Today’s GAA FIXTURES

FOOTBALL Allianz FL Division 1

Monaghan v Donegal, Clones, 2.0 THE absence of Paddy McBrearty – their best player by a distance this spring – is a grievous blow for Donegal, but their main problem is a lack of defensive structure that continues to haunt them. Still, they have a shout here against Monaghan, who are safe. Verdict: Donegal

Mayo v Tyrone, MacHale Park, 2.0 BOTH are coming off morale-boosting victories last weekend, which has left them one win from safety. Tyrone are unlikely to find the Mayo defence as accommodating as Donegal’s, while the home team will be keen to get the business done today. Verdict: Mayo

Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 2.0 TWO teams boasting a 100 per cent record should make this the game of the round, but with Galway having reached the final and Dublin all but there, there is not a whole lot riding on this. Will Kevin Walsh let the Dubs see his game-plan here? The outcome should be the same either way. Verdict: Dublin

Allianz FL Division 2

Down v Tipperary, Pairc Esler, 2.0 IT is not just the way Tipperary are winning, but the manner in which they are doing so that excites. They should extend Down’s battle against the drop to the final round. Verdict: Tipperary

Louth v Meath, Gaelic Grounds, 2.0 THE wonder is that Louth are not already mathematically relegated. Meath should take care of that here. Verdict: Meath

Roscommon v Cavan, Dr Hyde Park, 2.0 IF Cavan can somehow win here their Division 1 status will be restored. But it is hard to see that happening against a Roscommon team who look to be back in the groove once more. Verdict: Roscommon

Allianz FL Division 3

Derry v Wexford, Celtic Park, 1.0 WEXFORD have to win to avoid dropping straight back into Division 4, an indignity also eyeballing Derry. The home team ought to get the job done.

Verdict: Derry

Longford v Westmeath, Pearse Park, 2.0 A WESTMEATH win all but secures promotion, but Longford have hardly given up on that. A win for the home team puts them in pole positon.

Verdict: Longford

Fermanagh v Armagh, Brewster Park, 2.0 CONCEDING a four-point lead late on to Westmeath may have knocked the stuffing out of Fermanagh’s promotion bid. If it is hasn’t the best team in the division will.

Verdict: Armagh

Offaly v Sligo, O’Connor Park, 3.0 BUOYED by last weekend’s win over Wexford, Offaly can win. Verdict: Offaly

Allianz FL Division 4

Antrim v Carlow, Corrigan Park, 1.0 CARLOW can secure Division 3 status if they win. Verdict: Carlow

Waterford v Leitrim, Fraher Field, 2.0 WATERFORD were unfortunate last time out against Limerick, but Leitrim won’t need luck here.

Verdict: Leitrim

Wicklow v Limerick, Aughrim, 2.0 TOSS of a coin but home advantage to shade it for John Evans’ team. Verdict: Wicklow

HURLING Division 1 quarter-finals

(extra-time & free-taking competition if required) Offaly v Kilkenny, Bord na Móna O’Connor Park, 1.0 WHEN Brian Cody told the doubers there were plenty of hurlers in Kilkenny ready to make a name for themselves, he must have had the likes of Richie Leahy in mind. No surprise either that results improved once TJ Reid (below) returned to the team. Verdict: Kilkenny

Wexford v Galway, Innovate Wexford Park, 2.0 (Live TG4) THAT Galway ran out of steam in the promotion play-off against Limerick was no great surprise; here they meet another team who have put in the hard yards during the spring. Rory O’Connor’s leadership was one positive in the defeat by Kilkenny, a result that only proved the importance of Lee Chin to the Wexford revolution.

Verdict: Wexford

Dublin v Tipperary, Parnell Park, 3.0 THE signs are that things are coming together for Pat Gilory’s Dublin. Danny Sutcliffe’s return to form, and the Parnell Park factor, are other reasons to expect Tipperary to have to work hard for a semi-final place.

Verdict: Tipperary

Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, 4.0 A GOOD old Munster derby to whet the appetite for the summer. Promotion from 1B has been a springboard for Clare and Waterford in the past to go all the way – the form Cian Lynch and co are in at the moment, they will want to keep this winning run going.

Verdict: Limerick

Division 1A relegation play-off

Cork v Waterford, Páirc Uí Rinn, 3.0 (Deferred TG4) WATERFORD might as well get used to hitting the road with Walsh Park ruled out for the summer. Conceding 50 scoring chances last time out against Tipp was the most worrying aspect for Cork.

Verdict: Waterford

Division 1B r’gation play-off

Antrim v Laois, Dunloy, 2.0 Verdict: Antrim

Division 2A final

Westmeath v Carlow, Portlaoise, 2.30 Verdict: Westmeath

Division 2B final

Mayo v Down, Kingspan Breffni, 1.0 Verdict: Down.