Today’s Previews

ALLIANZ FL Division 1 final Dublin v Derry

Croke Park, 4.0 (TG4)

Derry return to the top-tier final for the first time in 10 years, a game in which they were one of many to receive a brutish reality check from a rampant Dublin team.

A decade later the temptation is to suggest history is set to repeat itself, but it is unlikely to roll just like that.

Mainly because Derry are different and better now. A decade ago they were accidental finalists, while now their case to be the second best team in the land engages little debate, validated by the comfort in which they qualified for this.

Their only loss was to Dublin and even that came with the qualification of Mickey Harte fielding a weakened team, most notably resting Conor Glass, whose presence on the pitch opposite Brian Fenton is reason enough to get the turnstiles clicking.

There is also the sense that under Harte and Gavin Devlin, the depth of the Derry panel has been fattened with the likes of Diarmuid Baker, Donncha Gilmore, Cormac Murphy, while Lachlan Murray’s performance last weekend suggests a continued easing of the burden of main strike forward Shane McGuigan.

However, the All-Ireland champions have got even better, and their depth is unrivalled.

It is easily forgotten that Dubin won the Sam Maguire last year in the absence of Seán Bugler, while Ciarán Kilkenny was struggling for a place and Niall Scully did not have one.

All three have been excellent this spring, backed up by the continued emergence of the likes of Theo Clancy, Cian Murphy and Ross McGarry, all while they await the return of their ten-All-Ireland-chasing trio of Stephen Cluxton, James McCarthy and Michael Fitzsimons.

They will be asked enough hard questions to remind Dessie Farrell that this season is not done yet but, as ever, they will answer them.

Verdict: Dublin

Division 2 final Armagh v Donegal Croke Park, 2.0 (TG4)

Jim McGuinness makes his return to the Croke Park sidelines for the first time since the 2014 All-Ireland final in a game of significantly less importance.

Of all the divisional finals, this is the one which struggles most for relevancy, not only because the main prize of promotion has been achieved but it invariably features counties whose stature and ambition goes well beyond this.

So it is with both Armagh and Donegal, two teams whose stay in the second tier was never going to be anything other than brief and who, at a minimum, will be in the last eight when it matters most later this summer.

They finished level at the Athletic Grounds in the group stage – which suited both – but pushing harder here may suit Donegal’s eye better, not only by virtue that they have a three-week gap to the championship but also because they will seek to maintain their unbeaten run under McGuinness.

Verdict: Donegal

ALLIANZ HL Division 2A final Carlow v Laois

Dr Cullen Park, 3.0 (TG4 YouTube)

Carlow won the group headto-head in impressive fashion but Laois really seem to be coming to the boil at the right time. Putting 4-20 on Kerry was one sign of that; beating a Down team who have been so competitive this spring by 11 in the semi-final another.

Paddy Purcell, Ross King and Aaron Dunphy are in flying form and bring a wealth of big-game know-how too.

Verdict: Laois

Division 3A final Mayo v Sligo MacHale Park, 2.0

Gavin Connolly’s second-half dismissal for Sligo helped turn a tight group game in Mayo’s favour the last time so a repeat win certainly won’t be easy.

Verdict: Mayo

Division 3B final Fermanagh v Warwickshire Brewster Park, 2.00

After playing a part for Ireland in the shinty, Luca McCusker has been at the forefront of Fermanagh’s campaign.

A trophy would be the perfect riposte to those who would see the county axed from National League action.

Verdict: Fermanagh