Munster Senior Football Championship final: Cork v Kerry (tomorrow, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm, live on RTÉ2)
THE fact that Cork weren’t fancied in some quarters to even make it this far in the Munster Championship is an indicator of the low ebb football in the Rebel county is at.
Cork squeaked past lowly Waterford by a single point to set up a provincial semi-final meeting with last year’s All-Ireland quarter-finalists Tipperary, who were rated as favourites for the game by many.
Despite a first-half where they registered only a single point and hit nine wides, Cork somehow found a way to win against Tipp, with Luke Connolly’s late, late goal putting them into the Munster final, again by a one-point margin.
Kerry, on the other hand, have sauntered to this stage of the Championship. They beat Clare by comfortable six points in their semi-final, with Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue pulling the strings for the Kingdom.
Before that, in early April, Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s men ended Dublin’s 36-game unbeaten streak to win the National Football League final at Croke Park and set down a real marker for the summer. Incidentally, it was the first time they had beaten the Dubs in a national final since 1985.
So far, so simple; on these indicators, tomorrow should be a procession for Kerry on their way to a fifth Munster title in-a-row and a fourth final victory over the Rebels over the same period. But this is Cork versus Kerry. The fierceness of the rivalry must surely count for something.
Two years ago, Cork should’ve beaten the Kingdom. In the end, the final went to a replay and Kerry won out. Cork aren’t such a different panel from that close encounter in 2015 and, in the meantime, Kerry have lost some giants of the game.
The quality of defenders like James Loughrey and Michael Shields will present James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney with a stiffer challenge than what they experienced against Clare, while Aidan Walsh is a formidable force at midfield. Up front, Cork have pace that will test the Kingdom, with Paul Kerrigan, Seán Powter and Michael Hurley the men to watch.
Still, while the above mentioned can certainly put it up to most teams in the country on their day, this is a Kerry team with real potential. Kevin McCarthy, Jack Barry and Ronan Shanahan have stepped impressively into the breach left by the likes of Colm Cooper, while it wasn’t even deemed necessary to bring Darran O’Sullivan off the bench against Clare.
When you factor in the experience the likes of Kieran Donaghy, Bryan Sheehan, David Moran and Anthony Maher bring to the panel, you are looking at a serious outfit. Lump the likes of Geaney and O’Donoghue in along with them, and you are looking at genuine All-Ireland materiel.
Kingdom legend Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston said earlier this week the Kerry squad will be well aware that “a wounded Rebel is a dangerous Rebel” going into the final. As long as Kerry maintain this type of attitude throughout tomorrow’s game, the Munster title should be theirs yet again.
Odds: Cork 5/1; Draw 11/1; Kerry 1/7
Verdict: Kerry
SATURDAY
All-Ireland SFC Qualifying round 2A:
Laois v Clare (today, 3pm, Portlaoise)
DONIE Kingston and Gary Walsh impressed for Laois in their 2-16 to 3-10 win over Wicklow, which will have raised morale following their heavy defeat to Kildare in Leinster.
Clare defeated Laois at this stage in last year’s Championship and, given that they will be playing their football two divisions above Laois in next year’s National League, they will expect to win in Portlaoise.
Odds: Laois Evs; Draw 15/2; Clare Evs
Verdict: Clare
Donegal v Longford (today, 5pm, Ballybofey)
DONEGAL couldn’t have been more disappointing in defeat to Tyrone, and they will be gearing themselves to provide a backlash today.
But Longford are a side who love to spring a surprise. Last year, they knocked out both Down and Monaghan in the Qualifiers, and both of those on away territory.
Michael Murphy and company will be desperate to get the Clones catastrophe out of their system, though, and Longford will do well to keep in touch.
Odds: Donegal 1/8; Draw 12/1; Longford 11/2
Verdict: Donegal
Mayo v Derry (today, Castlebar, 5pm)
DAMIAN Barton said during the week that Derry were eager to take a leaf out of Down’s book in pulling off a Championship shock. This would be a shock of seismic proportions if Barton’s charges were to win.
Now may be a good time to play Mayo. Keith Higgins is suspended, while Lee Keegan, Aidan O’Shea, Ger Cafferkey and Chris Barrett are all struggling with injury.
Odds: Mayo 1/6; Draw 11/1; Derry 9/2
Verdict: Mayo
Meath v Sligo (today, Navan, 6pm)
NIALL Carew’s Sligo side should prove to be difficult opponents for beaten Leinster semi-finalists Meath.
The Yeats men have played three Championship games so far this summer, winning two – against New York and Antrim – and losing the other to Mayo. But marksman Donal Lenihan could prove to be the difference for the Royals.
Odds: Meath ¼; Draw 10/1; Sligo 7/2
Verdict: Meath
All-Ireland SHC round one
Offaly v Waterford (today, Tullamore, 3pm)
OFFALY conceded no less than 33 points last time out against Galway, and the likes of Austin Gleeson and Pauric Mahony will be hoping to stage a repeat performance for Waterford today.
Shane Dooley has been in prolific form for the Faithful county this year and he will be expected to keep Kevin Ryan’s men in touch this afternoon.
Odds: Offaly 12/1; Draw 33/1; Waterford 1/50
Verdict: Waterford
Tipperary v Westmeath (today, Thurles, 5pm)
DESPITE their defeat in the Munster Championship to Cork, Tipperary will still have their eye on retaining the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
Westmeath came through the Leinster round-robin group before being defeated by Offaly in a tight quarter-final clash.
This is a daunting assignment for the Leinster outfit and manager Michael Ryan may already be looking at putting the result down to experience.
Odds: Tipperary 1/500; Draw 50/1; Westmeath 25/1
Verdict: Tipperary
Dublin v Laois (today, Parnell Park, 7pm)
LAOIS will be without Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher, Cha Dwyer, Willie Dunphy and Ross King for this evening’s all-Leinster clash.
Dublin were easy prey for Galway last time out, conceding 2-28 to the National League champions. While they will be without Oisín Gough this evening, they should still prevail against weakened opponents.
Odds: Dublin 1/14; Draw 14/1; Laois 8/1
Verdict: Dublin
Kilkenny v Limerick (today, Nowlan Park, 7pm)
ONE Championship big hitter will be down and out for 2017 by the end of this evening’s game in Nowlan Park.
Limerick only played in flashes during their defeat to Clare, while Kilkenny left TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly to do it all against Wexford.
If the Cats can produce more going forward this evening, then their summer should be back up and running.
Odds: Kilkenny 3/10; Draw 10/1; Limerick 3/1
Verdict: Kilkenny
SUNDAY
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship final: Galway v Wexford (tomorrow, Croke Park, 4pm, live on RTÉ2)
DAVY Fitz is working his magic with Wexford. Promoted to Division 1A, winning at Nowlan Park for the first time since the 1950s and into a first Leinster final since 2008, the question is how far can they go this year?
Galway made mincemeat of All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the league final and are aiming to go one better than their All-Ireland final defeat of 2015.
Odds: Galway 1/3; Draw 10/1; Wexford 11/4
Verdict: Wexford
