Saturday
Division One
Donegal v Dublin, MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, 7.30 [Live, TG4] – Dessie Farrell was well pleased with the fluent scoring on opening weekend as a new-look Dublin with five debutants still hit the old 20-point mark with 1-17, all from play. They were helped to victory by Mayo’s profligacy but it was a good start. Donegal missed the chance to open in Kerry because of the weather, and this is an equally appetising match if Jim McGuinness wants to get a statement win under his belt early in the campaign. It’s unlikely Seán Bugler, so prolific last week with 0-7 from play, will get the same space to attack against what is expected to be a strong enough Donegal line-up. The visitors have a good record in this fixture, drawing on their last two trips to Ballybofey but the home side can put a stop to that. Verdict: Donegal
Armagh v Tyrone, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 6.0 [Live, RTÉ2] – Tyrone were very impressive in the opening match of Malachy O’Rourke’s management, finishing strongly to see off Derry. They were without the Errigal Ciaran contingent but still put up a good score, 2-13. Niall Morgan’s ability to supply the extra attacker from goal saw assists for both goals whereas the prodigious Eoin McElholm rattled off a salvo after coming in from the bench. Armagh impressed early in Pearse Stadium as Oisín Conaty picked up where he left off last year and kicked 0-4 from play. Maybe still a bit heavy-legged after the All-Ireland, the champions struggled when Galway switched from infinite possession plays to a punchier, counter-attack once they had the weather. Verdict: Tyrone
Division Four
Tipperary v Longford; Clonmel, 2.30pm − Despite all the huge turnover of players, Tipp showed plenty of character to earn a draw with Carlow last weekend. But Longford showed some mettle too, with Matthew Carey’s late two-pointer earing his side a share of the spoils with Limerick. Verdict: Longford
Waterford v Carlow; Fraher Field, Dungarvan, 6pm − Carlow led by eight points in the first half of their opener against Tipperary last weekend but were unable to hold on for victory. It is an area new manager Shane Curran will have been hammering home to his players all week. This is Waterford’s first game after their fixture with Wicklow was called off. Verdict: Carlow
SUNDAY
Division One
Mayo v Galway, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 2.30 [Live, TG4] – The rule of thumb with this is that form goes out the window, which might be seen as a comfort for Mayo but their Croke Park display was quite good apart from the old failing of making your scores commensurate with other markers: eight dropped short to the ‘keeper and 11 wides. One problem was the fixation on two-pointers given the ongoing unavailability of some likely candidates. Galway have no such issues. When the game needed to be won last week they sourced three quick two-pointers from MOTM Cillian Ó Curraoin, Shane Walsh and Paul Conroy to anaesthetise Armagh. This should be a zippier affair than that encounter. Galway, liberated from last year’s infirmary list, have a good record in Castlebar, whereas Mayo have struggled at home. Verdict: Galway
Derry v Kerry, Celtic Park, Derry 12.30 [Live, TG4] – Kerry get the chance to open against a northwest county despite last week’s Donegal match being called off. Derry have endured a rough old year since winning in Tralee 12 months ago. Last week they were competitive against Tyrone and well in the match until they got submerged in the last 12 minutes. They at least have the advantage of that exposure to the new rules as well as the management of Paddy Tally, Kerry’s coach for the past three years. Jack O’Connor has a reasonably strong hand to play albeit not a full one but there is a core of high-level experience and he will want to hit the ground running. Verdict: Kerry
Division Two
Louth v Roscommon, Integral GAA Grounds, 2.0 – Louth battled gamely last week and made it count in the end by slipping past Westmeath courtesy of Seán Reynolds’s goal. This should be challenging as Roscommon won a shoot-out in arguably the match of the weekend in the Hyde, showcasing the importance of their scoring forwards in turning around early adversity. Verdict: Roscommon
Meath v Cavan, Páirc Tailteann, Navan 2.0 – Disappointing results for both teams last week. Meath’s contest with Cork frayed away at the end when inaccuracies began to undermine the team effort and indiscipline also played a role with handy frees conceded. Cavan were surprisingly well beaten by neighbours Monaghan and will need improvement in their finishing. Tight. Verdict: Meath
Monaghan v Westmeath, St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones 2.0 – Monaghan surprised many with the quality of their big win in Cavan despite missing Gary Mohan, Stephen O’Hanlon and Andrew Woods. Rory Beggan was a rock as usual, firing over three two-pointers. Westmeath were a little unlucky against Louth and had great displays from Luke Loughlin and Ronan O’Toole. Verdict: Monaghan
Down v Cork, Páirc Esler, Newry 1.0 – This could be a cracker. Down’s adventurous approach and Pat Havern’s marksmanship were a feature of the performance that nearly upset promotion favourites Roscommon. Will Conor Laverty change that? Cork got the job done against Meath and Chris Óg Jones thrived under the new rules. This looks very evenly balanced with maybe momentum favouring the visitors. Verdict: Cork
Division Three
Clare v Leitrim; Cusack Park, Cusack Park, 2pm − Peter Keane’s Clare tenure got off to a losing start in dreadful conditions against Antrim in Corrigan Park last week, but this fixture presents the Banner with a decent opportunity to get some points on the table. Leitrim’s opening game against Laois did not go ahead last weekend because of the weather. Verdict: Clare
Sligo v Kildare; Markievicz Park, Sligo, 2pm − Kildare posted their intentions for this league with a 2-24 to 1-12 win over Fermanagh in the first round. Despite Fermanagh getting relegated from Division Two alongside Kildare last year, the Lilywhites look much closer to making an immediate ascend back through the divisions again. Verdict: Kildare
Fermanagh v Antrim; St Joseph’s GAA, Ederney, 2.30pm − Fermanagh’s promotion aspirations took a hit by the manner of the defeat to Kildare last weekend. However, the arrival of Antrim should help refocus Kieran Donnelly’s troops. There is likely to be little between the sides. Verdict: Draw
Laois v Offaly; O’Moore Park, 4pm − Offaly will travel to Portlaoise buoyed by a seven-point opening round win over Sligo last weekend while this game will mark the home side’s opening match. The Laois-Leitrim fixture was postponed last week so Justin McNulty’s men remain an unknown quantity. Verdict: Offaly
Division Four
London v Wicklow; McGovern Park, Ruislip, 12.30pm
London manager Michael Maher will be disappointed by his side’s performance against Wexford last weekend, losing by 18 points, so there needs to be a positive response. But Oisín McConville’s side should have too much scoring power for the home side. Verdict: Wicklow
Limerick v Wexford; Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, 2pm
Wexford are the early pace setters in the basement division and John Hegarty knows a victory in Rathkeale could prove pivotal in the race for promotion. The Model County look to have the strongest squad in Division Four. Verdict: Wexford
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to the Counter Ruck podcast for the best rugby chat and analysis
