Limerick's Oisin O'Reilly meets his admirers after the game. He's probably still there
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Cavan provided doughty resistance for most of their game against Donegal, but the Tír Chonaill men pulled away in the latter stages, with two late goals. No such concerns for Galway, who had all of 23 points to spare against Leitrim (4-20 to 0-9).Comment
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The four last provincial semis take place this weekend:
Leinster SFC SF: Dublin v Meath
They haven't gone away, you know! Dublin make a statement of intent in their quarter-final by putting Wexford to the sword, while the Royals had similarly little difficulty in dispatching Wicklow. Always tend to be turbulent games between the old rivals, but the Dubs should ease relatively comfortably into the provincial decider.
Kildare v Westmeath
The Lilywhites' experience of top-tier football showed in their dismissal of Louth, while Westmeath had to grind out a result against Midland neighbours Longford. Hard to see an upset occurring here.
Ulster SFC SF: Derry v Monaghan
The Oakleaf County produced the result of the season so far by thrashing All-Ireland champs Tyrone on their own ground, while Monaghan had a fairly routine progression against Down. A tie that could easily go either way, but one suspects Monaghan retain more big-game experience.
Munster SFC SF: Limerick v Tipperary
A novel last four pairing, between Kerry and Cork on the other side, and Limerick causing a mild surprise in eliminating Clare. Tipperary have probably the best remaining opportunity of avoiding the Tailteann Cup, but such has been the progression on Shannonside in 2022, that I think they will carry the day.Comment
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https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1523354465864384512
Limerick v Clare:
As the table shows, Limerick are effectively through to a Munster final, but could still be drawn into a three-way tie at the top. Clare certainly need the win more, but I expect the champions will probably grind out a narrow victory.
Cork v Waterford:
Do or die for the Rebels, with their championship survival on the line. That said, their performances have been extremely limp to date, and Waterford will probably deliver the coup de grace.
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https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1520807276868784128
Dublin will give Kilkenny a stiff challenge, but the Cats should triumph, while expect comfortable wins for Galway against Laois and Wexford against Westmeath.
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Spectacular game between the Kerry hurlers and Offaly in the McDonagh Cup, unfortunately coming out the wrong end of a classic means the small-ball season is almost certainly over:
https://twitter.com/Kerry_Official/status/1525470548981071872
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Having been competitive for the first half, Kilkenny are now giving Dublin a bit of a hiding.Comment
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Limerick in their first Munster football final since 2010, defeating Tipp 2-10 to 0-10. The Westmeath hurlers, rather surprisingly, drew with Wexford, who now have to beat Kilkenny to keep their summer alive:
https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1525560783685537793
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Limerick will face Clare in the Munster final after a "combative" draw between the pair, where Tony Kelly scored seventeen points, and Gearóid Hegarty was dismissed for flicking the Hurley at his opponent. Cork kept their top-three hopes alive by winning away to Waterford, who now need to beat Clare to ensure their own survival. In football, Derry backed up their display against Tyrone with a pillar-to-post dominance against Monaghan to secure an Ulster final berth, Kildare eased past Westmeath as expected, while Dublin are hammering Meath at present (1-27 to 0-14 with time almost up).Comment
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The first round draw for the LDV Vans Trophy Tailteann Cup took place today, with rather superfluous regionalisation - New York join the fray in the QFs.
Southern Section:
Preliminary Round:
Wexford v Offaly
Waterford v Wicklow
First Round:
Wexford/Offaly v Waterford/Wicklow
Carlow v Tipperary
Laois v Westmeath
Northern Section First Round:
Longford v Fermanagh
Leitrim v Antrim
Sligo v London
Cavan v DownComment
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Almost exclusively a hurling weekend:
https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1525560783685537793
Galway v Dublin:
Although the Tribesmen have guaranteed a top-three finish, they still haven't booked a Leinster final berth. The Dubs must surely rebound after maulings from both Kilkenny and John Mullane, but the gulf in class seems too high to bridge tomorrow.
Kilkenny v Wexford:
The Model County looked to have a bright summer in prospect after an impressive League campaign, but last week's draw in Mullingar has them on the brink of elimination. The Cats still need a win to ensure they reach the provincial decider, and thus are in no mood to be mercuful.
Laois v Westmeath:
As expected, this clash will decide which side will be relegated to the second-tier Joe McDonagh Cup. Westmeath start as narrow favourites, but Laois may just edge this Midlands tussle.
