Fitzgibbon hurling, grudge league games, a bonanza of a February weekend.
The Allianz Leagues are hotting up. In the football, the Dubs could do with a win and who better to put it up to the champs than their nearest and dearest rivals.
Mayo venture up to the lion’s den on Saturday night and James Horan’s revitalised charges will be mad to finally get one over on Jim Gavin.
That’ll take some doing but the prospect of Fionn McDonagh lining up either James McCarthy or Jack McCaffrey is enough to have any football fan pumped.
And in the hurling it’s just as tantalising. Kilkenny and Tipperary. No GAA teams on this island have provided us with such a genuine string of classics over the last ten years and with both of their backs against the wall this time around, Semple Stadium promises to be a cauldron of fire, intensity and passion just waiting to boil over.
Mayo footballers +4 against Dublin at 5/6, Saturday, 7.00, Croke Park
Mayo are sizzling along nicely with McDonagh, Treacy and Ruane giving the older statesmen some much needed vigour. This is the acid test though, but you can bet your last euro on it they’ll be up for the fight.
Dublin are expected to shade it, but this has all the signs of another ding-dong battle that’ll go all the way.
Meath footballers 8/11 to beat Cork, 7.00, Saturday, Páirc Uí Rinn
Cork football is in the doldrums and in contrast, the Royal county look like they’re finally onto something.
They’ll be hungry to keep that going and we fancy Andy McEntee’s charges to do so.
Fermanagh +4 against Donegal at 10/11, 2.00, Sunday, Ballybofey
They’ll say the end justifies the means and the masters of keeping it tight will be aiming to stick tight to Donegal if nothing else.
Clare hurlers 1/2 to beat Wexford, 2.00, Sunday, Ennis
After a really disappointing loss to Cork, the Banner boys will be eager for a win just to ensure a losing mentality doesn’t seep in. Wexford are going well, but with Tony Kelly on fire, Clare, in Cusack Park should have too much for them.
Kilkenny +3 against Tipperary at evs, 2.00, Sunday, Semple Stadium
It doesn’t get any fiercer than Kilkenny against Tipp in Semple Stadium. Kilkenny love it here, and they’ve beaten the Premier in the majority of their Thurles clashes down through the years.
After getting demolished by Limerick, Cody’s young guns and old stalwarts have a point to prove and that’s when they’re at their most dangerous. Tipperary, under Liam Sheedy, haven’t really fired yet either so there shouldn’t be much between these two.
Waterford 4/7 to beat Dublin, 2.00, Sunday, Parnell Park
Waterford have been shooting the lights out – albeit against inferior opposition but they can only beat what’s in front of them. They look an energetic side under Paraic Fanning with Stephen Bennett leading the way.
Dublin have been hot and cold so far and Waterford are fancied.
*Odds taken from Paddy Power.
