Weekend previews
Fermanagh proved the bookmakers right with their midweek win over All-Ireland champions Donegal, by eight points, and manager Peter Canavan won’t want to slip up here against a St Mary’s outfit that went down last weekend to Monaghan.
Donegal v Monaghan, Páirc MacCumhaill
Jim McGuinness won’t have lost too much sleep over the midweek defeat to Fermanagh, given his shadow panel, but that’s not saying he’ll want to lose here, again, and back on home turf, chances are he won’t.
Antrim v Tyrone, Casement Park
Mickey Harte has made 11 changes from his Tyrone team that beat Derry last weekend, but keeps the in-form Seán Kavanagh, and that alone is enough to suggest another win.
CONNACHT FBD SF
Round 2 (all games 2pm)
Sligo v NUIG, Tourlestrane
Mark Brehony and newcomer Niall Murphy were in excellent form for Sligo last weekend, hitting 0-10 between them, and that form should continue here against the Galway students.
Galway v Sligo IT, Tuam
Galway enjoyed a fine win over NUIG last weekend, while Sligo IT struggled against Sligo, which all points handily to another Galway win.
Leitrim v Mayo, Ballinamore
Six points was enough for Leitrim to sneak past rivals Roscommon last Sunday, but they’ll probably need a lot more than that to beat Mayo, who are just back from holiday in Miami but no doubt hoping to shake off some All-Ireland cobwebs.
Roscommon v GMIT, Strokestown
A first game for GMIT, while John Evans is already keen to reverse the result of his first outing as Roscommon manager after losing by a point to Leitrim last weekend.
McGRATH CUP SF
Quarter-finals (all games 2pm):
Limerick v Clare, Foynes
So Mick O’Dwyer is still working his magic, inspiring Clare to an 18-point win over Limerick IT last Sunday, although the challenge of county opposition will be a better indication of where things stand.
Kerry v UCC, Fitzgerald Stadium
There was no disguising the early season hunger of Kerry under new manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice as they put 4-22 past Tralee IT last Saturday, but even if the Cork students are a more formidable opposition Kerry should still progress.
Cork v Tipperary, Páirc Uí Rinn
Conor Counihan continues in experimental mode, and having beaten Cork IT last Sunday, already has the momentum to get past Tipperary.
Waterford v University of Limerick, WIT Grounds
A first game of 2013 for both teams, and there won’t be much between them, especially with new Waterford manager Niall Carew still getting the know his new players.
