Previews of the weekend's matches
Today
(7.30pm unless stated)
All-Ireland club SFC semi-final Corofin (Galway) v St Galls (Antrim), Parnell Park, 7.30 (Live TG4) – In the space of a week’s postponement the circumstances of this AIB semi-final have been radically changed. The victory of Kilmurry-Ibrickane in last weekend’s other semi-final was completely unexpected and, despite the intelligence and execution of the Clare side’s victory, leaves the winners of this evening’s encounter likely to be unbackable favourites in next month’s final.
Both of these teams have experience at this level and are well positioned to maintain focus. Even the dynamics of the match have been altered. With the exception of Micheál Comer, Corofin’s injury list has cleared bringing relief for the Connacht champions but also a few selection dilemmas with both corner-back positions now open to change.
Ronan Steede should also be fit to start in the forwards. Some essentials, however, remain unaltered.
The Belfast club still have more persuasive firepower in attack and also the experience of a more competitive provincial campaign. Corofin improved once out of Galway but weren’t hugely tested.
They are built from the back and won’t give too much away to the McGourtys and Gallaghers and the environment – prevailing weather conditions and the tightness of the pitch – will also militate against Gall’s dominating. But even in a dogfight the Ulster champions have credentials and their superior forward potential can do the rest. Extra-time if necessary.
NHL Division One
Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds 7.30pm (Live Setanta Ireland) – Limerick came through last week’s opener against Galway with honour intact. Their visitors this evening could tell them, however, that making a determined start is the easiest aspect of the current unfortunate situation, the hardest is keeping the show on the road as the defeats stack up.
It was also slightly overlooked that Galway fielded five newcomers so that John McIntyre could have a look.
Anyway this evening should be a tougher task, as Denis Walsh pieces together his best team for the summer. The selection features a physically formidable attack with a big, though inexperienced, half-forward line and Michael Cussen given a start at full forward although whether his strengths lie in being a hurler who happens to be big or an out-and-out target man remains to be seen. Limerick will resist for a while but Cork will be looking to emulate the double-digit defeat of Offaly last week.
Sigerson Cup Final
UCC v DCU, Leixlip – UCC, guided by former Cork manager Billy Morgan – who is serving a sideline ban, face DCU, managed by Professor Niall Moyna, in the Sigerson Cup final at Leixlip GAA club this afternoon.
DCU won the competition for the first time in 2006, while UCC are seeking their 18th outright win and hoping to end a 15-year gap since they picked up back-to-back titles in 1994-’95.
Tomorrow
(2.30pm unless stated)
NHL Division One
Kilkenny v Offaly, Nowlan Park – Having spent a louche pre-season losing to tomorrow’s opponents and Laois, the holders finally get started after their snowbound week, with the immediate opportunity to set one of those recent defeats to rights.
Brian Cody picked a strong enough team for the trip to Thurles even though the Ballyhale players are absent and a couple of regulars are switched around, and Offaly are likely to find this a different proposition.
A week ago they were a bit maligned by the scoreboard, the margin having been down to two well into the final quarter before Cork blew them open in the closing minutes to win by 14.
This will be even harder, as Kilkenny will want to put their opponents back in their box, which of course they will.
Galway v Waterford, Pearse Stadium (Live TG4) – Galway have strengthened the side that won in Limerick last week for the visit of the county that brought last summer to an unsatisfactory halt.
Waterford made a fine start to their campaign in the absence of their resting veterans, substantiating the view that the county has a promising well of talent to irrigate future ambitions.
Galway are without their Portumna players but that doesn’t impact a great deal on the various team development tasks, such as firming up the spine.
David Collins returns after a trying time with long-term injury, which will be a valuable addition to the team. A tight contest expected with the home side edging it.
Dublin v Tipperary, Parnell Park (TG4 deferred) – Already Dublin are beginning to shift uneasily after defeats by Galway and Waterford but whereas it’s too early to panic the surprising scale of last week’s opening day setback is a reminder that off days in Division One come with a big price tag.
Scheduling hasn’t helped with one of the big guns next up after the disappointment of last week. Tipperary appear stronger than the announced line-ups for the postponed matches with Kilkenny and boast what looks the strongest full-forward line in the game.
It’s not all gloom, however, for Anthony Daly’s side, Alan McCrabbe is named just a week after an ambulance whisked him straight to hospital with an apparently serious injury, David O’Callaghan returns and Liam Rushe was by all accounts excellent for UCD in the narrow Fitzgibbon defeat by Limerick IT during the week. Realistically though this will be more about getting a good performance rather than the points.
NHL Division Two
Wexford v Down, Wexford Park, 1.30 – Wexford’s drive for promotion began uneventfully and will continue here against the Ulster relegation contenders.
Kildare v Antrim, Newbridge – Antrim had to scramble for the win over Carlow but despite their unconvincing record on the road, they can take the points here.
Laois v Clare, Portlaoise – A serious challenge for Clare’s hopes of springing back up to Division One, as Niall Rigney has encouraged good performances from Laois so far.
This is however a must-win for Ger O’Loughlin’s men and they should achieve that much.
Carlow v Westmeath, Dr Cullen Park – Two counties who have developed a recent rivalry at the top of the secondary tier without breaking through the glass ceiling. Home win.
NHL Division Three A
Meath v Armagh, Páirc Tailteann
London v Derry, Ruislip
Mayo v Kerry, Castlebar
Division Three B
Roscommon v Tyrone, Athleague
Donegal v Louth, Letterkenny Sligo v Fingal, Markievicz Park
Division Four
Fermanagh v Leitrim, Brewster Park
Longford v Cavan, Michael Fay Park, Longford
Down South v Monaghan, Ballela.
O’Byrne Shield (Leinster SF) final
Carlow v Wexford, Tinryland, 1.30.
