Weekend previews
July 09, 2010Saturday, July 10th
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Cork v. Cavan
Cavan performed something of a Houdini act in round 1 when having been reduced to 13-men and seven points down; they staged a remarkable comeback against Wicklow to defeat the Garden County by the narrowest of margins. Their 'prize' for that victory is a daunting trip to Pairc Ui Chaoimh to face Cork in the second round. The introduction of Seanie Johnston was instrumental to the success over Wicklow, but the talented forward is rated very doubtful for this match.
Whatever small hope Cavan had of causing an upset against the Leesiders with Johnston, they have none without him. Cork will not take the Ulster side for granted, but they will be looking beyond this tie and for a prolonged run in the championship. Verdict: Cork
Ladbrokes.com odds: Cork 1/14; Draw 14/1; Cavan 15/2
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Down v. Longford
Longford caused the shock of the year when dumping Mayo out of this year's championship in the last round. The Midlanders have made Pearse Park something of a fortress in recent years and this played some part in their success. It will be interesting to see how they fare away from home, especially at a venue like Pairc Esler where Down have proven difficult to beat.
Home advantage seems to play a big part in the qualifiers and that gives Down an edge here. They were disappointed with their showing against Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final and if they play like they did for 50 minutes of that match against Longford, then the Leinster side have a real chance of causing another upset. However, if they reproduce the form shown in the first 20 minutes of that semi-final then Down's name will be in the hat for the third round draw. Verdict: Down
Ladbrokes.com odds: Down 1/3; Draw 15/2; Longford 3/1
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Dublin v. Tipperary
The Dubs' dominance of the Leinster championship was ended in emphatic style by Meath and the metropolitans have been left to lick their wounds ever since. That result was a bleak day in the history of Dublin GAA and they must bounce back quickly.
The pressure is on Pat Gilroy to deliver and many actually feel that the qualifying route may suit the Dubs. Time will tell on that one. Gilroy needs to find a settled side and stick to it. Too many changes have been made from last year and it has backfired spectacularly. They are still one of the top five teams in the country, but the need to rediscover the confidence and arrogance that made them one of the most feared teams in the country.
Tipperary's physicality will cause the Dubs' problems and they go into this match full of confidence. They will relish the prospect of playing in Croke Park, and will not fear the Dubs, but it is unlikely that they will cause a surprise here. Verdict: Dublin
Ladbrokes.com odds: Dublin 1/5; Draw 11/1; Tipperary 4/1
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Galway v. Wexford
An interesting clash takes place at Pearse Stadium as a Galway side lacking in confidence take on a Wexford outfit that gathering momentum with each game. The Tribesmen have just came through two tough games against Sligo, which ended in an agonising defeat, while in further blow to them star forward Michael Meehan was forced off injured and he is rated doubtful for this match.
Wexford put in a wonderful performance against Dublin and should have knocked them out of the provincial campaign, while in the first round of the qualifiers; they annihilated London in a game they will have learned little from. Galway need to show a marked improved on their performances so far, while if Wexford get a good start and unsettle the home side then an upset could be on the cards. However, the Tribesmen know that they must return to form and with Padraig Joyce leading the lines, they should just shade this one. Verdict: Galway
Ladbrokes.com odds: Galway 4/9; Draw 15/2; Wexford 9/4
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Kildare v. Leitrim
The Lilywhites needed two bites of the cherry against Antrim, but they got the job done the second time around and once again have the luxury of a home tie. In John Doyle they have one of the most potent forwards in the country and Leitrim are going to have to cut down on frees and the supply of ball into the Kildare forward line. The Leinster side are certainly not just a one-man team as they have potential match winners all over the field.
Leitrim go into this match as massive underdogs and the fact that they have had only one game in the championship means that they have had a long wait for the qualifiers to begin. The draw has been unfair to them and they come up against a side that have three games played in this year's championship.
Kildare will be a lot more sharper and could may well record a comfortable victory here. Verdict: Kildare
Ladbrokes.com odds: Kildare 1/10; Draw 12/1; Leitrim 7/1
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Offaly v. Waterford
Offaly needed extra time to see off Clare in the first round and will need to show a marked improvement on Saturday if they are to progress to the third round. There is no doubt that the Faithful County possess some of the most talented footballers in the country and in Niall McNamee, they have a forward that can unlock any defence. The draw has been kind to the Leinster side, but they need to make the most of it. Rumours of discontent have followed the side all year, but a decent performance here would put them to bed.
Having played so well against Limerick in the league final, Waterford tamely exited the Munster championship at the hands of the same opposition early last month. They have been waiting ever since for their next competitive match and it comes in the form of this clash. Waterford are a big, strong physical side that will cause Offaly some problems, but Tom Cribben's charges are expected to advance. Verdict: Offaly
Ladbrokes.com odds: Offaly 8/13; Draw 15/2; Waterford 13/8
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Westmeath v. Derry
The Midlanders tamely exited the Leinster championship at the semi-final stage and their frailties all over the pitch were plain to see. However, had they found a bit of form earlier in the match, then they would be looking forward to a Leinster final. Instead, they must pick themselves up and prepare for a tough clash against an experienced Derry, who despite having their off field problems are still a formidable side.
