Preview: Weekend Inter-County Action:
Friday 19th January
Connacht FBD Final
Roscommon v Galway in University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome at 7.30pm, TG4
Saturday 20th January
McGrath Cup Final
Cork v Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn at 2pm
Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup Final
Dublin v Longford in Laois Hire O’Moore Park at 3pm, TG4
Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Final
Derry v Donegal in O’Neill’s Healy Park at 5pm
With the Allianz Football League now only a matters of days away, teams are busy preparing for upcoming challenges.
Four finals are on the agenda this weekend with action in every province.
On Friday evening in the Connacht FBD decider in Bekan Roscommon collide with Galway, who have afforded emerging players significant opportunities.
A youthful Galway outfit, with Cillian Ó Curraoin and Charlie Power prominent in attack, edged out Leitrim last week.
Roscommon are mixing emerging and established players in the tournament too with Diarmuid Murtagh and Conor Cox included in Davy Burke’s attack.
Three matches take place on Saturday with Derry versus Donegal carrying some intrigue.
Any match including Mickey Harte and Jim McGuinness on the sideline won’t be short on subplots.
Derry, with Chrissy McKaigue and Shane McGuigan effective, have enjoyed some encouraging victories in the early weeks of 2024.
McGuinness’ return as Donegal boss, though, has helped generate excitement and a bit of momentum, following a couple of disappointing campaigns.
Oisín Gallen has been in decent scoring form for Donegal, who will relish the test against Derry.
In the McGrath Cup, Kerry and Cork have both made smooth progress.
Jack O’Connor has given chances to talented young players alongside proven inter-county performers.
Seánie O’Shea has been effective, clipping 2-4 against Limerick, while Kerry also cruised to victory over Tipperary.
John Cleary’s outfit have beaten Clare and Waterford comfortably en route to the decider with Chris Óg Jones and Eoghan McSweeney impressing.
It has been a satisfactory January too for Dublin, who have given game time to young footballers also.
Niall Scully is the most experienced player used by Dublin in the competition, but there is no shortage of talent in the capital.
Holders Longford have shown admirable resilience to dig out results with Darren Gallagher still contributing important scores.
Jayson Matthews, Dylan Farrell, and Joe Hagan were influential for Longford against Meath.
Dublin netted five goals against Wexford with Seán Lowry scoring three and Luke Breathnach also impacting the contest.
Saturday 20th January
Dioralyte Walsh Cup Semi-Finals
Dublin v Galway in Parnell Park at 1pm
Kilkenny v Wexford in Callan at 2pm
Sunday 21st January
Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League
Limerick v Cork in Rathkeale at 2pm
The auditioning spell for emerging players continues this week.
An experimental Galway outfit, prompted by the promising Declan McLaughlin, scored heavily when overcoming Laois, but they face a tough test against Dublin at Parnell Park.
Micheál Donoghue has adopted a similar approach with Dublin, who overcame Antrim last weekend.
Diarmuid Ó Dúlaing and Paul Crummey bagged goals for Dublin in a comfortable win.
Kilkenny’s meeting with Wexford should attract a decent crowd in Callan.
Billy Drennan, Billy Ryan, and Liam Blanchfield were effective in Kilkenny’s emphatic victory over Carlow.
Lee Chin struck 2-7 in Wexford’s win over Carlow, while Damien Reck drilled over some fine points from distance for Keith Rossiter’s charges.
On Sunday Limerick will finally host Cork in Rathkeale following a couple of postponements due to the inclement weather.
Conor Lehane’s early goal was a key score in Cork’s success over Clare.
Shane Kingston and Robbie Cotter were in good form for Pat Ryan’s team.
Limerick overcame Clare earlier in the competition with Paddy O’Donovan, Cathal O’Neill, and Shane O’Brien delivering vital scores.