Irish Independent

GAA PREVIEWS

- MICHAEL VERNEY

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE TODAY DIVISION 2A

London v Kildare, Ruislip, 1.0, R McGann (Clare) LONDON have been improving steadily despite four straight defeats and can edge this bottom-of-the-table clash. Odds: London 5/6, Kildare 11/10, Draw 8/1 Verdict: London

TOMORROW

(2.30 unless stated)

DIVISION 1A

Kilkenny v Wexford, Nowlan Park, J McGrath (Westmeath), TG4, deferred DAVY FITGERALD’s Model side sit top of Division 1A after making an impressive start to the season since promotion and they have held the Indian sign over the Cats in recent meetings. Both sides are almost certain of their place in the quarter-finals but that won’t dampen the quality. Brian Cody’s charges will be keen to rectify some recent reversals and can do so with TJ Reid pointing the way. Odds: KilK 4/11, Wex 11/4, Draw 10/1

Verdict: Kilkenny

Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium, P O’Dwyer (Cork) THINGS have not been going well for Cork since their opening-night defeat of Kilkenny and John Meyler’s men are staring a relegation play-off in the face. With Seamus Harnedy suspended, they may lack the physicalit­y to disrupt Tipp’s half-back line and the in-form forward pair of Jason Forde and John McGrath can see the Premier through to the last eight on home soil.

Odds: Tipp 4/11, Cork 11/4, Draw 10/1 Verdict: Tipperary

Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park, J Murphy (Limerick) DEREK McGRATH was relieved to see his side get off the mark away to Cork and they will hope to build on that ahead of a likely relegation decider. Pauric Mahony has looked sharp in attack with Austin Gleeson thriving in the half-back line and they’ll need to be at their best as the Déise are without a win in Walsh Park in two years. With the Banner already through to the knock-out stages, the home side should have enough to prevail, however. Odds: W’ford 8/11, Clare 7/5, Draw 9/1

Verdict: Waterford

DIVISION 1B

Galway v Limerick, Pearse Stadium, C McAllister (Cork), TG4 THE tie of the day as reigning All-Ireland champions Galway put their unbeaten run on the line against a red-hot Treaty side, who are also undefeated this year. Micheál Donoghue is bringing the Tribesmen to the boil slowly but with Joe Canning and captain David Burke likely to miss out, the visitors may finally break the glass ceiling and get out of Division 1B. Odds: Gal 8/15, Lim 15/8, Draw 9/1

Verdict: Limerick

Laois v Dublin, O’Moore Park, P Murphy (Carlow) THE stakes are high in Portlaoise with the winners through to the quarter-finals while the losers face a relegation scrap against Antrim. Possible demotion would be a disaster for Pat Gilroy’s Dubs, who will be hoping to keep afloat before the Cuala contingent return next month. They showed enough against Galway to suggest that they can edge this. Odds: Laois 3/1, Dub 2/7, Draw 11/1

Verdict: Dublin

Offaly v Antrim, St Brendan’s Park, Birr, J Ryan (Tipperary) THE Faithful’s last league game in Birr resulted in a shock defeat to Kerry two years ago but they are motoring well under Kevin Martin and the form of star attacker Joe Bergin should help keep a Saffron side, which is without star man Neil McManus, at bay.

Odds: Offaly 1/10, Antrim 13/2, Draw 14/1

Verdict: Offaly

DIVISION 2A

Meath v Carlow, St Loman’s Park, Trim, 1.0, G McGrath (Wexford) COLM BONNAR’s Barrowside­rs need a win to keep their promotion hopes alive and while the Royals will push them hard, the scoring ability of Marty Kavanagh should see the visitors through. Odds: Meath 5/2, Carlow 1/3, Draw 10/1

Verdict: Carlow

Westmeath v Kerry, TEG Cusack Park, 1.0, G Quilty (Kilkenny) THE Lake men have four wins from four this year with Niall O’Brien on song in attack. Michael Ryan’s men will be keen to continue their fine run of form but the Kingdom will push them close. Odds: W’meath 4/9, Kerry 2/1, Draw 10/1

Verdict: Westmeath

DIVISION 2B

Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds, K McGeeney (Roscommon) DONEGAL are much improved this season and former Armagh player Declan Coulter could help them take the points. Odds: Arm 5/6, Don 11/10, Draw 8/1 Verdict: Donegal

Down v Mayo, Portaferry, S Stack (Dublin) THESE sides will meet in the league final so neither are likely to give too much away and home advantage should help Down over the line.

Odds: Down 1/2, Mayo 7/4, Draw 10/1

Verdict: Down

Wicklow v Derry, Bray Emmets GAA Club, P Burke (Kilkenny) IT has been a disappoint­ing campaign for the Garden men with defeats to Down and Mayo but they should finish on a high. Odds: Wick 1/5, Derry 7/2, Draw 11/1 Verdict: Wicklow

DIVISION 3A

Longford v Tyrone, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2.0, J Connors (Donegal) A WIN would give the Red Hand an outside chance of making the league final.

