National Football League Semi-Finals
Mayo v Galway
It’s an all-Connacht clash in the first of the NFL semi-finals on Sunday, with Mayo and Galway throwing-in at 2.15pm.
Mayo will be going to Croker in the knowledge that they’ll have a further chance to exorcise last summer’s demons; victory in Croke Park, having already put Kerry to the sword this year, will set them up nicely for another shot at championship glory. And doing it against Galway…well, that’ll make it all the sweeter.
Galway’s only injury concern is Diarmuid Blake, who pulled a hamstring in the game against Westmeath, while they’ll definitely be without Niall Coleman, Sean Armstrong and Matthew Clancy.
Mayo, meanwhile, will have to do without goalkeeper Kenneth O’Malley, who’s still suffering from a thumb injury, while Trevor Mortimer won’t play, and Conor Mortimer is a doubt.
On paper, Mayo have the edge. In reality, neither league form nor injuries will matter once the ball is thrown in on Sunday.
Verdict: Mayo (but only just)
Donegal v Kildare
It’s the clash of two teams hoping that their league campaigns will be a platform for improved championship campaigns as Donegal and Kildare meet in the second of the NFL semi-finals, throw-in at 4pm.
Donegal have Rory Kavanagh, Neil Gallagher and Colm McFadden back to full fitness, while Brian McIver welcomes back the players he rested against Fermanagh, naming the same side that beat Kerry three weeks ago.
John Crofton has no fresh injury worries in the Kildare camp but he’ll know that his side, having busted a collective gut in a high-tempo game against Laois (one game in a tough run-in for the Lilywhites), are not as rested as McIver’s men.
Dermot Earley and Ronan Sweeney are still long-term injury casualties, and Crofton won’t be rushing them back for this game; Crofton will trade a place in the league final for an injury-free side with which to take a run at Leinster. But the Lilywhites will have been heartened by the grit and determination – allied to some decent score-taking – shown throughout the league campaign.
And they’ll need all of these abilities against a Donegal side who have been virtually unbeatable this year. On the basis that Kildare struggled at times against better opposition while Donegal seemed to be always in control, allied to the rest Donegal’s best players had last week, the Ulstermen have to be favourites.
Verdict: Donegal
National Hurling League Semi-Finals
Kilkenny v Wexford
The local rivalry between Wexford and Kilkenny will be renewed this weekend, albeit in the unfamiliar surroundings of Thurles, throw-in at 2.30pm.
Wexford have proved many a critic wrong in the past two months and their defensive display against Galway last weekend was the most impressive in the year to date. They will need to be at their optimum performance level again this weekend.
Kilkenny will seek to exert their strength through midfield, a task that will be made easier if James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick is available after injury. They also have a half-back line that should give the Noresiders a better supply of ball than the Wexford defender had to contend with last weekend.
Wexford nearly always raise their game for the Cats but their forwards still haven’t suggested that they have the power to meet the very best of sides in the country. If they can stay in touch until the 60-minute mark they will have a slight chance. But the smart money is on Kilkenny to win by four or five.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Cork v Waterford
The top two in Munster square up to each other for a place in the NHL Division 1 final when Cork meet Waterford on Sunday, throw-in at 4.15pm.
Both sides had a relatively comfortable passage through the group stages, though Waterford had a good work-out against Tipperary last weekend. The result should be that they go at it hammer and tongs this time.
Cork have more strength in depth but it appears that they are concentrating their efforts on winning back the Liam McCarthy Cup in September. They will look to expose the Waterford full-back line and dominate midfield, with Jerry O’Connor and Tom Kenny paired together there for the first time this year.
Eoin Kelly has been rampant for Waterford in his centre-forward role. The clash between him and Ronan Curran should decide who will advance to the decider. Outside of Kelly, Dan Shanahan improved last weekend and will look to get one over Sean Óg Ó hAilpín ahead of the Munster SHC.
This one could go either way but Cork have enough options off the bench to see themselves through by a point of two.
Verdict: Cork
National Hurling League Relegation Play-off
Limerick v Offaly
The last chance saloon awaits the winner of the battle between the hurlers of Limerick and Offaly on Sunday, throw-in in Nenagh at 12.30pm.
For some reason the GAA have changed the format so that the winners of this game will have another play-off against the Division 2 Champions, while the losers will be competing in the lower tier in twelve months' time.
It may seem absurd that they both have ended up in this situation but then again they only have themselves to blame (especially Limerick). Abysmal performances left them needing a miracle to escape the drop.
Limerick have more to lose here. Offaly have been in the doldrums before and would not suffer as much in the championship if they were to take the plunge. The Shannonsiders would be completely unprepared for the Munster championship if they have a winter playing the teams of Division 2.
However, things are seldom that simple. Offaly will enter the game eager and with players that can really harm Limerick. Joe Bergin is enough of a threat on his own and Barry Teehan is always prepared to chip in with a few points.
Limerick have a few injury concerns and, more importantly, have shown little passion in their play since their opening weekend win over Tipperary. Based on that fact alone, Offaly should have the psychological advantage that will see them survive in the top flight.
Verdict: Offaly
Barry Whyte
