Today’s PREVIEWS
CONNACHT CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS
Clann na nGael (Roscommon) v Tir Chonaill Gaels (London), Dr Hyde Park, 1pm A bit of history in the Hyde as the London champions venture into Connacht for the first time, rather than their traditional All-Ireland quarterfinal date in Ruislip. Led by county players Liam Gavaghan and Mark Gottsche, the visitors will be a tough nut to crack. But Clann na Gael should be up to the task.
Verdict: Clann na nGael Tourlestrane (Sligo) v Ballintubber (Mayo), Enniscrone, 2pm The joint-management of Eamonn O’Hara and Gerry McGowan led Tourlestrane to a third successive Sligo title, but this represents a step up in class with the O’Connor brothers, Diarmuid and Cillian, in flying form for the Mayo kings.
Verdict: Ballintubber
MUNSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS
Adare (Limerick) v The Nire (Waterford), Gaelic Grounds, 3.30pm Familiar territory for The Nire, after claiming their third Waterford title in five years. They are still backboned by the players that lost the 2016 Munster final to Dr Crokes. That experience should see them through.
Verdict: The Nire Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Ardfinnan, 1.30pm Peter Acheson was instrumental in Moyle’s county title win, but the influential midfielder has been commuting from Dubai and he’s unlikely to be back for this test against Crokes, who captured their 13th Kerry title in some style.
Verdict: Dr Crokes
ULSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS
Cargin (Antrim) v Gweedore (Donegal), Corrigan Park, 2.30pm Cargin managed just five points to win a dour Antrim SFC final. They will need to register a lot more than that to derail a Gweedore side that has the class of Odhrán MacNiallais, Michael Carroll, Kevin Cassidy and the McGee brothers in their ranks.
Verdict: Gweedore Castlerahan (Cavan) v Coleraine Eoghan Rua (Derry), Kingscourt, 2.30pm There were emotional scenes around Ballyjamesduff when Castlerahan claimed their first Cavan SFC title, after losing the previous three finals. They showed grit too, coming from six points down to win it with Seán Brady to the fore. However, Derry clubs have a winning tradition in this competition.
Verdict: Coleraine Eoghan Rua Burren (Down) v Scotstown (Monaghan), Páirc Esler, 2.30pm Paddy O’Rourke, the All-Irelandwinning captain in 1991, returned to his roots and delivered Burren their first Down title in eight years, but Rory Beggan and the Hughes brothers have their eyes trained on an Ulster title.
Verdict: Scotstown
GALWAY SFC FINAL REPLAY
Corofin v MountbellewMoylough, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm TOP GUNNER: Pauric Mahony Plenty of regret in MountbellewMoylough following last week’s drab arm-wrestle. They won’t get a better chance to dethrone the defending All-Ireland champions who should improve from the drawn encounter.
Verdict: Corofin
LEINSTER CLUB SHC QUARTER-FINALS
Coolderry (Offaly) v Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow), O’Connor Park, 1.30pm – TG4 (deferred coverage) Faithful legend Jaochim Kelly has done a tremendous job at Coolderry with former county star Brian Carroll pulling the strings around the middle. Their familiarity with Tullamore should tell here.
Verdict: Coolderry Camross (Laois) v Naomh Éanna (Wexford), O’Moore Park, 2pm Camross came through a controversial county final that saw Laois captain Ross King hospitalised. Conor McDonald and Cathal Dunbar can punish any indiscipline in Portlaoise.
Naomh Éanna Verdict:
MUNSTER CLUB SHC SEMI-FINALS
Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) v Clonoulty-Rossmore (Tipperary), Gaelic Grounds, 1pm Timmy Hammersely was inspirational in the Tipp final, nailing 0-12 but this is Clonoulty-Rossmore’s first trip into Munster for 21 years. On the other hand it’s all old hat for Na Piarsaigh, who had Shane Dowling in top form when winning another Limerick title.
Verdict: Na Piarsaigh Ballygunner (Waterford) v Ballyea (Clare), Walsh Park, 1.30pm – TG4, Live Pauric Mahony’s accuracy guided Ballygunner past Midleton in the sort of result that can hotwire the campaign for Fergal Hartley’s seasoned outfit. They will need to keep Tony Kelly quiet in Walsh Park, but do that and they will make the final.
Verdict: Ballygunner
GALWAY SHC SEMI-FINALS
Sarsfields v St Thomas’, 1pm, Athenry St Thomas’ scraped by Clarinbridge last week, the sort of result that should give this seasoned outfit enough of a bounce to get into another decider. Verdict: St Thomas’ Cappataggle v Liam Mellows, 2.45pm, Athenry Mellows beat Cappataggle by a point in last year’s semi-final. Having already beaten Loughrea and Turloughmore, Cappataggle can avenge that defeat. Verdict: Cappataggle