Verdict: Tyrone

Monaghan v Louth, Castleblay­ney, 2.0, A Devine (Westmeath) LOUTH have looked solid and with the Arthur brothers from Clare, Ger and Niall, on board they can prevail.

Verdict: Louth

Roscommon v Warwickshi­re, Dr Hyde Park, 1.0, S Hynes (Galway) A TOP-OF-THE-TABLE clash with Roscommon in need of a win to secure their final place. It should be tight

Verdict: Draw

DIVISION 3B

Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, J Keane (Galway)

Verdict: Sligo Leitrim v Cavan, Páirc Sean MacDiarmad­a, L Gordon (Galway) Verdict: Leitrim

CAMOGIE LITTLEWOOD­S IRELAND LEAGUES DIVISION 1 SEMI-FINALS

Cork v Limerick, CIT, 2.0, R Kelly (Kildare) Cork topped their group with a 100pc record and four wins so the reigning All-Ireland champions will be hard beaten but Limerick, led by the inspiratio­nal Niamh Mulcahy, are an improving side and will push them close.

Verdict: Cork

Galway v Kilkenny, St Rynagh’s GAA, Banagher, 2.0, E Cassidy (Derry) Galway are still without the Sarsfields contingent and their loss might tip the balance in a tight affair as Ann Downey’s Cats – powered by Denis Gaule – edge closer to their third league title in a row.

Verdict: Kilkenny

SCHOOLS CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ FINAL

PS Chorca Dhuibhne v Tralee CBS, Today, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.0 THE sideline battle between Eamonn Fitzmauric­e and Marc Ó Sé makes this reschedule­d Munster decider even more intriguing than normal but the Kerry boss is likely to get one over on his former Kingdom team-mate with 2012-2015 champions Chorca Dhuibhne.

Verdict: PS Chorca Dhuibhne

TOP OIL BRO BOSCO CUP SF FINAL

Marist College, Athlone v Naas CBS, Today, O’Connor Park, 2.0 THERE will be a new name on the Br Bosco Cup as Marist College, Athlone and Naas CBS collide in a novel final pairing. Naas became the first Kildare school to reach a Leinster ‘A’ final since 1923 but the scoring prowess of Kieran Colclough may be just enough for the Westmeath school to edge a titanic battle.

Verdict: Marist College

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE

TODAY (7.0 unless stated)

DIVISION 1

Tyrone v Donegal, Healy Park, D Coldrick (Meath), eir Sport DONEGAL finally got off the mark against 14-man Kildare and will look to add further points in a game which could have huge significan­ce in the relegation battle with both sides sitting on two points after four games. Declan Bonner’s side are in better form than the Red Hand, however, and Paddy McBrearty can help his side leave Omagh with the two points. Odds: Tyrone 4/5, Don 5/4, Draw 8/1

Verdict: Donegal

DIVISION 2

Cavan v Down, Kingspan Breffni Park, P O’Sullivan (Kerry) MATTIE McGLEENAN will be delighted with how his Cavan side made the long journey to Cork and came away with a commanding win. With Killian Clarke and Dara McVeety driving them forward, they can maintain their unbeaten run and book their league final place.

Odds: Cavan 1/2, Down 9/4, Draw 15/2

Verdict: Cavan

DIVISION 3

Wexford v Offaly, Enniscorth­y, 3.0, J Hickey (Carlow) A BOTTOM-OF-THE-TABLE scrap with both sides desperate for a win but Stephen Wallace’s Faithful side should leave the sunny south-east with two points after a dour affair.

Odds: Wex Evs, Offaly Evs, Draw 15/2

Verdict: Offaly

Armagh v Derry, Athletic Grounds, D O’Mahoney (Tipperary) WITH the Slaughtnei­l contingent being eased back into the Derry fray slowly, Damian McErlain’s side have struggled so far this campaign and the Orchard should make it five from five and book their place in the decider. Odds: Armagh 4/11, Derry 11/4, Draw 8/1

Verdict: Armagh

DIVISION 4

Limerick v Waterford, Martinstow­n, D Mullan (Derry) TWO sides who are struggling in the bottom tier with only a draw apiece to show for their four games.

Odds: Lim 4/7, W’ford 7/4, Draw 8/1 Verdict: Draw

Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park, E O’Grady (Leitrim) TURLOUGH O’BRIEN’S Carlow have started this year as they finished the last and can continue their winning ways against a struggling Wicklow outfit.

Odds: Carlow 1/6, Wick 9/2, Draw 12/1

Verdict: Carlow (2.30 unless stated)

DIVISION 1

Galway v Monaghan, Pearse Stadium, 12.30, B Cassidy (Derry), TG4, live THIS is an intriguing clash which will have a huge bearing in the shakeup for the league final. With Conor McManus on the comeback trail, the Farney men will be difficult to stop following their surprising­ly comfortabl­e win against Tyrone. However, Galway look like a totally different prospect this season and their miserly defence can hold strong on home soil with captain Damien Comer and Eamonn Brannigan leading the way up front.

Odds: Gal 8/13, Mon 13/8, Draw 15/2

Verdict: Galway

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