ALL TODAY’S PREVIEWS
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 Kerry v Tyrone
Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm Peter Keane’s aim of filling what he referred to as ‘needy’ positions becomes all the more daunting when picking from a threadbare squad. Tyrone are unlikely to show any mercy to an old foe. Verdict: Tyrone
Monaghan v Dublin
Clones, 2pm (live TG4) Dublin look vulnerable as they emerge blinking into the light – they will be without Ciarán Kilkenny and James McCarthy – which presents a big opportunity for Monaghan. However, with last year’s final round League game in mind, the champions are not in the habit of losing back-to-back to the same opponents. Verdict: Dublin
Galway v Cavan
Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm Galway may be well behind the curve in terms of preparation and will be down several players, but this is a game that Kevin Walsh will have targeted in the knowledge that a loss could leave them swimming against the tide. Verdict: Galway
DIVISION 2 Clare v Donegal
Cusack Park, 2pm Even without Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty, Donegal are on a different level to everyone else in this division. They will be tested here, but this is a first step back to the top flight. Verdict: Donegal
Fermanagh v Cork
Brewster Park, 2pm A recurring theme in Cork’s decline is their inability to work their way through mass defences. The blanket does not come any heavier than here. Verdict: Fermanagh
Kildare v Armagh
St Conleth’s Park, 2pm Kieran McGeeney returns to his old stomping ground with some evidence that his Armagh team is making progress. Kildare, even without Daniel Flynn this season, should still have too much. Verdict: Kildare
Meath v Tipperary
Páirc Tailteann, 2pm The visitors have the edge in quality, but Meath’s desperate need to climb back to the game’s top division might prove the difference. Verdict: Meath
DIVISION 3 Carlow v Sligo
Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm This division should be a a step up for Carlow, but their visitors hardly qualify as such. Verdict: Carlow
Offaly v Westmeath
O’Connor Park, 2pm John Maughan’s first inter-county competitive game as a manager in a decade is likely to make for a rough experience.
Verdict: Westmeath
Louth v Longford
Drogheda, 2.30pm Even allowing for Longford’s difficulties – with over 10 of last year’s panel unavailable – Louth are in no position to take advantage.
Verdict: Longford
DIVISION 4 Leitrim v Wexford
Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 2pm If Leitrim are to justify their pre-season optimism, this is a fixture they have to win.
Verdict: Leitrim
London v Limerick
McGovern Park, 2pm No evidence to suggest Limerick’s decline has halted. Verdict: London
Antrim v Derry
Corrigan Park, 2pm A familiar fixture at an odd time of the year.
Verdict: Derry
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
Kilkenny v Cork, Nowlan Park, 2pm Injury to the likes of All-Star midfielder Darragh Fitzgibbon, and the complication of Fitzgibbon Cup involvement, reduce Cork’s chances of beating Kilkenny in back-to-back League openers, even if Kilkenny look vulnerable for a similar reason. Verdict: Kilkenny
Wexford v Limerick,
Wexford Park, 2pm (deferred TG4) John Kiely won’t have forgotten how a tetchy defeat at the same venue cost Limerick dear in terms of promotion two years ago. Eleven of the starting All-Ireland 15 suggest they mean business from the off. Verdict: Limerick
DIVISION 1B
Galway v Laois, Pearse Stadium, 12.30pm No wonder Eddie Brennan is annoyed. Already without a number of key players for the season ahead, the GAA deciding to charge €20 in to this one is hardly going to entice extra Laois supporters to travel or rally around the team. Verdict: Galway Waterford v Offaly, Semple Stadium, 2pm Deprived of a home venue all summer, new manager Páraic Fanning has to live with Semple Stadium as a ‘home’ League venue due to a training camp indiscretion not of his own making. Interesting to see where he places former Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson and whether Waterford go with a sweeper.
Verdict: Waterford
DIVISION 2A
Westmeath v London, TEG Cusack Park, 1pm
Mayo v Meath, Toreen
DIVISION 2B
Donegal v Kildare, Letterkenny, 2pm.
DIVISION 3A
Louth v Roscommon, Clan na Gael, Dundalk, 12.30pm Monaghan v Armagh, Inniskeen, 12.30pm
DIVISION 3B
Cavan v Leitrim, Ballyconnell, 2pm. Sligo v Fermanagh, Sligo GAA COE, 2pm.