TODAY
Ulster SFC quarter-final
Monaghan v Fermanagh (St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, 3.30pm, live on BBC)
See preview, page 66
Odds: H: 1/10; D: 4/1; A: 15/2
Verdict: Monaghan
TOMORROW
Ulster SFC quarter-final
Armagh v Antrim (Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm, live on BBC)
See preview, page 68
Odds: H: 1/20; D: 18/1; A: 10/1
Connacht SFC semi-final
Roscommon v Galway (Dr Hyde Park, 1.15pm, live on RTÉ2)
BOTH Connacht teams were relegated from Division One in the spring, Roscommon without a point to their name, but this could still be the game of the weekend.
Playing in Division One South, Galway’s single win was against tomorrow’s opponents, while they let the relegation play-off against Monaghan slip from their grasp, losing in extra-time.
A lack of intensity let Roscommon down in their relegation play-off loss to Armagh, which is something they will need to bring to the table against Pádraic Joyce’s men to compliment the scoring prowess of the likes of Ciarán and Diarmuid Murtagh and Conor Cox.
Odds: H: 2/1; D: 8/1; A: 8/15
Verdict: Galway
Leinster SFC quarter-finals
Laois v Westmeath (Bord Na Mona O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 1.30pm, live on GAAGO)
BOTH counties had horrible National League campaigns, suffering the drop to Division Three with a record of four played, four lost – which should make for a relatively tight contest.
Westmeath, who have been playing some good football despite the results, will be hoping John Heslin has his shooting boots on if they are to progress, while Ronan O’Toole, Ray Connellan and Ger Egan are all dangerous players.
Laois will rely on the likes Donie Kingston, John O’Loughlin and Evan O’Carroll to give them a chance of a semi-final spot.
Odds: H: 8/15; D: 15/2; A: 2/1
Verdict: Westmeath
Meath v Longford (Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 3pm, live on GAAGO)
LONGFORD kicked 25 points in their round one victory over Carlow last weekend and they will need to be similarly ruthless with their shooting tomorrow.
Meath lost their Division Two promotion play-off to Kildare in the spring and there are doubts over the fitness Bryan Menton and Donal Keogan. Jordan Morris and Cian O’Sullivan should still give them enough up front, however.
Longford will be relying on Rian Brady and Robbie Smyth, who scored five points each against Carlow, to keep them in touch against the Royals.
Odds: H: 1/8; D: 12/1; A: 2/1
Verdict: Meath
Wexford v Dublin (Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3.30pm, live on GAAGO)
THE Yellowbellies battled to victory over Wicklow last weekend to earn the right to take on the All-Ireland champions.
That win over Wicklow was Wexford’s first in the Leinster Championship since 2004 and Mark Rossiter was the star of the show, hitting 1-6 in an impressive performance.
It wasn’t a pain free day for Wexford, however, as Ben Brosnan was consigned to the bench due to a hamstring injury and only last 12 minutes when he was introduced early on. First choice goalkeeper was also injured in the warm-up.
Dublin, unbeaten in their Division One North campaign and comfortable four-point victors over Donegal in their league ‘semi-final’, will already have one eye on the All-Ireland series and a meeting with the champions of Connacht.
Although 39-year-old goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is back training with the panel, the eight-time All-Ireland winner is not expected to line out against Wexford. Whether he does or not will hardly make a difference to the ultimate outcome at Wexford Park.
Odds: H: 25/1; D: 50/1; A: 1/1000
Verdict: Dublin
Kildare v Offaly (MW Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 4.30pm, live on GAAGO)
FOLLOWING their successful promotion tilt in Division Three and last weekend’s extra-time win over Louth, this is a step up for Offaly.
Niall McNamee, still going strong at 36, was outstanding in that thrilling win over Louth and he will be expected to play a leading role against tomorrow. Peter Cunningham, Eoin Carroll and Carl Steward have also been playing some fine football for the Faithful county.
Kildare were solid in their Division Two campaign, which ended with promotion thanks to a play-off win over Meath.
Brian McLoughlin is probably their most potent danger man, while the return of Daniel Flynn from injury will give the Lilywhites a boost.
Odds: H: 1/6; D: 12/1; A: 5/1
Verdict: Kildare
