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WEEKEND PREVIEWS

 

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July



 
Saturday, July 4th
All-Ireland SFC qualifiers

Wexford v. Offaly

Kildare eliminated both these sides in the Leinster championship, but Offaly will have taken more positives from their display against the Lilywhites than Wexford will, who were to say the least very poor on the day. The loss of Mattie Forde is huge and the fact that their league form continued into the championship suggests that it will be hard for manager Jason Ryan to rally his troops for this match. When Offaly introduced their more experienced players, they took the game to Kildare and expect to see a more familiar side this time around. Neither side can expect to go too far in the qualifiers, but Offaly may just have the edge.
Verdict: Offaly
Donegal v. Carlow
Carlow are fuming that this match has not been designated an earlier throw-in. They have a huge round trip to contend with as well as the fact of facing Donegal. The Leinster side will be very much underdogs in this match, but so to were Antrim when they played the Tir Chonaill men. The Barrowsiders can take great heart from that result, but whether or not they have the class to cause such a surprise is highly unlikely. Donegal could well have a major impact on the qualifiers yet and they should cross the first hurdle with relative ease.
Verdict: Donegal

Monaghan v. Armagh
Monaghan caused one of the biggest surprises in football back in 2004 when they defeated the then All-Ireland champions in the qualifiers. Can they repeat the same result; there is no reason why not. The defeat to Derry was a cruel blow and let’s be honest, if Monaghan concentrated on playing football that day instead of getting caught up in off the ball incidents, they probably would have won. The loss of Tommy Freeman is massive as he is the one forward that can unlock any defence in the country as he has proven in the last few years. Armagh may be going through something of a transition period at the moment, but they pushed Tyrone all the way, while the return of midfielder Charlie Vernon from injury is a massive boost for the Orchard County. Every team will have wanted to avoid them in the qualifiers and they will take a number of scalps before their season is over, starting with Monaghan on Saturday.
Verdict: Armagh

Meath v. Waterford
The short version of this preview is that Meath will win comfortably. This is no bad reflection on a Waterford side that have made great strides, particularly in this year’s league campaign, where they produced some excellent displays. Their chances of causing a huge upset have been severely hampered by the loss of dual star Gary Hurney, who is out with a shoulder injury. Meath played poorly against Dublin and there was a lot of criticism over team selection. In recent challenge matches, they have shuffled their pack and expect to see changes to the side this weekend. The Royals are a side that no team will fancy playing in the qualifiers. On their day, they are capable of matching the best and they will get their 2009 qualifying campaign off to a winning start at Navan on Saturday evening.
Verdict: Meath

Wicklow v. Fermanagh
Following Dublin’s demolition of Westmeath, it’s hard to know where Wicklow stand in the pecking order. They should have beaten the Lake County, but maybe in hindsight, it’s just as well that they didn’t. At home, they can pose a threat to any side and the likes of Leighton Glynn and Tony Hannon are experienced players capable of winning a match. Fermanagh were poor in their defeat to Cavan and their supporters were left wondering what next for the Erne County? If the Ulster side has managed to unearth a quality free taker, then there is no reason why they can’t have a prolonged run in this campaign, but if they didn’t they may make the long journey home from Aughrim with their tails between their legs. Fermanagh will be hurting from the Ulster championship exit and they will want to get their campaign back on track against Wicklow.
Verdict: Fermanagh

Louth v. Tipperary
This is an intriguing contest between two sides that need a good run in the qualifiers. For Louth it is possibly last chance saloon for a number of the players and indeed maybe for Eamon McEneaney. Tipp will be hoping to build on their success in the league. John Evans has assembled a side that is physically strong and they have played some excellent football this year. Louth came back well against Laois just as it looked they would be hammered and with home advantage on their side, they may just sneak this one. The pressure is certainly on the Wee County to start delivering and maybe they can get on the right track at Drogheda.
Verdict: Louth

Down v. London
If London’s chances of an upset were not long enough, they have had to give up home advantage for this match as well. Down were one of two designated teams (Meath being the other) that were drawn at home for the first round. Down manager Ross Carr has dismissed London’s chances and rightly so. The exiles will be hoping for a damage limitation exercise and hope that they can build for next year’s league campaign. A comfortable Down win is on the cards and it is very hard to see anything other than that happen.
Verdict: Down

