Connacht SFC First round
Mayo v New York
Castlebar, Today, 7.0
A step into the great unknown for the expatriate side, who are relying on a respectable showing to gain a firm foothold at this level. Mayo not winning this game just doesn't seem feasible, even if they aren't quite the force that ought to have won at least one All-Ireland.
But neither are New York paper thin in terms of quality and durability. The visitors are undoubtedly raw and have suffered for lack of consistent quality opposition but in April against a strong Defence Forces team, they showed themselves to be a strong, abrasive team with a frightening level of fitness. And they can kick points, a plaudit which isn't thrown at Mayo teams all that readily. A lot depends on how they adapt to the occasion - they could be overrun by their hosts, but more likely they'll fly back to New York defeated but with their credibility intact if not enhanced.
Team News
As if the pickings weren't already scarce enough, New York are having to contend with late injuries to vital players. Full back Sean Teague, immense in the series against the defence Forces, damaged a hamstring and other worries include half back Donal Breslin, centre back Eoin Cummins and midfielder Patick Mahony. Gary Dowd, the other midfielder, is also struggling.
Mayo have opted for youth, with Pat Fallon, Liam McHale and Pat Holmes all on the bench. Gordon Morley makes his debut at left corner back.
Key Confrontation
Forward Kevin Lilly is possibly New York's most precocious asset and much depends on the quality of ball channeled through to him. Also, the visitors will probably bunch midfield in an attempt to stifle the aerial power of David Brady and James Nallen and they will need to grab their share of spilled ball to have any chance.
View From The Camps
"We respect Mayo but we certainly won't feel inferior. We are here to compete in a match, to try and win it. We've worked as hard for this as any other team in the competition."
- Danny Sullivan (New York player).
"It's the unknown for us and that's the advantage New York have. We really don't know who or what they have while they'll have done the homework on us. It's a year now since Mayo played a championship game and a win would give us a welcome moraleboost."
- David Brady (Mayo player).
MAYO: P Burke; A Higgins, K Cahill, G Morley; F Costello, D Heaney, N Connelly; D Brady, J Nallen; M Sheridan, J Horan, C McManamon; M Moyles, G Brady, D Nestor.
NEW YORK: E Haughian; G Kelly, S Teague, N Dunne; D Breslin, O Cummins, R Purcell; P Mahony, G Dowd; A N Other, K Keaveney, J Donoghue; K Lilly, B McCabe, E Murphy.
Verdict: MAYO.
Connacht SF First round
Leitrim v Rosommon
Carrick-on-Shannon, Tomorrow (3.30)
The home team are at a precarious stage in their development, having endured a thankless winter following last summer's walloping by Galway. This time last year, Roscommon looked to be on the rocks as well but they stunned the province by making it to the provincial final where they almost toppled the eventual All-Ireland winners Galway. From there, they gained promotion to Division One over the winter and now Gay Sheerin's team is the one that the two obvious contenders, Mayo and Galway, look at with unease.
Team News
Wing back Rossa Callaghan and midfielder Stephen Lohan make their championship debuts for Roscommon.
Key Confrontation
A big day for Colin McGlynn, who won a provincial medal with Leitrim in 1994 but hasn't competed at this level for two years. Listed at full forward, the home team will hope to channel ball through him. This is also an important game for Derek Duggan, who at last seems to be on the verge of discovering the form which set him apart at the beginning of the decade.
View From The Camps
"The doubt is gone from our game now. When I think back to the way we were before the Sligo game last year, it's so different than how we see ourselves now. We have the confidence to know what has to be done and to go out and do it."
- Clifford McDonald (Roscommon captain).
"If even one mans slacks on the day, it's all over for us. Everyone has to put it in. This is a transitional time for Leitrim football and the importance of this game can't be overstated."
- Gareth Phelan (Leitrim player).
LEITRIM: G Phelan; J Phelan, S Quinn, D Kelleher; C Ryan, C Murray, P Flynn; P McDermott, J Ward; B Guckian, A Charles, C Carroll; A Rooney, C McGlynn, A N Other.
ROSCOMMON: D Thompson; D Gavin, D Donlon, E Gavin; R Callaghan, C McDonald, C Heneghan; T Ryan, S Lohan; C Connelly, D Duggan, E Lohan; F Dolan, F Grehan, L Dowd.
Verdict: Roscommon.
Leinster SF Preliminary round,
Westmeath v Longford
Mullingar, Tomorrow, 3.15
Both these teams have ploughed through a fair amount of controversy in reaching this stage - Westmeath overcoming Carlow after the calamitous red-card day and Longford dismissing Wexford after a replay which turned on a dubious dismissal. But they are two counties who belie the degrading `minnow' status through their work ethic and skill level.
