All Ireland senior Football Championship Qualifiers Round 1
1. Westmeath v's Fermanagh
Cusack Park, Mullingar
Throw In: Saturday, 3pm
Westmeath travelled to Croke Park for their Leinster Championship Quarter Final tie with Dublin with a spring in their step after a successful League campaign and promotion back to Division 1 for next season. However, it was a chastening experience with the Dubs releasing their full artillery in the wide spaces of Croker. This qualifier tie now gives them the opportunity to get back up off the canvass and get their season back running again. Likewise, Fermanagh and manager Peter Canavan, will be bitterly disappointed that in a game where they did not show up at all in the first half, that their stirring second half performance did not yield more in their Ulster Championship Quarter Final tie with Cavan. With talisman Dessie Dolan back in the frey for the Lake County men and Denis Glennon the focal point of their forward division, take them to advance to the next round.
Verdict: Westmeath
2. Derry v's Sligo
Owenbeg, Derry
Throw In: Sunday 5pm
Both of these sides will be bitterly disappointed with their provincial championship defeats but where Derry sparkled in the first half, they ran out of steam in the second and were reigned in by Down. On the other hand Sligo only woke from their slumber against London in the final ten minutes but by then they had given themselves too much of a mountain to climb. Derry full forward Eoin Bradley was in sparkling form in the Down game but his subsequent unfortunate shoulder injury is a blow to the Oak Leaf county men. Sligo manager Kevin Walsh to his credit held his council after the London defeat despite the cloak and dagger challenge to his managerial capabilities by former player Eamon O'Hara on the national airwaves. He is bound to get a response from his troops but travelling to Derry's back yard is never easy at the best of times so take Brian McIvers men to advance.
Verdict: Derry
3. Monaghan v's Cavan
Clones
Throw In: Saturday 7pm
Cavan have strung two Ulster Championship wins back to back this year for the first time since 2001, over Armagh and Fermanagh respectively, and they have played a game more than Monaghan, who got to this stage as a result of their quarter-final win over Antrim. Pundit Pat Spillane had his well publicised views of the quality of the fair in these encounters but this will matter not one bit to these neighbours if one of them can advance to an Ulster Final meeting with heavyweights Donegal. Cavan manager Terry Hyland has been very pleased with the manner of his sides' two wins so far, and how they forged out the results when the games got tight. For Monaghan boss Malachy O'Rourke, the challenge is to break the impressive Cavan defence down. They found them extremely hard to break down in their league encounter in February where Cavan ran out comfortable eight point winners. With Cavan forwards Martin Dunne and Eoghan Keating also in sparkling form at the other end, confidence could not be higher. It might just be a step too far for this young team this year though against experienced campaigners such as Owen Lennon, Dick Clerkin and Paul Finlay.
Verdict: Monaghan
Pods-itivity Treble: 3/1
Other mentions:
In the other All Ireland Qualifiers Round 1, Laois to overcome Carlow, Tyrone to win in Tullamore, Louth to beat Antrim, Longford to pip Limerick, Galway to get past Tipperary, Armagh to get better of Wicklow
In the Leinster Football Championship semi finals, Meath to halt Wexford and Dublin to power past Kildare. In the Connacht Championship semi final replay, Leitrim to take second chance against London
In the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Phase 1, Waterford to defeat Westmeath and Wexford to defeat Carlow. In the Leinster Hurling Championship semi final replay, Kilkenny to get better of Dublin second time around. In the Ulster Hurling Championship semi final, Down to defeat Derry
Friday, 28 June 2013
Friday, 21 June 2013
2013 Championship Challenge Week 6
1. Offaly v's Waterford
O'Connor Park, Tullamore
Throw In: Saturday 7pm
These two counties have only met twice in all the years of the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship and both of these have been since the advent of the Qualifiers. Although the Deise won both of those encounters they no longer seem to carry the menace of that team of the noughties and their second half fade out in their previous outing against Clare has left many people doubting their ability to sustain a meaningful challenge in this years championship. Manager Michael Ryan is confident that his troops can however rectify matters and that confidence in the camp is high for this encounter. Although Offaly were beaten in the end by Kilkenny in their Leinster quarter-final, Ollie Baker and his players will take plenty from the game given they rattled the All-Ireland champions in the first half before succumbing to the power of the Cats in the second. Their gameplan worked very well with their tactic of bombarding the Kilkenny full-back line with direct balls yielding four goals. However, on the basis that there is another kick in this Waterford team, take them to just shade this tight encounter.
