The weekend's matches previewed
Today
Fitzgibbon Cup Final
University of Limerick v Limerick IT, Waterford IT Sports Campus, 2.30pm – A repeat of the 2005 final, played appropriately in Limerick, sees LIT again favoured to win. Their opponents made heavier weather than expected of Cork IT in yesterday’s semi-final and have Offaly sharpshooter Shane Dooley suspended after a straight red card.
LIT have beaten the last two winners, UCC and NUI Galway, and showed good forward movement as well as exceptional free-taking by Bernard Gaffney in yesterday’s defeat of UCC. Waterford manager David Fitzgerald, who took them to the 2005 and ’07 titles is still in charge and can make it a third Fitzgibbon in seven years.
Allianz Football League Division One Down v Armagh, Páirc Esler, 7.30pm (Live Setanta Sports 1) – A lot has happened since the counties met in last year’s Division Two final and Down’s championship accomplishments have been reflected in a steady start to the season.
Armagh haven’t been as assured and were slightly lucky to get both points against Monaghan. Last year’s precedent suggests marking Steven McDonnell will be key for Down, as after his feats against Dublin, Gareth Swift was kept quiet by Monaghan. Down’s attack looks more menacing and has been scoring goals. Home win.
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 7.30pm – There are two big positives in Dublin’s early season form. The improved discipline in defence, which saw just three frees conceded in the second half against Cork, sees them placing second in the league’s Fair Play Index after two rounds.
Less noticed has been the attacking efficiency with just 10 shots gone wide over the same two matches. Kerry continue to experiment. Eoin Brosnan stays at centre back and Bryan Sheehan is named at centrefield where he has played for club and college but with the option that David Moran provides an obvious switch at wing forward.
Dublin’s momentum should carry them through with the caveat that Kerry still have enough quality in attack to trouble a side conceding at least 20 scoring chances a match.
NFL Division Two
Antrim v Meath, Casement Park, 7.30pm – Antrim have been finding the going tough in Division Two, having lost both of their opening matches as well as Michael McCann with a long-term injury. This evening sees them up against a third Leinster opponent.
Meath, after deposing the All-Ireland under-21 holders during the week, are unchanged from beating Sligo and should take the points.
All-Ireland SFC club Semi-final
St Brigid’s (Roscommon) v Nemo Rangers (Cork), Gaelic Grounds, 2.30 – Nemo’s first-half demolition of Dr Crokes in the Munster final was the best provincial final performance of the four clubs remaining but Brigid’s are a sound outfit, better than when they last contested this stage four years ago against Crossmaglen.
The underage production line has brought in new talent but key performers, like Frankie Dolan and Karol Mannion are still there. Pace isn’t a strong point however and that’s a disadvantage against Nemo for whom Paul Kerrigan is a key weapon. Hard to go against the Cork champions.
Tomorrow
All-Ireland SFC club Semi-final
Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh), Páirc Tailteann, 4.15pm – Crossmaglen have developed an unexpected Achilles heel against Dublin teams, losing their two most recent All-Ireland excursions against them, including the final two years ago when these clubs last met.
On paper the Crossmaglen team doesn’t look as strong as back then which is presumably why Tony McEntee has been asking his brother John to return and play a role – but they had an excellent Ulster campaign, beating en route the defending All-Ireland champions, St Gall’s. It’s not all go for Kilmacud either, as some of their strongest performers from the 2009 final are unavailable: Paul Griffin, who ran the defence, Darren Magee, the best of the four centrefielders and goal scorer Mark Davoren.
There are even question marks over the new Kilmacud centrefield with both Pat Duggan and Craig Diaz battling injury. On the credit side Rory O’Carroll is back to fitness. The Dublin champions have been very resilient to date and have a formidable defence. This is easily their toughest test, but they can survive.
Walsh Cup SH Final
Dublin v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 2pm – Dublin complete their set of League, Munster, All-Ireland and now Leinster champions and have yet to lose. That will probably change tomorrow but a competitive display will keep morale bubbling.
Allianz Football League Division One
Cork v Monaghan, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm – Monaghan are experimenting under new management. Eamonn McEneaney has been doing well with his understrength selections and was unlucky to lose to Armagh.
Cork suffered the indignity of leaking three goals to Dublin last week and bring in a new goalkeeper Kenneth O’Halloran and the again available Eoin Cadogan at full back. Colm O’Neill and Ciarán Sheehan resume up front and the champions should prevail.
Galway v Mayo, Tuam Stadium, 2.30pm – Galway’s improved display against Down last week doesn’t eliminate the air of gloom given the relegation pressures building up. Mayo have just a point more to show for their efforts but the nature of the performances have been more encouraging and it took a poor penalty decision to break them against Kerry. Provincial rivalry ensures an element of unpredictability but despite James Horan’s current injury list, the visitors still have to be favourites.
NFL Division Two
Derry v Laois, Celtic Park, 1.30pm – An unexpected top two clash with Derry in particular having impressed in the defeat of both of Tyrone and Kildare and the extent to which new manager John Brennan appears to have reinvigorated Conleth Gilligan. Justin McNulty’s made a good start with Laois but this looks too difficult.
Donegal v Kildare, Letterkenny, 2.30pm – If Kildare want promotion they’ll need to start winning again and making more of an attacking impact.
Donegal boss Jim McGuinness will be looking for consistency in a match that he expects to be more physical than last week’s win in Omagh and he may get it.
Sligo v Tyrone, Markievicz Park, 2.30pm – Sligo couldn’t have expected to host this with the Ulster champions rooted in the relegation places but Tyrone’s gradually deteriorating league form in recent seasons has continued into the second division. Mickey Harte makes just one change and will be hoping for a big improvement. Chances are he will get it with Kevin Walsh’s side struggling after two matches although they did get a draw against the Donegal side that beat Tyrone last week.
NFL Division Three
Cavan v Waterford, Kingspan Breffni Park, 2.30pm – In the old Division Two B some years ago Waterford upset Cavan’s promotion bid on the last day of the season. John Owens’s team had a first win at this level last week but Cavan at home are fancied to prevail.
Limerick v Offaly, Newcastlewest, 2.30pm – Disappointment so far for Limerick and they need to win here to have any chance of promotion. Offaly are in a similar but not as serious situation after losing to Wexford. Niall McNamee’s form points to an away win.
Tipperary v Westmeath, Thurles, 2.30pm – Westmeath stopped the rot last week with a first league point in three years. John Evans’s well-drilled team will prove tough to beat.
Wexford v Louth, Wexford Park, 2.30pm – A promotion summit even in this the third weekend of the campaign with both counties on top of the table on full points. The visitors could have a government TD in their entourage depending on how manager Peter Fitzpatrick prospers in today’s count. First preference here is for Wexford.
NFL Division Four
Carlow v Clare, Dr Cullen Park, 2.30pm – Clare paid a heavy price for indiscipline against Leitrim and need to take the points here, which they can.
Fermanagh v Wicklow, Brewster Park – Wicklow have their easiest fixtures behind them and this is more of a challenge. Home win.
London v Leitrim, Ruislip, 1pm – Leitrim’s iron-clad defence will help them to another win here.
Longford v Kilkenny, Pearse Park – More misery for Kilkenny.