Westmeath, in particular, will be bouyed by the wonderful triumph of their under-21 outfit and the senior side will now benefit from the experience gained by the impressive David O'Shaughnessy, Aidan Canning and corner forward Des Dolan.
Longford, though, are an improving team under Michael McCormack, whose decision to throw in four debut players against Wexford has been justified. Both teams play out-and-out football and, as was the case in their previous games, they could well produce one of the more entertaining games of the provincial campaign.
Team News
Westmeath goalkeeper Dermot Ryan returns to action, having recovered from the broken jaw he picked up during the infamous fracas against Wicklow. In all, manager Brendan Lowry has made five changes to the side which beat Carlow. The four regular under-21 stars return, with David Murphy, John Cooney, Kenny Lyons (suspended anyway) and David Mitchell making way.
Key Confrontation
Westmeath will be hoping for a lot from David O'Shaughnessy at midfield but Longford's Enda Barden is a player on top of his game and also hovering for breaking ball will be half back Trevor Smullen, one of the best athletes in the game and a real attacking threat.
Both these teams have quality forwards - Longford's Paul Barden and Westmeath's Des Dolan are worth the admission price alone and are difficult to neutralise.
View From The Camps
"We are a young team and the experience we gained from the Wexford games will hopefully stand to us now."
- Michael McCormack (Longford manager).
"Longford were the only county to vote with us when the Leinster Council decided to award Carlow a replay. That friendly neighbourly gesture was warmly appreciated. We know that this young team have talent and enthusiasm and we are expecting a close and exciting contest."
- Seamus Whelan (Westmeath County Board chairman).
WESTMEATH: D Ryan; D Brady, R Casey, F Murray; A Lyons, A Canning, K Ryan; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; D Healy, P Conway, S Colleary; G Heavin, M Flanagan, D Dolan.
LONGFORD: J J Reilly; M Mulleady, D Ledwith, E Ledwith; C Hannify, F McNamee, T Smullen; D Hannify, E Barden; D Farrell, S Carroll, P Barden; T Drake, N Sheridan, P Davis.
Verdict: WESTMEATH.
Ulster SF Preliminary round
Monaghan v Fermanagh
Clones, Tomorrow, 3.30
A pivotal match in the medium-term futures of both counties, which, on paper at least, would appear to be crossing paths on the progression chart. Fermanagh secured promotion in the league with just a single defeat while Monaghan's form was at best erratic, even if they were unfortunate to lose their Division One status.
Both teams have had miserable championship afternoons in recent years with Monaghan suffering firstround losses to Derry over the past two summers while Fermanagh exited at the same point after falling short against Cavan. But they deserved to win at least one of those encounters and may have gained the self-belief needed over the winter.
Team News
Adventurous selections from both camps. Padraig McKenna, who captained the Monaghan under-21 team to an Ulster title this year, comes in at right corner back while Ian Larmer makes his debut at left corner forward and will also take the frees tomorrow. In all, the side is vastly changed from the team which fell to Derry last year.
Fermanagh manager Pat King has given three players a chance to cut it at championship level. Tom Brewster and Sean Quinn, substitutes last year, join the forward unit while Sean Burns, only called into the panel recently, is selected at half back.
Key Confrontation
Although Pat King has assembled a settled and stylish team over the past few seasons, recent injuries have forced him to juggle his half back line somewhat. Monaghan's half forwards - Darren Swift, Damien Freeman and Peter Duffy - have the ability and experience to make life uncomfortable if the Fermangh defence doesn't gel. Also, much depends on the nerve of Larmer, who will kick frees on his debut, although Freeman can provide decent cover.
View From The Camps
"You only get credit for the championship but the one-off format is a poor system. It's time all teams were guaranteed two or three games. But our lads are good enough to win the game. If we get over Sunday, we'll do very well in the championship."
- Eamonn McEneaney (Monaghan manager).
"We have a number of injury worries and have to leave some decisions until as late as possible. But there is a good spirit in the squad right now."
- Pat King (Fermanagh manager).
MONAGHAN: G Murphy; P McKenna, D McDermott, N Marron; E Murphy, G McGuirk, J Conlon; J Cole, F McEnaney; D Swift, D Freeman, P Duffy; D Smyth, S McGinnity, I Larmer.
FERMANAGH: C McAdam; T Callaghan, P McGuinness, M Lilley; S Burns, T Collins, K Gallagher; P Brewster, L McBarron; R Johnson, T Brewster, D McGrath; R Gallagher, S Quinn, S King.
Verdict: FERMANAGH.
