Today’s Previews
HURLING
Munster final
Tipperary v Limerick Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4.15pm Ref: P O’Dwyer (Carlow)
In many ways, the perfect way for Tipperary to come into a Munster final, so much of the talk swirling around Limerick’s bid for a first hat-trick of provincial titles since the glory days of the 1930s and the iconic figure of Mick Mackey. Aidan McCarthy’s controversial sin bin took much of the focus off their semi-final win over Clare and the manner in which they played their way back into the game after being under such pressure early on.
In the National League meeting, Tipp gave up the Limerick short puck-out and only engaged further afield but they will no doubt be more brave in their convictions and set-up this afternoon. They will have to be because the manner in which Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch and Gearóid Hegarty came up with the big plays against Cork suggest the champions are only getting into full stride.
Verdict: Limerick
FOOTBALL
Leinster semi-finals
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 4.30pm
Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone)
Eight months on from Meath’s 21point hammering in the Leinster final, the mood music has changed dramatically.
Dublin have taken one dunt after another in the interim, the most significant the departure of Stephen Cluxton while the defence has been weakened by retirements and injury. Meanwhile, Meath have taken to behaving how Dublin used to be , hitting Longford for 4-22 last time out, while the Blues have taken to looking just ordinary, beating Wexford in an error-strewn match. Game on, then? You have to be kidding – Dublin are back in Croke Park and will be bristling with all this talk of decline. Verdict: Dublin
Kildare v Westmeath, Croke Park, 2.00pm
Referee: D Mahoney (Tipperary) Kildare will be a Division 1 team next season and Westmeath a Division 3 side, but that gap is not as wide as it seems. Kildare made very heavy work of getting past Offaly but Jack O’Connor has addressed some of the defensive issues from last winter. Verdict: Kildare
Ulster SFC semi-final
Donegal v Tyrone, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 1.45pm Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan) The emphatic manner of their win over Cavan may have calmed some Tyrone nerves, while Donegal supporters will have been spooked by last weekend’s fortunate escape against Derry, but it would be foolish to assume a momentum shift.
Where Cavan were impoverished, Derry were invigorating, and getting a fright this early in the summer might just be the best thing that ever happened Declan Bonner’s team.
Also, the Donegal players will be hurting from the criticism directed at them in the fall-out to last Sunday, while manager Bonner will remind them that they now have an opportunity for redemption.
Verdict: Donegal