TODAY
Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final
Sligo v Roscommon (Markievicz Park, 7pm, live on Sky Sports)
BY the time Sligo start their 2015 Championship campaign, three teams should already be packed up for the summer. Niall Carew’s men open with a difficult task against the ever-improving Roscommon and are big underdogs, despite being at home. John Evans’s side didn’t sparkle in their seven-point win in London, but they did what they had to do. The Kerrryman has made two changes from that game with Ronan Stack and Conor Daly coming into the team. If there’s to be a shock this weekend, it’ll more than likely be here.
Odds: H: 3/1 D: 8/1 A: 4/11
Verdict: Sligo
TOMORROW
Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final
Monaghan v Fermanagh (Kingspan Breffni Park, 4pm, deferred on BBC2)
MONAGHAN go in search of a third Ulster final in a row, but they should be challenged by a Fermanagh side that has made great improvements in their second year with Pete McGrath. Captain Eoin Donnelly looks fit enough to return and they will be hoping their defensive game proves too difficult to break down. Monaghan will be without Drew Wylie, so Vinny Corey will likely be the man to take on Sean Quigley. The Farney county are a top team now and they should make another decider.
Odds: H: 1/4 D: 10/1 A: 4/1
Verdict: Monaghan
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final
Kilkenny v Wexford (Nowlan Park, 2pm, live on RTE)
SINCE Wexford shocked Kilkenny in 2004, they have lost their five games since by an average of 12.6 points. The Cats may be without retirees Henry Shefflin, JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity, but they are still top dogs in this province. Wexford had eight points to spare against Westmeath, and manager Liam Dunne will be hoping they can move it up a gear at Nowlan Park. It won’t be enough though.
Odds: H: 2/9 D: 12/1 A: 4/1
Verdict: Kilkenny
Ulster Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final
Derry v Donegal (Celtic Park, 3.30pm)
DERRY will be without the injured Paddy McCloskey while Niall Ferris has headed to America. The may be downhearted after their Christy Ring final loss to Kerry, but they could give the Ulster Championship a real rattle. Donegal manager Ray Durack has already announced that he will step down after their provincial campaign ends, so this could be his last time in charge of the Tir Chonaill county.
Verdict: Derry
Armagh v Down (Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm)
ARMAGH’S heart-breaking Nicky Rackard loss to Roscommon is surely still fresh in the minds. Sylvester McConnell must get his players refocused as they face a side they pushed hard in the League. After a difficult time in Division 2B this year, Down responded with a fine Christy Ring campaign, losing to Derry in the last four. They should have too much firepower for the Orchard county.
Odds: H: 7/2 D: 11/1 A: 2/9
Verdict: Down
Munster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final
Limerick v Tipperary (Gaelic Grounds, 4pm, live on RTE)
FOR a third year in succession, Limerick and Tipperary will meet in the Munster semi-final with the Premier county trying to avoid a trio of defeats. In fact, current manager Eamon O’Shea, appointed in September 2012, is yet to record a provincial victory. Limerick are aiming for a third final appearance in a row, and the battling spirit they showed against Clare suggests they are up to the challenge. Seanie Tobin is suspended after picking up a red card in that game. This is a hard game to judge given the team’s respective provincial performances in recent years, but Tipp should readdress the balance somewhat tomorrow.
Odds: H: 13/8 D: 9/1 A: 8/13
Verdict: Tipperary
