Saturday June 5th

Leinster SFC - Louth v. Kildare
Following their win over Longford last Sunday week, Louth are back in action, while Kildare make their bow in this year's provincial campaign.

The Wee County will have to show a vast improvement from their performance the last day and if the produce the kind of wayward shooting displayed against Longford, then they have no chance against the Lilywhites. Manager Peter Fitzpatrick is unlikely to make too many changes to the side for Saturday's game, but he will be looking for a far bigger performance.

Kildare will be without Ken Donnelly, Mike Conway and Rob Kelly for the rest of the year, while it remains to be seen if Dermot Earley will be fit to last 70 minutes. The tight pitch at Navan could well suit Louth and they pushed Tyrone all the way in the qualifiers there a few years back, but the Lilys will be keen to build on last year's campaign and they should prevail.

Verdict: Kildare

Connacht SFC - Sligo v. Mayo
Mayo have a number of injury concerns heading into Saturday evening's game at Markievicz Park as Aidan Kilcoyne is definitely out, while there are major doubts over Trevor Howley and Alan Dillon. The loss of three such influential players is a big blow to Mayo, although they have a strong squad.

Morale was low after the league final, while Sligo should be brimming with confidence having secured the division three title.

The Yeats County have made great strides under Kevin Walsh and this is a big year for them. Home advantage and a big crowd behind them should benefit them. If they are to defeat the defending champions, then belief could be the key to their success.

Mayo are a quality side and have an abundance of talent at their disposal. However, time and time again, they have failed to deliver on the big stage. Saturday's game may not be considered a 'big game' in some quarters, but a determined Sligo could pull off the shock of the weekend.

Verdict: Sligo

Christy Ring Cup semi-final - Kerry v. Wicklow
Both sides have had a great year so far, winning their respective league titles. Kerry have been favourites to win this title from the outset and rightly so given some of their performances to date. John Meyler has instilled a renewed confidence into the side and it has certainly be paying dividends.

Likewise Casey O'Brien has done an excellent job for Wicklow and the likes of Jonathan O'Neill and Don Hyland seem to have found a new lease of life this year. Wicklow will certainly put it up to the Kingdom, but the Munster side just seems a step ahead of most of their rivals at the moment.

Verdict: Kerry

Christy Ring Cup semi-final - Kildare v. Westmeath
The second semi final sees old rivals Kildare and Westmeath do battle. The recent league meeting between the sides resulted in a comfortable win for the Lilywhites. They are sure not to have it as handy this weekend.

Westmeath produced their best display of the year so far in the quarterfinal when they defeated a fancied Down team by six points. A number of their main players returned to form on that occasion, especially Brendan Murtagh and Darren McCormack, who were excellent.

Kildare are a more physical side than their opponents and they will be confident or earning a place in the final. However, in the main, Westmeath have come out on top in these clashes and if the produce a similar performance to the last day, then they should progress to the final.

Verdict: Westmeath

Nicky Rackard Cup - Armagh v. Fingal
Armagh may have suffered a heavy defeat to Down in the Ulster championship, but they will still fancy their chances of doing well in this competition. They have been playing at a higher grade than Fingal in recent weeks and this should stand them in good stead for Sunday.

Fingal have proven that they are a decent side and they can't be taken lightly, but the Orchard County should start the campaign with a win.

Verdict: Armagh

Nicky Rackard Cup - Louth v Tyrone
The Wee County went down to a strong Wicklow side in the division 3B league final, but they can take plenty of positives from the campaign including a win over Saturday's opponents. Former Meath hurler Paddy Kelly is now in charge of the side and he seems to be making improvements.

Tyrone are a decent side, but they have struggled on their travels. Louth to win, but it could be very close.

Verdict: Louth

Nicky Rackard Cup - Roscommon v Monaghan
Monaghan make the trip to Roscommon on Saturday on the back of a narrow defeat to London in the Ulster championship. The Exiles have gone on to beat Derry and are now in the semi final, which shows how far Monaghan have come in a short space of time.

Roscommon were disappointing in the league and they will be seeking a good campaign here. Seamus Qualter's look set to pick up the two points on offer, but they mightened have it all their own way.

Verdict: Roscommon

Lory Meagher Cup - Warwickshire v. Fermanagh
The Ulster side travel to the UK to face a Warwickshire side that is capable of causing an upset or two in this competition. Both sides will be eager to get off to a good start as there are tougher games ahead. Fermanagh's greater experience should give them the edge in this one.

Verdict: Fermanagh

Lory Meagher Cup - Donegal v. Longford
Donegal at home are a formidable team at this level and not many sides come away with a victory. Longford will go into this match as slight underdogs, but they have proven in the league that they can match anyone. This could indeed be a very tight game, but Donegal may just shade it.

Verdict: Donegal

Lory Meagher Cup - Leitrim v. South Down
The Connacht side have been working hard preparing for the championship and they will be confident of recording a result here. South Down have failed to build on the potential that the showed when they first arrived on the scene, but still are capable of causing an upset or two.

Leitrim seem to be making more progress and should record a win here.

