Jack Savage
McGrath Cup Final
Sunday 22nd January
Limerick v Kerry, Gaelic Grounds, 3pm
Kerry have started the New Year in a very determined looking fashion.
Their U-21 team hammered Tipperary in their first McGrath Cup match, and then a formidable looking senior outfit proved too strong for Cork last weekend.
It’s a testament to the strength in depth of the Kerry squad at the moment that even without players like Kieran Donaghy, Anthony Maher, David Moran, Paul Murphy, Colm Cooper, and Paul Geaney the selection they fielded against Cork was stacked with experienced inter-county players.
"In other years when we had to absorb knocks in the earlier part of the year, it was tough because the panel was lighter. This year we have more and more experienced footballers around the place,” says Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice.
Despite the competition in the panel, a couple of newcomers have already managed to make a mark this year. Tom O’Sullivan impressed at wing-back against Cork, and attacker Jack Savage looks like a serious footballer in the making.
He scored six points from play in the win over the Rebels, and Fitzmaurice has been impressed by the attitude of the former minor star.
"When you train with the squad for the summer and haven't made it onto the squads, you want to put down a marker early in the year when you get a chance. Hopefully he (Savage) will build on it next weekend.”
Limerick are in the McGrath Cup Final on merit after solid wins over Clare and Waterford.
But even though new manager Billy Lee seems to be already making a positive impact, it’s hard to see them upsetting a Kerry side that already seems in a determined mood this year.
Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup semi-finals
****Sunday 22nd January
Kildare v Dublin, Newbridge, 2pm
Dublin have done well to make it to the O’Byrne Cup semi-finals considering they’ve fielded what essentially amounts to a third-string side.
Last year’s All-Ireland panel were away on their team-holiday for the first two rounds of the competition, and though they’ve since returned, it seems as though Dublin will continue with the players that have brought them this far.
Players like corner-back Jack Smith, centre-back Ciaran Reddin, wing-back Niall Scully, and inside-forwards Paul Hudson and Conor McHugh have grasped the opportunity and if they can continue in the same vein on Sunday will have put themselves in contention for inclusion in the team once the League starts.
Really, though, this is a match Kildare should be winning. They have far more of their front-line players available to them, and have started the season strongly with three wins from three.
Manager Cian O’Neill is in his second year in charge now, and admits the team is being built on more solid foundations now than it was this time last year.
“We are in a better place this year, compared to last; we have a tighter panel this time; last year like all new management teams, we were attempting to give everyone an opportunity, we had 48 on the panel,” said O’Neill.
“This year we have just 21 or 22 fit for each match and they have all been getting football, 35 minutes minimum and that helps team cohesion. I feel we are a lot more advanced than we were this time last year.”
Meath made an impressive start in the Bord Na Mona O Byrne Cup under new manager Andy McEntee.
Meath v Louth, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm
Pride is always on the line when neighbouring counties Meath and Louth clash, and Sunday’s match will be no different.
Both teams are unbeaten so far this year, and Louth manager Colin Kelly admits a clash against their greatest rivals is one they always find easy to fire themselves up for.
“Ultimately the O’Byrne Cup is about being ready for the National League game against Laois in Portlaoise on February 4 but anytime you play Meath the atmosphere builds up,” says Kelly.
"When you are putting your gear into a bag on a Monday or Wednesday night like these lads are and going to Darver in freezing cold nights training it is for these sort of ties.
“People might point to the fact that it is the O’Byrne Cup, but there will be a big crowd there.
“It does whet the appetite for what’s going to happen in a couple of weeks time and that rivalry and that intensity is an experience that lads are going to gain.
“You don't get it in group stages, you definitely don't get it in challenge matches, but next Sunday could be something to the intensity and the standard we'd expect against Laois."
Louth have done well to beat Westmeath, Maynooth University, and Carlow thus far, but a clash with Meath definitely raises the bar.
The Royals look like they mean business under new manager Andy McEntee, and have named a strong side for this match. Eamon Wallace has been drafted into the attack, and is one of six changes made to the side that drew with Laois last time out.
Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals
Sunday 22nd January
Derry v Monaghan, Athletic Grounds, 2pm**
**
Derry were unlikely semi-finalists going into the last round of the group phase, but a big win over Queen’s University saw them go through on scoring difference.
That win underlined the fact that even though the Red Hand County are without a number of talented players who have not committed for the season, they still possess a lot of firepower in their ranks.
