GAELIC GAMES PREVIEWS
TODAY *denotes extra-time if necessary
(All games 2.0pm unless otherwise stated) DR HARTY CUP FINAL
CBS Midleton v Christian Brothers College, Cork, Páirc Uí Rinn, J Murphy (Limerick) The first all-Cork final in 25 years will be tight but the Blarney pair of Pádraig Power and Shane Barrett may just edge it for rugby powerhouse CBC.
Verdict: Christian Brothers College
ALL-IRELAND CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS * Corofin (Galway) v Gaoth Dobhair (Donegal), Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 1.30, M Deegan (Laois), TG4 LIVE Both sides play an exciting brand of football so a classic could be in store. A surprise isn’t out of the question from the Kevin Cassidyled Gaoth Dobhair but reigning All-Ireland champions Corofin will likely find a way to win, as they usually do.
Odds: Corofin 2/5 Gaoth 11/4 Draw 8/1
Verdict: Corofin
Dr Crokes (Kerry) v Mullinalaghta (Longford), Semple Stadium, 3.30, S Hurson (Tyrone), TG4 LIVE Mullinalaghta were the GAA story of 2018 as they slew Dublin giants Kilmacud in the Leinster final but this is another step up in class with Pat O’Shea’s Dr Crokes looking like men on a mission. The scoring prowess of David Shaw, Brian Looney and Tony Brosnan, as well as Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper, should see them home with a bit to spare. Odds: Dr Crokes 1/14 Mullina’ 9/1 Draw 16/1
Verdict: Dr Crokes
SIGERSON CUP SEMI-FINAL * UCD v St Mary’s, Mallow, 3.0, J Bermingham (Cork) Liam Silke’s absence has dominated the build-up but John Divilly’s UCD should still have all the aces with Con O’Callaghan and Conor McCarthy leading the line up front. Odds: UCD 1/6 St Mary’s 5/1 Draw 10/1 Verdict: UCD
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1A
Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.15, J Ryan (Tipperary), eir sport 1/RTÉ2 Switching to Páirc Uí Rinn should suit Cork’s free-flowing style but John Meyler’s men have been off-colour this far – Declan Dalton is also out having recently undergone knee surgery – and it’s hard to have confidence against a Clare side buoyed by the returning Tony Kelly. Odds: Cork 5/4 Clare 4/5 Draw 8/1
Verdict: Clare
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1B Laois v Offaly, O’Moore Park, 7.0, A Kelly (Galway) A huge game for both counties as defeat is likely to spell relegation trouble for both. Laois have performed better in their two games with Offaly’s attack proving ineffective and Eddie Brennan’s side may have a little more scoring power at home. Odds: Laois 4/7 Offaly 13/8 Draw 9/1
Verdict: Laois
Waterford v Carlow, Fraher Field, 7.0, J Keenan (Wicklow) Carlow provided the shock of the season to grab a draw against Galway with Marty Kavanagh on fire up but Colm Bonnar’s side are unlikely to repeat the dose with big guns Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson returning to bolster Waterford’s charge.
Odds: Waterford 1/33 Carlow 10/1 Draw 25/1
Verdict: Waterford ALLIANZ Lancashire HL v Louth, DIVISION Abbotstown, 3A 1.30, G McGrath (Wexford) Verdict: Louth
TOP OIL BROTHER BOSCO CUP LEINSTER SF ‘A’ QUARTER-FINALS Coláiste Eoin v Moate CS, Kinnegad GAA Verdict: Moate CS
Naas CBS v Scoil Mhuire Clane, Hawkfield-Newbridge Verdict: Naas CBS
Marist Athlone v St Patrick’s Navan, St Loman’s Mullingar Verdict: Marist
Offaly Schools v Wicklow Schools, Blanchardstown IT Verdict: Offaly Schools
LIDL LADIES NFL DIVISION 3 Sligo v Meath, Cloonacool Community Park, G Carmody (Roscommon) Verdict: Meath
LIDL LADIES NFL DIVISION 4 Antrim v Leitrim, The Dub, Queen’s University, S McLaughlin (Donegal) Verdict: Antrim TOMORROW ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1A Kilkenny v Limerick, Nowlan Park, F Horgan (Tipperary), LIVE TG4 The game of the weekend as the reigning All-Ireland champions visit the home of the Cats for what should be a belter. Brian Cody’s side have defied a number of highprofile absentees to defeat Cork and run Clare close but a full-strength Treaty should just have their number as John Kiely’s side go in search of three wins from three. Odds: Kilkenny 5/4 Limerick 5/6 Draw 17/2
