Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY, IAN O'RIORDANand SEAN MORAN
TODAY – Munster SFC semi-final
Limerick v Kerry, Gaelic Grounds, 6.45pm (Live on RTÉ) – “They have yet to realise their full potential. They will make the breakthrough. It’s only a matter of time. It doesn’t matter where you come from. If you can get the lads believing in themselves, which they do, it’s irrelevant where they come from. . . .They’ll be back.”
They are back but what does it matter? Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s parting words after Kerry resisted a colossal John Galvin display from midfield and the roaming of Stephen Kelly in last year’s Munster final are probably true but there is a significant problem. Kerry have always believed.
Galvin’s knee is crocked. With his loss, a surprise slips further out of reach. Kerry are without Tomás Ó Sé and Paul Galvin starts on the bench. But Kerry have probably too much for Limerick to contain.
Questions remain about the midfield Jack O’Connor sends out and the defence pales in comparison to previous years but they want their annual battle with Cork and with respect to a decent Limerick team, should achieve their goal.
In the last episode: In last year's Munster final Limerick lost 1-17 to 1-14 after John Galvin was denied a late shot on goal by six Kerry defenders. Tomás Ó Sé's entanglement with Stephen Kelly, saw him suspended for the All-Ireland quarter-final against Down. He is missing again this evening.
You bet: Limerick 13/2, Kerry 1/10 but it is Limerick (plus 6) at 10/11 that looks the real value.
On your marks: The fresh-faced midfield collisions will tell us just how much Limerick miss John Galvin or Kerry miss Séamus Scanlon.
Gaining ground: 1896 was the last time Limerick sat atop the Munster football mountain.
Just the ticket: Covered stand (€20) will be full, under-16s are free on the terrace, (€10 for adults).
Crystal gazing: Can Maurice Horan and Ephie Fitzgerald build on the foundations laid by O'Sullivan and Donie Buckley? Possible, but Kerry by two or three.
LIMERICK: B Scanlon; S Lavin, S Gallagher, M O’Riordan; P Ranahan, J McCarthy, B Fitzpatrick; T Lee, J Donovan; S Buckley, J Kelly, S Kelly; G Collins, J Cooke, I Ryan.
KERRY: B Kealy; S Enright, M Ó Sé, T O’Sullivan; A O’Mahony, E Brosnan, K Young; A Maher, B Sheehan; Darran O’Sullivan, Declan O’Sullivan, D Walsh; C Cooper (capt), K Donaghy, K O’Leary.
Referee: R Hickey (Clare).
Leinster SHC quarter-final
Galway v Westmeath, Mullingar, 7.0 – It was interesting that new Westmeath manager Brian Hanley, formerly of Athenry and Galway under-21 fame, suggested Galway should start star players such as Joe Canning, as it would afford his team the chance to say they once played against the very best. If Galway manager John McIntyre was truly worried about the outcome then he would have started Canning, but instead he rests him up for the pivotal showdown against Dublin, as Fergal Moore makes a welcome championship return. Barry Daly starts at half forward and Joe Gantley at full forward. The hope is it won’t be an outlandishly one-sided affair.
GALWAY: J Skehill; D Joyce, D Collins, F Moore; J Coen, J Lee, A Cullinane; D Burke, K Hynes; B Daly, C Donnellan, A Smith; D Hayes, J Gantley, A Callinan.
WESTMEATH: C Scally; C Flanagan, D McCormack, A McGrath; E Price, A Mitchell, P Gilsenan; N Flanagan, B Smyth; C Curley, P Greville, B Murtagh; J Shaw, D McNicholas, D Carthy.
Referee: A Stapleton (Laois).
TOMORROW – Munster SFC semi-final
Cork v Waterford, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30 – The benefit of this encounter and the previous defeat of Division Three opposition, Clare, is minimal for Cork come the Munster final on July 3rd. Conor Counihan makes six changes in personnel just to remind his panel this team is by no means set in stone, with both Eoin Cotter and Fiachra Lynch coming in for Championship debuts. It’ll be interesting to see how the forwards perform without the help of Pearse O’Neill’s powerful runs through the middle, but these are small steps for the All-Ireland champions and will reveal very little to their rivals.
In the last episode: In the opening bout of 2009 Cork won 2-18 to 1-7 in Dungarvan.
You bet: Cork 1/500, Waterford 28/1. Waterford (plus-12pts) are evens.
On your marks: The combination of Eoin Cadogan and Michael Shields in the full-back line may provide scope for the latter to rumble forward.
