Mayo face Cavan, Galway host Derry
After the end of the provincial championships last weekend, we are headlong into the ‘round robin’ football championships this weekend and there are several attractive games down for decision. It will be interesting to see what the attendances at these games will be, given that crowds have been well down in the championship so far this year.
Mayo are at home against Cavan on Saturday and the westerners’ manager Kevin McStay will be anxious to build some momentum again after their disappointment in the Connacht final. If Cavan had their brilliant attacker Paddy Lynch available they would be in with a better chance, but his season-ending injury is a huge blow to them. Mayo should be good enough to win by four or five points.
Galway’s ‘reward’ for their Connacht final victory is a home tie against a Derry side who will be chomping at the bit to get back into action after their defeat by Donegal. Mickey Harte’s men have not become a bad team overnight and a win in Salthill would get them back on track. They should be good enough to win by a couple of points.
Clare are at home to Cork, and while it may be close, I expect Cork to win it, while Kerry should have the measure of Monaghan in Killarney. All those games are on Saturday.
In the Tailteann Cup, the Kildare revival should continue against Waterford, while Sligo will travel to Tipperary with confidence after their win last weekend.
There will be a close battle in Wexford when Antrim make the long trip to the sunny south-east but the home side should be good enough to get the win.
Carlow play Fermanagh at home and that looks like it could be the closest game of the weekend in this competition.
The shock of the opening round was London’s big win against Offaly and with a trip to Limerick up next for the Faithful they will feel that they have a big chance of causing another surprise.
London will be cock-a-hoop after last weekend’s win but they may fall back down to earth when they face a Down team who are currently going very well.
In the hurling championship there is action in Leinster on Sunday. Antrim will fancy a crack at Galway in Corrigan Park, but a home win would be a shock.
Table-toppers Dublin face Kilkenny, who were almost caught by Carlow last weekend, but the ‘Cats’ should get back on the winning trail.
There is also plenty of action in the Joe McDonagh Cup, Christy Ring Cup, Nicky Rackard Cup and Lory Meagher Cup, and there are two All-Ireland U-20 football finals too, with Tyrone playing Kerry in the A final and Westmeath taking on Down in the B final.
