Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup semi-final: Donegal v Armagh (Ballybofey, 6pm tonight)
A SECOND chance for the second best attack to take on the (equal) second best defence in this second semi-final. More chances, in fact.
The new/ old style approach promised by new/ old Donegal boss Declan Bonner, a more positive attitude in a throwback/ kick-forward to his own playing days, has already reaped the reward of this semi-final place for the best of the second-placed sides.
Only perennial competition finalists Tyrone scored more than Donegal in the group games, the Red Hands’ reeling off 7-58 while Bonner’s boys notched 7-42, despite losing their second match at home to Fermanagh.
Armagh, as section winners, might have felt they deserved home advantage but they lost the toss for venue and that was one thing there was felt no need to repeat.
There will, though, be early pitch inspections, at 9.30 this (Saturday) morning, at both Ballybofey and the Athletic Grounds, with the game to be switched from the former to the latter if the former proves unplayable and the latter doesn’t. Got that?
With temperatures not set to climb until tomorrow there must be some doubt about this game going ahead today, so Ballybofey could play host at 2pm tomorrow.
Doubts too over the involvement of a number of Armagh players and given that most of the problems are muscle-related they may not be risked in chilly conditions. Brendan Donaghy (hamstring), Ben Crealey and Ethan Rafferty (both ‘dead legs’), Aidan Forker and Rory Grugan (cramp/calf tightness) were all forced off during the win over Derry last Sunday.
As Donaghy is the only out-and-out defender among those Armagh might still be able to show the increased defensive solidity they’ve obviously been working on. Only Section C winners Fermanagh conceded less (2-31) and the Orchardmen have only let in one goal so far in their ‘against’ tally of 1-35 (Tyrone conceded 3-29 in their three Section A matches).
If this game does go ahead then it could be an interesting clash, although Armagh’s lower attacking return of 3-39 owes much to missing quite a few goal chances.
Clearly their chances of improving their accuracy, as they adapt to the absence this year of Jamie Clarke and Stefan Campbell, won’t be helped if their missing list remains as long as has been reported.
Donegal, in contrast, have been boosted by several returnees to action, with Odhran Mac Niallais and Darach O’Connor in particular adding pace and panache to their attack.
That greater scoring power, augmented by the flying Paddy McBrearty and his Kilcar club-mates the McHughs, and having the bulk of whatever support decides to brave the elements this evening, should edge this encounter in favour of the hosts and set up a final in a month’s time against old rivals Tyrone.
Donegal: TBC
Armagh: TBC
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Walsh Cup Final: Kilkenny v Wexford (Nowlan Park, 2pm today)
SIXTEEN years since their last final victory, Wexford are seeking a 16th Walsh Cup triumph. Rather astonishingly, that 2002 final victory over this afternoon’s traditional opponents completed an EIGHT-in-a-row for the Model County.
Since then, though, while Leinster hurling’s pre-season tournament has been won by both UCD and Antrim, Wexford have only managed to lose five deciders, most recently in 2016.
Kilkenny, unsurprisingly, have won most since 2002, but only seven times, with the newer forces of Dublin (four times) and Galway (twice) also collecting the trophy.
The Cats have been more impressive so far this year, thrashing Laois and Kildare before edging past Offaly by 1-20 to 3-11. Boss Brian Cody has mostly used a blend that consists of more familiar faces at the back combined with up-and-comers further forward.
Wexford started slowly, struggling past Carlow by 1-20 to 0-18, but then hammered Wicklow by 6-35 to 1-12, before again finding it hard going in their semi-final against Dublin.
New Dubs boss Pat Gilroy sent out a very experimental side, but they still led before they lost their main source of scores, Paul Winters, early in the second half to a second yellow card.
Davy Fitzgerald’s men then reeled off 1-10 without reply to win by seven, 1-20 to 0-16. Wexford got the better of Kilkenny in League and Championship last year, but the sense is that home advantage will help the Cats gain some form of revenge today.
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O'Byrne Cup Final: Meath v Westmeath (O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, 4pm tomorrow)
A 45s shoot-out attracted most attention but this year’s O’Byrne Cup has also had the same two teams playing each other twice in a ‘group’ and Dublin and Kildare not winning once in four matches.
While Meath were involved in that ‘first’, the kicking competition to settle their semi-final against Longford after it ended in a draw after extra time, Westmeath enjoyed seconds. The Lake County beat Laois twice, first by a point then by three goals, before edging past Offaly by two points in their semi-final clash.
Their new boss Colin Kelly also led his native Louth to last year’s decider against Dublin (thirds) and is seeking to bring the O’Byrne Cup back to Westmeath for the first time in 30 years.
Meath have won it much more recently than that, just two seasons ago, and would move clear in second spot on the roll of honour, ahead of old rivals Dublin, onto 10 triumphs if they were to win tomorrow.
Their form has been predictably unpredictable for this time of year. They didn’t reach double figures in defeating Carlow but than rattled 4-19 past Wicklow in an 18-point win, and scored 1-19 against Longford.
There’s always an edge in the Meath-Westmeath rivalry, although Royals boss Andy McEntee has called for this final to go to Mullingar, citing concerns over the condition of the pitch in Portlaoise because the All-Ireland IFC club semi-final between Tyrone team the Moy and An Ghaeltacht (Kerry) is due to take place there at 2pm tomorrow.
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Connacht FBD Football League round 5: Galway v Roscommon (Tuam Stadium, 2pm tomorrow); Sligo v Mayo (Markievicz Park, 2pm tomorrow)
SAME again, again? Galway v Roscommon is a repeat of last year’s final but neither county seems to want to meet again in this year’s decider.
That’s not to suggest either will throw tomorrow’s meeting in Tuam, but neither will care if they win, lose, or draw it either, as both have already qualified for the final.
The Connacht Council has insisted that the 2018 Final will go ahead next month. Time will tell.
So far Galway have beaten Sligo, Leitrim, and edged out Mayo by a point, despite the Tribesmen finishing with only a dozen players. Yep, 12. The Rossies have also beaten the same three counties.
Sligo v Mayo is an even deader rubber. Last year’s All-Ireland Finalists have put out such experimental sides that they couldn’t even beat Leitrim, lost to Roscommon in ‘The Hyde’ for the first time in 17 years, and failed to overcome the aforementioned 12 Tribesmen. Sligo did at least manage to beat Leitrim, but lost to Galway and Roscommon.
