GAA previews: Cork will have goal chances against Roscommon, it's a case of taking them
SATURDAY.
All-Ireland SFC, Round 3.
Group 2.
Kerry v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 4.15pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan).
Picking All-Stars today, Matthew Costello would be a leading contender in the forward sextet so his absence in Tullamore can't be understated. Kerry are vulnerable but if Costello isn't there then Meath's chances of a surprise diminish considerably. That's not to say they don't have danger men in the forward line or can't cause issues for Kerry in midfield. They look an altogether better group than the one that metaphorically bent the knee in front of Kerry in Navan last year. But only few teams outlast Kerry in a scorefest and Meath aren't close to being one of them at the moment. Verdict: Kerry.
Roscommon v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 4.15pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live GAA+.
We'll get this out of the way from the get-go: Cork are going to have goal chances here. It's just their conversion rate has been abysmal and if that continues then they are facing their earliest exit in this championship format. Roscommon have a series of goal-getters but there is a worrying lack of cohesion in their ranks for some reason. In fairness, they saved their best until last in this stage last year but Cork are really beefed up around the middle and they should create the platform to create those counter opportunities. A nod for Cork if they can put them away but it's a big if. Verdict: Cork.
Group 4.
Dublin v Derry, Páirc Esler, 6.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live GAA+.
The inclusion of Con O'Callaghan in the Dublin panel named late on Thursday night will have given many of their supporters a restful sleep. That's not to say the Dublin squad won't change and O'Callaghan has been withdrawn from crucial games before but the captain is crucial to Dublin in subduing a Derry side that despite their awful run of results have upped their performance levels greatly since their lengthy post-provincial break. The Newry venue should be heaving for this one and Dublin can summon another Salthill-like display to make the last 12. Verdict: Dublin.
Galway v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni, 6.30pm (N. Mooney, Cavan) Live GAA+.
Armagh have a luxury here but Kieran McGeeney won't like it one bit. He's like Ricky Bobby's father Reese in Talladega Nights who much prefers something to be wrong than right: 'I gotta say things are pretty much perfect right now. And it's makin' me kinda of itchy.' McGeeney has to appreciate the fine job he and Armagh have done to qualify first for the last-eight. Galway have to throw everything at them to survive and that could give them invaluable insight down the line. Of course, Armagh's fringe players have something to fight for but Galway's need is so great. Verdict: Galway.
Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.
Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 5pm (L. Devenney, Mayo).
Another chance for Fermanagh to show why Enniskillen is a tough place to go. Carlow undermined that widely-held belief last month but Fermanagh bounced back well with that win over Wexford in Croke Park. Sligo were finetuned by Carlow last weekend and might have the superior attacking flourishes to land a semi-final spot. Verdict: Sligo.
Kildare v Offaly, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6.30pm (T. Murphy, Galway).
A large crowd is anticipated in Newbridge for the second part of this double-header where the home side will be fancied but they will appreciate Offaly can pack a punch and Mickey Harte will have them set up well. Averaging over 30 points a game in their group, if Kildare are to continue demonstrating they belong at a higher grade, they should be able to deliver a professional performance to advance. Verdict: Kildare.
All-Ireland JFC quarter-final.
New York v USGAA, Gaelic Park, New York 10pm Irish time (S. Hurson, Tyrone).
Verdict: New York.
All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals.
Laois v Tipperary, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Mooney, Dublin) Live GAA+.
With the greatest of respect to Laois and Kildare, it's difficult to give these games much positive coverage when the results are all but inevitable. Laois only want the season to end whereas Tipperary will want to mark their liberation from the Munster SHC with a smooth, injury-free afternoon in Portlaoise. Tipperary can't win by enough but winning is enough to set up a date with Galway. Verdict: Tipperary
Kildare v Dublin, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4pm (J. Owens, Wexford).
Widely expected to be the closer of the two preliminary quarter-finals, the feelgood factor in Kildare and momentum generated from beating Laois should help them be competitive in the first half. Asking them to refocus for Dublin after the high of last Sunday is unfair and Dublin will look to pop their balloons early on. Kildare can hold their own for some of this but not enough to table a genuine challenge. Verdict: Dublin.
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final.
Kilkenny v Waterford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7.30pm (E. Furlong, Wexford) Live TG4.
A throw-in time that does little for the promotion of the All-Ireland minor championship. Kilkenny were convincing Leinster champions but they should face a real examination from a Waterford side that are strong around the middle and came up just short in the Munster final against Cork. Verdict: Kilkenny.
TG4 All-Ireland senior ladies football championship, Round 2.
Group 1.
Donegal v Galway, Naomh Padraig Leifear, Lifford, 2pm (B. Rice, Down).
Donegal will want to give a good account of themselves at home but may have one eye on the Tipperary game knowing that winning that will get them into the knock-out stages. Galway are in fine fettle. Verdict: Galway.
Group 2.
Cork v Kerry, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm (S. Curley, Galway) Live TG4.
