Is there a more inspiring GAA sporting rivalry?
DIVISION 1: Kerry v Dublin, Killarney, Sunday 2pm
Kerry and Dublin will be looking to write another chapter in their incredible history this Sunday when the sides clash in the main event of the Allianz Football League weekend. The Kingdom come into the game with Kieran Donaghy making his first start as new captain. The Austin Stacks man has been kept sharp with his club exertions and adds an extra edge to what has been a functional but hardly devastating Kerry frontline so far.
Equally Dublin will be looking to have the option of some of their St Vincent’s contingent back in the fold after their exit at the hands of Corofin earlier this month. Jim Gavin’s side are definitely different this season to the swashbuckling ‘we don’t really care about defending’ side of 2013 and 2014.
Dublin’s record against Kerry in the spring is very impressive with four wins out of their last six meetings. That won’t unduly bother either side ahead of Sunday, as Kerry’s recent record in the league has been horrendous while the Dub’s form in Croke Park is phenomenal.
The two-week break should help Kerry more than Dublin as Eamon Fitzmaurice eases off on hard training, and focuses more on ball work for players such as Tommy Walsh, who should begin to show signs of improvement on Sunday.
A key battle should be how Kerry’s defence, minus Marc O’Se, Aidan O’Mahony and Peter Crowley cope with surging runs from Dublin. The visitors rearguard should have an easier time of it as they won’t have the worry of a Colm Cooper or a James O’Donoghue to mark this time out, even with the presence of Donaghy.
Kerry’s last win over Dublin came in 2012 but with the All-Ireland champions still some way short of their best, and with Jim Gavin’s riches overflowing in terms of options, we’re plumping for an entertaining win for the Dubs to really make their weekend down in the Kingdom. They need it more to settle them after last season and they should be too strong for the hosts.
DIVISION 2: Roscommon v Meath, Dr. Hyde Park Sunday 1pm
John Evans’ Roscommon have adapted well to life so far in the second tier after their promotion. The Connacht outfit drew with Cavan on day one while they surprised Down the last time out with a four-point win in Pairc Esler. Evans has previously experienced life in Division Two with Tipperary and that knowledge should see them rattle more than a few cages in the remaining games.
Meath, for their part, come into Sunday’s game with one win and a draw to their name. The Royals got the better of a disappointing Kildare side last time out while their first game saw them carved open by Galway for long stretches in Pearse Stadium.
Meath did manage to plug the gaps against Kildare but the Lilywhites defensive system did them no favours and it would be a massive surprise if Roscommon don’t rack up more than the 0-11 Jason Ryan’s side managed.
The last meeting in the League was in 2013 when both were mired in Division Three. That day Meath won by five but this game at Dr Hyde Park should go a long way to pushing Evans and his charges towards another promotion spot. A home win.
DIVISION 3: Limerick v Armagh, Kilmallock, Sunday 2pm.
Life under Kieran McGeeney for Armagh so far is turning out just as planned. Or so it seems. The Orchard County are desperate for promotion and as only one of two sides in the Division to so far have a 100 per cent record, the campaign has begun well. The return of Jamie Clarke at corner-forward should see their scoring return increase significantly this weekend as they make the long trip south to the Gaelic Grounds.
Limerick come into the game after an opening day win over Sligo but they suffered a major system malfunction against Tipperary when they scored just 1-2 over the course of the 70 minutes. Limerick will be missing Ian Ryan but if they are to have any hope of promotion they will need to grind out a result on Sunday. Three of their next four matches are away from home and that pressure might be enough to force them to raise their game and secure a valuable win.
DIVISION 4: Wicklow v Offaly, Aughrim, Sunday 2pm
Offaly can make a massive leap towards automatic promotion if they secure an away win in the Allianz League graveyard known as Aughrim this Sunday. Even though it’s not true that teams always lose in the Garden County, the venue has a formidable feel to it, especially early in the season.
Offaly will travel east full of confidence as they secured impressive wins over London and Waterford so far, limiting their opponents to just 2-6 over the course of 140 minutes.
Wicklow’s form saw an opening day loss to Waterford while they just edged Leitrim in McDermott Park last time out.
The game is repeat of last year’s All-Ireland qualifier in Aughrim which Wicklow won but with so little to separate the teams that day we think a draw might just suit both this weekend.