Verdict: Waterford
2. Donegal v's Down
Kingspan Breffni Park
Throw In: Sunday 2pm
When Donegal emphatically defeated Down in lasts years Ulster Final on a scoreline of 2-18 to 0-13 they announced themselves as genuine All Ireland contenders. Their combination of defensive strength and counter attacking in waves left a lasting impression. The absence of the talismanic Karl Lacey and midfielder Neil Gallagher will have an effect on how the Donegal machine functions but they seem to have the back up to cope as they showed in their victory over Tyrone. For Down, manager James McCartan has been able to name an unchanged side from their impressive quarter final victory over Derry. Still shorn of the talented Dan Gordon and Danny Hughes through injury, they have coped admirably in their absence but to compete with Donegal it is hard to overstate how difficult it is for a county like Down in its current position to have to cope for so long without a duo as talented and influential as them. With Jim McGuinness and his men striving for a third Ulster title in a row it is hard to see the Mourne men stopping them in their tracks on this occasion.
Verdict: Donegal
3. Dublin v's Kilkenny
Portlaoise
Thrown In: Sunday 3.50pm
When these teams go head to head on Sunday, it will be exactly one year to the day since they met in last year's Leinster Hurling Championship semi-final. Big things were expected of Anthony Daly's side before that game but they were utterly routed by the Cats on the day, who ran out 2-21 to 0-9 winners. They have been trying to recover from this defeat ever since. Kilkenny's appetite for success continues unabated as they showed in their league final victory over Tipperary and the return to fitness of key midfielder Michael Fennelly is a major boost. Daly will hope that Dublin's replay victory over Wexford will make a genuine difference to the competitiveness of his team in this encounter. Dublin's year has already been a success with promotion back to Division 1A of the league but this would seem a step too far and the Cats should advance to another tantalising Leinster Final against last years foes Galway.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Pods-itivity Treble: 2/1
Other mentions:
Wexford to erase disappointment of replay loss to Dublin with victory over Antrim in Wexford Park despite the best efforts of Antrim sharpshooter Neil McManus. Westmeath to get the better of the ex pats London in this Ruislip encounter. London's fairytale Connacht championship voyage to come to a halt by an Emelyn Mulligan inspired Leitrim in the Connacht Football Championship. Jimmy Barry Murphy's Cork to put injury setbacks aside and put the shackles on Tony Kelly to down Clare
O'Connor Park, Tullamore
Throw In: Saturday 7pm
These two counties have only met twice in all the years of the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship and both of these have been since the advent of the Qualifiers. Although the Deise won both of those encounters they no longer seem to carry the menace of that team of the noughties and their second half fade out in their previous outing against Clare has left many people doubting their ability to sustain a meaningful challenge in this years championship. Manager Michael Ryan is confident that his troops can however rectify matters and that confidence in the camp is high for this encounter. Although Offaly were beaten in the end by Kilkenny in their Leinster quarter-final, Ollie Baker and his players will take plenty from the game given they rattled the All-Ireland champions in the first half before succumbing to the power of the Cats in the second. Their gameplan worked very well with their tactic of bombarding the Kilkenny full-back line with direct balls yielding four goals. However, on the basis that there is another kick in this Waterford team, take them to just shade this tight encounter.
