Today’s Previews

Leinster SHC QF Galway v Dublin, O’Connor Park, 4pm – RTE Few expected Galway to head into the Championship with spring silverware under their belt, but their 16-point demolition of AllIreland champions Tipperary in April’s League final means the pressure is on the Tribesmen to kick on and end the long wait for Liam MacCarthy – their last All-Ireland success coming way back in 1988. Dublin once again frustrated in the League (granted they were missing those involved in Cuala’s run to All-Ireland Club Championship glory), relegated after losing four from five in Division 1A, and with continued rumours of player unrest there is a growing sense that this summer is make or break for Ger Cunningham. If Galway are serious about challenging for the All-Ireland, then this is a game they should win comfortably. LAST THREE MEETINGS: February 2016 – Dublin 117 Galway 0-13 (NHL Div 1A) May 2015 – Dublin 0-20 Galway 1-17 (Leinster SHC quarter-final) June 2015 – Galway 5-19 Dublin 1-18 (Leinster SHC quarter-final replay)

REFEREE: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)

KEY STAT: Dublin haven’t been beaten in their first Leinster game of the season since losing to Wexford in 2007. Laois v Wexford, O’Moore Park, 2pm Both managers are in their first seasons with their respective counties, but only one will be on the sideline due to Davy Fitzgerald’s eight-week ban. It’s hard to imagine that will be of much help to Eamonn Kelly and his Laois side given Wexford’s impressive revival under the former Clare manager and their poor record against the Model County in recent times. That much-anticipated Leinster semi-final between Kilkenny and Wexford should be rubberstamped here. LAST THREE MEETINGS: March 2017 – Wexford 2-24 Laois 2-20 (NHL Div 1B) March 2016 – Wexford 0-22 Laois 0-21 (NHL Div 1B) March 2015 – Wexford 5-22 Laois 0-25 (NHL Div 1B)

REFEREE: Cathal McAllister (Cork)

KEY STAT: This will be the first Championship clash between the counties since 2005. Ulster SFC QF Derry v Tyrone, Celtic Park, 2pm - RTE/ BBC Tyrone are the first provincial winners from last season to begin their title defence, as Mickey Harte begins the hunt for the sixth Ulster Championship win of his reign against a side who last landed provincial glory way back in 1998. This will be Harte’s 15th Championship season as Tyrone boss, while Derry manager Damian Barton began life in the Ulster Championship with an 11point hammering to the Red Hand county last term. With Derry’s relegation to Division 3 of the League, this should go the way of Harte’s men – a side fancied to be involved well into the latter stages of the Championship.

LAST THREE MEETINGS: May 2016 – Tyrone 3-14 Derry 0-12 (Ulster SFC quarter-final) March 2016 – Tyrone 2-15 Derry 0-12 (NFL Div 2) February 2015 – Tyrone 0-11 Derry 1-08 (NFL Div 1)

REFEREE: Maurice Deegan (Laois) KEY STAT: Derry are enjoying home advantage in their opening Ulster fixture for the fifth successive year.

Connacht SFC QF

London v Leitrim, Ruislip, 3pm London lost six from seven in Division 4 this year, although cruciate injuries to both Nevin O’Donnell and Emlyn Mulligan mean this man not be plain sailing for Leitrim. LAST THREE MEETINGS: March 2016 – Leitrim 1-16 London 1-11 (NFL Div 4) March 2015 – Leitrim 1-18 London 0-9 (NFL Div 4) April 2014 (Leitrim 2-6 London 1-7 (NFL Div 4)

REFEREE: Noel Mooney (Cavan) KEY STAT: London have only won three games since joining the Connacht Championship in 1975, beating Letirim twice (1975 and 2013) and Sligo once (2013).

Munster SFC QF

Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, 3.30pm Limerick are seeking a first win over their neighbours since 2009, losing three times to the Banner in Munster in the intervening years. Clare enjoyed a decent spring, finishing mid-table in Division 2 while Limerick missed out on promotion to Division 3, and after a promising 2016, Colm Collins’ men will be confident on building on the progress made in recent years to book a Munster a semi-final date with League champions Kerry. LAST THREE MEETINGS: May 2016 – Clare 0-16 Limerick 0-13 (Munster SFC quarter-final) May 2015 – Clare 0-15 Limerick 0-13 (Munster SFC quarter-final) April 2013 – Limerick 1-13 Clare 0-10 (NFL Div 4)

REFEREE: Cormac Reilly (Meath) KEY STAT: Limerick are looking for a first win over Clare since 2009.