Verdict: Limerick Wexford v Tipperary, Innovate Wexford Park, C Lyons (Cork) Davy Fitz is using the league to expand his panel but they have still performed well with a surprise defeat of Cork on their travels as Lee Chin and Rory O’Connor continued their return to action off the bench. Tipp were found wanting in the second half against Limerick and a reaction is expected from Liam Sheedy’s men. Odds: Wexford 7/4 Tipp 4/7 Draw 8/1
Verdict: Tipperary
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1B Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, J Owens (Galway) Dublin boss Mattie Kenny heads back to Galway having been overlooked for the Tribe job in favour of current manager Micheál Donoghue so there should be a bit of spice to this. Galway were sloppy against Carlow and will have to improve while the Dubs have started in good style so there may not be anything to separate them. Odds: Galway 2/5 Dublin 5/2 Draw 10/1
Verdict: Draw
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 2A Meath v London, St Loman’s Park Trim, 1.0, D Hughes (Carlow) The Royals are in dire need of victory and Nick Fitzgerald’s side should edge this. Odds: Meath 1/3 London 5/2 Draw 10/1 Verdict: Meath
Kerry v Mayo, St Loman’s Park Trim, 1.0, T Walsh (Waterford) Ace attacker Shane Conway should tip the balance for Fintan O’Connor’s Kingdom. Odds: Kerry 1/5 Mayo 4/1 Draw 11/1 Verdict: Kerry
Antrim v Westmeath, Corrigan Park, P Murphy (Carlow) Victory puts one foot in a league final for Joe Quaid’s Lake side and they should do so with Antrim minus the Cushendall crew.
Odds: Antrim 11/10 Westmeath 10/11 Draw 8/1
Verdict: Westmeath
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 2B Warwickshire v Down, Páirc na hÉireann, 1.15, K Brady (Louth) Warwickshire look out of their depth in 2B and Down should win handsomely. Odds: W’wick 15/2 Down 1/20 Draw 20/1 Verdict: Down
Donegal v Wicklow, Letterkenny, L Gordon (Galway) Don’t rule out a surprise from the Danny Cullen-led Donegal on home soil. Odds: Donegal 5/4 Wicklow 8/11 Draw 9/1 Verdict: Donegal
Kildare v Derry, Newbridge, S Hynes (Galway) A top-of-the-table clash but slight preference for David Herity’s Lilies at home. Odds: Kildare 1/2 Derry 15/8 Draw 9/1 Verdict: Kildare
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 3A Armagh v Roscommon, Athletic Grounds, C Mooney (Dublin) Verdict: Armagh
Tyrone v Monaghan, Healy Park, J Connors (Donegal) Verdict: Tyrone
ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 3B Longford v Leitrim, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, J Clarke (Cavan) Verdict: Longford
Sligo v Cavan, Kent Park, Balldoogan, A Ferguson (Fermanagh) Verdict: Sligo SIGERSON CUP SEMI-FINAL * UCC v NUIG, Mallow, D O’Mahoney (Tipperary) Kieran Molloy (NUIG) and David Shaw (UCC) will have just 24 hours to prepare after their All-Ireland club semi-finals but Seán O’Shea, Paudie Clifford and Killian Spillane should be the difference-makers up front for the Cork side as they go in search of a 22nd Sigerson crown.
Odds: UCC 1/4 NUIG 7/2 Draw 10/1
Verdict: UCC
LITTLEWOODS IRELAND CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIVISION 1 GROUP 1 Offaly v Kilkenny, St Rynagh’s GAA, E Cassidy (Derry) It’s hard to look past an easy victory for Ann Downey’s four-in-a-row seeking Cats.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Dublin v Limerick, Parnells, 2.45, O Elliott (Antrim) Declan Nash’’s Treaty side should book their semi-final place.
Verdict: Limerick
DIVISION 1 GROUP 2
Wexford v Tipperary, St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, R Kelly (Kildare) A depleted Wexford side will be lucky to even field a team against Tipp.
Verdict: Tipperary
Waterford v Galway, Carriganore, WIT, J Darmody (Westmeath)
A doozy in store but the improving Déise may be edged out by Galway.
Verdict: Galway
LIDL LADIES NFL DIVISION 4 Fermanagh v Derry, Derrygonnelly, D Callaghan (Donegal) Verdict: Derry