Weekend GAA Previews - Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th May

GAA_PUNTER

Saturday 15 May

Ulster SHC second round
London v Monaghan, Casement Park, 2.00pm
Referee: Declan Magee
This could prove to be a tricky assignment for Monaghan in Casement Park. They have had an excellent season so far, claiming the Division 4 league title and they overcame Fermanagh in a tight game in the first round last week.

A late goal from Michael McHugh helped them through that game but a London side who finished comfortably in mid table in Division 3a could prove a bridge too far for the Monaghan men.

Verdict: London

Armagh v Tyrone, Casement Park, 4.00pm
Referee: Owen Elliot

Both teams recorded easy wins last weekend and this could be an intriguing battle.

Tyrone put a dismal league season behind them to trounce Cavan with Conor Grugan in particular enjoying himself, finishing the game with 3-8.

Armagh were equally as dominant when beating Donegal 3-23 to 1-13 and their league form suggests that they should be favourites here.

Verdict: Armagh

Christy Ring Cup round 2a
Kerry v Westmeath, Tralee, 2.00pm
Referee: Jason O Mathony

If nominations for a hurling manager of the year so far were being drawn up then surely John Meyler would be near the top of the list. After winning the Division 3a league title, his Kerry team accounted for Division 2 side Down last week.

Daragh O’Connell and John Egan were in fine from during that win, scoring 18 of Kerry’s 27 points, between them.

Westmeath didn’t enjoy the best of seasons in Division 2 and Kevin Martin’s team looked to be heading for defeat on their home pitch to Derry last week until Brendan Murtagh’s goal helped send the game into extra time before they eventually ended on the winning side.

Martin’s team have won this competition twice and Kerry have a real chance to put their credentials on show in front of their own fans. If they can come through this game, it will only add to the belief that last year’s semi-finalists can go all the way this time around.

Verdict: Kerry

Kildare v Wicklow, Newbridge, 3.30pm
Referee: Eamon Morris

Andy Comerford’s Kildare team looked impressive in beating Meath last week and the feeling in Kildare is that playing Division 2 hurling will greatly aid their Christy Ring Cup chances.

Wicklow have a 100% record in 2010 but they struggled to overcome Mayo in the first round. Only a couple of late Jonathan O’Neill frees saw them through that day and they will need to bring their game to an even higher level if they are to overcome Kildare in Newbridge.

Verdict: Kildare

Christy Ring Cup round 2b
Derry v Meath, Banagher, 3.30pm
Referee: Ray Mathews

Derry were unlucky to lose out after extra time to Westmeath last week while Meath were well beaten by Kildare.

The losers of this game will head to the relegation play off to see who drops down to the Nicky Rackard Cup and given that Meath were promoted as winners only this year, that is something that they clearly want to avoid.

There was only a point between these teams when Derry beat Meath in the league in March and this will be another close game but Derry should come through it.

Verdict: Derry

Mayo v Down, Charlestown, 2.30pm
Referee: Alan Kelly

Last year’s semi-finalists, Down won’t be too enamoured with a situation that sees them one game away from the relegation play off.

They should however, be confident of seeing off a team who lost against Wicklow last week and who finished bottom of Division 3a.

Down will still hope to be in the shake up in later rounds and will be looking to get back on the right track here.

Verdict: Down:


Sunday 16 May

Ulster SFC preliminary round
Derry v Armagh, Celtic Park, 2.00pm
Referee: Maurice Deegan

The Ulster Championship kicks off with a game between two teams who will swap divisions in the national league next year.

Armagh showed during the league that under Paddy O’Rourke they could be ready to challenge for the Ulster championship again.

After winning their 14th Ulster title in 2008, The Orchard County made no impact in their attempts to defend their crown when losing to Tyrone in the quarter final last year but the signs are better this time around particularly as Steven McDonnell is at the top of his game.

Derry haven’t lost a championship at Celtic Park since 1994 but Damien Cassidy’s team have endured a miserable season so far.

League form always goes out the window come championship time but winning is a good habit to be in and the Division 2 champions could break that Celtic Park hoodoo and go forward to face Monaghan in the quarter final.

Verdict: Armagh

Leinster SFC first round
Wicklow v Carlow, Portlaoise, 3.30pm
Referee: Gearoid O Conamha

Micko’s Wicklow team were probably the surprise packet of last year’s championship, finishing in the top 12 in the country and they were very unfortunate not to beat Kildare in the fourth round of the qualifiers to reach the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Carlow are an up and coming team and have the potential to cause a big surprise somewhere along the line although Wicklow might just have experience and know how to find a way through on Sunday.

The Garden County will be missing key defenders Ciaran Hyland and Shane Power while forwards Dean Odlum and Paul Earls will face late fitness tests.

For Carlow, forwards Daniel St Ledger and JJ Smith will miss out through injury and both Eric McCormack and Shane Redmond will have to assessed closer to throw in time.

Verdict: Wicklow

Munster SFC quarter-final
Tipperary v Kerry, Thurles, 4.00pm
Referee: David Coldrick

The All-Ireland champions will have the eyes of the GAA loving public on them as they take to the field in Thurles on Sunday.

It would not be wise to read too much into their league form but the loss of players such as Darragh O Se, Aidan O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh, Tadhg Kennelly and Diarmuid Murphy from last year’s squad has no doubt weakened the Kingdom as manager Jack O’Connor admitted during the week.

It could be that they are going through something of a transitional period but they still have enough talent in their squad to make any other county green with envy.

Marc O Se is expected to be fit to take his place in the team but there are doubts about his older brother Tomas and Daniel Bohane.

John Evans has done a great job with Tipperary and has reinvigorated the footballing scene in the Premier County and it’s a great pity that they couldn’t preserve their Division 2 status this year.

They are sure to be up for this game in front of their own fans in Thurles but Kerry should come through this game, although their won’t be too much in it.

Verdict: Kerry


Bet of the weekend: Kerry are yet to fire on all cylinders this year and although they should beat Tipperary we think it might be closer than the bookies imagine. Tipperary are evens on Paddy Power with a handicap of +7 and we think they will be within seven points of the Kingdom at the final whistle.

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/gaa-sports?btag=10051291_9561959&AFF_ID=10051291

15th May 2010

14:00 London v Monaghan
1/20 16/1 7/1

14:00 Kerry v Westmeath
4/6 10/1 5/4

14:30 Mayo v Down
4/1 12/1 1/6

15:30 Kildare v Wicklow
1/6 12/1 4/1

15:30 Derry v Meath
4/9 10/1 15/8

16:00 Armagh v Tyrone
1/25 16/1 15/2

16th May 2010
14:30 Wicklow v Carlow
1/3 15/2 3/1

14:30 Derry v Armagh
10/11 15/2 11/10

14:30 Tipperary v Kerry
7/1 14/1 1/12