Today’s Previews
COMPILED BY MICHEAL CLIFFORD AND PHILIP LANIGAN
FOOTBALL
DIVISION 1
Kildare v Dublin,
Newbridge, 1.45pm
Ref: S Hurson (Tyrone)
It may be just the League, but this is arguably the most intriguing game between two Leinster sides in over a decade. It is 22 years since Kildare last beat Dublin but they will never get a better chance and if they do, they will give themselves a shot at top flight survival while pushing their chief tormentors ever closer to Division 2.
The Dubs are favourites but form and a tight Newbridge pitch suggests otherwise. Verdict: Kildare
Mayo v Armagh, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm
Ref: D Coldrick (Meath) Armagh have started the season the more impressively but James Horan is refreshing his squad while still winning and that hints at a Mayo group that will go deep into the year again. How Mayo’s defence cope with Rian O’Neill, particularly after last summer’s discomforting and costly experience of coping with Cathal McShane, will reveal a lot too. If the Connacht men do that, they can take a jump on one of their main rivals for a place in the League final. Verdict: Mayo
Monaghan v Kerry, Inniskeen, 2pm
Ref: P Neilan (Roscommon) Oisín McConville suggested this fixture represents Kerry’s ‘cold, rainy night in Stoke’, which is an acknowledgment that for all of their ability, the Kingdom can struggle against an aggressive press.
But there is also a suspicion – very evident in the third quarter against Donegal – that they are leaning on Paddy Tally’s smarts to pushthat accusation to one side and they will relish this as a challenge.
However, given Conor McManus’ absence, it is likely to rain lighter today on them. Verdict: Kerry
DIVISION 2
Clare v Derry, Cusack Park, Ennis, 1pm
Ref: C Lane (Cork)
This is never the easiest of places to visit but Derry are built to cope with adversity in that they have both structure, smarts and skill to get out of the tightest of corners. And all of those attributes should serve them well in Division 1 next year.
Verdict: Derry
DIVISION 3
Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm
Ref: B Judge (Sligo)
Two teams under new management who have really struggled to find any kind of form and a defeat here will leave one of them staring at a place in the bottom tier next year. That is likely to be one indignity too far for the visitors. Verdict: Fermanagh
Louth v Westmeath,
Ardee, 2pm
Ref: C Dourneen (Cavan) There was much to admire about Louth’s spirited secondhalf performance against Limerick, but Westmeath look a cut above everyone else in this division.
Verdict: Westmeath
DIVISION 4
London v Wexford, Ruislip, 1pm
Ref: K Faloon (Down)
What is utterly remarkable about London’s perfect start is that they have shown the nerve to grind out wins in tight games, with a scoring differential of plus four.
But then, if you keep sailing close to the wind...
Verdict: Wexford
Cavan v Carlow,
Kingspan Breffni, 2pm Ref: S Laverty (Antrim) Niall Carew managed to stop the bleeding last weekend, but
Cavan represent a different type of opposition to Waterford. Verdict: Cavan
Waterford v Leitrim, Fraher Field, 2pm
Ref: D Hickey (Carlow)
After a seismic won over Tipperary, Leitrim crashed back to earth last weekend. They should be good for lift-off again. Verdict: Leitrim
HURLING
DIVISION 1 GROUP A Galway v Wexford
Pearse Stadium, 2pm (deferred TG4)
Ref: J Keenan (Wicklow) Henry Shefflin cut such an animated figure on the sideline against Limerick that it said a lot about how Galway wanted to issue a statement of intent. While the dismissal of Gearóid Hegarty helped their cause, their ability to stand up to the All-Ireland champions physically all around the park was significant. Rory O’Connor returned with a bang for Wexford against Clare so this top-of -the-table clash has a tasty look to it.
Verdict: Galway
Offaly v Clare
Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 2pm
Ref: K Jordan (Tipperary) Eight goals conceded and a -36 score difference after two games shows how steep the learning curve is for Offaly after promotion from Division 2A. Verdict: Clare
Limerick v Cork
TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm (TG4)
Ref: S Stack (Dublin)
A date that would have been ringed in the diary of Cork manager Kieran Kingston from a long way out. After two casual and comprehensive victories over Clare and Offaly, Cork are going to have to show a bit of steel in this one to go with all the pace, stickwork and hightempo play that has characterised their early season. With Limerick still only coming up to speed, no better time to draw a veil over the scoreline from the All-Ireland final.
Verdict: Cork
DIVISION 1 GROUP B Antrim v Waterford Corrigan Park, 1pm Ref: T Gleeson (Dublin)
Breaking the 50-point barrier against Laois – 7-31 to be exact – was a ruthless show of force by Liam Cahill’s side. Buoyed by the return of the All-Ireland winning Ballygunner contingent to training, the county is on a roll right now. Verdict: Waterford
Kilkenny v Laois
UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm Ref: R Fitzsimons (Offaly) The first half against Tipperary was watch-through-your-fingers stuff, Kilkenny struggling to mix it up short and mishitting ball after ball. The second half fight-back, though, showcased so many of the qualities that characterise the Brian Cody reign as the class of Pádraig Walsh, Huw Lawlor and Walter Walsh off the bench shone through. They’ll only improve. Verdict: Kilkenny
DIVISION 2A
Carlow v Kerry
Netwatch Cullen Park, 12.30pm
Ref: S Cleere (Kilkenny)
It’s a sign of the fine margins in the division that only Down are two from two. Kevin McDonald has been a leading light for Carlow, producing a quality goal the last day in the win over Westmeath, but Kerry have room to improve on their last away outing.
Verdict: Kerry
Down v Kildare Ballycran, 1pm
Ref: K Brady (Louth)
Down have been the surprise packets so far to deservedly take top spot in the table and with a bit more discipline in defence – 11 of the 19 points conceded against Meath came from placed balls – they can make it three League wins in a row.
Verdict: Down
Meath v Westmeath Trim, 2pm
Ref: C Mooney (Dublin)
Westmeath need to gain some momentum with their place in a six-team Leinster Championship only a matter of months away.
Verdict: Westmeath
DIVISION 2B
Sligo v London Markievicz Park, 12pm Ref: B Keon (Galway)
Wicklow v Donegal Aughrim, 12.30pm
Ref: J Owens (Wexford)
Derry v Mayo
Celtic Park, 1pm
Ref: K Parke (Antrim)
DIVISION 3A
Roscommon v Warwickshire
Kiltoom, 1pm
Ref: A McAleer (Donegal)
Tyrone v Armagh O’Neills Healy Park, 2pm Ref: J Connors (Donegal)
DIVISION 3B
Lancashire v Longford Abbottstown, 1pm
Ref: L Gordon (Galway)