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https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1525896770814939137TWEET
Clare v Waterford:
The Banner, having qualified for the Munster final, may unconsciously take their foot off the pedal here, while the Déise need to win, but it may be in vain if Cork triumph against Tipp.
Tipperary v Cork:
The Premier could still qualify for the All-Ireland QF on points difference, but would need a seven-point win here, in combination with a Waterford defeat. Thanks to the H2H advantage gained last Sunday, any Rebel victory will secure their progression.Comment
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Tailteann Cup Preliminary Round:
Wexford v Offaly:
Familiarity breeds contempt, especially when the price of defeat is eight months of idleness. Wexford's goal power against their opponents suggests they'll prevail here.
Wicklow v Waterford
Should be a routine home win, given their victory over Laois and their rivals limp showing against Tipperary.Comment
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Kerry had to win in Belfast, while also hoping for Carlow success in Tullamore to make the Joe McDonagh Cup final - improbably, both actually happened!
https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1528007900056236033
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Westmeath now 12 (!) up on Laois, whose cause is well and truly lost. With Galway well in command against Dublin, the latter will be hoping that Kilkenny can overhaul Wexford, who lead by the minimum at present.Comment
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Wexford won by four in the end, which eliminates Dublin, while Galway meet Kilkenny in the Leinster final:
https://twitter.com/GAALeagueTables/status/1528083749493170180
Wexford now face the Joe Mac final loser, while the winner of that competition meets the 3rd place Munster team.Comment
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Fair to say there wasn't 1% of the drama evident across the water on the fields of the Munster championship - Tipp needed a seven-point win to progress and started with a quickfire 1-3, but once they then missed a penalty, they promptly collapsed like a wet soufflé, Cork scoring two goals and powering into an eight point lead, before ultimately prevailing by 12. Clare had similar ease against Waterford, at one stage leading by 16, and a late Déise goal only masked their season petering out in a whimper. So Cork progress, and could meet Kerry next, if the latter win the Joe McDonagh Cup. Offaly maintained some interest in the 2022 season by defeating the Wexford footballers in the Tailteann Cup.Comment
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First Round Qualifier Draw:
Mayo v Monaghan
Clare v Meath
Cork v Louth
Armagh v TyroneComment
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One of the busiest weekends of the year, with all four provincial football finals, and the first round of the Tailteann Cup:
Munster SFC Final: Kerry v Limerick
When Limerick won their sole senior provincial title, Kerryman John Pius Boland was claiming the single and double tennis titles at the first modern Olympics. Their modern counterparts are undoubtedly fast-improving, but will do well to restrict the margin to the dozen points managed by Cork.
Leinster SFC Final: Dublin v Kildare
Many an eye will be simultaneously cast towards events in Marseille, and it's fair to say that Johnny Sexton and co are likely to face a more rigorous examination than the Dubs tomorrow. Hard to adjudicate on their Championship merits when Leinster is arguably the weakest province, but revenge for their Newbridge defeat seems probable.
Connacht SFC Final: Galway v Roscommon
Familiarity breeds contempt, with the pair meeting for the third occasion in 2022. The Rossies won both League encounters, and despite the Tribesmen impressing in their defeat of Mayo, three-in-a-row remains a live possibility.
Ulster SFC Final: Donegal v Derry
This could be described as the "Rory Gallagher Final", with the Derry boss having been involved with both counties over the years, and even leading Fermanagh to a Clones decider in the past. Declan Bonner's Donegal come into the game as favourites, due to their consistency and experience, but the rapidity and quality of Derry's progress gives them the edge, in my opinion.Comment
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Tailteann Cup First Round:
Southern Section:
Offaly v Wicklow: Division Two experience should favour Offaly here.
Laois v Westmeath: Based purely on form, Westmeath to advance
Carlow v Tipperary: It would be a sizeable upset if Carlow prevailed on this occasion.
Northern Section:
Longford v Fermanagh: The Ulstermen should prove too strong.
Leitrim v Antrim: The Saffrons impressed against Cavan, and are expected to progress.
Sligo v London: Neither are on form currently, but Sligo may edge it.
Cavan v Down: The title favourites face a Mourne outfit with only one draw registered in 2022.Comment
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Meanwhile, the Kerry hurlers have to travel to and from Croke Park in the same day because they can't secure hotel accommodation anywhere in the vicinity of Dublin.Comment
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Rumours of Dublin's demise, mainly by me, looking foolish at the moment, although Kildare's defence is poison. Dublin lead 5.07 to 0.06 at half time.Comment
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Similar story in Munster, as Kerry brush aside Limerick 1.28 to 0.08Comment
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