Interprovincial SFC Final- Munster v Ulster, Ruislip, London, 2pm – The M Donnelly inter-provincial competition is on its travels again, with tomorrow's final combining with the Chelsea-Manchester United Premiership summit to make it a big sporting day in London.
Ulster had more of a job on their hands in the semi-finals despite beating Leinster by a greater margin than Munster finished up with against Connacht.
The Munster team looks a stronger selection this time around but Ulster, whose starting 15 has yet to be announced, should prove stronger and prevent the holders putting titles back-to-back for the first time in nearly three decades.
Leinster SFC Quarter-finals
Portlaoise (Laois) v Seneschalstown (Meath), Portlaoise, 2.30pm – At the best of times this would have been a steep task for the Meath champions, taking on the All-Ireland finalists of five seasons ago. But in the circumstances of having just won their county title the night before last, the odds have lengthened.
With the Sheridan brothers in good form Seneschalstown can be expected to give it a go and they did run eventual All-Ireland winners St Vincent’s closer than Portlaoise managed in Leinster two years ago.
But the Laois side, even with Zach Tuohy departed for Australia, are now shaping up like very strong provincial contenders and can take a further step tomorrow.
Clara (Offaly) v Rathvilly (Carlow), Tullamore, 2.30pm – After upsetting Rhode in the county final Clara pulled off another success in the quarter-finals by leaving St Laurence’s ambitions of regaining the Leinster title for Kildare in tatters. The Offaly side are hot favourites, but Rathvilly, with Brendan Murphy in good form since his return from the AFL, won’t be pushovers.
Clonguish (Longford) v Garrycastle (Westmeath), Pearse Park, 2.30pm – A nicely balanced tie in prospect, which enhances the traditional Longford-Westmeath rivalry.
The Bardens were rampant in Clonguish’s demolition of Horeswood, but this will be an altogether tougher assignment.
Garrycastle have their own celebrity family – the Dolans – and were far too strong for a St Loman’s side that got stage fright in the county final. Both sides will harbour ambitions of giving the title a shot, but the Westmeath men can just shade this encounter.
Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin) v Rathnew (Wicklow), Parnell Park, 2.30pm – The busiest club in the country moves on to its latest challenge, a week after it claimed the Dublin double at the same venue. There’s not a big crossover between the hurlers and footballers, but for the likes of Conal Keaney it’s been all systems go the past few weeks.
Although unbackable favourites and with venue advantage, Ballyboden will still find this a knotty enough challenge.
Rathnew aren’t what they were when winning Leinster eight years ago, but they have enough craft and class with the experience of Tommy Gill up front as well as current county stars Leighton Glynn, James Stafford and Damien Power sprinkled strategically throughout the team.
Connacht SFC Semi-finals
Castlerea St Kevin’s (Roscommon) v Charlestown (Mayo), Dr Hyde Park, 2pm – Castlerea went flat last year against Corofin, but will have greater experience this time around as well as the advantage of a manager, Mayo man Denis Kearney, who played for Charlestown in the 1990s.
The Mayo club made the most of their last provincial excursion, lifting the title in 2001 after a first county success in a century.
Castlerea were assisted in seeing off Tourlestrane by Eamonn O’Hara’s injury and Nigel Dieen was in fine form, but Charlestown look too accomplished throughout the field.
Corofin (Galway) v Glencar- Manorhamilton (Leitrim), Tuam Stadium, 2pm – Alan O’Donovan’s injury is a concern for the reigning champions, but with home advantage they are massive favourites for this.
Glencar have James Glancy sharp-shooting from frees but it still looks too much of a gulf.
Munster SFC Quarter-finals
Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick), Quilty, 2pm – Kilmurry are still distracted by the number of wides they kicked against the same opponents a year ago. This time around they are unlikely to make the same mistakes and they should be able to capitalise on home advantage and dethrone last year’s surprise champions.
Kerins O’Rahillys (Kerry) v Clonakilty (Cork), Tralee, 2pm – It remains to be seen how distracted the Kerry club title holders will be by the imminent loss of Tommy Walsh and David Moran to the AFL and the slightly underwhelming feeling of not contesting the province as county champions. Clonakilty’s previous campaign ended at the hands of Kerry – and All-Ireland – champions Laune Rangers.
Last year O’Rahilly’s lost out to Clon’s predecessors Nemo and they will be under pressure in this given their opponents have had a leisurely lead-in to this match and haven’t been as disrupted by intercounty involvement.
Their narrow defeat of St Finbarr’s in the county final was deserved and they are well placed to upset the odds here.
Ulster SFC Quarter-finals
Loup (Derry) v Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh), Celtic Park, 2.30pm – The last of the fixtures to succumb to the deluge last week this will be expected to go the way of the Derry champions.
Brought to an unexpected county title by the formidable John Brennan, Loup can continue the good record of the county’s representatives against a Derrygonnelly team that has had the recent worry of surviving a relegation play-off in Fermanagh.
Kilcoo (Down) v St Eunan’s (Donegal), Newry, 2.30pm – The Letterkenny side have under-achieved in the province but will be expected to take a step farther in this year’s championship.
Having travelled for last week’s postponed match, Eunan’s have the consolation of the extra week having sorted out Rory Kavanagh’s injury problems. Under the management of former Armagh coach Jim McCorry, Kilcoo will give a good account of themselves but the Donegal side should progress.
Clontibret (Monaghan) v Dromore (Tyrone), Clones, 2.30pm – Two years ago both clubs came within a point of Crossmaglen (who didn’t?) as the Armagh team ploughed on to yet another Ulster title in tight, scrappy contests.
More can be expected tomorrow with both clubs good at closing down space and stopping opponents. Dromore are preferred because the week’s break hasn’t been sufficient to clear up injuries to Conor McManus and JP Mone, which is a significant setback for the Monaghan champions.
St Gall’s (Antrim) v Pearse Óg (Armagh), Casement Park, 2.30pm – Pearse Óg become the first Armagh representatives outside of Crossmaglen for 14 years. In the absence of ’Cross the championship is open and St Gall’s were the most recent winners in 2005.
That experience and a strong attack gives them the edge over the Armagh city club, which has some quality players, most notably Ronan Clarke.
GPA Players of the Year
Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) and Paul Galvin (Kerry) were yesterday named Opel Gaelic Players of the Year for Hurling and Football by the Gaelic Players Association.
Walsh and Galvin won the accolades following a vote by the GPA membership after being short-listed for the prize in October. Both will receive a Opel Astra car.
