What’s on and where?
Munster SFC semi-final: Limerick vs. Kerry, Gaelic Grounds (tomorrow 7.00pm)
Leinster SHC quarter-final: Galway vs. Westmeath, Mullingar (Saturday 7.0opm)
Munster SFC semi-final: Cork vs. Waterford, Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Sunday 3.30pm)
Leinster SFC quarter-final: Kildare vs. Meath, Croke Park (Sunday 2.00pm)
Leinster SFC quarter-final: Laois vs. Dublin, Croke Park (Sunday 4.00pm)
Ulster SFC quarter-final: Tyrone vs. Monaghan, Healy Park (Sunday 3.30pm)
What’s on the telly?
RTÉ have live coverage of the Munster SFC clash between Limerick and Kerry on Saturday evening, with the broadcast beginning at 6.30pm. On Sunday, the national broadcaster will cover the Leinster SFC match between Meath and Kildare at Croke Park from 1.30pm onwards. Meanwhile, all the highlights of the weekend’s fixtures can be seen at 9.30pm on the Sunday Game, as always.
Any important team news?
Limerick vs. Kerry: For Kerry, Anthony Maher will replace Séamus Scanlon in midfield. Tomas Ó Sé is also suspended, while Shane Enright will make his debut. Limerick will be missing the influential duo of John Galvin and Stephen Lucey, with Tom Lee coming into midfield.
Galway vs. Westmeath: Fergal Moore comes into a Galway side who are missing the injured trio of Joe Canning, Ger Farragher and Iarla Tannian. Westmeath make one change from their recent defeat of Carlow, with Derek McNicholas coming in for Alan Devine.
Cork vs. Waterford: The Rebels make sweeping changes to the side that defeated Clare, with six new faces coming in – Eoin Cadogan, Eoin Cotter, Paul Kerrigan, Paudie Kissane, Fiachra Lynch and John Miskella. The Waterford team has yet to be confirmed.
Kildare vs. Meath: Kildare make two changes for this weekend’s clash with Meath. Half forward Eammon Callaghan takes the place of Pádraig O’Neill, and James Kavanagh comes in for Ronan Sweeney at corner forward. Meath have two players making their debut: Bryan Menton and Ciarán Lenehan, with Stephen Bray making his first competitive start of the season.
Laois vs. Dublin: Dublin have made three changes from the Cork game with Rory O’Carroll, James McCarthy and Alan Brogan coming in for Paul Brogan, Denis Bastick and Tomás Quinn. Laois boss Justin McNulty retains the same team that beat Longford.
Tyrone vs. Monaghan: The experienced trio of Philip Jordan, Brian Dooher and Stephen O’Neill make the Tyrone side, while Mark Donnelly makes his championship bow. There are six debutants in the Monaghan starting lineup: Mark Keogh, Conor Galligan, Kieran Duffy, Owen Duffy, Daniel McKenna and Neil McAdam, Tommy Freeman has been left out.
Pick of the weekend
Limerick’s game with Kerry will surely prove to be a fascinating encounter. Kerry are clear favourites, given their impressive record in the competition, however Limerick’s chances should not be dismissed. Kerry’s players must cope with the pressure that comes with playing for the county, while Limerick have recently threatened to break the stranglehold that Cork and Kerry hold over the competition. This year may finally be their time to rise to the occasion.
Reading List
You may not agree with Darragh Ó Sé’s provocative piece in which he compares Dublin’s workrate with that of Barcelona, but it is an interesting read. (He said on Off The Ball last night that the headline writer did him no favours).
Fintan O’Toole of the Irish Examiner interviews Maurice Horan about Limerick’s prospects in this year’s Championship.
Limerick midfielder John Galvin talks to Martin Breheny about his struggle with injury and what it means to miss his side’s clash this weekend.
