Today
Tipperary v Mayo, Croke Park, 3pm, (Ref: Fergal Barry, Kildare)
They may have won the Munster title but the Tipperary management were unhappy with the performance of their defence and have reacted accordingly with Ross Mulcahy and Colin O’Riordan coming in for Darren Cass and Lorcan Egan. Another switch sees John McGrath rewarded for the impact he made against Kerry by coming in for Jason Lonergan. Mayo are seeking to bounce back from their Connacht final loss with Joe Geraghty and James Quinn handed starting berths. There was an over-reliance on Adam Gallagher to provide scoring inspiration in the Connacht decider and Tipperary with Ian Fahey, Colman Kennedy and Philip Quirke in their ranks, look capable of racking up a winning total.
TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford (Clonmel Commercials); Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), James Feehan (Killenaule), Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers); Colin O’Riordan (JK Brackens), Dylan Fitzelle (Cashel King Cormacs), Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash); Steven O’Brien (Ballina), John Martin (Ballyporeen); Ian Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), Greg Henry (Killenaule); Colman Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Philip Quirke (Moyle Rovers), Tom Kirwan (Ardfinnan).
MAYO: Conor O’Malley (Westport); Joe Geraghty (Ballintubber), Sean Moran (Kiltimagh), Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber); Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels), Cian Burke (Ardnaree Sarsfields), Kevin Lynch (Mayo Gaels); Brian Mullen (Westport), Adam Gallagher (Mayo Gaels); Eoghan Lavin (Kiltimagh), Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore), Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber); James Quinn (Ballinrobe), Sean Regan (Ballina Stephenites), Shane Hennelly (Shrule/Glencorrib).
Verdict: Tipperary
Tomorrow
Kerry v Roscommon, Croke Park, 12pm, (Ref: David Gough, Meath)
Kerry have made three changes from their Munster final loss to Tipperary with Patrick O’Connor in for Shane O’Connor in defence, Ronan Murphy replacing the injured Eanna Ó Conchúir at midfield and Darragh Carmody coming in for Gavin O’Shea in attack. The trio to watch out for up front are Jack Savage, Niall Sheehy and Conor Keane who struck 1-11 between them in the provincial decider. The Connacht champions will be difficult to overturn though with Thomas Corcoran, Diarmuid Murtagh and Enda Smith having starred in their provincial final success over Mayo.
KERRY: Gavin Curran (Dingle); Cathal O Lúing (An Ghaeltacht), Gavin Crowley (Templenoe), Patrick O’Connor (Dingle); Brian Crowley (Templenoe), Jack Barry (Na Gaeil), Greg Horan (Austin Stacks); Kieran Murphy (Kilcummin), Ronan Murphy (Beaufort); David Foran (St. Senan’s), Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), Cillian Fitzgerald (Churchill); Darragh Carmody (Na Gaeil), Niall Sheehy (John Mitchels), Conor Keane (Legion).
ROSCOMMON: TBC
Verdict: Kerry
Dublin v Monaghan, Páirc Esler, Newry, 5.30pm, (Ref: Derek O’Mahoney, Tipperary)
Monaghan are seeking to bounce back from their Ulster final reversal against Tyrone, a game they came desperately close to triumphing in. Padraic Keenan, Ryan McAnespie and Conor McCarthy were excellent for the Farney side in that clash. But Dublin represent a considerable step up in class. They were outstanding in taking Meath apart in the Leinster final and look intent on going all the way to claim national honors this year having been deprived at the final stage last year. Hat-trick hero from that game Cormac Costello will lead the way up front with Conor McHugh and Gavin Burke integral to their challenge as well.
DUBLIN: TBC
MONAGHAN: TBC
Verdict: Dublin
Tyrone v Meath, Páirc Esler, Newry, 7.15pm, (Ref: Fergal Kelly, Longford)
Tyrone look capable of unleashing another stellar minor side this year. Peter McKenna, younger brother of county senior Niall and son of former Red Hands great Eugene, is an excellent footballer while James McGahan and Mark Bradley carry the scoring threat up front. They showed their composure in staving off the challenge of Monaghan in the Ulster final. Meath must attempt to pick themselves up after the disappointment of a comprehensive Leinster final loss. They have gone with an unchanged team with Adam Flanagan, Jason Daley and Fiachra Ward hoping to lead the way.
TYRONE: TBC
MEATH: Jack Hannigan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Declan Smyth (Dunsany), Brian Power (Ratoath), Shane Gallagher (Simonstown Gaels); Patrick Kennelly (Dunderry), Shane McEntee (St Peter’s Dunboyne), Ruairi O Coilean (Navan O’Mahony’s); Adam Flanagan (Clonard), Padraig Harnan (Jenkinstown Gaels); Cillian O’Sullivan (Jenkinstown Gaels), Jason Daley (St Peter’s Dunboyne), James McEntee (St Vincent’s Curraha); Barry Dardis (Summerhill), Stephen Coogan (Dunderry), Fiachra Ward (Wolfe Tones).
Verdict: Tyrone