Kerry showed the mark of champions when the sides met in the Munster championship even if their recent win over Mayo was on the laborious side. Cork can make life difficult for patches but Kerry look certs to top the group. Verdict: Kerry.
Group 3.
Kildare v Meath, Hawkfield CoE, 12.45pm (S. Mulvihill, Kerry) Live TG4.
Courtesy of the Armagh-Meath draw, Kildare know a win in either of their games will see them through but their form doesn't indicate that a surprise is on the cards. Meath to jump to the No1 spot for the time being. Verdict: Meath.
Group 4.
Dublin v Leitrim, Parnell Park, 2pm (G. Canny, Mayo).
Not that it was humbling – Waterford's credentials have been there for everyone to see – but being held by The Déise serves as a reminder to Dublin that they are not going to have it all their own way. They can comfortably seal their passage to the quarter-finals here all the same. Verdict: Dublin.
SUNDAY.
All-Ireland SFC, Round 3.
Group 1.
Donegal v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 4pm (P. Faloon, Down) Live RTÉ.
The venue may have given Donegal a cause for siege mentality but there will be plenty of locals paying in to see a good contest and hoping Mayo might be sent packing from the competition. The two-week gap from beating Tyrone will be beneficial to Mayo when they have struggled badly to back up championship performances one weekend after the next. Donegal have shown that their underbelly isn't completely protected and despite being so well drilled they can be porous at the back. Mayo just don't seem to be the type of team that can have a real cut at exposing that. Show some dash and they have a chance but this game is more likely to follow a formulaic theme, which will suit Donegal. Verdict: Donegal.
Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park, 4pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon).
Among the victorious Tyrone support that left Ballybofey last month, there were those who felt the absence of Shaun Patton and Donegal's high wide count masked the significance of the win. Mayo shattered any grand designs Tyrone had about themselves and here they will have to be gritty and relentless to stop Cavan. It appears a couple of key Tyrone players are playing with injuries but there can be no mitigating factors when a quarter-final place is on the line. Verdict: Tyrone.
Group 3.
Louth v Clare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin).
As discussions about the Munster SFC format being rejigged to take away Clare's semi-final seeding, it would be an opportune time to remind people in the province why they have been a fixture in the Sam Maguire Cup group stages these past three years. Louth have found it difficult to hit terra firma since the Leinster final heroics but this game, while not a failsafe, was probably always in the back of their minds. Win here and they would have a shot at a preliminary quarter-final. Clare will deliver a display far better than their last three outings but Louth should have a small cushion at the final whistle. Verdict: Louth.
Monaghan v Down, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 2pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live RTÉ.
A de factor preliminary quarter-final a week before the preliminary quarter-final where the winners in Armagh city will enjoy a two-week gap before their last eight assignment. Down need only a draw to top the group and in Pat Havern and Odhrán Murdock they have real ballers but Monaghan's list of match-winners is lengthier and they are playing some beautiful football. Verdict: Monaghan.
Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.
Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 1.15pm (J. Molloy, Galway) Live GAA+.
It mightn't match the buzz there was around Aughrim when Dublin visited in the Leinster championship but there should be a sense of occasion around this clash. Westmeath have had to qualify with an extra outing but should be too good for the hosts even if their captain Dean Healy is playing out of his skin. Verdict: Westmeath.
Limerick v Wexford, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm (B. Griffin, Kerry) Live GAA+.
Limerick's revolution under Jimmy Lee has been a compelling story. There were some rough times at the outset of his management as he negotiated a braindrain but the fruits of his labours are being seen now. Wexford amassed five goals against Antrim last weekend but they will find their opponents here miserly. Limerick to back up their win over Westmeath with another fine victory. Verdict: Limerick.
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final.
Cork v Clare, FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm (C. Doyle, Tipperary) Live TG4.
Seven points separated the sides in Tulla back in the middle of April but such are the vagaries at minor level that not much can be ruled out here. Yes, Cork are Munster champions and should seal an All-Ireland final date but Clare will want to set the tone early on as a means of creating doubt. They are on the back of two good wins too since Cork's provincial final but Cork were flawless in Munster and can carry on that form. Verdict: Cork.
