Hurling Matchbox by Paddy Tierney
Division One Group A
Limerick v Westmeath
(LIT Gaelic Grounds, 2pm)
AARON Gillane’s haul of 0-13 helped Limerick record a 0-29 to 2-21 win over Cork last weekend and the Treatymen will be confident of securing their fourth successive win against Westmeath tomorrow. The Lake County suffered a 20-point loss in Tipperary last weekend and another double-digit defeat is likely.
Odds: H: 1/200 D: 50/1 A: 25/1
Verdict: Limerick
Galway v Cork
(Pearse Stadium, 2pm)
A STATUS red weather warning for Galway could play havoc with this game and it is one that Galway badly need to win after back-to-back defeats to Limerick and Waterford.
Patrick Horan hit 0-17 for the Leesiders in their two-point loss to Limerick last weekend and the outcome of this one could hinge on the fitness of Joe Canning.
Odds: H: Evs D: 8/1 A: 11/10
Verdict: Draw
Tipperary v Waterford
(Semple Stadium, 2pm)
THE All-Ireland champions eased past the challenge of Westmeath last weekend with Jason Forde hitting 0-14. More will be required to defeat a Waterford side who are unbeaten in group A.
Odds: H: 4/9 D: 9/1 A: 9/4
Verdict: Tipperary
Division One Group B
Wexford v Carlow
(Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm)
WEXFORD’S dramatic injury-time win over Dublin last weekend moved them into second in Group B and Davy Fitzgerald’s side ought to seal a fourth win against Carlow tomorrow.
Odds: H: 1/50 D: 33/1 A: 12/1
Verdict: Wexford
Clare v Dublin
(Cusack Park, 2pm)
CLARE’s 3-13 to 1-19 draw with Kilkenny last weekend guaranteed the Banner at least a quarter-final berth.
However, they could upgrade to a semi-final slot with a win over Dublin in Ennis tomorrow while also ensuring the Metropolitans miss out on the knock-out stages of the league.
Odds: H: 2/5 D: 10/1 A: 5/2
Verdict: Clare
Kilkenny v Laois
(UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm)
LAOIS have been forced to concede home advantage with O’Moore Park set to undergo remedial works following tonight’s football clash between Laois and Kildare and Eddie Brennan’s men could have done without giving the Cats a helping hand.
Odds: H: 1/50 D: 33/1 A: 12/1
Verdict: Kilkenny
Division 2A
Offaly v Wicklow
(Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 12.30pm)
OFFALY’S fate is likely to be decided next weekend rather tomorrow. The Faithful will have too much for Wicklow at Tullamore and, depending on the outcome of the game in Tralee, their rescheduled clash with Antrim next Sunday could decide if Michael Fennelly’s men make the Division 2A decider.
Odds: H: 1/20 D: 20/1 A: 15/2
Verdict: Offaly
Meath v Mayo
(Páirc Tailteann, 12.30pm)
MEATH ran into a ruthless Antrim side in Portglenone last Sunday and shipped 5-27, but they’ll be more competitive against Mayo in Navan.
Mayo conceded slightly more, a total of 5-29, in their loss to Offaly last weekend with the Connacht side looking set to drop to Division 2B.
Odds: H: 1/8 D: 14/1 A: 5/1
Verdict: Meath
Kerry v Antrim
(Austin Stack Park, 12.30pm)
A BOUT of the mumps looks set to undermine Kerry’s efforts to overcome Antrim tomorrow with at least three of their players ruled out of action.
The Kingdom have four wins from four, but that 100 per cent record will be under threat this weekend. Antrim haven’t the best record against Kerry in recent seasons, but they ought to rectify that tomorrow.
Odds: H: 6/4 D: 8/1 A: 4/6
Verdict: Antrim
Division 2B
Warwickshire v London
(Ruislip,1pm)
THE battle of the Exiles at McGovern Park will determine which side will drop down to Division 3A for next season. Warwickshire will be without Darren O’Neill following his red card against Derry last weekend.
Odds: H: 13/2 D: 16/1 A: 1/14
Verdict: London
Down v Kildare
(Liatroim, 2pm)
WITH McKenna Park deemed unplayable, Liatroim will host tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash with Down and Kildare.
Ronan Sheehan’s side hit 2-28 against London last weekend while Kildare were emphatic winners over Roscommon. The Ardsmen might just shade it.
Odds: H: 6/5 D: 8/1 A: 5/6
Verdict: Down
Roscommon v Derry
(Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, 2pm)
DERRY should remain in contention for a place in the Division 2B final as they take on Roscommon in Bekan tomorrow.
The in-form Cormac O’Doherty has hit 0-21 in the games and the Oak Leafers should have too much fire-power for the hosts.
Odds: H: 5/1 D: 14/1 A: 1/8
Verdict: Derry
Division 3A
Longford v Donegal
(Michael Fay Park, 2pm)
AN impressive 10-point win over Monaghan last weekend helped keep Donegal in the hunt for promotion and Mickey McCann’s men can book their place in the Division 3A final with a win over Longford.
Odds: H: 4/1 D: 12/1 A: 1/6
Verdict: Donegal
Monaghan v Louth
(Inniskeen, 2pm)
THE losers of tomorrow’s game in Inniskeen will drop to Division 3B with both Monaghan and Louth without a point to date.
Verdict: Louth
Armagh v Tyrone
(Athletic Grounds, 2pm)
ARMAGH will seal their place in the Division 3A final should be avoid defeat at the hands of Tyrone tomorrow.
Matty Lennon will need to mastermind a defeat over his native county If Tyrone are to be sure of their place in the decider.
Odds: H: 1/5 D: 11/1 A: 7/2
Verdict: Armagh
Division 3B
Leitrim v Lancashire
(Carrick-on-Shannon, 12.30pm)
LEITRIM will be out to overhaul Lancashire in the Division 3B standing and reach the final, but the English side have a better scoring difference at present so it is all to play for in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Verdict: Lancashire
Cavan v Sligo
(Kingspan Breffni Park 3G. 12.30pm)
OLLIE Bellew’s Cavan outfit can still clinch a league final berth, but the Breffnimen will need an emphatic win over table-toppers Sligo and that seems unlikely.
Verdict: Sligo.