Verdict: Waterford
2. Donegal v's Down
Kingspan Breffni Park
Throw In: Sunday 2pm
When Donegal emphatically defeated Down in lasts years Ulster Final on a scoreline of 2-18 to 0-13 they announced themselves as genuine All Ireland contenders. Their combination of defensive strength and counter attacking in waves left a lasting impression. The absence of the talismanic Karl Lacey and midfielder Neil Gallagher will have an effect on how the Donegal machine functions but they seem to have the back up to cope as they showed in their victory over Tyrone. For Down, manager James McCartan has been able to name an unchanged side from their impressive quarter final victory over Derry. Still shorn of the talented Dan Gordon and Danny Hughes through injury, they have coped admirably in their absence but to compete with Donegal it is hard to overstate how difficult it is for a county like Down in its current position to have to cope for so long without a duo as talented and influential as them. With Jim McGuinness and his men striving for a third Ulster title in a row it is hard to see the Mourne men stopping them in their tracks on this occasion.
Verdict: Donegal
3. Dublin v's Kilkenny
Portlaoise
Thrown In: Sunday 3.50pm
When these teams go head to head on Sunday, it will be exactly one year to the day since they met in last year's Leinster Hurling Championship semi-final. Big things were expected of Anthony Daly's side before that game but they were utterly routed by the Cats on the day, who ran out 2-21 to 0-9 winners. They have been trying to recover from this defeat ever since. Kilkenny's appetite for success continues unabated as they showed in their league final victory over Tipperary and the return to fitness of key midfielder Michael Fennelly is a major boost. Daly will hope that Dublin's replay victory over Wexford will make a genuine difference to the competitiveness of his team in this encounter. Dublin's year has already been a success with promotion back to Division 1A of the league but this would seem a step too far and the Cats should advance to another tantalising Leinster Final against last years foes Galway.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Pods-itivity Treble: 2/1
Other mentions:
Wexford to erase disappointment of replay loss to Dublin with victory over Antrim in Wexford Park despite the best efforts of Antrim sharpshooter Neil McManus. Westmeath to get the better of the ex pats London in this Ruislip encounter. London's fairytale Connacht championship voyage to come to a halt by an Emelyn Mulligan inspired Leitrim in the Connacht Football Championship. Jimmy Barry Murphy's Cork to put injury setbacks aside and put the shackles on Tony Kelly to down Clare
Friday, 14 June 2013
2013 Championship Challenge Week 5
1. Wicklow v's Meath
Aughrim
Throw In: Sat 7pm
In the 125 year history of the Leinster Senior Football Championship. Meath have an exceptional record against Wicklow, so you could say that history and tradition weigh heavily on this fixture. Despite struggling badly in the third tier of the National League, and being relegated, Wicklow, under manager Harry Murphy, have progressed to this quarter-final meeting as a result of a morale-boosting victory in Round 1 over Longford. That 1-15 to 0-16 win was the Garden County's first in 2013, and was hugely needed, given they went seven games without a victory in the league. Meath, although losing the Division 3 League Final to Monaghan, will still feel they had a positive spring under new manager Mick O'Dowd. They name two championship debutants in their selection this weekend with Mickey Newman and Eamonn Wallace, who both had excellent league campaigns, getting their summer reward. Even though this Meath team is a long way from the great team of the mid to late 90's, take them to muscle their way through to a semi final meeting with Wexford.
Verdict: Meath Odds: Meath(-4) 11/10
2. Fermanagh v's Cavan
Brewster Park
Throw In: Sun 2pm
This will be the fourth championship meeting between these two counties in the last five seasons. In terms of their form over the last three or fours years, in both league and championship, there has been very little to separate the two sides. Cavan's impressive victory over Armagh in the preliminary round probably tips the scales in their favour. They surprised many that day with an incisive display and particularly the performances of Martin Dunne and Eoghan Keating in the full forward line. Fermanagh manager Peter Canavan will have his troops well drilled and he can continue to avail of the services of the experienced Barry Owens, James Sherry and Ryan McCluskey. Owens should restrict the chances available to Dunne this time around, but with the confidence of the Armagh win and the infusion of successful underage players, Terry Hyland's charges may just about continue their quest to reach the provincial final.