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During my six years as Dublin manager, I only had a handful of rows with John Costello, then Dublin secretary and CEO, but one of the biggest arguments I had with John was before the 2014 All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary. We had just been beaten by Kilkenny in the Leinster final when I got a call from John the following day to inform me that the likely venue for our quarter-final was Thurles. I lost the head. 'What the hell are we going down there for, into their backyard? No way. Tell them to clear off.' John wasn't having it, saying that Tipp were arguing the decision on the basis that they had played us in Croke Park in the All-Ireland semi-final three years earlier. 'Is this a joke John?' I asked him. 'Sure every All-Ireland semi-final is in Croke Park. What did they want us to do – play it in Portlaoise? Tell them not a hope are we going to Thurles.' I was bull thick but I ended up banging my head off a brick wall. 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It wasn't the way I wanted my six-year tenure to end, but the whole frustration almost encapsulated my attitude towards All-Ireland quarter-finals. I just didn't like them. And I still kind of don't. Maybe it's just my experience with Dublin that has clouded my judgement because I had a lot of good days in quarter-finals as a player and manager with Clare, beating Galway in 1999 (after a replay) and overcoming Wexford twice (as a manager) in 2005 and 2006. The only blip was the quarter-final defeat to Kilkenny in 2004 after a replay but the drawn game was a magical day, when we looked dead and buried before Jamesie O'Connor nailed the equaliser with the last puck. My first quarter-final with the Dubs was in 2009 when we lost to Limerick in a match we should have won. We had a good year and had made great progress, which was very satisfying, but it was still a missed opportunity that gnawed away at me over the winter. In 2011, we had won the league before losing the Leinster final to Kilkenny, but it wasn't that hard to lift the lads ahead of the quarter-final against Limerick. We'd had a good year. The league final gave us great confidence and the Kilkenny defeat didn't drain a lot of that out of us. I felt we'd beat Limerick, which we did. That was the one high-point but I have never warmed to quarter-finals since. Even though Clare won their last three quarter-finals, I found them frustrating experiences even as a supporter. Maybe it's just the hurling fanatic in me but I always get the impression that half the stadium doesn't care when there is a double-header. Whichever crowd loses the curtain-raiser is gone by the final whistle, while the winners' supporters are out the gap by half-time of the second match. And the whole sense of occasion just collapses like a deck of cards. Cork are a different animal again, win or lose. After they lost the 2022 curtain-raiser to Galway, the rebel hordes emptied Semple Stadium. After they beat Dublin in the curtain-raiser last year, the red wave just swept out of Thurles like a tide washing out to sea. Having the games early on a Saturday afternoon twice in the last three years certainly didn't help, but I have long felt that the double-header just doesn't work and that there should be standalone fixtures. Circumstances have dictated as much now, which I think will certainly make a difference around the atmosphere and appeal of the matches. The Dubs may be part of a double-header with the footballers but at least they'll get a decent crowd in early, while Limerick will arrive to the capital in enough numbers to make it feel like an occasion. I'm glad that Galway-Tipp is in Limerick but I'd have preferred if it was on in Ennis – and not just out of comfort for me. I'm not sure what kind of a crowd will be in the Gaelic Grounds but it certainly won't be a sellout, whereas Ennis would have been. I just felt they should have gone with Cusack Park and made it an all-ticket game. The vast majority of people who will go today would have got a ticket but the scramble would have also drummed up more hype and discussion around the occasion, which, to be honest, has been fairly low-key this week. Much of that is down to the GAA not promoting the quarter-finals enough but it's also probably a result of the distrust around Galway and what team may actually turn up. Galway haven't liked Tipp since the 1980s but they're so Jekyll and Hyde that even their own supporters can't trust them to bring enough anger into this match to make it into the kind of spectacle that their public deserves. Galway were a joke in their opening game in Nowlan Park and, while they recovered well in their next four matches, they were back to their old bad habits in the Leinster final. Aside from a seven or eight minute burst late on, Kilkenny rode roughshod over them. Galway need to cut loose again now because I'd be fairly confident that Tipp will. They're back in a quarter-final when a lot of people – including their own – wouldn't have expected Tipp to have reached this stage at the outset of the championship. They have improved as the championship has gone on, but I also think they're in a far better physical – and mental – state than they were when Tipp were last on this stage in 2023. That year, their form was slowly draining away as the championship progressed and they effectively bottomed out against Galway that afternoon in Limerick. I'm not sure if all the older brigade had bought into the Liam Cahill project in that first year whereas this is definitely Cahill's team now. Tipp almost seemed stuck in neutral on that mid-June evening in 2023 whereas this is a team on the move now. This has all the makings of a cracker but I really think it's down to Galway to make sure that it is. Is there enough badness in them to win a game like this? Everybody is already talking about Cork and Tipp in the semi-final. That's dangerous talk for Tipp but it's music to Galway's ears. Tipp have to block out all that outside noise. They're capable of beating any team on any given day, but can they step up and take down a Galway team now that, on paper, they are better than? I just think that you can trust Tipp more so I fancy them by about three points. When the option of going to Croke Park to take on Dublin was put to Limerick, I'm sure it wasn't even a discussion for John Kiely. As well as Limerick loving the venue, only losing there under Kiely in championship for the second time last year, it's also an ideal opportunity for Limerick to flush that bad memory out of their system before stretching their legs at Headquarters ahead of an expected match-up there with Kilkenny in two weeks. Limerick are too professional to be looking that far down the tracks without focusing on the job in hand, but I can't see Dublin being able to contain a wounded animal hell-bent on retribution since the Munster final defeat. Losing that game on penalties again underlined just how hard Limerick are to beat and, aside from the deficit in physicality and hurling ability, I don't think Dublin can be in the right frame of mind to take down Limerick either. If they had beaten one of Galway or Kilkenny in Leinster, it would have at least given them the confidence to think that they can live with Limerick. But I can't see it. Limerick won't be concerned about putting on a show. They will only be focused on getting the job done, which Limerick will. Kilkenny will come in their own good time.
