Today’s Previews
FOOTBALL
ULSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL Monaghan v Derry, Athletic Grounds, 4.0 (BBC); Referee: David
Gough
It is odd, given the claustrophobic nature of the Ulster Championship, that this amounts to a first meeting between these two in 12 years, but it draws its intrigue from elsewhere. This is a game that is genuinely impossible to call, though Monaghan are marginal favourites.
Their passage to this stage was untroubled given Down’s feeble resistance but, as Dublin will acknowledge, Monaghan have serious cutting edge in a highpowered inside line of Conor McManus, Gary Mohan and, in particular, Jack McCarron.
However, Derry’s area of strength is in shutting down opponents and, with Chrissy McKaigue, Brendan Rogers and Gareth McKinless leading from the back, they will give away little.
It is a toss of a coin that may just fall Monaghan’s way.
Verdict: Monaghan
LEINSTER SFC SEMI-FINALS Kildare v Westmeath, Croke Park, 2.15; Referee: Seán Hurson
There was a time not too long ago when this fixture would have signalled menace for Kildare – they lost to Westmeath in 2016 – but there is a sense that the Lilywhites are a rising force. The manner in which they swatted Louth aside, a team who would be deemed to be Westmeath’s equals, was instructive.
The emergence of Jimmy Hyland as a genuine leader of the Kildare attack has added to the belief that the Lilywhites are best placed – though it may not happen this year – to disrupt Dublin’s dominance of Leinster.
In the meantime, they can absolutely be certain of getting another shot at them in the final. Verdict: Kildare
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 4.30; Referee: Derek O’Mahoney
So diluted is the rivalry that even the nostalgia around a fixture that once rocked, does not really sell any more. True, the readiness to accept that Dublin are back to where they were on the basis of the hammering they dished out to Wexford was more than a tad premature, but it’s clear that they remain on a very different level to the Royals.
Since Meath’s last win in 2010, the average margin between the teams in the six games since is 13 points, albeit last year’s six-point reversal represented Meath’s best effort.
The evidence would suggest that Meath, if anything, have regressed since then, while Dublin, with Brian Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny and Con O’Callaghan pulling the strings, are awake again.
And that should be more than enough.
Verdict: Dublin
HURLING
MUNSTER SHC RND 3
Waterford v Cork, Walsh Park, 2.0 (RTÉ); Referee: James Owens
It will be the ultimate shock to the system if the Cork hurlers are gone from Munster and the All-Ireland race by mid-May. There is no doubting the talent in the team, or that they are capable of winning here, but the Clare defeat showed a lack of confidence and a failure once again to block defensive channels or give better protection on the back foot.
Waterford’s big worry is being a bit flat after giving it everything against Limerick but they have the power, the athleticism and the goalscoring ability to really get at Cork once again and wrap up the main business of this entire Munster campaign.
Verdict: Waterford
Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, 4.0 (RTÉ); Referee: Colm Lyons
With qualification to the next stage of Championship business already secured, the question is whether Limerick take a bit of a breather. That would certainly allow a Clare team, flying high after steamrolling Cork, to take advantage, especially with Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell adding a fresh dimension to their attacking play. And yet it is the measure of this Limerick team that they can go to Ennis and take something.
Verdict: Limerick
JOE McDONAGH CUP ROUND 4 Meath v Antrim, Páirc Tailteann, 1.0; Referee: Chris Mooney
It’s top versus bottom as Antrim come gunning for a final place.
Verdict: Antrim
LADIES FOOTBALL CONNACHT SFC FINAL
Galway v Mayo, Tuam Stadium, 4.0
When the sides last met in a Connacht decider, back in 2019, Galway won a replay at the Gaelic Grounds in
Limerick to land a third successive title. Mayo last landed the Connacht crown in 2016 while the Tribeswomen are chasing four in a row.
With former team captain and ace forward Tracey Leonard back in the fold and on form, Galway should prevail.
Verdict: Galway
MUNSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL Waterford v Cork, Fraher Field, 2.0
Cork have named a strong team for this and should power their way to the final.
Verdict: Cork