WEEKEND PREVIEWS
TODAY ALLIANZ FL - ROUND 3 DIVISION 1 MAYO v KERRY
Hastings MacHale Park, 7.30pm (TG4) A little bit like the way John Kiely rolled out some big guns as the All-Ireland hurling champions reminded Clare just who is the boss last Saturday night, Kerry manager Jack O’Connor won’t want Mayo getting any notions. This is an opportunity to keep Kevin McStay winless in the competition and add a little bit of pressure that way, rather than allow another All-Ireland pretender gain some steam and momentum. Paudie Clifford’s early return against Monaghan suggests Kerry are intent on cranking things up early.
Verdict: Kerry
DIVISION 2 DERRY v MEATH Owenbeg, 5pm (RTÉ2 / RTÉ Player)
Seven goals in Meath’s opening two games against Cork and Clare is testament to Colm O’Rourke’s preference for his players to put boot to ball and move it early when possible, but no better team than Derry to clog up the attacking channels. With the club final saga over, there will be no further distraction for the likes of Conor Glass and the Glen contingent, and the manner in which Shane McGuigan led the line superbly against Limerick suggests they can win here.
Verdict: Derry
DIVISION 3 TIPPERARY v ANTRIM FBD Semple Stadium, 6pm
The paucity of Tipperary’s challenge against Cavan the last day was a little bit unnerving, given how those two beat the odds in 2020 to be crowned Munster and Ulster champions. A sense of a must-win about this one then against another team in the wrong half of the table.
Verdict: Tipperary
DIVISION 4 WICKLOW v LONDON Aughrim, 1pm
Even for someone around the county scene so long, Oisín McConville has admitted that his first senior inter-county management gig has opened his eyes somewhat. Kevin Quinn’s range of scoring was one positive in the defeat by Sligo, and this time they have to make home advantage count.
Verdict: Wicklow
TOMORROW DIVISION 1 GALWAY v TYRONE Tuam Stadium, 1.45pm (TG4 deferred; live on TG4 app)
That misplaced Galway clearance to allow Ryan O’Donoghue to nail an equaliser for Mayo in round one could yet prove costly in a division of such fine margins. Scoring just eight points represented a miserable enough tally against Roscommon last time out, and a combination of injuries and some key players being absent is hurting Galway right now.
Verdict: Tyrone
MONAGHAN v DONEGAL Clones, 1.45pm
After taking one step forward in round one with that thrilling Paddy McBrearty winner over Kerry, it felt like two steps back for Donegal against Tyrone in being beaten by double scores. The academy coaching controversy points to worrying, structural problems – hence the need for the senior players to step up here.
Verdict: Donegal
ROSCOMMON v ARMAGH
Dr Hyde Park, 1.45pm (TG4) Davy Burke talked the talk when taking over as Roscommon manager, and his team have walked the walk so far. Plundering 3-11 against Tyrone was encouraging at one end while shutting out Galway to the tune of 0-8 showed their defensive smarts. Ethan Rafferty continues to excite and split opinion as an attack-minded goalkeeper for Armagh but there is still a high price to be paid for any turnover out the field.
Verdict: Roscommon
DIVISION 2 CLARE v KILDARE Cusack Park, Ennis, 2pm
Defeat here and Glenn Ryan’s Kildare project is in real trouble. After dominating the ball for long periods against Dublin at Croke Park, the fall-off against Cork was stark. If there isn’t a response here, then it will be doubly worrying for Lilywhite fans.
Verdict: Kildare
LOUTH v LIMERICK Ardee, 2pm
A touch more experience and know-how and Louth could have turned one-score defeats against Clare and Derry in their favour. Sam Mulroy continues to spearhead the scoring threat and Limerick have looked a little bit out of their depth in Division 2 so far.
Verdict: Louth
CORK v DUBLIN
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.45pm (TG4) The yo-yo effect of spring can be seen in Cork’s opening two results where a tail-off against Meath was followed by a hammering of Kildare. Con O’Callaghan is beginning to look like his old rampaging self and Brian Fenton’s form is another plus for Dublin as manager Dessie Farrell continues to test the full depth of his squad.
Verdict: Dublin
DIVISION 3 FERMANAGH v DOWN Ederney, 1pm (BBC iPlayer)
Down have made a habit of coming out the right side of onescore victories thus far, though it was edge-of-the-seat stuff in how they scraped past Antrim. Winning a third tight battle would be significant in terms of promotion hopes.
Verdict: Down
CAVAN v LONGFORD
Kingspan Breffni, 2pm It’s going to be hard to bounce back here for Longford after taking a 4-16 to 0-9 pounding from Westmeath. Dara McVeety is just one of those who have really impressed for Cavan, and they have the look of a top-ofthe-table team right now.
Verdict: Cavan
WESTMEATH v OFFALY
TEG Cusack Park, 2pm Ten different scorers the last time out against Longford speaks to Westmeath’s array of attacking options, with John Heslin continuing to provide such a focal point.
Verdict: Westmeath
DIVISION 4 SLIGO v WATERFORD
Markievicz Park, 1pm ‘Inter-county football for Waterford I believe is now at a crossroads,’ warned county board chairman Sean Michael O’Regan in December, and propping up Division Four speaks to those concerns.
Verdict: Sligo
CARLOW v LAOIS
Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm Evan O’Carroll’s powerhouse performance was critical to Laois’ last-round victory over Wexford as the county looks to correct a maddening inconsistency.
Verdict: Laois
WEXFORD v LEITRIM
Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm Andy Moran has Leitrim flying high, though this could be the first speed bump for a team whose stats puts them top of any 32-county table after two rounds.
Verdict: Wexford
ALLIANZ HL - ROUND 3 DIVISION 2A MEATH v DONEGAL
Páirc Tailteann, 2pm Podge O’Hanrahan’s 15-point haul – 12 from placed balls – was a stand-out feature of Meath’s last round win over Sligo and Seoirse Bulfin’s side can make it three from three.
Verdict: Meath