GAA PREVIEWS
DONNCHADH BOYLE
TODAY
LEINSTER SHC
Wexford v Galway, Wexford Park, 5.0, J Murphy (Limerick), Sky Sports
Galway delivered a significant statement of intent with their performance in beating Kilkenny last weekend. They’ll get it hot and heavy from Wexford, but the Tribesmen look to be in a good place. Odds: Wexford 5/2 Galway 2/5 Draw 10/1.
Verdict: Galway
MUNSTER SHC
Cork v Limerick, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7.0, J Owens (Wexford), Sky Sports
See Martin Breheny’s preview P2 Odds: Cork 8/11 Limerick 7/5 Draw 9/1 Verdict: Limerick
JOE McDONAGH CUP
Meath v Kerry, Navan, 3.0, S Hynes (Galway) . Verdict: Kerry
Laois v Carlow, Portlaoise, 3.0, CMc Allister(Cork). Verdict: Carlow
Westmeath v Antrim, Cusack Pk, 3.0, R McGann (Clare) Verdict: Westmeath
CHRISTY RING CUP
Wicklow v Kildare, Joule Park, 3.0, T Walsh (Waterford) Verdict: Wicklow
Roscommon v Mayo, Athleague, 3.0, S Stack (Dublin) Verdict: Mayo
Derry v Down, Watty Graham Park, 1.0, J Connors (Donegal) Verdict: Down
Armagh v London, Athletic Grounds, 1.0, A Devine (Westmeath) Verdict: London
NICKY RACKARD CUP
Louth v Monaghan, Darver, 1.0, G McGrath (Wexford) Verdict: Monaghan
Longford v Warwickshire, Pearse Park, 1.0, J Clarke (Cavan) Verdict: Warwickshire
Leitrim v Tyrone, Carrick-on- -Shannon, 3.0, A Ferguson (Fermanagh) Verdict: Tyrone
EIRGRID CONNACHT U-20FC
Roscommon v Sligo, Dr Hyde Park, 7.0, L Devenney (Mayo) Verdict: Roscommon
LEINSTER MHC PRELIMINARY QUARTER-FINALS
Westmeath v Meath, Cusack Park, 12.45, R Fitzsimons (Offaly)
Verdict: Westmeath
Kildare v Down, Abbottstown, 12.0, T Gleeson (Dublin). Verdict: Kildare
MUNSTER SHC
Carlow v Antrim, Abbottstown, 12.0 Verdict: Antrim
MUNSTER MHC
Cork v Limerick, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 5.0, J Mullins (Clare). Verdict: Cork
TOMORROW
Waterford v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 4.0, A Kelly (Galway), RTE2
It’s been a miserable week for Waterford who go into this game fighting for their lives and without a host of front line players. Those absentees should be enough to tip the balance in the Premier’s favour but their supporters will be wondering which team will turn up, the one that looked out on its feet and trailed by nine points in the first half against Cork or the one that rallied after the restart.
Odds: Tipperary 1/10 Waterford 13/2 Draw 16/1
Verdict: Tipperary
LEINSTER SHC
Dublin v Offaly, Parnell Park, 3.0, C Lyons (Cork)
This is essentially a relegation playoff with the loser headed for the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019 provided a Munster team doesn’t win that competition this year. Offaly’s challenge started off strongly in the round-robin series but has faded and last weekend they shipped a heavy defeat to Wexford. Dublin have yet to register a point but have performed strongly to date, meaning that Offaly will need to hope their Liam MacCarthy cup status can be saved by a change of rule later this year.
Odds: Dublin 1/7 Offaly 5/1 Draw 14/1
Verdict: Dublin
ULSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL*
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Healy Park, 2.0, C Lane (Cork), RTE2/BBC2
Monaghan will be mindful of last year’s Ulster semi-final when they were expected to beat Down and came up short and that should have them on high alert. They were excellent against Tyrone last time out but getting back to that pitch might be an issue. Fermanagh were convincing winners over Armagh and have both the Quigley brothers on board. They can make things difficult but if Monaghan hit the high notes they should have enough.
Odds: Fermanagh 4/1 Monaghan 1/5 Draw 12/1
Verdict: Monaghan
CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINAL*
Galway v Sligo, Pearse Stadium, 3.30, N Mooney (Cavan)
There were 20 places between the sides in the NFL standings at the end of the spring and that under lines the extent of the task facing Cathal Corey’s Sligo. The Yeats men were much too strong for London but they face one of the form teams in the country here and Kevin Walsh’s men are battle-hardened after their win over Mayo.
Odds: Galway 1/15 Sligo 15/2 Draw 20/1
Verdict: Galway
MUNSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL*
Kerry v Clare, Fitzgerald Stadium, 3.30, B Cassidy (Derry)
These sides meet for the fourth time in the Championship in three seasons, with Kerry coming out on top on each occasion. Clare have made great strides under Colm Collins, and the return of Kevin Hartnett and Sean Collins will be a boost. Kerry will have to find their best team on the hoof after a League of considerable experimentation, but with a host of big names returning to the fray they should still have enough. Odds: Kerry 1/20 Clare 8/1 Draw 20/1
Verdict: Kerry
EIRGRID ULSTER U-20FC
Derry v Donegal, Healy Park, 11.45, A Marron (Monaghan) Verdict: Donegal
MUNSTER MHC
Waterford v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 2.0, R McGann (Clare) Verdict: Tipperary
LADIES FOOTBALL TODAY
TG4 MUNSTER LADIES SFC SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary v Cork, Ardfinnan, 2.0 Verdict: Cork
ULSTER LADIES IFC SEMI-FINAL
Down v Tyrone, Emyvale, 5.0 Verdict: Tyrone
ULSTER LADIES JFC FINAL
Antrim v Derry, Emyvale, 7.0 Verdict: Derry
TOMORROW
MUNSTER LADIES SFC SEMI-FINAL
Kerry v Waterford, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.30 Verdict: Kerry
ULSTER LADIES SFC SEMI-FINAL
Cavan v Armagh, Inniskeen, 6.0 Verdict: Cavan
LEINSTER JFC
Louth v Kilkenny, St Kevin’s GFC, Dunleer, 12.0
Verdict: Louth
LEINSTER IFC QUARTER-FINALS
Wicklow v Meath, Roundwood, 2.0 Verdict: Meath
Wexford v Kildare, Innovate Wexford Park, 2.0 Verdict: Wexford
Offaly v Laois, Tubber GAA Grounds, 2.0 Verdict: Laois
* (extra time if necessary)