This weekend's GAA fixtures
Today
All-Ireland Under-21 FC Semi-finals Roscommon v Dublin, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7.30pm – Roscommon ended an 11-year wait for the provincial title after a fitful Cadbury under-21 Connacht football final but the form line is sound, having defeated serial provincial champions Mayo and in the final the Sligo team that downed this cohort's All-Ireland minor champions, Galway.
But Dublin have a lot of work done getting back to the stage where they narrowly lost to eventual winners Cork.
A couple of runs into extra-time in Leinster plus a very late but emphatic finish to the provincial final against Westmeath says a lot for their staying power and that may well be the difference this evening.
Tipperary v Donegal, Parnell Park, 7.30pm – Fantastic achievement by Tipperary brings them up against the impressive Ulster champions. Had Kerry won Munster they would in all likelihood be favourites for this but there are always legitimate concerns for teams who have achieved historic success in a province and must buckle down to semi-final business.
Manager John Evans has rightly pinpointed the clash between current Young Footballer of the Year Michael Murphy, who has held his form into 2010 and who was instrumental in the provincial win over Cavan, and Ciarán McDonald, Tipp full back and also decorated at senior level.
Although they didn’t have to beat Kerry, Donegal’s underdog run was arduous and will stand to them.
Tomorrow
(2.30pm unless stated)
NHL Division One
Dublin v Limerick, Parnell Park – It wouldn't have featured in many previews of the season, but Dublin's place in the top division is now on the line in a match that could finish up as a red-letter day for Justin McCarthy's improvised team. Dublin's performances have been solid but unavailing against the established teams and – disastrously – poor in the one match to date they were expected to tuck away, against Offaly.
There is a line of argument that Limerick’s other opponents haven’t been particularly motivated in the circumstances but still won comfortably, Dublin have to be motivated given the relegation pressure involved.
Defeat here, as well as being a humiliation, would be a catastrophic setback for the city’s hurling project. Dublin should have beaten the now unavailable Limerick firsts last summer but lacked the composure.
Tomorrow isn’t conducive to much composure and the question marks over David Treacy cast a shadow on the team’s most dangerous scoring threat but Anthony Daly’s side have demonstrated enough hurling this campaign for the task in hand and with their future on the line, will surely be fired up.
Staying up would be a coup for Limerick and losing not a disaster given that the season has been better than many feared.
Dublin have no such options.
Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium – Both managers treat this unusual final dress rehearsal as a chance to take another look at the understudies. But Denis Walsh hasn't played it any other way this season and will be just as happy to experiment.
John McIntyre has the luxury of running the rule over some of the panellists such as NUIG Fitzgibbon winning captain Finian Coone and Adrian Cullinane, who is back from injury. Cork probably have more experience of coping with constant change.
Kilkenny v Waterford, Nowlan Park – Unusual to see Kilkenny drifting aimlessly at the end of the league but time will tell whether this was a deliberate approach or ominously symptomatic of mental fatigue.
Waterford get the opportunity to start three of the rested elder statesman with Tony Browne and Ken McGrath on the respective 40s and John Mullane at corner forward.
Kilkenny are probably tired of dropping points at this stage.
Offaly v Tipperary, Tullamore – The only slight cloud on Joe Dooley's horizon, after a successful campaign that maintained Division One status, is the possibility of signing off with a demoralising defeat a few weeks before the championship.
Against that, the news that Brendan Murphy should be back for the summer is a more germane positive. Tipp’s bad news about Paul Kelly was a blow but tomorrow won’t have much bearing on their championship barring some disastrous injuries. Away win.
NHL Division Two
Carlow v Laois, Dr Cullen Park – Laois will have regretted letting slip the chance of reaching the divisional final. Carlow have had a notable campaign, but may be caught out here.
Down v Westmeath, Ballycran – Westmeath need something to steer clear of relegation. They may get it here.
Kildare v Clare, Newbridge – Clare to sign Kildare's relegation warrant.
Wexford v Antrim, Wexford Park – The big match in the division in that Wexford need the points to confirm their place in the divisional final. Were this in Casement, given Wexford's form and record there, it might be something of a cliffhanger. Unlikely, though, in Wexford.
NHL Division Three B
Donegal v Roscommon, Letterkenny;
Sligo v Tyrone, Markievicz Park;
Wicklow v Louth, Arklow.