Verdict: Leitrim


Sunday, June 6th

Ulster SFC - Monaghan v. Armagh
Armagh boss Paddy O'Rourke has received mixed news ahead of Sunday's game as it looks to have come too soon for Ronan Clarke, but Kevin Dyas cane through a recent challenge match unscathed and is available for selection.

The benefit of already playing in the championship should stand to the Orchard County. They were made work hard for their victory over Derry and although it was not the prettiest of performances, they got the job done. They have had two weeks to work on any problems identified in that match, which is not the case for Monaghan.

This is a massive campaign for the Farney County. A lot of their players have been knocking on the door for some time now and time may be running out for them. On paper, they are probably more experienced than Armagh at the moment and if they are ever to do anything in the province then this could well be the year.

Verdict: Monaghan

Munster SFC semi final - Waterford v. Limerick
This is a repeat of the division four final that Limerick won by a narrow margin. There is not much to separate these sides this year. Limerick will go into the match as favourites and justifiably as they are an experienced outfit, who know what it takes to reach a provincial final. Their ability to take their scores in the league final proved the difference between the sides and that is something Waterford will have worked on in the last few weeks.

Playing at home could make all the difference for the Déise, they are a side hungry for success and it is refreshing to see in the modern game. Spurred on by an enthusiastic home crowd could just see them over the finish line and into a Munster final.

Verdict: Waterford

Munster SFC semi-final - Kerry v. Cork
The question must be asked as to how seriously Kerry take the provincial championship at this stage. They went the qualifying route last year and we all know how that turned out and in the All-Ireland, they proved they are the best in the country.

The loss of five key players this year was not highlighted in the comfortable first round win over Tipperary, but it certainly will against Cork. Michael Quirke's mobility in the middle of the park is still questionable and this is a key area. Cork's physicality is one of their main strengths and the return of Pearse O'Neill is a major plus as too is Colm O'Neill's return to the side.

It remains to be seen if Graham Canty starts; his inclusion would be massive boost to the Leesiders, but regardless they should have enough firepower to see off Kerry's challenge.

Verdict: Cork

Leinster SFC - Wicklow v. Westmeath
This is a repeat of last year's championship clash between the sides. On that occasion, Westmeath needed extra time to see off the challenge of the Garden County, but 12 months is a long time in Gaelic football.

Wicklow's confidence has risen through an historic run in the qualifiers and they easily swept aside Carlow in the first round. That game will have brought them on even further and they will be gunning for revenge on Sunday. In Leighton Glynn, they have a very influential captain who leads by example and if Westmeath are to win this match, then they will have to keep the shackles on the experienced wing forward.

To say Westmeath had a bad league campaign would be an understatement, no wins, loss of manager and a players' revolt are just some of the problems that the Midlanders had. Pat Flanagan has had little time to put things right, but he has been trying his hardest. The return of Dessie Dolan and Denis Glennon is a massive boost to them. However, this game may have come a little too soon for Westmeath and Wicklow are primed to progress to the Leinster semi-final.

Verdict: Wicklow

Leinster SHC - Dublin v. Laois
Laois will be pleased with their performance against Carlow in which they ran out six-point winners. It was a good opener for the O'Moore County, but they do face a real step up in class against Dublin.

There were many good performances against Carlow, but none more so than Joe Fitzpatrick who was outstanding against the Barrowsiders. The return of Joe Phelan has also made them stronger.

On Sunday, they face a Dublin side that could lacking confidence after a poor league campaign, while they were also handed a huge drubbing by Tipperary in a recent challenge match. The metropolitans will be looking to build on last year's success and to do so they need to win this game. They have some quality players all over the pitch and the like of Alan McCrabbe, Stephen Hiney and David O'Callaghan would make any team in the country. Laois, as expected will put up a huge fight, but Dublin should advance.

Verdict: Dublin

Nicky Rackard Cup - London v. Sligo

Last year's beaten finalists London face former winners Sligo in this interesting opening first round match. It's been a busy few weeks for London as their involvement in the Ulster championship continues following their impressive win over Derry.

It is hard to see Sligo making much of an impression here and although they should give a good account of themselves, London could have a few points to spare at the end.

Verdict: London


Monday, June 7th

Munster SHC - Waterford v. Clare
Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald faces off against his native county for the first time in the Munster championship as the Déise take on Clare at Thurles. Fitz will go head to head with his former team mate Ger O'Loughlin in a battle of wits.

Waterford will go into match as strong favourites mainly because they are plying their trade in the top flight of the league, while Clare must languish in division two for another year. The Banner have a number of injury concerns ahead of the match and they will need to be at their strongest if they are to cause any sort of an upset here.

On the other hand Waterford are expected to be at full strength and they been motoring very well in recent weeks. Is there one final push left in the Déise as the likes of Tony Browne, Ken McGrath and Dan Shanahan go in search of that elusive All-Ireland medal. Following Cork's display last weekend, it is imperative that Waterford lay down their own marker and this should come at Clare's expense.

Verdict: Waterford Tweet

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