FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
TODAY MUNSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINAL
NEWCASTLE WEST (Limerick) v THE NIRE (Waterford) Newcastle West, C Maguire (Clare) Two clubs who are no strangers to this competition but Newcastle West, after winning their second Limerick title in three years, can lean on home advantage to get them over the line.
VERDICT: Newcastle West
ULSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS
DROMORE (Tyrone) v DERRYGONNELLY HARPS (Fermanagh), Carrickmore, 1.30; Referee: M McNally (Monaghan) Such is their dominance in Fermanagh – the latest triumph was their sixth in seven years – winning Ulster has become an obsession for Derrygonnelly, but they could have hardly asked for a tougher start. The emphatic manner of Dromore’s county final win over Coalisland suggests that the Fermanagh champions’ wait will go on.
VERDICT: Dromore
RAMOR UNITED (Cavan) v KILCOO (Down)
Kingspan Breffni Park, 6.00; Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh) Ramor United are 7/2 long-shots – which does factor the resolve they showed in beating Gowna in their county final replay. However, Kilcoo are likely to see the next couple of months as perhaps their best shot at winning an All-Ireland title, and their firepower should see them take one step closer.
VERDICT: Kilcoo
TOMORROW KERRY SFC FINAL
AUSTIN STACKS v KERINS O’RAHILLY’S
Austin Stack Park, 3.0; Ref: J Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar) This is the first all-Tralee final since 1963, although that will be of little comfort to O’Rahilly’s as they lost that to John Mitchel’s. Of greater relevance is the fact that they are playing an in-form team who won the senior club title this year, but were somewhat fortunate to get past St Brendan’s in last month’s semi-final on a penalty shoot-out. O’Rahilly’s look to have the broader scoring threat and could be set for their first title since 2002.
VERDICT: Kerins O Rahilly’s
CONNACHT CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL
TOURLESTRANE (Sligo) v KNOCKMORE (Mayo) Ballina, 1.30 Referee: T Murphy (Galway) Tourlestrane are seeking to reach the final for the first time since 1982, while it is 25 years since Knockmore were provincial champions. But the Mayo men look primed to get the job done.
VERDICT: Knockmore
LEINSTER SFC QUARTER-FINALS PORTARLINGTON (Laois) v ST LOMAN’S (Westmeath)
Portlaoise, 2.0, A Nolan (Wicklow) Portarlington’s mauling of Portlaoise in last month’s county final put paid to any notion that the power-change in Laois football is a fleeting one, and a first Leinster championship game in 20 years will certainly focus their minds. It won’t be easy, however.
VERDICT: Portarlington
WOLFE TONES (Meath) v KILMACUD CROKES (Dublin),
Navan, 1.30; Referee: P Maguire (Longford) The club game may be a different beast to the county one, but that is unlikely to save Wolfe Tones from taking the standard pummelling Dublin tend to dish out most days to Meath. And Kilmacud, spearheaded by the talent that is Paul Mannion (below), already have their eyes on the ultimate prize.
VERDICT: Kilmacud Crokes
NAOMH MAIRTIN (Louth) v SHELMALIERS (Wexford),
Geraldines, Haggardstown, 1.0. Referee: C Reilly (Meath) It is rare for Louth champions to be deemed shoo-ins in a Leinster championship game, but Naomh Mairtin’s 14-point hammering of Rathvilly last time out reaffirmed their status as genuine dark horses. While Sam Mulroy is their headline act, the supporting acts can also sting as Shelmaliers will find out to their cost.
VERDICT: Naomh Mairtin
NAAS (Kildare) v BLESSINGTON
(Wicklow), Newbridge, 1.0, D Hickey (Carlow); Blessington shocked Mullinalaghta last time out, but this might be a wake-up call. Naas were left blushing after Darragh Kirwan’s freak goal gifted them a dramatic win over Tullamore, but it is unlikely that they will require such a stroke of good fortune this time. VERDICT: Naas
MUNSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL
ÉIRE ÓG ENNIS (Clare) v LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY
(Tipperary), Ennis, 1.0; Referee: D Murnane (Cork) Loughmore-Castleiney’s double success in Tipperary already ensured they have wrapped up the club of the year award. However, something sometime has to give and Éire Óg, with a four-week rest, are well placed to halt their visitors’ run.
VERDICT: Éire Óg Ennis
ULSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS
CREGGAN (Antrim) v CLANN ÉIREANN (Armagh), Corrigan Park, 1.30; Referee: P Faloon (Down) Creggan bridged a 67-year wait to win the Antrim championship last month, while Clann Eireann won their first in 58 years when stunning Crossmaglen. A shock could be on the cards.
VERDICT: Creggan
GLEN (Derry) v SCOTSTOWN (Monaghan)
Celtic Park, 3.15, J McQuillan (Cavan) It’s a tough call but home advantage might just swing it for Glen.
VERDICT: Glen