Gaining ground: The junior match against Cork may entice a few locals down for a look but not much history for the visitors to build upon in the park.
Just the ticket: €20 stand, €10 terrace.
Crystal gazing: Clare were 15 points shy the last day and something similar is expected, thus Counihan's chopping and changing.
CORK: A Quirke; E Cotter, M Shields, E Cadogan; G Canty, J Miskella, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh; C Sheehan, P Kelly, F Lynch; D Goulding, D O’Connor, P Kerrigan.
WATERFORD: K Cotter; M OGorman, T OGorman, K Connery; E Walsh, S Briggs, T Grey; M Ahern, B Phelan; B Wall, P Hurney, W Hennessy, G Hurney, S Fleming, T Prendergast.
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
Leinster SFC quarter-finals
Kildare v Meath, Croke Park, 2pm (Live on RTÉ) – When the two tribal leaders in exile, Kieran McGeeney and Séamus McEnaney, crossed paths during the corresponding National League match it resulted in a bit of stag-rutting near the end of a two-point Kildare victory. The pressure on both men is significant today. Kildare have reaped the focused value of McGeeney’s stewardship, having been inches shy of a September date last year but silverware must be on the Lilywhite menu in 2011.
For McEnaney the attention is far more acute. The departure of selectors Barry Callaghan and Liam Harnan in protest at Graham Geraghty’s return to the panel means Banty could yet be up before those impetuous Meath club delegates before next winter comes crawling in.
Both teams have contested an All-Ireland semi-final in the past two years so no advantage there. Meath’s progress is not that far behind Kildare and there were signs of McEnaney’s noted powers of motivation taking effect by the tail end of the league. With forwards like Shane O’Rourke, Stephen Bray, Joe Sheridan and Cian Ward they will always have the capability to outgun opponents.
But Kildare’s development seems clearer. They have adopted a style and steel under McGeeney that is best exemplified by Eamonn Callaghan and the evergreen Jonny Doyle, so Dermot Earley’s loss should not dismantle their rhythm.
In the last episode: Kildare progressed to the All-Ireland semi-final with a Johnny Doyle-inspired 2-17 to 1-12 defeat of the Leinster champions.
You bet: Kildare are 8/13, Meath 13/8, with two-point handicap at 4/5.
On your marks: Everyone is waiting for a late cameo from the 38-year-old Graham Geraghty.
Gaining ground: Kildare are now a self-styled championship team so Croke Park is where they must consistently perform.
Just the ticket: can be purchased at outlets around the stadium. Adult Stand – €25, Adult Terrace – €15, Child Stand – €5.
Crystal gazing:Very hazy. Kildare on form, but Meath are well capable of ruining that in what should be a close contest. Kildare by a nose.
KILDARE: S Connolly; A MacLochlainn, M Foley, H McGrillen; G White, B Flanagan, E Bolton; T O’Connor, H Lynch; M O’Flaherty, E O’Flaherty, E Callaghan; A Smith, J Doyle, J Kavanagh.
MEATH: B Murphy; G O’Brien, K Reilly, S McAnarney; S Kenny, B Menton, C Lenehan; N Crawford, B Meade; J Queeney, S O’Rourke, G Reilly; S Bray, J Sheridan, C Ward.
Referee: S Doyle (Wexford).
Dublin v Laois, Croke Park, 4.0 (Live on TV3) – Among the consolations that Dublin could take from the disappointment of losing the Division One league final was that with a full pick available, the team would be able to mount a good championship challenge. Accordingly the first-choice attack (with Eoghan O’Gara on the bench and again champing at the bit) lines out tomorrow against the Division Two finalists.
The problem for Dublin is the expected range of options elsewhere hasn’t quite materialised. Rory O’Carroll returns at full back but lacks match sharpness – the selection being recognition that his presence is urgently needed on the edge of the square.
Paul Griffin and Cian O’Sullivan aren’t quite ready for championship fare so Pat Gilroy hasn’t yet got a full hand to play at the back, although James McCarthy looks a distinctive talent and his championship debut should be interesting. Centrefield is similarly under-resourced pending Ross McConnell’s full recovery.
Laois have had an ideal build-up to this match. The victory over Longford has left room for plenty of improvement. Justin McNulty does have choices on the bench. Pádraig Clancy can give centrefield a more direct capacity, whereas Donie Kingston is a menacing forward to have in reserve.
Moreover, Laois have developed a recognisable style under the new management, a harder-working game plan than previously. They also created some good goal chances against Longford and they will relish the role of being outsiders.
