Preview: Weekend's Joe McDonagh Cup action
Fiachra Fitzpatrick of Carlow during the 2024 Allianz Hurling League Division 2A Final match between Carlow and Laois at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
* The match day panels for all of this weekend's inter-county championship matches can be viewed and downloaded at the bottom of this article.
Joe McDonagh Cup Round 1
Saturday, April 18
Antrim v Down, Dunloy, 1.30pm
When these two teams met in the League Down pulled off a surprise victory courtesy of a last-gasp Donal Hughes goal.
It wasn’t ultimately enough to save Down from relegation with Antrim staying up on scoring difference, but it was still a huge victory for a county that has long shivered in Antrim’s hurling shadow.
Antrim will keen to take a measure of revenge here in front of their home support but it’s likely to be another tight match.
Both teams have attacks capable of putting up big scores with the likes of Keelan Molloy, Conal Cunning, James McNaugton, Seaan Elliott to the fore for Antrim and Pearse Óg McCrickard, Daithi Sands, Tom McGrattan, and Shea Pucci threats for Down.
But an Antrim defence anchored by Paddy Burke looks a little bit more robust than Down’s and could be the decisive factor.
Carlow v Laois, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6pm
These two teams come into this match off contrasting League campaigns.
Carlow were relegated from Division 1B whereas Laois won Division Two in some style.
It might ultimately be the case that the higher level of competition that Carlow were faced with in the higher tier will have them better prepped for this McDonagh Cup campaign, but momentum and confidence counts for a lot and Laois should have more of those qualities.
It’s generally a very tight game when these two teams meet and both have plenty of firepower in their ranks.
Laois look a little more robust around the middle third though where Padraig Delaney, David Dooley, and Aidan Corby can give them a winning platform.
Sunday, April 19
London v Westmeath, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm
When these two teams met in the League at Ruislip Westmeath came out on top by a margin of 11 points.
London showed better form in subsequent matches in the competition and in Sean Glynn and Fionn O’Riain Broin have two inside forwards capable of doing a lot of damage if they get a decent supply of ball.
Westmeath have greater quality throughout their team though, with strong players down the middle like Conor Shaw, Johnny Bermingham, Andrew Shaw, David Williams, and Eoin Keyes giving them a powerful platform to build on.
