THE BOOTROOM: PREVIEWS OF ALL THE WEEKEND ACTION FOOTBALL
TODAY
ALLIANZ FL DIV 1
DUBLIN v CORK
Croke Park, 7.00 TV: Cork LIVE have on beaten Setanta Dublin Ireland twice at stage Crokein recentPark in seasonsthe group but would competitive.settle for They being can’t afford toa row, ship buta third they heavy might defeatnot havein any other choice.
VERDICT: Dublin
ALLIANZ FL DIV 2
CAVAN v ARMAGH
Breffni Park, 7.00 This should be as tasty as ever but whatever about the row, Cavan should win the game.
VERDICT: Cavan
TYRONE v DERRY
Healy Park, 7.00
TV: LIVE on Setanta 1 Damian Barton’s response in changing a third of his team after losing to Galway sends a message, although it is one Tyrone are unlikely to heed.
VERDICT: Tyrone
ALLIANZ FL DIV 4
WATERFORD v WEXFORD
Dungarvan, 7.00
VERDICT: Wexford
TOMORROW
ALLIANZ FL DIV 1
ROSCOMMON v DOWN
Pearse Park, Longford, 2.00 These teams shared the same division last year but are worlds apart now, which Roscommon will underline by securing top flight status with three rounds to spare.
VERDICT: Roscommon
KERRY v DONEGAL
Tralee, 2.30 TV: LIVE on TG4 Kerry’s 16-point winning margin was impressive in Newry last week, but came in a game that had a Division 3 feel to it when compared with what unfolded in Ballybofey. Donegal are the form team in the country and their perfect start should continue.
VERDICT: Donegal
MONAGHAN v MAYO
Clones, 2.30 The key is which of these teams have recovered the better from two Championship-like intensity performances last weekend, which yielded nought. Even though Mayo have lost Keith Higgins, they may emerge in better shape as their need is the greater.
VERDICT: Mayo
ALLIANZ FL DIV 1
FERMANAGH v LAOIS
Brewster Park, 2.00 Two teams tipped to go down but whoever wins this will survive. VERDICT: Fermanagh
GALWAY v MEATH
Pearse Stadium, 2.00 Fiontáin Ó Curraoin is a doubt for Galway, not that it should hold them back here.
VERDICT: Galway
ALLIANZ FL DIV 3
TIPPERARY v OFFALY
Tipperary Town, 12.30
VERDICT: Tipperary KILDARE v LIMERICK
Newbridge, 1.30
VERDICT: Kildare
CLARE v WESTMEATH
Ennis, 2.00
VERDICT: Clare
SLIGO v LONGFORD
Markievicz Park, 2.30
VERDICT: Sligo
ALLIANZ FL DIV 4
LONDON v ANTRIM
Ruislip, 1.00
VERDICT: Antrim
LEITRIM v LOUTH
Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.00
VERDICT: Louth
WICKLOW v CARLOW
Aughrim, 2.30
VERDICT: Wicklow
HURLING
TODAY
ALLIANZ HL DIV 1A
DUBLIN v CORK
Croke Park, 5.00 Cork have been forced into making changes after their poor start to the season, but not all are enforced. The return of Seamus Harnedy should give the Cork attack a focal point sadly missed in defeat to Galway and Waterford, and they might be more at home in Croke Park than a Dublin team whose strengths are best suited to Parnell Park.
VERDICT: Cork
ALLIANZ HL DIV 1B
LAOIS v CLARE
Portlaoise, 7.00 Two years ago when these teams met in the play-offs, Laois were competitive but that moment has passed.
VERDICT: Clare
ALLIANZ HL DIV 2A
LONDON v KILDARE
Ruislip, 1.30
VERDICT: London
ALLIANZ HL DIV 3A
TYRONE v WARICKSHIRE
Healy Park, 5.00
VERDICT: Tyrone
TOMORROW
ALLIANZ HL DIV 1A
KILKENNY v GALWAY
Nowlan Park, 2.00 The loss of Greg Lally for the season with a cruciate injury is a blow for Galway and that might not be the end of the bad news. It was hard not to be impressed with Kilkenny’s resolve against Tipperary and their killer instincts were so sharp that it must have sent a chill through the rest.
VERDICT: Kilkenny
TIPPERARY v WATERFORD
Thurles, 3.00 The availability of Seamus Callanan is timely given that Jason Forde is out of commission, but strike forwards can be made feel as useful as a bicycle in a fish tank against Waterford, who are the form team in the land.
VERDICT: Waterford
ALLIANZ HL DIV 1B
KERRY v WEXFORD
Austin Stack Park, 12.35
TV: LIVE on TG4 Kerry’s ambition will be focussed on still being in contention late enough into the game to catch the interest of the football supporters who will come early.
VERDICT: Wexford
OFFALY v LIMERICK
O’Connor Park, 2.00 The visitors to move another step closer to a promotion shoot-out with Clare.
VERDICT: Limerick
ALLIANZ HL DIV 2A
CARLOW v DERRY
Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.00
VERDICT: Carlow
WESTMEATH v ANTRIM
Mullingar, 2.00
VERDICT: Westmeath
ALLIANZ HL DIV 2B
WICKLOW v ARMAGH
Aughrim, 12.30
VERDICT: Armagh
DOWN v MAYO
Ballycran, 2.00
VERDICT: Down
MEATH v DONEGAL
Trim, 2.00
VERDICT: Meath
ALLIANZ HL DIV 3A
MONAGHAN v LOUTH
Trim, 1.00
VERDICT: Louth
ROSCOMMON v FINGAL
Athleague, 1.00
VERDICT: Fingal
ALLIANZ HL DIV 3B
SLIGO v FERMANAGH
Markievicz Park, 12.30
VERDICT: Fermanagh
LONGFORD v LEITRIM
Pearse Park, 12.30
VERDICT: Longford