The matches taking place this weekend
Today
(7.30pm unless stated)
NFL Division One
Cork v Galway, Páirc Uí Rinn – Galway posted a more emphatic win over Monaghan than Cork managed. But the Munster champions were away and there’s nothing easily won in Scotstown whereas Galway had a two-man advantage in the final quarter.
As usual with Galway, there’s no doubting the capacity of their forwards to get scores and against Monaghan their centrefield won plenty of ball. That is the central issue here because Cork have the best ball-winning capacity of any team at present and with the bulk of their All-Ireland team on duty they are likely to claim victory.
NFL Division Two
Laois v Armagh, Portlaoise –
It hasn’t been a happy campaign to date for Laois with rumbles of player discontent and unconvincing displays, including the rout inflicted by Donegal three weeks ago.
Armagh, with Ronan Clarke on the cusp of returning, have been using Aaron Kernan in the forwards and will be forceful enough to put the record straight at what has previously been a difficult venue for them.
Down v Tipperary, Páirc Esler – So far Down have maintained the encouraging form that has marked the new management of James McCartan and the return from Australia of Martin Clarke.
For the side that accompanied them out of Division Three last year – and even beat them in the divisional final – the season hasn’t been so kind and it’s hard to see John Evans’ men turning things around here. Home win.
Meath v Westmeath, Páirc Tailteann – Recent epic tussles between these rivals faded in the memory last year with Meath’s thumping win in the qualifiers.
It’s been largely downhill for Westmeath in the past 12 months and whereas Meath have mixed good and bad to date, they should hold the whip-hand here.
NFL Division Three
Antrim v Fermanagh, Casement Park – Building on last season’s progress, Antrim have already moved clear at the top with just two games gone and that’s without any of the St Gall’s players.
They should have too much for a stuttering Fermanagh.
NHL Division Three A – Armagh v Mayo, Crossmaglen, 2.30pm.
NHL Division Three B – Fingal v Wicklow, Swords, 2.30pm.
NHL Division Four – Longford v South Down, Pearse Park, 2.30pm.
Leinster Under-21 FC
Offaly v Carlow, Tullamore, 2.30pm – The Carlow cohort that reached the minor provincial final will have high hopes of winning this.
Louth v Dublin, Dundalk, 2.30pm – A stronger than usual Louth side should ensure against the trimming that befell the county last year in this fixture, but the champions should still progress.
Westmeath v Meath, Mullingar, 2pm – The Westmeath under-21s have been enjoying a happier time than the seniors, who also play Meath this evening, and will go closer here.
Wicklow v Laois, Aughrim, 2pm – Although Wicklow opened well against Longford, Laois, as minor winners three years ago, are favourites.
Fitzgibbon Cup Final
NUI Galway v Waterford IT, Pearse Stadium, 3pm – Terrific wins against the odds for both teams yesterday. WIT’s was probably more remarkable in that Joe Canning’s LIT were always likely to be vulnerable on the hosts’ own patch, but a formidable UL were seen as likely winners.
Salthill isn’t NUIG’s home venue and so that advantage has slipped a little and the wear-and-tear of extra-time might leave the Galway lads a bit tired, but then again they played the early semi-final yesterday. Timmy Hammersley maintained his prolific form for WIT, but the feature of the other semi-final was how well Galway coped with Canning.
The great man may have been experiencing an off-day but it was at least partly brought about by a first-class marking job by fellow county man, John Lee.
With the form book in tatters this is unpredictable, but NUIG can take a first title in 30 years.
(see semi-final reports on page 8)
Tomorrow
(2.30pm unless stated)
NFL Division One
Mayo v Dublin, Castlebar – Dublin have rolled through two very tough-looking fixtures and secured maximum points. Their summit meeting with Mayo can leave Pat Gilroy’s team virtually safe despite the continuing unavailability of various injured first choices.
Mayo are a lot more recognisable than Dublin at the moment although in-form Mark Ronaldson will miss tomorrow because of suspension.
The wandering pair of Conor Mortimer and Alan Dillon are back from their travels and may come into the reckoning at some stage.
This has been a poor venue for Dublin in recent NFL campaigns and, although they have momentum, the home side deserve to be favourites.
Kerry v Derry, Tralee – Just one win from four outings for last year’s finalists. The holders go to work without Paul Galvin, suspended again, and in need of points after two defeats.
Derry were listless against Dublin, lacking the bite that helped take points off Tyrone on the first day of the season but tomorrow’s selection is stronger. Kerry can be expected to emerge from hibernation pretty soon, but coping with all of the departures and Galvin’s absence will not be easy. They are vulnerable here.
Monaghan v Tyrone, Inniskeen – For a county assumed to be about to give the NFL a good lash, Tyrone have had a desperate start to the league, losing to Derry and seeing a side weakened by suspension go down to Mayo.
This is a tricky proposition, as Séamus McEnaney’s team have always been very competitive in the league. This year the Monaghan manager has made the call to sacrifice starting strength in order to take a look at the panel depth and has blooded seven debutants in the first two fixtures.
This will be close, but Tyrone’s stronger line-up can garner the points.
NFL Division Two
Kildare v Donegal, Newbridge – For a team carrying the status of favourites, and deservedly so, Kildare haven’t been convincing.
Their visitors tomorrow, on the other hand, have maintained the form that saw them win the McKenna Cup again.
With Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy in good scoring form, Donegal have built the biggest scoring difference in the top two divisions, but Kildare’s physicality and need to get back to the promotion table suggest a home win.
NFL Division Three
Wexford v Sligo, Wexford Park, 1pm – Two divisions separated these teams 12 months ago but now Sligo are a couple of places ahead of Wexford. Jason Ryan has selected a strong-looking attack and the home side are capable of building a recovery.
Offaly v Roscommon, Tullamore – Although Roscommon’s morale has hardly been helped by Gary Cox’s enforced retirement, Cathal Cregg’s declaration of fitness and Donie Shine’s form for DCU’s Sigerson-winning team are positives. A tricky fixture for the visitors; a home win is more likely.
Louth v Cavan, Drogheda – It was frustrating for Louth to get caught at the death by Sligo, a result that greatly complicates the promotion challenge. They should have too much for Cavan who lost Nick Walsh to injury this week.
NFL Division Four
Waterford v Longford, Dungarvan – Longford were unlucky last time out and face a tough task here against a Waterford team maintaining the progress of recent seasons. Still, Glenn Ryan’s side can prevail.
Kilkenny v London, Nowlan Park, 1pm – To decide who props up the entire league: London look likely to escape the distinction.
Wicklow v Carlow, Aughrim – A good display in the O’Byrne Shield by Carlow sets up Luke Dempsey’s team for another tilt at their rivals.But injuries in the forwards make Wicklow more likely.
Clare v Leitrim, Cusack Park – Clare will be challenging for promotion this year whereas Leitrim won’t, particularly with the disastrous news of Emlyn Mulligan’s cruciate going again.
NHL Division One
Tipperary v Kilkenny, Thurles – The most previewed match ever. Perceptions have changed dramatically in the light of the teams’ first outings in the NHL.
Tipp were hugely disappointing in getting a cuffing from Dublin whereas Kilkenny were clinical in taking the points from Offaly.
Liam Sheedy delays selection until tonight in order to assess the impact of the Fitzgibbon semis.
The original calculation that Tipp would be massively up for the task still holds even if their form is uninspiring. Tomorrow should bring a backlash from Tipp.
NHL Division Four – Monaghan v Fermanagh, Corduff, 12.45pm.
