Today’s Previews

2024-02-04 - COMPILED BY MICHEAL CLIFFORD AND PHILIP LANIGAN

FOOTBALL ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 1 DERRY V TYRONE

Celtic Park, 3.45

In the fierce and storied history of this rivalry, there has never been a day quite like this one for obvious reasons.

It is likely that the one person who will be the least distracted by all the fuss surrounding this matchup is Mickey Harte, who will see this as two more points to be bagged to ensure that Derry’s early season momentum remains on track. And the reality over the last two years is that when Derry’s mind is on the job, there is little that Tyrone can do about it. Verdict: Derry

ROSCOMMON V GALWAY Dr Hyde Park, 2.00

Given just how rank awful they were last weekend, it can be taken that Galway will find some kind of a response here.

But in the absence of Sean Kelly and Damian Comer, Galway tend to be ordinary and rudderless. Roscommon will see this as an opportunity and will take it. Verdict Roscommon

MONAGHAN V KERRY Clones, 1.00

We really should be past the stage of being surprised by Monaghan, and that win over Dublin will ensure that their support base will be energised here.

However, there was an urgency about Kerry in the final quarter of that defeat to Derry which suggests that they will not make the journey north for the fun of it.

Verdict: Kerry

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 2 CAVAN V DONEGAL Kingspan Breffni, 4.00

Cavan impressed in comfortably seeing off Kildare, but such was Donegal’s obliteration of Cork that it felt more like a declaration of intent. It is too early for that kind of talk yet, but it won’t get any quieter after this. Verdict: Donegal

LOUTH V CORK Ardee, 1.00

There was so much to admire about Louth’s shape and resolve against Armagh, and so much concern at Cork’s lack of either against Donegal that this should be clear cut.

But every game is different and Cork’s need feels much greater. Verdict: Cork

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 3 ANTRIM V OFFALY Corrigan Park, 2;00

Last weekend’s defeat to Westmeath was hugely damaging to Offaly’s promotion hopes and things will not get any better here as Antrim will seek to build on their winning start.

Verdict: Antrim

WESTMEATH V CLARE TEG Cusack Park, 2.00 Referee: D Murnane (Cork)

Clare’s win over a fancied Sligo team was one of the eye-catching results of the opening weekend, but Westweath are on a different level and have their eyes already fixed on the promotion prize.

Verdict: Westmeath

SLIGO V WICKLOW Markievicz Park, 1.00

Wicklow offered a lot more resistance

than anticipated against Down, but should feel the brunt of Sligo’s frustrations here.

Verdict: Sligo

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 4 LONGFORD V TIPPERARY Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2.00

These are two teams trying to pick themselves up after opening round set-backs, but the home side look far better placed to do just that.

Verdict: Longford

LEITRIM V LONDON Avant Money Páirc Sean MacDiarmada, 1.00 Leitrim’s ruthless demolition of Waterford suggests that last year’s hurt is being put to good use, and while London will offer stiffer resistance, the result should be along the same lines.

Verdict: Leitrim

HURLING

ALLIANZ HL – DIVISION 1, GROUP A

OFFALY V WATERFORD Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2pm

Given the record score that Tipperary chalked up against Offaly in that infamous preliminary quarter-final, expect Johnny Kelly’s men to provide much sturdier opposition against a different Munster rival. While the focus has been on who might be missing for Waterford, Ballygunner’s surprise club semi-final defeat means that it shouldn’t take as long to reintegrate star players like Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald.

Verdict: Waterford

CLARE V CORK

Cusack Park, Ennis, 1.45pm (TG4)

News of Tony Kelly needing ankle surgery was not what Brian Lohan needed to hear pre-Christmas but then, Clare haven’t exactly targeted the league play-offs on his watch. After all the talk of Cork’s off-field financial and sponsorship dealings, it’s over to the flagship hurling team to send the right message on the field.

Verdict: Cork

KILKENNY V WEXFORD UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.45pm

Darragh Egan was the first Wexford manager to turn over Kilkenny at Nowlan Park in championship – and followed it up in Leinster last year – but still got the bullet. Keith Rossiter then knows the size of the task ahead of him. Lee Chin cut a strapping figure in the Walsh Cup win but Kilkenny owe their neighbours one.

Verdict: Kilkenny

ALLIANZ HL – DIVISION 1, GROUP B

LIMERICK V ANTRIM

FBD Semple Stadium, 2pm

A home from home for Limerick with the Gaelic Grounds undergoing a bit of work. The high turnover of the Antrim panel from last year makes this such a big ask. Verdict: Limerick

ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 2A LAOIS V DOWN

Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm

Not for the first time, Enda Rowland and Stephen Maher were to the fore for Laois in pre-season competition and they will want to live up to their status as promotion favourites. Verdict: Laois

MEATH V KILDARE

Pairc Tailteann, 2pm

Brian Dowling brings a wealth of experience to the Kildare job and after coming so close to promotion last year, the visitors will want to hit the ground running again. Verdict: Kildare

KERRY V CARLOW Austin Stack Park, 1pm

If Carlow are playing the long game again like last year, then Kerry can nab the points. Shane Conway (left), and Fionan Mackessy shone in the Munster Hurling League game against Waterford which should act as the ideal preparation.