Verdict: Cavan Odds: Evens
3. Mayo v's Roscommon
McCale Park, Castlebar
Throw In: Sun 4pm
Have no doubt about it, this Mayo side showed in their quarter final dismantling of Galway a hard nosed edge and a drive to succeed that could see them go a long way in this seasons All Ireland series once more. Mayo are yet to lose a Connacht Championship game under James Horan and they will be hoping to extend that impressive run to seven games when they host the Rossies on Sunday. The loss of influential free taker Cillian O'Connor is a blow to the Mayo men but he is replaced by the industrious Richie Feeney and Andy Moran is a further option from the bench and is now injury free. For his counterpart John Evans the stats make grim reading as the Rossies have lost four successive Connacht Championship games to Mayo, as well as an All-Ireland Qualifier game in 2002. The loss of Donie Shine as the focal point of their attack is a major blow and they will depend heavily on the experience and confidence of the All Ireland Club Championship winning St Brigids players such as Karl Mannion and Sean Kilbride. With home venue and chasing a third successive Connacht title, Mayo should get over the line here with a bit to spare.
Verdict: Mayo Odds: Mayo (-7) 2/1
Pods-itivity Treble: 12/1
Other mentions:
Dublin to take their second chance and defeat Wexford. Cork to overpower Micko and Clare to set up another Munster Final meeting with Kerry. Laois to put up a spirited performance but fall short against Galway in the Leinster Hurling Championship. Down, fresh from their last minute Christy Ring Cup victory to continue their winning vein of form against Armagh in the Ulster Hurling Championship
Aughrim
Throw In: Sat 7pm
In the 125 year history of the Leinster Senior Football Championship. Meath have an exceptional record against Wicklow, so you could say that history and tradition weigh heavily on this fixture. Despite struggling badly in the third tier of the National League, and being relegated, Wicklow, under manager Harry Murphy, have progressed to this quarter-final meeting as a result of a morale-boosting victory in Round 1 over Longford. That 1-15 to 0-16 win was the Garden County's first in 2013, and was hugely needed, given they went seven games without a victory in the league. Meath, although losing the Division 3 League Final to Monaghan, will still feel they had a positive spring under new manager Mick O'Dowd. They name two championship debutants in their selection this weekend with Mickey Newman and Eamonn Wallace, who both had excellent league campaigns, getting their summer reward. Even though this Meath team is a long way from the great team of the mid to late 90's, take them to muscle their way through to a semi final meeting with Wexford.
Verdict: Meath Odds: Meath(-4) 11/10
2. Fermanagh v's Cavan
Brewster Park
Throw In: Sun 2pm
This will be the fourth championship meeting between these two counties in the last five seasons. In terms of their form over the last three or fours years, in both league and championship, there has been very little to separate the two sides. Cavan's impressive victory over Armagh in the preliminary round probably tips the scales in their favour. They surprised many that day with an incisive display and particularly the performances of Martin Dunne and Eoghan Keating in the full forward line. Fermanagh manager Peter Canavan will have his troops well drilled and he can continue to avail of the services of the experienced Barry Owens, James Sherry and Ryan McCluskey. Owens should restrict the chances available to Dunne this time around, but with the confidence of the Armagh win and the infusion of successful underage players, Terry Hyland's charges may just about continue their quest to reach the provincial final.
