All-Ireland SFC Weekend Preview: The Road to Sam Maguire Begins
Round one of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship starts this weekend (May 23-24) with four matches taking place.
– View this weekends GAA fixtures & TV guide.
Kerry v Donegal
- Venue: Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
- Referee: Sean Hurson
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 23, 3pm
- TV: GAA+
A repeat of last year’s All-Ireland Final and this year’s league final starts off the All-Ireland Series, and we could be in line for a blockbuster.
Donegal sit in the long grass after their defeat to Down in Ulster and they can never be underestimated.
Injuries will be the main story surrounding Kerry who started just seven of the team that played in the All-Ireland Final when they won the Munster Final last time out against Cork.
Verdict
We are coming off the back of draws in the Ulster & Leinster Finals and there should be very little between the two teams here for the duration.
Selection: Draw (13/2)
Cork v Meath
- Venue: Páirc Uí Rinn
- Referee: Brendan Cawley
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 23, 5.30pm
- TV: GAA+
This will be the sides’ third meeting of the season, following earlier encounters in Páirc Uí Rinn and Croke Park during Division 2 of the Allianz Football League.
Cork won 1-23 to 1-21 their regular Division 2 encounter in Páirc Uí Rinn before Meath got the better of them in the league final in Croke Park, 1-22 to 2-17. It will be the fifth time the sides have clashed in two years too and there shouldn’t be much between them once again.
Verdict
Meath will be no doubt reeling from the defeat to eventual Leinster champions Westmeath, and will be hoping to return to form. This looks a tough assignment for them, as mentioned above, home advantage may be key for Cork, and I could see them edging it by two in the end.
Selection: Winning Margin: Cork 1-3pts (4/1)
Galway v Kildare
- Venue: Pearse Stadium, Salthill
- Referee: Paul Faloon
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 23, 7.30pm
- TV: RTE Sport
Galway are a very short price for success here and come here a wounded animal following the defeat to Roscommon in the Connacht Final. When Damien Comer rattled the net on the 61st min, Galway would be six points in front with nine minutes remaining but would concede eight unanswered points in the closing stages.
Kildare arrive here as Tailteann Cup winners from last year and were defeated by Westmeath after extra time, last time out.
Verdict
The attacking flair that Galway have is all over the field and I think they will win this game with a minimum of fuss. Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, Rob Finnerty and Paul Conroy can all provide vital scores and see the tribesmen cover the handicap spread in the end.
Selection: Handicap: Galway -8 (10/11)
Roscommon v Tyrone
- Venue: King & Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park
- Referee: David Gough
- Date & Time: Sunday 24th May 2pm
- TV: GAA+
Roscommon arrive at this game as Connacht champions and will be hoping that they can use that to propel them past a dogged Tyrone side. Roscommon have scored quite highly this year which included (3-21) last time.
Tyrone pushed Armagh all the way in the Ulster Championship before losing out in extra-time and have had a near six-week break since. They come here fresh and will be hoping the likes of Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy excel in the middle of the field.
Verdict
The match market just favours Roscommon at the moment and again home advantage could be one of they key factors.
If Tyrone miss a beat in this game, then there is no doubt that Roscommon take advantage. Roscommon to eke out a hard fought three-point win in the end.
Selection: Winning Margin: Roscommon 1-3pts (7/2)
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