Today’s GAA FIXTURES
FOOTBALL
Allianz FL Division 1
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 4pm Éamonn Fitzmaurice will approach this with extreme caution for good reason. Four games in and there is little evidence that the Kingdom have got to grips with their defensive issues, which leads to a disturbing mathematical equation. If Galway, playing on a tight Austin Stacks pitch, can create five clear goal-scoring chances against this Kerry defence, how, many can the best team in the land rack up playing in the vast expanses of Croke Park?
Verdict: Dublin Galway v Monaghan, Pearse Stadium, 12.30pm This qualifies pretty much as a semifinal meeting. Should Galway win, they are, barring a freakish sequence of results, in the final but if Monaghan shade it, they will be level on points with their hosts while also having the edge on the head-to-head results. Galway, with that new mean defensive streak, look the more likely. Verdict: Galway
Kildare v Mayo, Newbridge, 2pm A relegation four-pointer but, with a road trip to Kerry up next, this also qualifies as Kildare’s last realistic shot at survival. Mayo, not least after their horror kicking show against Dublin last time out, will welcome back Cillian O’Connor and possibly Tom Parsons which might be just enough to swing it their way.
Verdict: Mayo Allianz FL Division 2 Tipperary v Louth, Semple Stadium, 12.30pm That eight-point win over Meath has Liam Kearns’ Tipperary team back on track for promotion and they will hardly be derailed by Louth.
Verdict: Tipperary Clare v Roscommon, Cusack Park, 2pm Clare have revealed their resolve once more in drawing with Tipperary and defeating Down, but they may find Roscommon on a promotion charge to be a different proposition.
Verdict: Roscommon
Meath v Cork, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm The fall of two teams who once ruled the football roost is underlined by the fact that Meath are struggling to avoid the drop into Division 3 and Cork may only be the fourth-highest ranked Munster team in the League. Meath’s greater need to edge it.
Verdict: Meath Allianz FL Division 3 Sligo v Longford, Markievicz Park, 2pm The departure of Aidan Rooney from Cathal Corey’s management team has compounded a difficult start for the rookie Sligo manager and it will get no better here.
Verdict: Longford Westmeath v Fermanagh, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm A huge match in terms of the promotion race and the visitors have built up such a head of steam that it is hard to see them being stopped.
Verdict: Fermanagh Allianz FL Division 4 London v Laois, McGovern Park Ruislip, 1pm Little doubt that the Exiles are showing a little more resolve this spring but Laois’ 100 per cent record will not be threatened here.
Verdict: Laois
HURLING
(2.30pm unless stated) Allianz HL Division 1A Kilkenny v Wexford, Nowlan Park (Deferred TG4) With fitness doubts over key players, and the option of a bit of shadow-boxing ahead of the crunch Leinster Championship game, it’s hard to see Wexford going full Davy for this one.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium Michael Ryan could have thrown on Paudie Maher and Noel McGrath to try and secure the points against Kilkenny last time out – that he didn’t says everything about stress-testing the depth of his squad. The threat of relegation is sure to focus minds.
Verdict: Tipperary
Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park Not a good week for Waterford with the news that Walsh Park isn’t a realistic option to host the county’s two Munster Championship games. It’s the relegation play-off that Derek McGrath will really be targeting.
Verdict: Clare
Division 1B
Galway v Limerick, Pearse Stadium All-Ireland champions Galway have been happy to muddle through the league to this point. For Limerick, deprived of top flight status since 2010, their need is greater.
Verdict: Limerick Laois v Dublin, O’Moore Park Former All-Star Danny Sutcliffe described this one as ‘massive’ for Pat Gilroy’s Dublin and Laois will make them work hard.
Verdict: Dublin Offaly v Antrim, Birr A rare outing in the spiritual heartland of Birr. Should be a successful one, too. Verdict: Offaly Division 2A Westmeath v Kerry, TEG Cusack Park, 1pm Meath v Carlow, Trim, 1pm Division 2B Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds Down v Mayo, Portaferry Wicklow v Derry, Bray Emmets Division 3A Roscommon v Warwickshire, Dr Hyde Park, 1pm Monaghan v Louth, Castleblayney, 2pm Longford v Tyrone, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm Division 3B Leitrim v Cavan, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park