Westmeath need big games from Denis Glennon and Dessie Dolan, who were well below par against Louth, while Martin Flanagan is expected to start and he is a major influence on the side.
Derry are favourites to advance, but given the fact that Paddy Bradley has left the panel and they have a number of injury concerns, the shock of the round could occur at Cusack Park, Mullingar. Verdict: Westmeath
Ladbrokes.com odds: Westmeath 15/8; Draw 15/2; Derry 8/15
All-Ireland SHC qualifier - Dublin v. Clare
Dublin manager Anthony Daly faces off against his native county in the first of a double header at Croke Park. The Dubs were disappointing against Kilkenny and will look to seek redemption against the Banner. The success of the county's under-21 side against the Cats is a major boost and a number of senior players were involved in that win. There has been great strides made in hurling in the capital and a win here would be further step in the right direction.
Clare proved in the Munster semi-final that they are not a team in decline and they were unlucky to lose to Waterford on that occasion. There is still a lot of work to be done in the Banner, but they will always be a force to be reckoned with and this could be a very tight game indeed. Verdict: Dublin
Ladbrokes.com odds: Dublin 6/5; Draw 10/1; Clare 4/5
All-Ireland SHC qualifier - Offaly v. Limerick
Both sides can be proud of the performances to date in the championship. Limerick showed great spirit to push Cork all the way in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, despite their problems. It was always going to be a step too far for the Shannonsiders, but now they have a second chance and they will fancy their chances of defeating Offaly.
The Faithful County had two chances of beating Galway and just fell short on both occasions, but those games will have brought them on no end. In Shane Dooley, they have an exceptional talent and Limerick will need to curtail that threat, but the Leinster side are a strong unit and they are favourites to progress. Verdict: Offaly
Ladbrokes.com odds: Offaly 1/25; Draw 20/1; Limerick 9/1
Sunday, July 11th
Munster SHC final - Cork v. Waterford
These sides have produced many great battles, particularly in recent years. Both teams are like a wounded animal as they have been written off time and time again, but there is still a sting left in their tail.
Cork are slight favourites to win the title, mainly because of their performance against Tipperary in the first round. They had their critics before that match, but it was nothing less than an awesome display to dethrone the defending champions. They have a good mix of experience and youth in their ranks, with Patrick Horgan being the pick of the bunch at the moment. The young corner forward is in exceptional form. Aisake O'hAilpin needs to reproduce the form he did against Tipp and if he does then Waterford could be in trouble.
The Déise struggled to overcome the challenge of Clare, but they got the job done and that was their main aim. This is certainly the last chance saloon for a number of their players and how the likes of Tony Browne, Ken McGrath and Dan Shanahan would love to finish their careers on a high. However, Cork are showing the better form and the moment and it's hard to look beyond them at this present time. Verdict: Cork
Ladbrokes.com odds: Cork 4/9; Draw 10/1; Waterford 2/1
Leinster SFC Final - Meath v. Louth
The Wee County are back on the big stage for the first time in fifty years and are seeking their first provincial title since 1957. In the semi-final against Westmeath, they stuttered across the finishing line and nerves probably played a part in that given the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Louth have arguably the finest midfield pairing in the country at the moment in Paddy Keenan and Brian Whyte. A lot will depend on how this duo performs in the final, but they should come out on top against Meath in this department. The supply of ball into Shane Lennon is crucial as he is the main forward that Louth have. If they are to end this barren spell then more of his forward colleagues are going to have to come up with the goods compared to the semi-final display.
Meath are experienced enough to know that they can't show any signs of complacency - they are strong favourites to win, but they need to focus for the full 70 minutes. Their six forwards are in outstanding form at the moment and this is where they game could well be won or lost. The Louth defence was opened up with ease by Westmeath at times and if that weakness is exposed again on Sunday then it is hard to look past Meath. Verdict: Meath
Ladbrokes.com odds: Meath 2/9; Draw 9/1; Louth 4/1
All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Fermanagh v. Armagh
Armagh got back on track against Donegal and they will be looking to continue that form at Brewster Park. Both sides suffered heavy defeats to Monaghan already this year, but the Orchard have had the opportunity to recover from that, while this is Fermanagh's first outing since the Ulster semi-final defeat. Armagh have unearthed a new talent in Jamie Clarke and the Crossmaglen forward looks set for a bright future at inter county level. Between Clarke, Stevie McDonnell and the returning Ronan Clarke, they have a formidable looking full forward line, which given the proper supply will tear any defence to shreds.
Fermanagh have looked poor and even though they deserved their win over Cavan in the Ulster championship, they look a long way off the quality of Armagh. However, at home in Enniskillen, they always have a chance and they will need to get the crowd behind from early on, but Armagh get the nod to progress. Verdict: Armagh
Ladbrokes.com odds: Fermanagh 10/3; Draw 15/2; Armagh 3/10 Tweet
