Advertisement
Wexford footballer Redmond Barry pictured today ahead of tomorrow's clash with Westmeath at Wexford Park. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Championship

Fógra: everything you need to know ahead of the weekend’s GAA action

Wexford gears up for an intriguing double-header tomorrow night, the Rossies take on local rivals Leitrim and Davy Fitz’s Waterford take on Limerick in Munster.

What’s on and where?

Leinster SFC quarter-final

Wexford vs. Westmeath, Wexford Park (tomorrow, 5pm)

Leinster SHC semi-final

Wexford vs. Kilkenny, Wexford Park (tomorrow, 7pm)

Connacht SFC semi-final

Leitrim vs. Roscommon, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada (Sunday, 2pm)

Ulster SFC quarter-final

Cavan vs. Donegal, Kingspan Breffni Park (Sunday, 3.30pm)

Leinster SFC quarter-final

Carlow vs. Louth, Portlaoise (Sunday, 3.30pm)

Munster SHC semi-final

Limerick vs. Waterford, Semple Stadium, Thurles (Sunday 4pm)

What’s on the telly?

On Saturday, coverage begins at 6.40pm for 7.00pm throw-in for the Wexford vs. Kilkenny clash. The following day coverage starts at 1.30pm, as RTÉ show back-to-back matches – Leitrim vs. Roscommon and Limerick vs. Waterford. The Sunday Game will show highlights of all the weekend’s action and it begins at 9.30pm.

Any important team news?

Wexford vs. Westmeath: Wexford are unchanged for the visit of Westmeath, after they comfortably dispatched Offaly in the first round. Dessie Dolan has been passed fit for Westmeath, while John Heslin and Michael Ennis are named on the bench.

Wexford vs. Kilkenny: The big news for Kilkenny is the return of Henry Shefflin. Brian Cody will be hoping his presence compensates for the lack of experience of his team’s four debutants: David Herity, Paul Murphy, Paddy Hogan and Colin Fennelly. Colm Bonnar makes two changes for the hosts – Paul Roche and Garret Sinnott come in for Michael Jacob and Eanna Martin.

Leitrim vs. Roscommon: Both sides are unchanged ahead of this fixture, with coaches Fergal O’Donnell and Mickey Moran opting for the same 15 that guided them past their respective first-round opponents.

Cavan vs. Donegal: Cavan start with a highly inexperienced lineup. Eight players make their championship debutsJames McEnroe, Patrick Carroll, Dane O’Dowd, Niall Murray, Damien Reilly, Gearoid McKiernan, Fergal Flanagan and Niall McDermott. For Donegal, full-forward Michael Murphy returns, while Rory Kavanagh has been declared fit to play.

Carlow vs. Louth: There are five debuts in the Carlow side, including first starts for goalkeeper Trevor O’Reilly and Ed Finnegan at left half forward. In addition, the defensive trio of Aidan Murphy, Conor Lawlor and Kieran Lawlor play for the first time. Mick Fanning returns to the Louth team, with Brian Donnelly also getting the nod ahead of Ronan Carroll in midfield. Shane Lennon, David Reid and JP Rooney also start for the visitors.

Limerick vs. Waterford: With Declan Hannon and David Breen injured, Limerick ring in the changes, with only three of the side from last year’s championship remaining. Darragh Fives, Paudie Mahony and Brian O’Sullivan make their debuts in a youthful Waterford side, with Eoin Kelly missing out.

Pick of the Weekend:

Wexford’s encounter with Kilkenny could easily turn out to be a one-sided affair, however it will be a fascinating game irrespective of the outcome. It will be worth watching for the return of the influential Henry Shefflin alone. Moreover, Kilkenny have put in some unconvincing displays of late, so it will be fascinating to see whether reports of their demise are exaggerated.

Reading List

Seán Moran gives his thoughts on the ongoing controversy surrounding RTÉ commentator Brian Carthy.

Fintan O’Toole talks to Limerick hurler Gavin O’Mahony about his whirlwind year in which he went from unemployed by-stander to team captain.

Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson discusses his side’s hopes of winning the Leinster football title with Cliona Foley.