GAA Matchbox: March 7 and 8: Stats, odds and verdicts on the weekend games
TODAY
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
Fermanagh v Armagh
(Brewster Park, 7pm)
ARMAGH’S six-point win over Fermanagh in the League last year bucked the trend a bit given that the previous four meetings in this competition had produced two draws and two one-point wins for the Orchard county. Fermanagh have enjoyed Championship success against Armagh in that period having recorded a five-point Ulster win in 2018, and they could do with another victory as they battle against the drop. Kieran McGeeney’s side have loftier ambitions but defeat here could be disastrous for their promotion hopes. Jemar Hall could make his return after recovering from an ankle injury.
Odds: H: 5/2 D: 15/2 A: 4/9
Verdict: Fermanagh
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE GROUP A
Limerick v Waterford
(LIT Gaelic Grounds, 5.30pm)
LIMERICK are looking to complete the set – and secure a semi-final spot in the process – as a win over Waterford would make it five wins from five. John Kiely has heavily rotated his side throughout the League and he has made seven changes here with the likes of goalkeeper Nickie Quaid, Diarmaid Byrnes and Cian Lynch coming back into the side. Victory would also secure a semi-final spot for Waterford while they are already assured of at least a quarter-final encounter. Kevin Moran is suspended for the visitors but Shane Fives could return having missed the Tipperary loss through injury.
Odds: H: 4/11 D: 10/1 A: 11/4
Verdict: Limerick
CONNACHT U20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Galway v Roscommon
(Tuam, 2pm)
GALWAY are expected to retain the Connacht U20 Championship as they welcome Roscommon to Tuam. It’s mostly a new team although the likes of Matthew Tierney and Jack Glynn did feature in last year’s final. The Tribesmen needed penalties to get past Mayo in the quarter-final before they held Leitrim to just 0-2 in the semi-final. Roscommon have named an unchanged side from the one that defeated Sligo 1-11 to 1-8 in their last-four clash.
Odds: H: 4/9 D: 15/2: A: 9/4
Verdict: Galway
TOMORROW
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE GROUP A
Galway v Tipperary
(Pearse Stadium, 2pm)
THE winner here progresses to the quarter-finals while the loser, or Galway if it’s a draw, turns their focus to Championship matters later in the year. Both sides have lost two of their games so far but included in that were a pair of two-point losses for Tipp while Galway lost out to Waterford by the minimum. Galway go into the game on the back of an impressive win over Cork last time out and manager Shane O’Neill has said that this fixture, which was originally postponed due to bad weather, has landed perfectly for them. Tipperary too had a good win last weekend against Waterford but their opponents raised two green flags meaning it’s six conceded in just four games for the Premier county.
Odds: H: 1/1 D: 9/1 A: 1/1
Verdict: Galway
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE RELEGATION PLAY-OFF
Westmeath v Carlow
(TEG Cusack Park, 2pm)
CARLOW knew that this play-off was looming in round four when they lost out to Laois by a single point. They had another game to save themselves but they were never going to turn Wexford over. Given their fixtures, Westmeath knew it was looming from before a sliothar was even hit, but they did put in some good showings against the top teams. Top of the list was a four-point loss to Cork on a day when Shane O’Brien’s side really could have won. Sharpshooter Martin Kavanagh is set to return from injury for Carlow but Westmeath should sneak it.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 9/1 A: 6/4
Verdict: Westmeath
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Offaly v Antrim
(Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 2pm)
HOW this game goes will depend a lot on Antrim’s approach to it. Darren Gleeson’s men may not be guaranteed a place in the final, but if they suffer the 37-point defeat that knocks them out of the running then they may as well hang up the hurls. Defender Stephen Rooney said earlier this week that they will be out to maintain their winning run, but Offaly definitely have more to play for. Any sort of win for the Faithful county will take them into the final at Kerry’s expense, unless they absolutely obliterate the visitors of course.
Odds: H: 4/7 D: 9/1 A: 13/8
Verdict: Offaly
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2B RELEGATION PLAY-OFF
London v Warwickshire
(McGovern Park, 1pm)
IT’S been a tough campaign for both of these sides, particularly Warwickshire. They posted just one point in their 33-point loss to Kildare – Luke Hands with that honour – while they opted not to field in last week’s scheduled round five clash with London. In reality that had little impact on things as the counties had already been consigned to this relegation play-off. London, managed by Cushendall native Kevin McMullan, have had a couple of bright spots this season and put in good second-half performances against both Kildare and Derry while Roscommon had only three points to spare against them. London should survive the drop here.
Odds: H: 1/20 D: 20/1 A: 8/1
Verdict: London
Derry v Kildare
(Celtic Park, 2pm)
IF Derry win today then one Ulster team will be moving up into Division 2A next season as Down await the winners of this one in the final. That’s no given though, especially as Kildare were probably promotion favourites ahead of the League season. Down showed that they were not infallible though with the Ardsmen recording an impressive two-point win against them last weekend. Brian Byrne is the man the Derry defence will be hoping to contain while the Oakleafers have their own attacking force in Cormac O’Doherty who has 0-42 in just four games.
Odds: H: 1/1 D: 8/1 A: 1/1
Verdict: Kildare
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3A final
Armagh v Donegal
(Carrickmore, 2pm)
LATE scores at various stages of the campaign were key to Armagh and Donegal setting up this final clash in Carrickmore. For Donegal it was undoubtedly Danny Cullen’s 75th-minute goal against Louth in round three that turned defeat into victory. Armagh, meanwhile, needed a 73rd-minute score from Danny Magee to earn a draw with Tyrone last weekend. Without that, it would have been the Red Hands in action today. Armagh recorded an eight-point win in Donegal earlier in the season, but much of that owed to the Tir Chonaill men losing their scoring touch in the second half. This game should be a lot closer.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 9/1 A: 6/4
Verdict: Armagh
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3B
Fermanagh v Sligo
(Brewster Park, 2pm)
FERMANAGH are currently dead last in the National Hurling League, but a massive win could actually set up another clash Sligo in the final. That margin of victory would have to be 19 points or more so expectations will be low at Brewster Park. Still though, with Sligo already in the final, the Erne county will be hoping to take advantage of any complacency. A win is not beyond them, especially if their opponents are in an experimental mood.
Verdict: Fermanagh