Mark Lynch, James Kielt, Niall Loughlin, Enda Lynn, Ryan Bell and Niall Loughlin are all showing impressive early-season form, and if they get a good supply of ball will fancy their chances of kicking Derry to another win here.
Monaghan are always stubborn opposition though, have won three from three so far this year, and been very tight at the back.
Conor McManus is also back in harness, and as ever has the wherewithal to be a match-winner.
Conor McManus remains a key player for Monaghan.
Tyrone v Fermanagh, Clones, 2pm
Tyrone are gunning for a sixth McKenna Cup in a row and showed their intent once again by blitzing Donegal last weekend by 2-23 to 0-6 to secure passage to the semi-finals on scoring difference.
Mickey Harte warned his players this week that they’re all on trial, and there’ll be less experimentation in terms of team selection once the League stars.
You can be sure that message was received loud and clear, so expect his players to be fired up for this one.
They’ll need to be at their best because Fermanagh continue to go from strength to strength under Pete McGrath and have shown some good early-season form.
They too needed a big win in their last group win to qualify for the semi-finals, and duly got it by outclassing Antrim 0-19 to 0-5.
They played with great cohesion on the night, and it’s clear that forwards like Aidan Breen, Tomás Corrigan, Barry Mulrone and Sean Quigley are in confident mood.
This should be a real hum-dinger of a match, but Tyrone’s greater options from the bench may swing the balance of power their way in the closing stages.
FBD Connacht SFL round 3
Sunday 22nd January
Roscommon v Mayo, Kiltoom, 2pm
Clashes between Mayo and Roscommon never need any extra spice to whet the appetite of their respective supporters, but there’s something on the line in Kiltoom on Sunday because whoever wins qualifies for the FBD League Final against Galway.
Throw in the fact that Roscommon are managed by a Mayo man in the shape of Kevin McStay, and you have two sub-plots that should make this match all the more interesting.
“The fact that I’m from Mayo as well I’m sure adds a touch to it so personally it really gets us ready,” admits McStay.
“We want to play Mayo at this stage and have a cut at them and I’m sure vice versa, but no doubt their eyes are on bigger prizes than our eyes just now. So we’re just going step by step to tell you the truth.
“The selection headache, we knew we were going to have it because we’ve had a pretty even panel up to 26 or 28. A few really good lads have come on from underage.
“Their time is coming, this year or next year. They’re in that nice 23, 24, 25 years of age and we need to see them pushing on and I think we will as the weeks and months go by.”
Roscommon manager Kevin McStay.
Like McStay, Mayo manager Stephen Rochford has used this competition to run the rule over some up and coming players.
By and large the emerging generation have performed encouragingly so far, but Rochord knows a match against Roscommon will give him a better idea of how they’re shaping up.
“A couple of guys are moving in the right way but we have a big game now against Division One opposition and we’ll get a better sense of where we’re at,” says Rochford.
“You’ve got to be putting your hand up every day and that includes guys who have been cornerstones of the squad.
“Throughout the league and throughout the championship you need to be putting your hand up, so every day and every training session affords you the opportunity to either make your way into the team or into the squad or to retain your place in the wider squad.”
Sligo v Leitrim, Tourlestrane, 2pm
Leitrim could do with a morale-boosting performance here after their crushing 5-21 to 0-9 defeat to Galway last time out.
It was an early season set-back for new manager Brendan Guckian, and as much as he’s remaining focused on their League campaign, he knows his team have to do better.
“Our objective hasn’t changed, it is focused on Wicklow in three weeks time and we have to keep our eyes on that,” said Guckian.
“It is more about the performance, it is the disappointment of the workrate, it was just in general a massive disappointment.”
Sligo, in contrast, come into the game with their tails up after trouncing GMIT by 5-25 to 0-1 in their last match.
Stephen Coen scored 3-4 on his return to the team, and manager Niall Carew admits he’s pleased by how his panel is coming together ahead of their League opener against Armagh.
“We had some different players to the opening game,” said Carew.
“Stephen (Coen) played very well and got 3-04 and he could have even added four or five more points,” Carew told the Sligo Champion.
“For his first game back, this was a very impressive performance, it is good to see. With the under-21s playing the night before, it was a chance to bring in some others and also we didn’t have Niall Murphy, Kevin McDonnell and Cian Breheny available.
“It’s a good panel of players and Leitrim this Sunday will be good preparation for the league. Armagh are going good, they’re into the semi-final of the McKenna Cup so it will be tough enough but so will all the games.”
