WEEKEND GAELIC GAMES PREVIEWS
TODAY
O’BYRNE CUP ROUND 1 Kildare v Longford, Newbridge, 2.0, C Dwyer (Offaly)
A first look at Jack O’Connor’s Kildare and the Lilies are boosted by the return of star forward Daniel Flynn (below) to the panel, while Longford manager Pádraic Davis has hinted that he will use this competition to look at a host of new faces.
Verdict: Kildare
Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.0, M Stones (Offaly)
Life without Stephen Poacher starts here for Carlow and they will be without their Éire Óg contingent for this one as they prepare for their Leinster club final tomorrow. The youngest manager at inter-county level Davy Burke takes charges of Wicklow for the first time.
Verdict: Carlow Laois v Offaly, Portarlington, 2.0, N Ward (Westmeath)
Season number two starts here for John Maughan as Offaly manager but he’ll have to plan without Niall McNamee for the immediate future as he recovers from a concussion. Former Kerry player Mike Quirke takes charge of Laois for the first time.
Verdict: Laois Wexford v Westmeath, St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, 2.0, S Mulhare (Laois)
Paul Galvin’s appointment as Wexford manager was one of the more eye catching appointments in the off season and his reign starts here.
Verdict: Wexford
LEINSTER CLUB IFC FINAL* Mattock Rangers (Louth) v Mullinavat (Kilkenny), Gaelic Grounds, 1.30, P Maguire
(St Mary’s Granard) Odds: Mattock 1/5 Mullinavat 4/1 Draw 11/1
Verdict: Mattock Rangers
LEINSTER CLUB JFC FINAL* Clann na nGael (Meath) v Rathgarogue/Cushinstown (Wexford), Páirc Tailteann, 1.30, D Fedigan (Hunterstown Rovers, Louth)
Odds: Clann na nGael 8/13 Rathgarrouge 13/8 Draw 13/2
Verdict: Clann na
nGael
KEHOE CUP ROUND 2 Wicklow v Antrim, Abbotstown, 2.0, M Ryan (Dublin) Verdict: Antrim CONOR McGURK CUP ROUND 2
UU v Fermanagh, Jordanstown, 2.0 Verdict: UU
Louth v Tyrone, The Dub, 1.30, A McAleer (Donegal) Verdict: Tyrone
TOMORROW
O’BYRNE CUP ROUND 1 Meath v Louth, Páirc Tailteann, 2.0, G Hurley (Westmeath)
Meath are preparing for life back in Division 1 of the National Football League and have named a host of new faces in their team that also sees the return of former underage star Brian Conlon to the set-up. Wayne Kierans starts into his second season but Jim McEnaney has retired.
Verdict: Meath
WALSH CUP ROUND 1 Westmeath v Carlow, Kinnegad, 2.0, C Daly (Kildare)
Shane O’Brien takes charge of Westmeath for the first time after Joe Quaid was ousted. Carlow are back in the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2020 after their brief visit to the top tier.
Verdict: Carlow
KEHOE CUP ROUND 2 Kildare v Down, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 2.0, C Flynn (Westmeath)
Verdict: Kildare LEINSTER CLUB SFC FINAL* Éire Óg (Carlow) v Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin), MW Hire O’Moore Park, 2.0, F Smyth (Cappincur), TG4 Éire Óg scored just three points when beaten by Mullinalaghta in last year’s semi-final. They can expect to go much better this time around but Dublin clubs have won this competition six times since 2010 and they are strong favourites to progress. Odds: Éire Óg 4/1 Ballyboden 1/5 Draw 11/1
Verdict: Ballyboden
ALL-IRELAND CLUB JFC QUARTER-FINAL Thomas McCurtains (Britain) v Blackhill (Monaghan), Ruislip, 1.0**
Verdict: Blackhill
MUNSTER CLUB JFC FINAL* Na Gaeil (Kerry) v Mullinahone (Tipperary), Mallow, 3.45, C Maguire (Wolfe Tones, Shannon) Odds: Na Gaeil 1/33 Mullinahone 9/1 Draw 25/1
Verdict: Na Gaeil
MUNSTER CLUB JHC FINAL* Russell Rovers (Cork) v St Mary’s (Waterford), Mallow, 1.0, J O’Halloran (Bruree, Limerick)
Odds: Russell 3/10 St Mary’s 11/4 Draw 10/1 Verdict: Russell 3/10
(*Extra-time if necessary and result on the day) (**referee TBC)