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 |