EVERY WEEKEND, OUR bumper Friday football preview will give you the who, the what, the why, the when and the where ahead of the weekend’s GAA championship action, as well as statistics from analyst Christy O’Connor.
Here are the six games you can look forward to this weekend. For a chance to win Senior Championship game tickets courtesy of eir, click here.
Down v Monaghan
Ulster SFC semi-final
When? Saturday, 7pm
Where? Athletic Grounds, Armagh
TV? RTÉ 2, BBC NI
The scoreline in last summer’s quarter-final tie illustrated the vast gulf that existed between the teams, Monaghan having 18 points to spare at the final whistle after a comfortable afternoon.
After a series of setbacks, Down’s spirits were lifted three weeks ago when they ended a 25-year wait for a championship success over Armagh.
But Monaghan look to represent a step up in opposition, they have the momentum behind them from victories over Cavan and Fermanagh, with the form of Owen Duffy a particular bright spot so far in their campaign.
Christy O’Connor says: “Although he scored 1-4 against Cavan, Monaghan have taken the scoring heat off Conor McManus. They have now had 14 different scorers in their last two games. Easing that burden on McManus was evident during the league. Last spring, McManus scored 2-43 out of 6-83 (49% of Monaghan’s total). In the championship, he hit 36% of Monaghan’s total across four games. This spring though, McManus hit just 21% of Monaghan’s total. His display against Cavan showed he is still the main man but Monaghan’s other players are finally getting on the scoreboard.”
The42′s verdict: Monaghan
Limerick v Wexford
All-Ireland SFC Round 1B qualifier
When? Saturday, 3pm
Where? Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
TV? No
After the promise of booking promotion from Division 4, things have unraveled a little for Wexford of late. They were convincingly beaten by Westmeath in the league final before Carlow sent them packing early on in Leinster.
Limerick pushed Clare to the wire in Munster when they lost out by a point and were left to rue a slow start which enabled the Banner to make head way. For both Seamus McEnaney and Billy Lee, there will be a desire not to bow out early in their opening seasons in these managerial hotseats.
The42′s verdict: Wexford
Dublin v Westmeath
Leinster SFC semi-final
When? Sunday, 4pm
Where? Croke Park
TV? RTÉ 1
This pair are no strangers to each other, Dublin picking up the last two Leinster titles at the expense of Westmeath on final day in July. They meet a round earlier this time with Westmeath having eight days to prepare after requiring a replay to despatch Offaly last Saturday.
The task facing Tom Cribbin’s side is formidable. There’s no Diarmuid Connolly in the Dublin ranks but a glance at Jim Gavin’s squad illustrates the vast array of options the champions possess.
Christy O’Connor says: “Dublin’s 12-point winning margin against Carlow in the quarter-final was keeping with their modern trend because it’s six years now since Dublin won their opening match in Leinster by less than double figures. It’s eight years since the winning margin went below seven points.”
The42′s verdict: Dublin
London v Carlow
All-Ireland SFC Round 1B qualifier
When? Sunday, 1pm
Where? McGovern Park, Ruislip
TV? No
After being in the spotlight in early June with that tussle against Dublin, now Carlow’s attention turns to prolonging their summer. They don’t have happy memories of their last battle with Leitrim, losing out by 2-15 to 0-16 in February’s league encounter. London gave Leitrim plenty to think about in Connacht and will have hopes of succeeding on their home turf.
Christy O’Connor says: ”Despite their 12 point defeat to Dublin in Leinster, the standout statistic from the first half of that match was that Carlow had 62% possession, which showed how well they played in that period. Carlow will want to produce the same level of performance more consistently now in Sunday’s qualifier against London.”
The42′s verdict: Carlow
Armagh v Fermanagh
All-Ireland SFC Round 1B qualifier
When? Sunday, 6.30pm
Where? Athletic Grounds, Armagh
TV? No
It’s seven years since this pair crossed paths in championship but there’s been enough recent league and Dr McKenna Cup meetings to ensure they are familiar with each other. Fermanagh held their hands up after being emphatically defeated by Monaghan in Ulster, Armagh’s pain was more acute after a wasteful second-half showing against Down. The stakes are high for this Ulster derby, defeat would represent a hugely disappointing campaign.
Christy O’Connor says: ”Armagh’s defeat to Down in last month’s Ulster quarter-final was deemed a shock but was it either? After pushing Donegal to one point in the 2014 All-Ireland quarter-final, Armagh’s championship record in the mean-time has been dire. Under Kieran McGeeney, Armagh have won just one out of seven championship matches, the win coming against Wicklow in a qualifier in 2015.”
The 42′s verdict: Armagh
Offaly v Cavan
All-Ireland SFC Round 1B qualifier
When? Sunday, 6.30pm
Where? O’Connor Park, Tullamore
TV? No
Plenty of novelty in this pairing for a championship fixture. You have to go all the way back to the 1969 All-Ireland semi-final replay for the last time these counties faced off. Offaly have little time to dust themselves down after last Saturday’s Leinster reversal when they shipped three goals to Westmeath.
Cavan were not far off Monaghan, Ryan Connolly smashing a shot against the post at the death as they lost by three points. 14 places separated this duo in the spring league standings, Cavan finishing 7th in Division 1 as opposed to Offaly’s 5th place in Division 3.
The 42′s verdict: Cavan
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