After Roscommons one point win over in New York last weekend, the championship gets in to full swing with four matches at the weekend. First up on Saturday is a double header in Portlaoise. At 5.00 pm Louth play Carlow. This is the first championship meeting between these sides since 2011 when Carlow defeated Louth to record a historic first ever championship win over the Wee County. Straight after that match at 7.00 pm Laois play Wicklow. They last played each other two years when the O' Moore men over came the Garden County. On Sunday at 3.30 pm in Tullamore, Offaly take on Longford. This is the third year in a row that these sides have faced each other in the championship. Longford have won both of these matches. At 4.00 pm Fermanagh take on Antrim in Enniskillen. This is the third year in a row that these sides have played each other. Fermanagh beat Antrim last year twice in both Ulster and the Qualifiers. They also beat them in the Ulster Championship in 2014. Bring it on!

Louth v Carlow...................Louth
Laois v Wicklow..................Laois
Offaly v Longford...............Offaly
Fermanagh v Antrim.........Fermanagh

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/05/2016 11:34:05    1853203

Good man OLLIE.I agree with your four predictions.Its about time Offaly put one over Longford.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 09/05/2016 11:40:47    1853208

Alright Cued. How is she cutting? Third time lucky for Offaly. Offaly beat Longford in the league this year so ill stick with the Faithful men.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/05/2016 11:55:11    1853214

In saying that OLLIE i wouldn't be brave enough to put money on Offaly.Ye boys owe Carlow one i see.Confidence must be high after beating Antrim in Croke Park.Carlow had a couple of decent league outings but Louth should have too much.I wouldn't be shocked if Antrim beat Fermanagh.Are these games on the box?I hope Newstalk are going to continue with their live championship coverage.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 09/05/2016 12:00:12    1853221

Disgrace rte are not showing any lives games

222 (UK) - Posts: 692 - 09/05/2016 12:06:26    1853223

I'll be the first to buck the trend and say that Longford will overcome Offaly.

Agree with the other 3 - all home wins. I actually fancy Fermanagh to really put it up to Donegal too.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 09/05/2016 12:10:20    1853226

Cued as far as I know there are no live matches this weekend. Ah yes there is a buzz around the Wee County. Compare this to this time last year. Louth beating Antrim in the Division four decider was the Wee County's first win in Croker since beating Westmeath in the 2011 Division three final. Louth beat Carlow in the league this year but we all know that league and championship are totally different.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/05/2016 12:15:46    1853229

Laois
Louth
Antrim
Offaly. A hesitant vote, but I think we have learned from last year. Win and it's Westmeath in Mullingar
A double header in Portlaoise on Saturday evening, why isn't the Louthv Carlow game a nome game for either county?
Summer 2016kicksoff next weekend

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1739 - 09/05/2016 12:22:19    1853231

Ollie,

Small correction to your OP, Antrim beat Fermanagh in 2014, 2-18 to 3-13, it was prob one of the best games in the championship that year.
Id settle for something similar this year but wouldn't be overly optimistic

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 09/05/2016 12:38:38    1853241

Ollie,

Small correction to your OP, Antrim beat Fermanagh in 2014, 2-18 to 3-13, it was prob one of the best games in the championship that year.
Id settle for something similar this year but wouldn't be overly optimistic

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1203 - 09/05/2016 12:38:38 1853241

Bumpernut my apologies. Yes that was some scoring from both teams.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/05/2016 12:43:32    1853242

Laois
Louth
Antrim
Offaly. A hesitant vote, but I think we have learned from last year. Win and it's Westmeath in Mullingar
A double header in Portlaoise on Saturday evening, why isn't the Louthv Carlow game a nome game for either county?
Summer 2016kicksoff next weekend

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts:396 - 09/05/2016 12:22:19 1853231

Louth played Carlow in Portlaoise in 2011 and in Parnell Park in 2009. I thought who ever was pulled out first from the hat would have home advantage.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/05/2016 12:47:10    1853244

Bumper I thought it was an awful game of football but by god it was exciting. Those last 5 minutes were crazy, especially that goal line clearance. I was behind those goals too and was 10 foot in the air before O'Boyle got his foot to it and stopped it on the line. Once I saw it beat the keeper I thought it was in.

Anyway I think you will give us a good game on Sunday. What's the story with Neeson? Will he be starting? He destroyed us two years ago.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 09/05/2016 12:50:26    1853247

Louth v Carlow. Louth
Laois v Wicklow..Laois
Offaly v Longford..Offaly
Fermanagh v Antrim..Fermanagh

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 09/05/2016 13:18:40    1853263

Louth v Carlow. Louth
Laois v Wicklow..Laois
Offaly v Longford..Longford
Fermanagh v Antrim..Fermanagh

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2141 - 09/05/2016 14:59:46    1853305

Gotmilk,

I was quoting Mr Spillane re the best game of the year and who would argue with him!

Im not sold on Neeson tbh, undoubted ability but I would question his bottle

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 09/05/2016 15:32:37    1853313

Louth v Carlow - Carlow are have been the worst team in the country over the last few years.They may have improved slightly,but Louth look to have improved after a disaster last season.That said this is championship,and as Roscommon discovered the other week its different to league.But its Louth for me,should have way to much firepower and a few early goals may give them a big win.Louth

Laois v Wicklow - disappointing league for both sides.Loais have some talent,but often don't put in a good enough shift.Wicklow love the championship and gave Meath and Armagh a game last season.I expect Laois to prevail but they may well get a fright! Laois

Offaly v Longford - Both sides have met a lot over the last few seasons.Offaly won easily in the DV4 league final last year only to be ambushed by Longford a few weeks later in the championship.Again very hard to gauge league form.Offaly were unlucky not to get promoted and I feel they have improved more.Offaly win

Fermanagh v Antrim - A very good league campaign for Fermanagh considering many tipped them to go down.They beat Antrim(twice) in last years championship and gave Dublin a decent game in the last 8.That said the pressure will be on,they have a very good manager and show what a well organized side than do,they also have some handy forwards.Its hard to make a case for Antrim,who always seem to be going through the motions.They did have a good win against Laois in last years championship,and gained promotion in the league.I wouldn't judge their league final against Louth,but it has to be a Fermanagh win.Fermanagh

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 09/05/2016 15:47:21    1853317

Ollie

Should we start a championship prediction comp?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 09/05/2016 15:48:19    1853319

Ollie

Should we start a championship prediction comp?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts:5143 - 09/05/2016 15:48:19

Ziggy I don't know if I have the time to do it. But if yourself or any of the other posters can do one it would be great. It adds extra spice predicting the matches every weekend.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/05/2016 15:57:36    1853324

Louth v Carlow - All form points to Louth here, good momentum behind them
Laois v Wicklow - Not straight forward by any means but Laois should have too much
Offaly v Longford - I fancy Offaly strongly here, Longford preparations don't appear to have been wonderful
Fermanagh v Antrim - Could be a close game but I like Fermanagh and they should win here and have another decent championship

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 09/05/2016 16:00:30    1853325

Well Ollie I fully expect the long over due meeting of Louth and Meath in Leinster to be finally in the cards after Sunday.
Louth v Carlow...................Louth
Laois v Wicklow..................Laois
Offaly v Longford...............Offaly
Fermanagh v Antrim......... Antrim, a first round shock , theres always one.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 09/05/2016 16:03:47    1853329