LEINSTER SFC FIRST ROUND:Tomorrow, throw-in – 4pm O'Moore Park, Portlaoise Live on RTÉ 2 www.rte.ie
THE CLEAR favouritism of Longford in this fixture is a bit of a mystery.
Both are now Division Four teams and if Wicklow's campaign was hardly more impressive than their relegated opponents, manager Mick O'Dwyer's studied indifference towards the league is well known, whereas Glenn Ryan was presumably keen to stay up in his first term.
LONGFORD:D Sheridan; D Reilly, B Gilleran, P Foy; D Masterson, E Williams S Mulligan; G Dennigan, K Smyth; P Berry, F McGee, D Barden; P Barden, K Mulligan, B Kavanagh.
WICKLOW:M Travers; C Hyland, A Nolan, A Byrne; P McWalter, D Ó hAnnaidh, P Dalton; T Walsh, J Stafford; T Hannon, L Glynn, JP Dalton; D Odlum, S Furlong, P Earls.
In the last episode:Wicklow sprang a surprise on the first day of the All-Ireland qualifiers back in 2001 when 1-5 from Keith Byrne helped them topple Longford.
You bet:Longford are a tight 8/11, the draw is 7/1 and Wicklow are an attractive 6/4.
On your marks:Like the second match tomorrow, this looks a mismatch at centrefield, with Longford relying on debutant Ger Dennigan and Kevin Smith to restrict Wicklow's first-choice pairing of Thomas Walsh and James Stafford.
Gaining ground:Wicklow took a trimming from Kerry in the 2002 qualifiers in Portlaoise and, also in the qualifiers, Longford were left trailing by Dublin two years later.
Just the ticket:See right.
Crystal gazing:Wicklow's ball- winning capacity looks superior and Mick O'Dwyer's side also has the forwards to cause a surprise.
Kildar V Offaly
AN ANXIOUS encounter for Kildare whose solid league campaign ended unfortunately in failure to secure promotion.
Niall McNamee has been in good form for Offaly, although there are reservations about deploying him on the outside line, particularly with Kildare being without Kevin O'Neill at full back.
KILDARE:T Corley; H McGrillen, M Foley, D Brennan; E Bolton, B Flanagan, M Conway; D Flynn, D Earley; R Sweeney, P O'Neill, J Kavanagh; J Doyle, A Smith, E Callaghan.
OFFALY:A Mulhall; S Lonergan, C Evans, B Darby; M Mitchell, R Dalton, K Slattery; N Smith, C Carroll; S Ryan, N McNamee, K Casey; T Deehan, J Reynolds, W Mulhall.
In the last episode:The counties met in the qualifiers in 2004, in a match won by Offaly and co-incidentally the last time Ciarán McManus failed to start for the county in the championship.
You bet:Kildare are are 2/5 with Offaly at 13/5 and the draw 8/1.
On your marks:Offaly's inexperienced centrefield pairing of Conor Carroll and Niall Smith creates an opportunity for Dermot Earley and Darryl Flynn to exert some pressure in Kildare's favour.
Just the ticket:Stand tickets (€20) are available only through the counties. Family (adults €15 and children €3) are for terraces. 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:Kildare's performances are pitched to a higher standard than Offaly have been used to and that will tell.