Verdict: Cavan Odds: Evens
3. Mayo v's Roscommon
McCale Park, Castlebar
Throw In: Sun 4pm
Have no doubt about it, this Mayo side showed in their quarter final dismantling of Galway a hard nosed edge and a drive to succeed that could see them go a long way in this seasons All Ireland series once more. Mayo are yet to lose a Connacht Championship game under James Horan and they will be hoping to extend that impressive run to seven games when they host the Rossies on Sunday. The loss of influential free taker Cillian O'Connor is a blow to the Mayo men but he is replaced by the industrious Richie Feeney and Andy Moran is a further option from the bench and is now injury free. For his counterpart John Evans the stats make grim reading as the Rossies have lost four successive Connacht Championship games to Mayo, as well as an All-Ireland Qualifier game in 2002. The loss of Donie Shine as the focal point of their attack is a major blow and they will depend heavily on the experience and confidence of the All Ireland Club Championship winning St Brigids players such as Karl Mannion and Sean Kilbride. With home venue and chasing a third successive Connacht title, Mayo should get over the line here with a bit to spare.
Verdict: Mayo Odds: Mayo (-7) 2/1
Pods-itivity Treble: 12/1
Other mentions:
Dublin to take their second chance and defeat Wexford. Cork to overpower Micko and Clare to set up another Munster Final meeting with Kerry. Laois to put up a spirited performance but fall short against Galway in the Leinster Hurling Championship. Down, fresh from their last minute Christy Ring Cup victory to continue their winning vein of form against Armagh in the Ulster Hurling Championship
Friday, 7 June 2013
2013 Championship Challenge Week 4
1. Offaly v's Kilkenny
O'Connor Park, Tullamore
Throw In: Sunday, 2pm
The legend that is Brian Cody will make his return to the sideline for the Cats in this Leinster Championship Quarter Final tie with neighbours Offaly. What was once a compelling rivalry, these sides have not crossed paths much in recent years, but the fact that Offaly have lost their last eight championship meetings against the Cats, confidence by the Faithful County supporters is in short supply. They may take some heart from the fact that Sunday will represent the end of Henry Shefflin's historic run of consecutive championship games dating back to 1999 and also that influential midfielder Michael Fennelly will be absent. Kilcormac Kiloughey's and Coolderry's Leinster Championship success and extended All Ireland club run in the past few seasons should strengthen the confidence in Ollie Baker's ranks, but it impossible to see Offaly's wait for a positive summer result against Kilkenny not to extend another year.
Verdict: Kilkenny Odds: Kilkenny winning margin 7-9 pts 4/1
2. Louth v's Wexford
Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda
Throw In: Sunday, 3.30pm
The Wee County men have already played their first championship game of the year, recording a very impressive 1-16 to 1-6 win over Laois. That win hinted at real progress being made under new manager Aidan O'Rourke, and the team is likely to be brimming with confidence now as they continue their bid to reach the Leinster final. Wexford are also under new management this season, with Aidan O'Brien having succeeded long-serving boss Jason Ryan at the start of the season. Both sides played in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League this season, with Louth retaining their status with a fourth-place finish in contrast to Wexford's relegation, even though Wexford did defeat Louth in their League meeting at Sunday's venue. Shorn of Mattie Forde, Wexford will depend heavily once more on Ciaran Lyng and Redmiond Barry for scores. However, if Brian White and Shane Lennon can repeat their scoring feats from the Laois game, Louth may just do enough to get over the line.
Verdict: Louth Odds: Louth win 4/6
3. Limerick v's Tipperary
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Throw in: Sunday 4pm
While Limerick failed to get out of Division IB of the Allianz League, agonisingly losing the decider to Dublin, Tipperary recovered from a poor start in the competition to push Kilkenny all the way in a championship intensity final at Nowlan Park last month. Lar Corbett has failed to recover from the injury he suffered in that final and Eoin Kelly also has to be satisfied with a place on the bench. Limerick manager John Allen has opted for the experience of Seamus Hickey and Seanie Tobin in his forward line to the surprising exclusion of exciting young talents Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling. There should be a magnificant atmosphere in the Gaelic Grounds with both sides capable of fast free flowing hurling. However, with exciting youngster Jason Forde making his championship bow and Paudie Maher driving on his team from the half back line, Tipperary may just have enough defensively to negate an exciting Limerick attack and get enough scores themselves to take the spoils.
