Glen Dimplex Senior Championship
GROUP One of the All-Ireland senior championship has thrown up some interesting results over the past fortnight with second seeds Tipperary looking to be in a spot of bother after drawing their opening two games against teams they would have been expected to beat. It means that they really have to beat Waterford in a derby fixture tomorrow.
The Decies were not very impressive in their opening game when they lost to Dublin, but a very good showing against Wexford last weekend could help them raise their game for the Tipperary challenge. The venue though is Thurles on Munster hurling final day. The advantage should be with Tipperary.
Meanwhile, Clare have had a decent start to the campaign with a draw against Tipp before defeat to Cork last weekend. They would be strongly fancied to win against Wexford. In the other game anything other than a win for Cork in the capital would be a huge shock – but they will need to be cautious as Dublin have made a good start.
There are no games in Group Two this week.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
TÚS maith, leath na hoibre. A good start is half the battle and Derry seem happy enough with the win last Saturday in Swatragh.
However they didn’t exactly start the game well and were four points down after ten minutes. Playing away from home a start like that might be harder to change.
However Derry’s only victory in the league campaign earlier in the year was against this weekend’s opponents Kildare. That game was in Banagher. This weekend they have to travel to Kildare.
That blustery February Saturday the Lilywhites did not look like a team that could actually trouble a full Derry squad. Apart from an accurate long-range free-taker, Derry had little bother with them and should be coming home with another victory in the competition.
They will want to keep an eye on the key group game in Cork where the home side take on last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Kilkenny. Derry’s game next weekend is away to Kilkenny followed by a home tie against Cork.
Both teams had facile victories at the weekend. All indicators suggest that the pair and Derry will take the three knock-out places with the winner in Cork in a strong position to top the qualification group.
Meath should easily account for Wexford in the other game in Group Two.
There is another potential top of the table clash in Group One with Westmeath hosting Galway. Both got off to handy victories last weekend. Galway last year’s beaten semi-finalists should edge this tie.
Laois should bounce back from defeat in Kerry with a win against Dublin, while the Kingdom can record a second successive victory in Carlow.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship
None of the four Ulster sides in the Premier Junior competition are in action this weekend although there are two games in Group Two currently led by Cavan. Waterford should condemn Mayo to a third successive defeat while Tipperary will have a tight game with Clare. Home advantage might stick to them to bring them level with Cavan on points with one game more played.
FIXTURES
Glen Dimplex Senior Championship
Group One
Saturday
Clare v Wexford (Sixmilebridge, 2pm)
Dublin v Cork (Naomh Peregrine’s, 5pm)
Sunday
Tipperary v Waterford (Thurles, 2pm)
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
Saturday
Group One:
Westmeath v Galway (Mullingar, 2pm)
Carlow v Kerry (Netwatch Dr Cullen Park, 2.30pm)
Laois v Dublin (Portlaoise, 5pm)
Group Two (all 5pm):
Cork v Kilkenny (Páirc Uí Rinn)
Kildare v Derry (Hawkfield)
Meath v Wexford (Páirc Táilteann)
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship
Saturday
Group Two
Waterford v Mayo (WIT Arena, 4pm)
Tipperary v Clare (The Ragg, 5pm)
