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waterford manager davy fitzgerald pic seamus loughran
waterford manager davy fitzgerald pic seamus loughran waterford manager davy fitzgerald pic seamus loughran

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship quarter-finals

Galway v Dublin

(tomorrow, O’Connor Park, 4pm)

ON March 26, Galway just held off Limerick to secure a second-place finish in Division 1B with seven teams finishing above them in all in the League. Fast-forward two months and Micheál Donoghue’s side are Liam MacCarthy favourites after their destruction of Tipperary in the League final. Dublin is a nice tester as they attempt to deal with that lofty tag, and they should be cautious. Ger Cunningham has had a few weeks to work with the Cuala contingent, who only returned for the final League game, after their club exploits. The likes of Cian O’Callaghan and Oisin Gough should ensure that they are stronger than they were in the League, but the Tribesmen are on a high at the moment and should rack up a good scoring tally en-route to victory.

Odds: Galway: 1/4 D: 12/1 Dublin: 7/2

Verdict: Galway

Westmeath v Offaly

(today, TEG Cusack Park, 7pm)

A COLUMN in the Offaly Express has handed Westmeath plenty of motivation for this match as it claimed that they shouldn’t even be in the same hurling universe as the Faithful men. That’s despite Westmeath winning last year’s encounter by 14 points and although Michael Ryan’s side have been very inconsistent this year, they do have a top performance in them. Offaly have had challenge matches against Dublin, Wexford and Waterford in the lead up to the game, but they could be caught out again.

Odds: H: 11/4 D: 10/1 A: 4/11

Verdict: Westmeath

Laois v Wexford

(tomorrow, O’Moore Park, 2pm)

LAOIS will be hoping that their progression through the Qualifier group will have sharpened them up for the Leinster Championship proper as they welcome Wexford to Portlaoise. Eamonn Kelly looks set to be without Cahir Healy though as he continues to struggle with a hamstring injury. Paddy Whelan, Ryan Mullaney and Eanna Lyons are definitely out. Wexford boss Davy Fitzgerald will have to sit in the stands after his confrontation with Tipperary players during the League semi-final, but it should be a comfortable enough viewing experience.

Odds: H: 7/1 D: 14/1 A: 1/9

Verdict: Wexford

Munster Senior Football Championship quarter-finals

Waterford v Cork

(tonight, Fraher Field, 7pm)

WATERFORD manager Tom McGlinchey faces a mammoth test to take down his native county Cork. The 15 players that he has named have all played Championship football before so the experience will be there, the quality to shock, however, will not be. Peadar Healy’s Cork side under performed in Division Two this year – not even getting close to a promotion push – but they won’t have to be anywhere near their best to progress here. The Rebels will be without Brian O’Driscoll and Eoin Cadogan although Aidan Walsh should start his first Championship game in three years.

Odds: H: 14/1 D: 33/1 A: 1/50

Verdict: Cork

Clare v Limerick

(tomorrow, Cusack Park, 3.30pm)

CLARE built on last year’s run to the last eight with a positive Division Two campaign, although they did end with three straight defeats. Colm Collins’s side should get back on track here to secure a semi-final with Kerry. Limerick boss Billy Lee has included two debutants in his side, Daniel Daly and David Ward. The Shannonsiders are chasing their first Munster Championship win since 2012, but it looks like they will have to wait a little longer.

Odds: H: 1/3 D: 8/1 A: 10/3

Verdict: Clare

Connacht Senior Football Championship quarter-final

London v Leitrim

(Sunday, McGovern Park, 3.30pm)

LONDON return to their redeveloped Ruislip ground tomorrow, and Ciaran Deely’s side will want to mark their comeback with an upset. Former Tyrone attacker Owen Mulligan has been named amongst the substitutes and you’d expect that the Cookstown native will see some action. Brendan Guckian’s Leitrim side has named five debutants in attack, and that inexperience could prove costly. Ace forward Emlyn Mulligan misses out having recently suffered a third cruciate injury.

Odds: H: 6/4 D: 15/2 A: 8/11

Verdict: London