Verdict: Tipperary Odds: Tipperary winning margin 4-6 pts 4/1
Pods-itivity Treble 20/1
Other mentions:
A Paul Finlay inspired Monaghan to overcome Antirm in Casement Park to set up an Ulster semi final meeting against either Cavan or Fermanagh. Manager Liam Dunne is bullish about Wexford's chances of upsetting the Dubs in the Leinster Hurling championship quarter final meeting and Wexford's record in their last five championship meetings with Dublin is impressive, however, a pretty much full strength Dublin side would seem to have greater firing power up front to overcome this hurdle.
O'Connor Park, Tullamore
Throw In: Sunday, 2pm
The legend that is Brian Cody will make his return to the sideline for the Cats in this Leinster Championship Quarter Final tie with neighbours Offaly. What was once a compelling rivalry, these sides have not crossed paths much in recent years, but the fact that Offaly have lost their last eight championship meetings against the Cats, confidence by the Faithful County supporters is in short supply. They may take some heart from the fact that Sunday will represent the end of Henry Shefflin's historic run of consecutive championship games dating back to 1999 and also that influential midfielder Michael Fennelly will be absent. Kilcormac Kiloughey's and Coolderry's Leinster Championship success and extended All Ireland club run in the past few seasons should strengthen the confidence in Ollie Baker's ranks, but it impossible to see Offaly's wait for a positive summer result against Kilkenny not to extend another year.
Verdict: Kilkenny Odds: Kilkenny winning margin 7-9 pts 4/1
2. Louth v's Wexford
Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda
Throw In: Sunday, 3.30pm
The Wee County men have already played their first championship game of the year, recording a very impressive 1-16 to 1-6 win over Laois. That win hinted at real progress being made under new manager Aidan O'Rourke, and the team is likely to be brimming with confidence now as they continue their bid to reach the Leinster final. Wexford are also under new management this season, with Aidan O'Brien having succeeded long-serving boss Jason Ryan at the start of the season. Both sides played in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League this season, with Louth retaining their status with a fourth-place finish in contrast to Wexford's relegation, even though Wexford did defeat Louth in their League meeting at Sunday's venue. Shorn of Mattie Forde, Wexford will depend heavily once more on Ciaran Lyng and Redmiond Barry for scores. However, if Brian White and Shane Lennon can repeat their scoring feats from the Laois game, Louth may just do enough to get over the line.
Verdict: Louth Odds: Louth win 4/6
3. Limerick v's Tipperary
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Throw in: Sunday 4pm
While Limerick failed to get out of Division IB of the Allianz League, agonisingly losing the decider to Dublin, Tipperary recovered from a poor start in the competition to push Kilkenny all the way in a championship intensity final at Nowlan Park last month. Lar Corbett has failed to recover from the injury he suffered in that final and Eoin Kelly also has to be satisfied with a place on the bench. Limerick manager John Allen has opted for the experience of Seamus Hickey and Seanie Tobin in his forward line to the surprising exclusion of exciting young talents Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling. There should be a magnificant atmosphere in the Gaelic Grounds with both sides capable of fast free flowing hurling. However, with exciting youngster Jason Forde making his championship bow and Paudie Maher driving on his team from the half back line, Tipperary may just have enough defensively to negate an exciting Limerick attack and get enough scores themselves to take the spoils.
Verdict: Tipperary Odds: Tipperary winning margin 4-6 pts 4/1
Pods-itivity Treble 20/1
Other mentions:
A Paul Finlay inspired Monaghan to overcome Antirm in Casement Park to set up an Ulster semi final meeting against either Cavan or Fermanagh. Manager Liam Dunne is bullish about Wexford's chances of upsetting the Dubs in the Leinster Hurling championship quarter final meeting and Wexford's record in their last five championship meetings with Dublin is impressive, however, a pretty much full strength Dublin side would seem to have greater firing power up front to overcome this hurdle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)