off Tipperary. Odds: Cork 1/8 Limerick 5/1 Draw 14/1

Verdict: Cork

ULSTER U21FC QUARTER-FINALS TYRONE V DONEGAL Healy Park, 8.0, C Branagan (Down)

DONEGAL, who are managed by Declan Bonner, have left no stone unturned this year, putting their U21 side into the McKenna Cup. That experience should stand to them here while it’s also worth nothing that the Tír Chonaill men made it to the All-Ireland minor final three years ago. However, they are expected to be without Jason McGee who has been making waves for the seniors. Feargal Logan steered Tyrone to All-Ireland glory in 2016 and they’ll look to Lee Brennan to help them over the line here.

Odds: Tyrone 11/10 Donegal 10/11 Draw 13/2

Verdict: Tyrone FERMANAGH V CAVAN

Brewster Park, 8.0, D Mullan (Down)

CAVAN have slipped back from when they were in charge of this grade in Ulster, winning four provincial titles on the bounce. Still, Fermanagh’s record at U21 level is very poor and even with Pete McGrath as manager it’s hard to see them turning that form on its head here.

Odds: Fermanagh 9/2 Cavan 1/7 Draw 12/1

Verdict: Cavan ARMAGH V DOWN Athletic Grounds, 8.0, N McKenna (Monaghan)

NO one in Down will need reminding of how this fixture went 12 months ago after a rampant Armagh came to Newry and kicked 5-16 as part of a 22-point hammering. There have been some green shoots of recovery for Down football at senior level and Orchard boss Peter McDonnell hasn’t been happy with the access he’s had to his players due to Crossmaglen’s run in the Ulster club U21 championship and MacRory Cup involvement so this might be closer than the odds suggest. Odds: Armagh 3/10 Down 3/1 Draw 8/1

Verdict: Armagh

MONAGHAN V DERRY Inniskeen, 8.0, R Barry (Down)

MONAGHAN made harder work of getting past Antrim in the preliminary round than might have been expected with goals from Dermot Gleeson and David Garland proving pivotal as the Ulster champions progressed to the last eight. Glen’s run to Ulster U21 club glory might have disrupted Derry’s preparations a little and this could be a very tight game. Odds: Monaghan 6/4 Derry 4/6 Draw 13/2

Verdict: Monaghan