Preview: Saturday's Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals
A general view of the Tailteann Cup. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals
Saturday June 20
Down v Fermanagh, Croke Park, 3pm, RTE
This should be a lively battle at GAA headquarters on Saturday afternoon.
Tailteann Cup favourites Down have responded to a loss against Offaly by chalking up a couple of victories and bring an abundance of footballing talent to the Jones Road venue.
Fermanagh, though, have been excellent in the competition, generating belief and momentum following a wretched Allianz Football League campaign.
Darragh McGurn continues to provide leadership and scores, while Ronan McCaffrey has been one of the most effective players in the Tailteann Cup.
Several of the Fermanagh squad have flourished at Sigerson Cup level and they're beginning to show their ability in the green jersey too for Declan Bonner's outfit.
Down, though, have enjoyed many productive days under the shrewd stewardship of Conor Laverty, who will want to ensure Sam Maguire action in 2027.
Accomplished goalkeeper Ronan Burns, Ryan Magill, Daniel Guinness, Odhran Murdock, and Pat Havern remain influential figures for Down.
DOWN: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Patrick Brooks; Callum Rogers, Shane Annett, Ryan Magill; Ryan McEvoy, Odhran Murdock; Daniel Guinness, Ceilum Doherty, Miceal Rooney; John McGeough, Pat Havern, Eamon Brown. Subs: John O'Hare, Finn McElroy, Caolan Mooney, Tom McCarroll, Patrick McCarthy, Ruairi McCormack, Ross Carr, Ruari O'Hare, Tom Close, Órán Cunningham, Adam Crimmins
FERMANAGH: Seán McNally; Luke Flanagan, Oisin Smyth, Shane McGullion; Jonathan Cassidy, Ronan McCaffrey, Josh Largo Elis; Conor McGee, Stephen McGullion; Brandon Horan, Seán Cassidy, Joe McDade; Conor Love, Darragh McGurn, Ciaran Corrigan. Subs: Ethan McCaffrey, Garvan Jones, Ultan Kelm, Mattie McDermott, Declan McCusker, Oisín Kelm, Cian O'Brien, Lughaidh Donnelly, James McMahon, Conor O’Hanlon, Aogán Kelm
Offaly v Wicklow, Croke Park, 5pm, RTE News Channel
At the outset of the Tailteann Cup, Offaly were dealing with a dismal run of defeats in the Allianz Football League and Leinster Championship.
A month and a half later, Offaly return to Croke Park following a three match winning streak in which pride has been restored. Now, an opportunity exists to reach a national decider.
Victories over Clare, Down, and Wexford illustrate Offaly's potential, but Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte will be fully aware of the talent in Wicklow's ranks.
Oisín McConville continues to carry out diligent work with Wicklow, who will be eager to capture silverware themselves.
A defiant streak was demonstrated in Belfast too when Wicklow staged a stirring comeback mission to defeat Antrim.
That was a significant boost for Wicklow, who will be looking to Mark Jackson, Kevin Quinn, and the brilliant Dean Healy for inspiration.
Offaly's panel features plenty of talent too with Lee Pearson, Jordan Hayes, and the sweet kicking Dylan Hyland all prominent in recent weeks.
OFFALY: Conor Melia; Shane O'Toole Greene, David Dempsey, Lee Pearson; Cormac Egan, Diarmuid Egan, Marcas Dalton; Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Kyle Higgins, Keith O'Neill, Aaron Leavy; Dylan Hyland, Shane Tierney, Jack Bryant. Subs: Sean O'Toole, Aidan Bracken, Eoin Dunne, Rory Egan, Robbie Gallagher, Harry Goulding, Daire McDaid, Ciaran Murphy, Harry Plunkett, Nathan Poland, Cathal Ryan.
WICKLOW: Mark Jackson; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Darragh Fee, Eoin Murtagh, Gavin Fogarty; Dean Healy, Jack Kirwan; Jonathan Carlin, Padraig O Toole, Christopher O Brien; Oisin Mc Graynor, Kevin Quinn, Eoin Darcy. Subs: Cathal Fitzgerald, Mark Kenny, Cian Deering, Joe Prendergast, Liam O Neill, Jack Hardy, Conall Ó Gallchobhair, Jacques Mc Call, Conor Fee, Sean Murphy, Cathal Baker