Leitrim v. Longford
This could well be the closest match of the weekend as these neighbours renew their rivalry. Surprisingly, the sides have never met in the championship and indeed one of the reasons why is that Leitrim have yet to make it past the first round of the qualifiers, since they were introduced in 2001. A defeat to a Roscommon side that was humiliated by Mayo in the Connacht semi-final does not bode well for the Leitrim and although Longford are certainly no world beaters, they will expect to advance to the second round next week.
Verdict: Longford

All-Ireland SHC qualifiers
Offaly v. Cork

Most teams were hoping to avoid the Rebels in the first round, but Offaly drew the short straw and will now face the Munster side on Saturday evening. It is a tough opener for the Faithful County who exited the Leinster championship following a defeat to Wexford. A much improved performance will be needed against a Cork side that looked back to their old selves against Tipperary. Manager Denis Walsh has been busily working away with the current squad and there is a genuine belief that they can have a major impact on this championship. Cork are a team with a point to prove and they should begin that by beating Offaly.
Verdict: Cork

Laois v. Antrim
Laois suffered a heavy defeat to Galway last time out, while Antrim minus a number of regulars went out rather comfortably to Dublin. Last weekend the Saffrons had to dig deep to lift the Ulster title after a narrow one-point win over Down, a second tier side and they just don’t seem to be on form for whatever reason. Possibly, they could have one eye on this match as they bid to make an impact in the championship. Laois have had their troubles on and off the pitch. They may have home advantage, but Antrim are tipped to just shade this encounter.
Verdict: Antrim

Sunday July 5th
Munster SFC final

Cork v. Limerick

The machine that is Cork footballers will be hoping to repeat the performance they produced at Pairc Ui Chaoimh when a storming display saw off Kerry in the Munster semi-final. Many people have tipped the Leesiders to lift the Sam Maguire and following that display, you can understand their reasoning. Cork look to have the full package, power, strength, pace and an unerring accuracy on front of goals to go all the way, but they must first contend with a Limerick side that many have written off, which the Shannonsiders will thrive on. Mickey Ned O’Sullivan will have instilled the belief into the side that they can lift the Munster title for the third time in their history. The sides have met in each of the last three provincial championships and on each occasion, Cork have come out on top. Limerick are massive underdogs going into this match, but the team is packed full of experience, while they will be well able to match Cork’s physicality. In Ian Ryan, they have one of the top young forwards in the country, while John Galvin and Stephen Lucey are experienced campaigners. However, Cork have the defenders to keep a tight rein on Ryan and Co, while up front their forwards have been in excellent form. The final will be a lot closer than many people think, but Cork to prevail.
Verdict: Cork

Leinster SHC final
Kilkenny v. Dublin

Dublin are back in a provincial final for the first time since 1991 and years of hard work at underage level have finally paid off as the Metropolitans are now considered one of the big guns of Leinster hurling. Anthony Daly deserves great credit for the job he has done since coming in, but it has been the work by many others over the years that sees the Dubs in Sunday’s decider. The likes of David “Dotsy” O’Callaghan, Alan McCrabbe and John Caffrey are exciting new talents that have emerged on the scene. In the league Kilkenny’s only real test apart from the final against Tipperary came against Dublin in Nowlan Park. In fact, had the dubs shown a little more composure then they would have taken the two points that day. However, the Cats refusal to panic saw them home. It’s certainly a case of experience against inexperience as there is bound to be concern in the Dublin camp that the occasion may get to them. Their performance against Antrim was criticised, but they still had ten-points to spare over the Saffrons. The win over Wexford has been building since last year and was no real surprise. Now, though Dublin face their toughest test yet. Kilkenny showed their true class against Galway as the tribesmen threw everything at them bar the kitchen sink, but yet again, they did not panic and eased to victory. Noel Hickey is missing yet again, but Cha Fitzpatrick is back in contention, furthering strengthening their options. Dublin have to do what Galway did, but the difference is the Dubs must do it for the full 70 minutes, which in fairness is all but impossible.
Verdict: Kilkenny