In the last episode: In the 2007 Leinster final Dublin cruised to a 3-14 to 1-14 win, thanks to goals from the Brogans, Bernard and Alan, and Mark Vaughan.
You bet:Dublin are 1 to 5, with Laois 9 to 2 to repeat the feats of 2003. The draw is available at 10 to 1.
On your marks: If the Brogans and Diarmuid Connolly are on form Laois will ship too many scores; if they're held in the opening 20 minutes the knock-on impact on both sides' morale will make the afternoon very interesting.
Gaining ground:The counties haven't met outside Croke Park since Dublin's last All-Ireland winning season of 16 years ago. Laois haven't lost here in the championship since 2008 when Wexford prevailed.
Just the ticket: Stand tickets (€25 – no concessions in Hogan), Family tickets for the Cusack and Davin stands (adults €25 and children €5). Terrace (€15 – no concessions). Students and OAPs can get €10 rebate. Details of group discounts available on www.leinster.gaa.ie
Crystal gazing:Dublin deserve to be favourites but the contest will be closer than the odds indicate.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P McMahon, R O’Carroll, M Fitzsimons; J McCarthy, G Brennan, K Nolan; MD Macauley, B Cahill; B Cullen, K McManamon, P Flynn; A Brogan, D Connolly, B Brogan.
LAOIS: E Culleton; C Healy, K Meaney, M Timmons; D Strong, S Julian, P O’Leary; C Begley, B Quigley; D Carroll, J O’Loughlin, N Donoher; R Munnelly, B Sheehan, MJ Tierney.
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).
Ulster SFC quarter-final
Tyrone v Monaghan, Healy Park, 3.30 – Only a major shock, rather than an upset, would deny Tyrone an easy enough passage here. Okay their league form was mixed, but there is a look about this Tyrone line-up now that suggests they’re ready for the heat of the championship summer. Veterans Brian Dooher and Stephen O’Neill both came back into the starting 15, with Philip Jordan also named in the half-back line after only recently reversing his decision to retire. Corner forward Mark Donnelly is Tyrone’s only championship debutant. The Tyrone bench looks strong too, with Joe McMahon included, despite suffering a broken jaw six weeks ago, and also Kevin Hughes and Owen Mulligan.
Where do you start with Monaghan’s absentees? Boss Eamonn McEneaney would rather not have named six debutants, but with key forward Tommy Freeman departed for the USA in search of employment, along with Rory Woods, and Vinny Corey, Gavin Doogan, David Hughes, Shane Smyth, JP Mone and Gary McQuaid all ruled out through injury, this could be a baptism of fire for a new Monaghan team.
The newcomers include goalkeeper Mark Keogh, defenders Conor Galligan, Kieran Duffy and Owen Duffy, and forwards Daniel McKenna and Neil McAdam – with McKenna set to fill the void left by Tommy Freeman. They’ll be spirited, as usual, but ultimately Monaghan lack the fire-power to seriously trouble Tyrone.
In the last episode: Monaghan hosted Tyrone in Clones last July with strong aspirations for a first Ulster title since 1988, and yet were well beaten, 1-14 to 0-7, as 10 different players scored for the defending champions.
You bet:Tyrone a well-fancied 4/11, and Monaghan 11/4, with the draw at 15/2.
On your marks:Tyrone have a habit of killing of Ulster championship matches early on, so a good start is more than half the battle for Monaghan.
Gaining ground:The tight, partisan setting of Healy Park brings out the best in Tyrone, and makes a tough challenge for Monaghan that bit tougher.
Just the ticket:This is not an all-ticket game; patrons can pay in at the gate. Family ticket (Covered Stand) U16 £5/€5; Adult £23/€27; OAP covered stand £13/€15; terrace £13/€15. OAP terrace £9/€10; student Terrace £9/€10 (On production of a valid student card).
Crystal gazing:The appetite of this enduring Tyrone team and whatever does remain should be enough to see off a depleted Monaghan.
TYRONE: P McConnell; M Swift, C McCarron, R McMenamin; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; A Cassidy, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, B McGuigan, P Harte; M Penrose, S O’Neill, M Donnelly.
MONAGHAN: M Keogh; K Duffy, D Hughes, C Walshe; C Galligan, D Mone, O Duffy; O Lennon, D Clerkin; S Gallogly, M Downey, N McAdam; D McKenna, P Finlay, C McManus.
Referee: C Reilly (Meath).
