Today’s Previews

ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL Cavan v Tyrone Breffni Park, 4.00

It was a difficult league for Tyrone but given the number of players they were missing, Brian Dooher may not have received the credit due for keeping them up. Fielding a weakened team, the five-goal mauling by Dublin in the final round carries more than a faint echo of how they wrapped up the 2021 league, but that summer turned out to be more than just alright.

It will not be as good this year but certainly good enough to get past this point.

Verdict: Tyrone

CONNACHT SFC QUARTER-FINAL Roscommon v Mayo

Dr Hyde Park, 4.0

Roscommon’s win in this fixture was one of the stand-out results of last year’s championship, backed up by drawing with Dublin in Croke Park. But after a disappointing league campaign which ended with relegation, they head into the summer with low expectations.

Kevin McStay admitted last month that loss to Roscommon impacted Mayo’s season, leaving them playing catch-up throughout the summer before they eventually

ran out of road against Dublin. That was his way of saying that they won’t be caught this time.

Verdict: Mayo

MUNSTER SHC RD 1 Clare v Limerick

Cusack Park, 2.0 (RTÉ2)

Clare are the form team after an unbeaten league campaign, crowned by a Division 1 title. The game is at Cusack Park, Shane O’Donnell is back in the mix and Tony Kelly named at number 26. And yet…

This Limerick team live for the big occasion – Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch, Gearóid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey, Aaron Gillane all produce when it matters most. A training camp in Portugal will have helped to smooth over the rough edges of the league semi-final defeat by Kilkenny.

Verdict: Limerick

Waterford v Cork

Walsh Park, 4.0 (GAAGO)

A downbeat league campaign dogged by injuries and an over-complicated set-up prompted a players’ meeting to plot a way forward. The starting 15 Davy Fitzgerald has picked has the capacity to really trouble Cork. Mark Coleman’s return for the Rebels, allied to Darragh Fitzgibbon’s dynamism around the middle third, could be crucial and if the gaps open up, Alan Connolly’s goal threat might swing it.

Verdict: Cork

LEINSTER SHC ROUND 1 Wexford v Dublin Wexford Park, 2.0

Dublin will have much more about them than their off-colour league campaign suggests now they have Chris Crummey and Donal Burke back involved and firing. For

Wexford, so much as ever depends on Lee Chin. Keith Rossiter has added the necessary squad depth that might help the hosts squeeze out a win.

Verdict: Wexford

Kilkenny v Antrim Nowlan Park, 2.30

An away trip to Nowlan Park is as tough as it gets with Derek Lyng keen to nail down a midfield partnership that will last.

Verdict: Kilkenny

Galway v Carlow Pearse Stadium, 2.0

Galway tend to play up to the role of flattrack bully. At home, against one of their less traditional rivals, they have the capacity to put up a big score, though Carlow have been building solidly.

Verdict: Galway