Football

At a glance: The weekend's football and hurling games previewed

Donegal will need Patrick McBrearty to continue his prolific scoring form if they are to trouble Dublin.
Donegal will need Patrick McBrearty to continue his prolific scoring form if they are to trouble Dublin. Donegal will need Patrick McBrearty to continue his prolific scoring form if they are to trouble Dublin.

*All games 2pm on Sunday unless stated

Division One

Dublin v Donegal (Saturday, 7pm)

THIS will be the test of Declan Bonner’s convictions. He has spoken of being more open but there’s nowhere more scary to try it than in Croke Park against Dublin, especially needing a result. Donegal’s two defeats have been narrow but they can’t feel hard done by either. If they go man-for-man, there’s a chance this could get ugly, even if Paddy McBrearty maintains his prolific form.

H: 1/8 D: 14/1 A: 6/1

Verdict: Dublin

Galway v Mayo

FOUR points from four so far, Galway are doing a Roscommon in taking the top flight by storm. They deserved their win in Donegal while Mayo barely deserved to be within ten points of Kerry last weekend. Stephen Rochford may be tempted to use Cillian O’Connor, Andy Moran and Colm Boyle for more of this.

H: 6/5 D: 15/2 A: 10/11

Verdict: Mayo

Kildare v Tyrone

ALL week the Tyrone voices have been swatting away any fear of relegation. In the context of nul points, this looks a more difficult assignment for Mickey Harte’s side. Kildare were unlucky not to squeeze something out of Monaghan but given the circumstances, they’re unlikely to get anything here either.

H: 13/8 D: 15/2 A: 4/6

Verdict: Tyrone

Monaghan v Kerry

THE Farney men have won on their last two visits to the Kingdom but haven’t fared quite so well on their own patch. Moving this one to the more intimate Inniskeen is noteworthy. Kerry’s youngsters have filled the breach well in the early weeks, though they’ll probably be Cliffordless here.

H: 7/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/7

Verdict: Draw

Division Two

Cavan v Meath (Saturday, 7pm)

ON the back of another winter of huge turnover, Cavan will be happy to have three points on the board, albeit aided slightly by a conformist fixture list. They actually sit joint-top but it’s the Royals that look the better bet for a sustained promotion charge.

H: 11/10 D: 15/2 A: 10/11

Verdict: Meath

Clare v Tipperary

THE two emerging forces in Munster collide with the reality of their prospects growing clearer. Tipperary will be right in the shake-up despite last weekend’s thrilling defeat to Roscommon, while Clare would be happy to keep their noses above water another year. Michael Quinlivan is playing some stuff.

H: 13/8 D: 15/2 A: 8/13

Verdict: Tipperary

Cork v Louth

THE Rebels have become almost unrecognisable over the past few seasons, particularly in defence, and won in Newry last week without ever being brilliant. They are unlikely to have to hit the heights here either as Pete McGrath’s visitors gasp for air.

H: 1/10 D: 14/1 A: 13/2

Verdict: Cork

Roscommon v Down

ONLY twice in the last ten years has a county won promotion back to Division One the season after being relegated, but Kevin McStay’s men look well on track to become a third. Down have a poor recent record against the Rossies and have some improving to do.

H: 2/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/2

Verdict: Roscommon

Division Three

Armagh v Longford

ARMAGH were certainly expected to be well in the mix but Longford, frankly, weren’t. The visitors come off the back of good wins over Offaly and Derry, and their attack will give Armagh a test, but Kieran McGeeney’s side are playing well and scoring heavily.

H: 4/11 D: 15/2 A: 11/4

Verdict: Armagh

Derry v Offaly

IT’S been a difficult start for Damian McErlain but given the personnel issues, it’s not wholly unexpected. Offaly looked in line for another lacing in Fermanagh early doors but improved as it went on. Defeat would leave Derry in a very perilous state.

H: 2/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/2

Verdict: Derry

Sligo v Fermanagh

CATHAL Corey will be hoping that Sligo can build on a good first win over Wexford last weekend but while they may make life tough for Fermanagh, the Ernemen are in confident mood and working towards key games against those around them at the top.

H: 5/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/5

Verdict: Fermanagh

Wexford v Westmeath

WESTMEATH couldn’t live with Armagh once they found their game last Sunday but the Lakemen still sit on the edge of the group that will finish at the top end. It’s been two straight defeats for Wexford though and they’ll do well to avoid that statistic getting worse.

H: 11/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/11

Verdict: Westmeath

Division Four

Carlow v Leitrim (Saturday, 5pm)

THERE’S been no sign of second season syndrome so far for Carlow as they’ve won two out of two, though they will be wary of the way Leitrim roused themselves against Laois last weekend to give the promotion favourites a scare. Don’t put it in your weekend accumulator at that price.

H: 1/10 D: 14/1 A: 6/1

Verdict: Carlow

Laois v Waterford (Saturday, 7pm)

GARY Walsh’s fine scoring form has been helping lead the Laois charge, although the first signs of complacency crept in as they let Leitrim back into a game that was done and dusted. Waterford were no match for Antrim and despite bringing Kieran Power and JJ Hutchinson back in this week, they’re unlikely to get much reward.

H: 1/20 D: 20/1 A: 8/1

Verdict: Laois

London v Limerick (1pm)

LONDON’S efforts in trying to improve standards were given an early season boost by last weekend’s nine-point win over Wicklow, and even in defeat by Carlow they served warning that points will not be easy taken away from Rusilip.

H: 5/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/5

Verdict: Draw

Antrim v Wicklow

ONE of only three teams in the country yet to have conceded a goal, the Antrim attack has also coped comfortably with its winter transition and led to a bright start. Wicklow were held to a draw by Waterford in their opener before losing in London.

H: 1/6 D: 12/1 A: 9/2

Verdict: Antrim

All-Ireland club SHC semi-finals

Na Piarsaigh v Slaughtneil (today, 2pm)

SLAUGHTNEIL’S second venture into the All-Ireland hurling series brings them in against 2016 champions Na Piarsaigh. The Limerick men have been racking up big scores, their Munster final 3-15 the lowest from nine games. Sé McGuigan and Séan Ó Casaide are injury doubts for the Ulster champions, with Shane Dowling likely to play some part at the other end after a four-month layoff.

H: 1/50 D: 33/1 A: 11/1

Verdict: Na Piarsaigh

Cuala v Liam Mellow’s (today, 4pm)

LIAM Mellows became the first side from Galway city to win the county title in 47 years back at the beginning of December but they will have their work cut out to extend the run any further. Cuala pushed their luck at times in Dublin after taking an extended break following last March’s All-Ireland success, but it looks set to pay dividends now as they come at the national series refreshed.

H: 1/7 D: 14/1 A: 5/1

Verdict: Cuala

QUAD

Monaghan-Kerry draw 15/2; Tyrone 4/6; Meath 10/11; Fermanagh 4/5

£10 returns £486