Previews

Kerry huffed and puffed to get past an under-strength Derry last week but were themselves missing Shane Brick who returns for…

Kerry huffed and puffed to get past an under-strength Derry last week but were themselves missing Shane Brick who returns for this evening's match.

TODAY

All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers round one Kerry v Limerick, Tralee, 7.0

This will in all likelihood bring Kerry's longest hurling championship to an end. They struggled against Waterford in the Munster championship and although they have met all the challenges since, none of them equips the side for this.

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Limerick suffered some turbulence during the week with Ciarán Carey's resignation from the panel. But any major implications are still a fortnight away when the qualifiers get serious. Kerry may well give a good account of themselves but Limerick will win.

TOMORROW

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers round two

Fermanagh v Cavan, Enniskillen, 3.0 A meeting of the woebegone. Fermanagh blinked last week when they had established a platform to see off Down and Dominic Corrigan's crestfallen words afterwards acknowledged as much.

The Fermanagh defence of which he was so proud of during their league campaign looked wobbly under pressure and will be strengthened by the return of Justin Gilheaney.

Cavan manager Mattie Kerrigan's existence has been jinxed with injury for the past two championships. During the win over Louth he lost another major player as Peter Reilly became the umpteenth big name in Gaelic games this summer to do his cruciate.

To their credit Cavan won but even with the return of Jason Reilly and the dominant form of Dermot McCabe, the team still isn't at full strength.

Maybe Fermanagh are too depressed by last weekend to exploit this but with home advantage and virtually a full pick - apart from the suspended Ryan McCluskey - they should do enough to progress.

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times