Dublin's Drive for Five? GAA 2019

[Diable Rouge]

Bizarrely, they could still miss out on the Munster final on points difference, if Limerick and Cork won all their remaining games, but both would have to rack up incredible margins.

[elguapo4]

Tipperary are looking awesomely good this year.

[Gangster Octopus]

Tip are currently mullering Clare. Pity the cricket's not on...

[elguapo4]

As predicted by yours truly,Limerick give Waterford an almighty hiding, 2.24 to 0.10. Waterford,who reached the all Ireland final 2 years ago and the league final this year, are in danger of exiting before July.

[Diable Rouge]

Limerick destroy Waterford by 20 points - the Déise's season is already over, unless they defeat Cork, and the latter lose to Clare.

[elguapo4]

In hurling, Offaly lose again, this time to Antrim, the netherworld of the Christy Ring beckons

[Diable Rouge]

Leinster Hurling Championship: Carlow v Dublin

Wexford's surprise draw away to Galway last week leaves both sides with no room for slippage here, in order to secure a top three finish. Carlow will have viewed this fixture all year as their best opportunity of a provincial victory, but the Dubs have suggested to date that they are in a different class to Sunday's rivals.

Munster Hurling Championship: Waterford v Limerick

After a promising home display against Clare, the Déise were brought down to earth by a shellacking from Tipp. Limerick were similarly humbled by Cork, but appear to have greater capacity for improvement.

Clare v Tipperary:

This neighbourly clash is always keenly contested, and a strong argument can be made for both sides here. Still, Tipp have looked rather imperious in their opening two matches, and are favoured to continue in such fashion.

[Diable Rouge]

Munster Football Championship: Clare v Kerry:

Cork v Limerick:

Both games are rather similar, in that neither of the Old Firm should be troubled unduly on Saturday. Clare have generally restricted the Kingdom to single-digit margins in recent years, but never threatened victory, and while Limerick have been buoyed by success over Tipperary, it's highly unlikely that they will upset the Rebels.

Ulster Championship Semi-Final: Cavan v Armagh

A rare spot of favouritism for the Breffni County, after their shock defeat of neighbours Monaghan recently. The Orchard were pushed to extremis in their extra-time triumph over Down, and while the tie could go either way, Cavan will probably edge through.

Leinster Championship Replay: Longford v Kildare

With recent talk this week of tiered Championships, Longford made the best defence case for the minnows with a spirited performance against the Lilywhites. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that the Midlanders will prevail, but underdogs usually only get one bite at the cherry.

[Diable Rouge]

Roscommon caused the biggest upset of last weekend, defeating Mayo in injury-time, so the League champions will have to negotiate three rounds of qualifiers.

[elguapo4]

If you're still interested Ray, London have been drawn at home to Offaly, historically successful county on the skids ,good chance of a upset there.

[Diable Rouge]

For Ray - after this weekend, all 16 first-round matches will have been completed, so the draw for the qualifiers will follow on Monday morning.

[Diable Rouge]

A football-dominated weekend:

Hurling - Galway vs Wexford

Little enough form to judge either county on, as the Tribesmen struggled to overcome Carlow, and Wexford dusted off the rust away to Dublin. Home advantage suggests Galway will justify their Leinster favouritism.

Football - Connacht Championship: Mayo v Roscommon

Again, it's mostly league form that counts here, given Mayo's facile success in Gaelic Park, and Leitrim's feeble challenge to the away side. An upset is imminently possible here, but after ending an 18-year national silverware drought, Mayo will hardly pass up the direct route to glory on offer here.

Ulster Championship - Tyrone v Antrim:

If Tyrone were sluggish at spells against Derry, the Saffrons go into this fixture on the back of a mediocre Division Four campaign, and will hardly come within 10 points of the All-Ireland contenders here.

Donegal v Fermanagh:

The Ernesiders remain the only Ulster county never to lift the provincial title, but have regularly upset the applecart against more decorated opposition. Should be a nip-and-tuck affair, but Donegal by three.

Leinster Championship - Carlow v Meath:

Carlow were the surprise breakthrough side of 2018, but received as many brickbats as bouquets, due to their defensive style. The Royals have become the renaissance men of 2019, securing top-flight football in emphatic fashion, and should prevail here by a 4-6 point margin.

Dublin v Louth:

Much like Kerry in Munster, such matches are a no-win scenario for the Dubs in relation to expectations - the most generous outcome for the Wee County is probably defeat by a dozen points, and the Dubs will probably best whatever spread the bookies offer here.

Longford v Kildare:

Again, Longford are a side that can trip up the unprepared, but generally in qualifiers, rather than in Leinster. Kildare narrowly missed out on promotion this spring, and while underwhelming against Wicklow, should have enough quality to advance.

Westmeath v Laois:

This Midlands derby is a reprise of the Division Three final, where the Maroon narrowly prevailed. Toss of a coin here, but Laois might nick it on this occasion.

[Diable Rouge]

Vendors on O'Connell bridge are selling five in a row flags before a ball has been kicked,I'm not superstitious but that's the type of thing that usually comes back to bite you in the arse.

Much like Galleon (who, TBF were from Cork) releasing the Five In A Row single in 1982.

[elguapo4]

Vendors on O'Connell bridge are selling five in a row flags before a ball has been kicked,I'm not superstitious but that's the type of thing that usually comes back to bite you in the arse.

[Diable Rouge]

Dublin secure a dramatic injury-time draw against Wexford, meaning third place in Leinster is highly likely to be decided by points difference (unless the Yellowbellies pull off an unlikely win against Kilkenny, who slaughtered Carlow).

[Diable Rouge]

Cork surprisingly six ahead of Limerick with 12 remaining - certainly hadn't shown anything near this form last Sunday.

[elguapo4]

Waterford's comeback didn't last long,they ended up the wrong side of a 2.30 to 0.18 hammering, Tipperary now looking like serious contenders, Waterford,after two defeats and a game against all Ireland holders Limerick to come,look Donald Ducked.

[elguapo4]

Waterford hurlers making a huge comeback against Tipperary,having been 8 behind with a man sent off they've now got it back to 3,btw is hurling the only sport in the world that players celebrate getting a free?
Scratch that, Tipperary just got a goal so it's back out to 6 points.

[elguapo4]

Cavan beat Monaghan by 4 points with the help of a very dodgy penalty.

[elguapo4]

Shocking penalty decision,VAR now!

[elguapo4]

Anyone bored by that Wembley farce can watch Cavan v Monaghan now, first game of the season on Sky.

[elguapo4]

You just got in before me,hard times for a county who was once among the elite, the problem is when you start to sink as they have,any quality players become more likely to concentrate on club instead.

[Diable Rouge]

Dire times for Offaly hurling - hammered by 13 points by Westmeath, and indeed, are battling with Kerry to avoid relegation to the third-tier Christy Ring Cup.

[Kevin S]

Tyrone seemed to give away a lot of fouls allowing Derry to keep in touch, and then they broke through for the goal. But it was one way traffic for the final ten minutes or so - Tyrone were physically the stronger side I think and made it tell. Nice goal of their own, too.

[Diable Rouge]

Wouldn't have expected Derry to have led as late as they did, mind you, so they can take heart from that!