Advertisement
Kerry's Marc O'Se and Darren McCurry of Tyrone will be in opposition on Sunday. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Comment

6 things to watch out for in Sunday’s GAA action

The showdown in Omagh, Mayo’s need to survive and an exciting last day in Division 4.

1. The temperature in Omagh

Last July’s qualifier in Killarney felt like a pivotal moment in the relationship between Kerry and Tyrone.

The Kingdom scratched their Red Hands itch and there was widespread warmth expressed by the Kerry followers for the Tyrone manager Mickey Harte.

As the Tyrone team bus was applauded out of Killarney by the locals, the rivalry between the counties appeared to have cooled.

But now the bile threatens to return again. Tyrone secretary Dominic McCaughey revealed last winter that the enthusiastic nature of Kerry’s celebrations in last summer’s tie did not sit well with their opponents.

Then there was the bitter fallout from the clash of Cookstown and Finuge in last month’s intermediate club final. And Brian McGuigan’s comments this week in the Gaelic Life did little to help soothe any tensions that might linger.

The game could well pass off without incident yet the build-up points to the likelihood of a high temperature in the Omagh arena. Then there is the matter of a Kerry team journeying north desperate for a win to preserve their Division 1 status and a Tyrone team eager to send them down to the second tier.

A strong display of control by referee Marty Duffy could well be required.

2. Cork try to keep their 4-in-a-row bid alive

During Conor Counihan’s reign in charge, Cork have been synonymous with league titles.

Take out 2008, when Counihan was only ushered into the hotseat midway through the spring, and Cork have always won silverware in April under the Aghada man’s watch.

After a Division 2 title win in 2009, they are now chasing a fourth successive Division 1 crown. This year they’ve been inconsistent with a couple of listless displays against Dublin and Kerry mixed with a couple of storming showings against Tyrone and Donegal.

Attacking injuries have not made life easy for them yet Tomas Clancy has put in a good shift at wing-back and they have another useful option on their hands in new recruit James Loughrey from Antrim. A draw or a win against Mayo on Sunday and the knockout stages beckon once more.

3. Mayo’s need to survive

Given that Down looked doomed, it appears that one of the three sides locked on four points in Division 1 will also suffer relegation.

For Donegal and Kerry that would be a setback but the former are the standard-bearers after last September and the latter have the class and tradition to make them believe they can still challenge in the summer.

That leaves Mayo and were they to drop down, it would be a notable challenge for James Horan. He has made undeniable progress with this band of players but relegation is a speed bump he could do without.

They have contributed a lot to this league but after the opening day high against Kerry they fell into a slump of four successive defeats. The defeat to Tyrone, after a last-gasp penalty concession to Stephen O’Neill, was particularly galling.

Achieving a result down in Cork on Sunday is key to Mayo’s efforts to head off into the summer preparations in a good mood.

Mayo manager James Horan.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

4. Meath’s resurgence

On the night of March 2nd in Navan, it was easy for Royals followers to feel miserable. They had lost two out of their opening three league games but it was the manner of those losses, a 12-point beating by Monaghan and a six-point defeat to Cavan, that was of most concern.

Fast forward to the last day and three wins on the trot sees them within touching distance of promotion. Defeat Fermanagh on Sunday in Navan and they are back in Division 2.

It’s been a remarkable resurgence by Mick O’Dowd’s men. Now it’s going to be interesting to see if they can finish it off in style.

5. The escape from the basement level

Division 4 may not be a tier not known to generate a lot of hype but the promotion race is perfectly placed ahead of Sunday’s final round of games at the basement level.

Tullamore hosts the meeting of Offaly and Tipperary while Ennis will stage the clash of Clare and Limerick. All four sides know victory will ensure they claim promotion while a draw will suffice for Limerick.

It all adds up two potentially cracking clashes which will contain plenty of drama. All four desperately want a pre-championship boost and there won’t be a lack of motivation in any sector.

6. Get out the calculators

It’s customary for the last round of the football league to be a day for number-crunching on calculators and deciphering the many potential permutations. Sunday is no exception in that regard with five promotion places, five relegation places and a Division 1 semi-final spot on offer. It promises to be a day of twists and turns with plenty at stake.

So where does your county stand ahead of the last round in the football league?


Gooch and Galvin return for Kerry as Mayo and Tyrone sides also named