Compiled by IAN O'RIORDAN
TODAY
O’BYRNE CUP SF
(all games 7.30, unless stated)
Meath v Louth, Navan
Joe Sheridan will again start at midfield for Meath as he looked the part in helping secure the two-point win over Longford on Sunday, but with Louth’s Aidan O’Rourke also getting off to a winning start by beating UCD, this looks like being a straight shoot-out to make the semi-finals.
UCD v Longford, Killoe, (7.45) Both teams looking for a first win here, and with Longford a little unlucky to lose to Meath, they should get past the students.
Dublin v DCU, Parnell Park
Dublin had a comfortable if not entirely convincing win over Carlow on Sunday, but manager Jim Gavin rightly predicted a tough contest here, not least given the fact DCU boast Dublin’s own Paul Flynn, amongst several other intercounty names.
Wicklow v Carlow, Bray
Wicklow had an encouraging draw against DCU last Sunday , and Carlow should provide equally apt opposition, having played well against Dublin , where Brendan Murphy made a welcome return from a lacerated kidney injury.
Laois v Westmeath, Portlaoise
While Westmeath enjoyed a fine win over Athlone IT, a game that marked the first county appearance in 18 months for Dessie Dolan, who scored 0-6, last Sunday was grim stuff for Laois manager Justin McNulty, who lost out to Offaly, and with that recalled several big names to keep alive his chances of making the semi-final, including Colm Begley, Ross Munnelly, Billy Sheehan and Pádraig Clancy.
Offaly v Athlone IT, Gracefield
Eoin Rigney comes into the Offaly team at midfield, the only change made by manager Emmett McDonnell to the side that did very well to defeat Laois on Sunday, and an expected win here should put them into the semi-finals.
Wexford v Carlow IT, Bunclody
Aidan O’Brien may have lost his opening game as Wexford manager, to DIT, but his team still played reasonably well, and with the clearing of the cobwebs should have enough now to get past Carlow IT and stay in the hunt for a semi-final berth.
Kildare v DIT, Athy
Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney reckoned his team could have racked a lot more scores against Carlow IT last Sunday, but they still won by six points, and although DIT played well too to beat Wexford, Kildare might well win this one even easier.
McKENNA CUP SF
Fermanagh v Donegal, Brewster Park, 7.30
Some people had to look twice after the bookmakers made Fermanagh favourites to win this, but with home advantage, and no doubt sensing the still heavy hangover lingering over the All-Ireland championships, who are just back from holiday in Dubai, who could safely bet on Donegal actually winning this?
