GAA PREVIEWS
DONNCHADH BOYLE
TODAY
(* Extra-time if necessary)
MUNSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL* Waterford v Cork, Fraher Field, 7.0, R Hickey (Clare)
It’s been a unhappy 18 months or so for Cork’s football supporters, with relegation from the top flight and a forgettable Championship in 2016. And they failed to impress in the spring too, with defeat to Clare a further blow. However, Peadar Healy’s men should still have too much for a Waterford side which won just two of their seven games in Division 4, and they can progress to a Munster semi-final against Tipperary. Odds: Waterford 11/1 Cork 1/33 Draw 33/1
Verdict: Cork
MUNSTER JFC SEMI-FINAL Waterford v Cork, Fraher Field, 5.0, S Lonergan (Tipperary) Verdict: Cork
LEINSTER SHC QUARTER-FINAL* Westmeath v Offaly, Cusack Park, 7.0, S Cleere (Westmeath) These sides clash for the second
successive season, having not met for 40 years before that. Westmeath won 12 months ago and they have tasted action already in the Championship, while this is Offaly’s first outing. However, Kevin Ryan’s Faithful should have enough to avenge last year’s defeat.
Odds: Westmeath 11/4 Offaly 4/11 Draw 10/1 Verdict: Offaly
TOMORROW
MUNSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL* Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, Ennis, 3.30, C Reilly (Meath) These sides met last year with Clare taking their third successive Championship win over their neighbours. Colm Collins’ progressive side consolidated their Division 2 status this year while Billy Lee’s Limerick won four games in Division 4. And while this game might be closer than the odds suggest, the Banner should have enough. Odds: Clare 3/10 Limerick 7/2 Draw 9/1
Verdict: Clare LEINSTER SHC QUARTER-FINAL*
Laois v Wexford, O’Moore Park, 2.0, C McAllister (Cork) Wexford won’t have Davy Fitzgerald on the sideline for this one due to suspension but they have been boosted this week with the news that Shaun Murphy will be fit to play after an injury scare. Laois are battle-hardened having come through the round-robin system but if Wexford play to the levels they managed in the League, Lee Chin and Co should have enough. Odds: Laois 7/1 Wexford 1/10 Draw 7/1
Verdict: Wexford
Galway v Dublin, O’Connor Park, 4.0, B Kelly (Westmeath), RTÉ2 See Martin Breheny’s big match preview, P6.
Odds: Galway 1/4 Dublin 7/2 Draw 12/1
ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL* Derry v Tyrone, Celtic Park, 2.0, M Deegan (Laois), RTÉ 2 and BBC 2 Tyrone won by 11 points in this fixture last year and even if their form tailed
off towards the end of the League there is little to suggest that Derry are ready to take advantage. The Oak Leafers’ goalkeeper Thomas Mallon opted out of the panel this week in what has been a far from ideal preparation for Damian Barton’s men. They will need to show form they haven’t shown this year to upset the odds here. Odds: Derry 4/1 Tyrone 1/4 Draw 10/1
Verdict: Tyrone
ULSTER MFC QUARTER-FINAL* Derry v Tyrone, Celtic Park, 12.0, C Dourneen (Cavan) Verdict: Tyrone
Cavan v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7.0, SP Doherty (Derry) Verdict: Monaghan
CONNACHT SFC QUARTER-FINAL* London v Leitrim, Ruislip, 3.30, N Mooney (Cavan) Leitrim suffered a hammer blow with star man Emlyn Mulligan’s third cruciate knee ligament injury and they go to London with a team that includes five debutants. Ruislip will be packed as the redevelopment is officially opened and the bookmakers give Ciaran Deely’s Exiles, who could call on former Tyrone All-Ireland winner Owen Mulligan, a fighting chance.
Odds: London 13/8 Leitrim 4/6 Draw 15/2 Verdict: Leitrim