Division One
Dublin v Galway
(tonight, Croke Park, 7pm)
DESPITE a lack of training, Dublin started in fine fashion against Monaghan last weekend and led 1-3 to 0-1 after 11 minutes. However, it was maybe no surprise that they ran out of steam and lost by three points. Even with the excuse of little minutes in the tank, manager Jim Gavin will be demanding better tonight. Galway topped the table last year and started with a hard-fought win against Cavan last weekend, but manager Kevin Walsh said that survival was their main aim for the League. Dublin should win this with relative ease.
Odds: H: 1/6 D: 12/1 A: 11/2
Verdict: Dublin
Cavan v Kerry
(tomorrow, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm)
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Odds: H: 5/2 D: 15/2 A: 4/9
Verdict: Kerry
Roscommon v Monaghan
(tomorrow, Dr Hyde Park, 2.30pm)
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Odds: H: 9/4 D: 15/2 A: 1/2
Verdict: Monaghan
Tyrone v Mayo
(tomorrow, Healy Park, 2.30pm)
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Odds: H: 1/2 D: 15/2 A: 9/4
Verdict: Draw
Division Two
Donegal v Meath
(tonight, Ballybofey, 7pm)
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Odds: H: 4/9 D: 15/2 A: 5/2
Verdict: Donegal
Cork v Kildare
(tomorrow, Páirc Ui Chaoimh, 1pm)
BOTH Cork and Kildare earned draws in week one, but the result would have evoked different emotions in both camps. The Rebels, who had Ruairi Deane sent off early in the second half against Fermanagh, looked like they had grabbed a crucial two points before Conall Jones landed a last-gasp free to snatch that away from them. Kildare, by contrast, were doing the last-gasp scoring as Jimmy Hyland landed an equalising score late on in their game with Armagh. Given that Cian O’Neill’s side had played second fiddle for long stretches, it was greatly accepted.
Odds: H: 11/10 D: 15/2 A: 1/1
Verdict: Cork
Tipperary v Fermanagh
(tomorrow, Semple Stadium, 2pm)
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Odds: H: 4/6 D: 15/2 A: 13/8
Verdict: Tipperary
Armagh v Clare
(tomorrow, Pairc Esler, 2pm)
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Odds: H: 2/5 D: 15/2 A: 11/4
Verdict: Armagh
Division Three
Westmeath v Carlow
(today, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm)
CARLOW’S first Division Three match in decades went as well as could have been expected as they beat a disappointing Sligo side, but this will be a big step up in quality. Westmeath started with a win in Offaly but they had to do it the hard way as they came from eight points down to win by one. Manager Jack Cooney has brought Denis Corroon, Luke Loughlin and Tommy McDaniels into his starting 15 for this Leinster derby and they should secure their second win over Carlow this season after an earlier O’Byrne Cup victory.
Odds: H: 1/2 D: 15/2 A: 2/1
Verdict: Westmeath
Laois v Louth
(today, Croke Park, 3pm)
LIKE Armagh, Laois have been forced to give up home advantage for breaking a training ban but their players probably won’t be too disappointed about getting a run out at Croke Park. They failed to show in the first half against Down last weekend but owned the second period following the introductions of Donal Kingston and Colm Begley. Louth’s loss to Longford last week was their ninth League loss in a row and that will likely extend to double figures this afternoon.
Odds: H: 1/4 D: 10/1 A: 7/2
Verdict: Laois
Longford v Offaly
(tomorrow, Pearse Park, 2pm)
WIND or not, Offaly would have been gutted to lose 0-13 to 0-12 to Westmeath last week having led 0-11 to 0-3 early in the second half. They have received a huge boost since with the news that Niall McNamee has come out of retirement but he’s unlikely to feature here. Longford snuck past Louth last weekend but they’re a good side at home and should win.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 15/2 A: 13/8
Verdict: Longford
Sligo v Down
(tomorrow, Collooney, 2pm)
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Odds: H: 13/8 D: 15/2 A: 8/13
Verdict: Down
Division Four
Derry v London
(tomorrow, Ballinascreen, 12.30pm)
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Odds: H: 1/20 D: 20/1 A: 9/1
Verdict: Derry
Limerick v Waterford
(tomorrow, Rathkeale, 2pm)
LIMERICK had a one-point win last weekend over London while Waterford lost out to Wicklow by the same margin. Another close game is expected there and home advantage could be the deciding factor.
Odds: H: 8/15 D: 15/2 A: 15/8
Verdict: Limerick
Wexford v Antrim
(tomorrow, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm)
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Odds: H: 11/10 D: 15/2 A: 10/11
Verdict: Wexford
Wicklow v Leitrim
(tomorrow, Aughrim, 2.30pm)
RYAN O’Rourke was the name on Leitrim fans’ lips after his incredible 2-7 haul turned last week’s game with Wexford on its head. Terry Hyland’s side will head to Aughrim full of confidence and they can get the better of a Wicklow side that edged out Waterford in round one.
Odds: H: 7/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/7
Verdict: Leitrim
