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.
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