ALL YOUR GAA PREVIEWS, SCORES & TABLES
FOOTBALL
Allianz League Division 1 relegation play-offs:
Armagh v Roscommon, Athletic Grounds, 3.00pm (GAAGO) Referee:
S Hurson (Tyrone)
If nothing else, at least both of last season’s promoted teams can’t go back down but Roscommon are likely to get that familiar sinking feeling. Defeat here will be their third time in a row to drop out of the top flight following promotion. Armagh have adjusted to life in the top tier better than most had predicted and staying there will be a significant step in the development of Kieran McGeeney’s team. Verdict: Armagh
Monaghan v Galway, Clones, 3.45pm (TG4)
Referee: D Gough (Meath)
Pádraic Joyce has logic on his side in suggesting that a game of this magnitude should be played at a neutral venue.
His concern is perhaps heightened by the awareness of the challenge posed by Monaghan, not least with the pace injected into their team, having performed quite well against Donegal and Tyrone. Home advantage may well extend the Farney men’s stay in the top flight to a remarkable eighth-consecutive season. Verdict: Monaghan
Division 2 semi-finals: Clare v Mayo, Cusack Park, 1.45pm (TG4)
Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh) Potentially a history-making day for Clare, who are seeking to play in the top division for the first time since 1996. They are well organised by Colm Collins and have quality in their side – not least in ace forwards Eoin Cleary and David Tubridy, who have been in sparkling form. However, they have drawn the short straw here as Mayo wasted little time in reminding us that they belong in the top flight. Verdict: Mayo
Kildare v Meath, Newbridge, 2.00pm (GAAGO)
Referee:
B Cassidy (Derry)
Jack O’Connor will need no reminding of his team’s calamitous defensive performance when these teams met in last year’s Leinster semi-final and Meath hit –or more to the point were handed – five goals.
In hindsight, given what befell Andy McEntee’s team in the final, O’Connor may feel he ducked a bullet of sorts.
With a Leinster SFC that offers no prospect of success for either side, this can be a defining game for the eventual winners. Verdict: Kildare
Division 3 relegation play-off: Longford v Tipperary, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 3.45pm (GAAGO) Referee:
S Mulhare (Laois)
From an All-Ireland semi-final to a play-off to avoid dropping to Division 4, David Power’s team are on quite the rollercoaster ride. However, they should get matters back on track against a Longford side struggling for form and results.
Verdict: Tipperary
Division 4 semi-final: Waterford v Antrim, Fraher Field, 12.15pm (GAAGO)
Referee: D Murnane (Cork)
Antrim have looked the class team in the bottom tier thus far but may find Waterford on the road a tough nut to crack – but crack it they will.
Verdict: Antrim
Division 4 shield final: Sligo v Wexford, Portlaoise, 3.00pm (GAAGO) Referee: D Hickey (Carlow)
Sligo hold the aces here.
Verdict: Sligo
HURLING
Allianz League
Division 1 Group A
Cork v Galway
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.45pm (Sport TG4)
Referee: P O’Dwyer (Carlow)
After putting such emphasis on a short puck-out strategy – and then being eaten alive by Limerick in the first half last weekend – Cork know there needs to be more variety to their play against another physical team packed with six-footers. If the Waterford-Tipperary result falls their way, then a win here and Galway are crowned joint League champions with Kilkenny – unless the pair meet again in the Championship fixture that will double as a final. Verdict: Galway
Waterford v Tipperary
Walsh Park, 1.45pm (GAAGO) Referee:
J Owens (Wexford)
Calum Lyons continues to show why he is one of the most exciting young talents in the game and Waterford manager Liam Cahill will take plenty of positives from putting 3-23 up against Galway. Lapses of concentration though have caught Waterford badly and after rediscovering a goal edge, Tipperary know that a win here gives them top spot and a share of the overall title against Kilkenny, unless their paths cross again in summer when everything is up for grabs.
Verdict: Tipperary
Westmeath v Limerick
TEG Cusack Park, 1.45pm (GAAGO) Referee:
C Mooney (Dublin)
It’s been a tough learning curve for Westmeath in this mini Munster group of death, and the way Limerick took Cork apart last weekend was noticeable as key players like Diarmaid Byrnes, Cian Lynch and Tom Morrissey are really returning to form. Verdict: Limerick
Division 2A
Carlow v Kerry
Netwatch Cullen Park, 1pm Referee: N Wall (Cork)
Marty Kavanagh continues to add to his reputation as one of the sharpest-eyed attackers around and the whopping 5-28 put up against Meath last weekend suggests a team coming into form just around Championship time.
Verdict: Carlow
Down v Meath Ballycran 1pm Referee:
T Gleeson (Dublin)
Paul Sheehan and Eoghan Sands did much of the damage in a comprehensive win over Wicklow and there is a chance here for Down to earn back-to-back wins. Verdict: Down
Wicklow v Offaly Baltinglass 1pm Referee:
D Hughes (Carlow)
A big week for Offaly hurling, with promotion already secured to Division 1 with a game to spare.
Verdict: Offaly