SFC previews: Kingdom come into the mix

May 31, 2019

The Kerry players huddle.
©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Another three provincial finalists in the All-Ireland senior football championship should be known when all’s said and done this weekend. Here are our match previews:

 

Saturday, June 1st

Munster SFC semi-finals

Cork v Limerick, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7pm

It’s a first Munster championship meeting in six years between these two and hosts Cork are heading in as 1/12 favourites against Billy Lee’s Limerick side.

Rebels boss Ronan McCarthy revealed his line-up for this one as early as last Tuesday night, naming three debutants in Nathan Walsh (Douglas), Liam O’Donovan (Clonakilty) and Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree).

The hosts are also set to start with experienced trio Paul Kerrigan, Brian Hurley and Mark Collins in their full-forward line, while Nemo Rangers’ Luke Connolly is also on the bench, so it's safe to say Limerick’s defence will have plenty to contend with over the 70 minutes at Pairc Ui Rinn.

As for the 15/2 underdogs themselves, they stick with the same team which sent Tipperary crashing into the qualifiers earlier this month.

Verdict: Cork

Clare v Kerry, Cusack Park, 7pm

This one marks the fifth championship meeting in four seasons between these two with Clare still looking for their first summer victory over Kerry since the 1992 Munster final.

Last year’s provincial semi-final meeting saw the Kingdom hammering the Banner men by 22 points and they’re at a whopping price of 1/80 to get the job done against in Ennis on Saturday night.

Peter Keane will make his senior championship bow as Kerry manager at Cusack Park and has revealed a side which includes former Footballer of the Year James O'Donoghue, starting for the first time this season for the Munster champions.

O'Donoghue is named at number 15 in a full-forward line which includes David Clifford and the fit again Paul Geaney and leaves the home side’s defence with a daunting task indeed come 7pm tomorrow evening.

Verdict: Kerry

 

Sunday, June 2nd

Ulster SFC semi-final

Cavan v Armagh, Clones, 4pm - BBC deferred

The favourites’ tag lays on Cavan for this one following their upset of Monaghan a fortnight ago and if they can live up to their billing they’ll have a first Ulster final since 2001 to relish.

Eighteen years is a long stretch for the northern province’s most successful county and how Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh would love to deny them passage and kick-start their campaign after needing extra time to edge by the 14 men of Down last time out.

In Jamie Clarke and Rian O’Neill, the Orchard men certainly have the ingredients to spring the upset while, on the flip side, Cavan have demonstrated that they have the men to hold them at the back with Padraig Faulkner and Jason McLoughlin excelling against a Conor McManus-led Monaghan attack.

It should be a fascinating contest, with not much to spare for the winners whom will awaiting either Donegal or Tyrone on June 23rd.

Verdict: Cavan

Leinster SFC quarter-final replay

Longford v Kildare, O'Connor Park, 3pm

Extra time couldn’t separate these two at the end of a thrilling Leinster quarter-final which finished 1-21 to 3-15 at O’Connor Park last weekend.

It’s back to Tullamore for more (of the same hopefully) on Sunday afternoon and who’s to say it won’t be another airtight encounter which will already be Kildare’s third of the campaign.

Only the width of a post denied Longford the last day and Lilywhites boss Cian O’Neill has urged the county’s fans to “stick with us” ahead of this replay.

The victors will be lining-up against Dublin in a provincial semi-final next Sunday week, so an assured performance to get there would surely be golden.

Verdict: Kildare

Follow all this weekend's championship action live on the hoganstand.com match tracker.


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