Weekend previews

Compiled by SEAN MORAN

SUNDAY

A BATTLE of two slightly bedraggled teams, both hit by injury and withdrawal, for the right to play Wexford at the end of the month.

In the county’s third year in Leinster, Antrim have their best chance of progressing having suffered stage-fright at Croke Park two years ago against Dublin and losing after unluckily being taken to extra-time by Offaly last year.

They went on to avenge the defeat by Dublin and give a creditable display against Cork.

They will however be missing Liam Watson, who did much of the threatening in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Laois are without Mick McEvoy, Darren Maher and Cahir Healy, who are currently abroad and forwards Tommy Fitzgerald and John Purcell who left the panel during the league.

In the last episode: Two years ago at the same venue Laois edged out the Ulster champions in the All-Ireland qualifiers 0-18 to 1-12.

You bet: This is tightly balanced with Laois slight outsiders at 6 to 5 and Antrim 5 to 6. It’s 10 to 1 the draw.

On your marks: Neil McManus almost single-handedly won the league match against Laois for 14-man Antrim. His conversion of dead-ball opportunities as well as accuracy in play gave him a 13-point haul. Laois will need to restrict the free count.

Gaining ground: Laois have won their past two championship matches in O’Moore Park albeit that the one before that ended in a 27-point trimming by Galway.

Just the ticket: Stand tickets (€20). Family tickets for the stand (adults €20 and children €5) and terrace (adults €15 and children €3). Terrace (€15). OAPs can get €10 rebate on stand tickets and €5 on terrace tickets. Students can get €5 rebate on terrace tickets.

Crystal gazing: Antrim have a real chance of getting a first win in the province.

LAOIS: P Mullaney; JA Delaney, B Campion, B Stapleton; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, B Galvin; J Walsh, S Burke; B Dunne, G Reddin, W Hyland; O Holohan, N Foyle, J Brophy.

ANTRIM: C O’Connell; C McGuinness, A Graffin, K Molloy; N McAuley, M Herron, C Herron; P Shiels, B McFall; S McNaughton, K Stewart, J Black; C McCann, N McManus, K McKeegan. Subs: S Hawes, D Hamill, T McCann, S McCrory, C McFall, Kieran McGourty, M Armstrong, C Carson, J McCouaig, P Doherty, M Rea.

Referee: A Kelly (Galway).

Ulster SFC preliminary round

Donegal v Antrim

Ballybofey, 3.30

(Extra time in event of draw)

(Live RTE 1, BBC 2)

COINCIDENTALLY THE recently-crowned Division Two winners again contest the preliminary round in Ulster against a team that has been relegated.

A year ago it was Armagh and they successfully emerged from a date with Derry in Celtic Park. Donegal’s task is, in theory, definitely easier.

They take on an Antrim team at home that has dropped to Division Three.

It’s not clear however that Antrim are as disaffected as Derry were 12 months ago. They were slightly unlucky to drop a division and were haunted by injuries throughout.

That burden hasn’t entirely lifted and the absence of Kevin McGourty – on top of the long-term absence of his brother CJ – is a setback.

But Michael McCann’s return after a potentially career-ending back injury is a fillip and Aodhan Gallagher, who was the dominant figure at centrefield when Antrim sensationally won here two years ago, also lines out.

Antrim manager Liam Bradley set refreshing standards of forthrightness last week when referring to his opponents’ hard-working, deep-covering and fast-breaking style as “puke football”.

Ominously or not, his Donegal counterpart Jim McGuinness declined to respond and will evidently let his team’s football, which is actually more versatile than the stereotype, do the talking.

Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden remain the cutting edge for Donegal, who are capable, as they showed against Laois, of absorbing pressure and hitting back when they have to.

In the last episode: The counties met here two years ago and Antrim sounded the first warning note of what would be the county’s best championship in 39 years by defeating Donegal thanks largely to a goal from Tomás McCann 15 minutes from the end.

You bet: Donegal are 2 to 9 with Antrim 5 to 1 to repeat the feats of 2009. The draw is available at 9 to 1.

On your marks: The question for Donegal’s opponents throughout the league campaign was how best to contain Michael Murphy.

The task falls to rookie full back Ricky Johnston tomorrow.

He debuted in this season’s league coming off the bench to do a good job on Meath’s Joe Sheridan.

Gaining ground: MacCumhaill Park has become akin to the opposite of a fortress in championship terms with Donegal losing first-round matches here for the past three seasons.

Just the ticket: Cash will be taken at the gate. Covered stand tickets (€27/£23), terrace (€15/£13) OAP (€15/£13 – open stand and €10/£9 – terrace), students (€10/£9 – terrace), under-16s get free admission to the terrace.

Crystal gazing: Donegal won easily in the league when Antrim were at their most understrength. Restored, the visitors will be competitive but Donegal will still be too good.

DONEGAL (provisional): P Durcan; K Lacey, N McGee, P McGrath; F McGlynn, K Cassidy, A Thompson; R Kavanagh, M McElhinney; M McHugh, D Molloy, R Bradley; A Hanlon, M Murphy, C McFadden.

ANTRIM: S O’Neill; K O’Boyle, R Johnston, C Brady; T Scullion, J Crozier, A Healy; M McCann, A Gallagher; C Murray, T McCann, M Sweeney; P Cunningham, B Herron, K Niblock.

Referee: M Deegan (Laois).