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Preview: Weekend's Joe McDonagh Cup action

Prolific Offaly forward Eoghan Cahill. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Prolific Offaly forward Eoghan Cahill. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Joe McDonagh Cup

Sunday April 16

Kildare v Offaly, Hawkfield, 2pm

Laois v Down, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm

Kerry v Carlow, Austin Stack Park, 2pm

In the Joe McDonagh Cup things can change quickly.

The opening weekend provided encouragement for Offaly, Kerry, and Carlow, while Laois, Down, and Kildare encountered the pain a championship defeat brings.

Now, though, the opportunity to respond is available with three more crucial encounters imminent.

Kildare, following a harrowing loss to Carlow, will be striving to deliver a much improved display in Hawkfield.

That Offaly arrive loaded with confidence and momentum adds to the challenge for the Lilywhites.

Despite being hindered by injuries, Johnny Kelly's Offaly outfit have remained defiant in recent weeks, perfectly illustrated by the win over Laois.

Ben Conneely made several crucial interventions underlining his value to the Faithful cause, while at the opposite end of the field Eoghan Cahill starred once more.

Cahill, such a composed finisher, concluded the contest with a remarkable 2-11 haul. So Kildare will be fully aware of Cahill's considerable attacking threat.

Having conceded five goals at Netwatch Cullen Park against Carlow, Kildare know that significant defensive improvement is necessary.

James Burke struck the frees with trademark accuracy, while Cathal McCabe landed a couple of points too.

Undoubtedly this will be a revealing match for Kildare.

Ryan Mullaney is a key performer for Laois. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Ryan Mullaney is a key performer for Laois. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Laois, who summoned some hearty performances in the league, host Down in Portlaoise.

The defeat to Offaly was certainly a setback for Laois, but reasons for optimism exist.

Stephen 'Picky' Maher mined a dozen points, including five from play, while Aaron Dunphy and Aidan Corby also contributed handsomely.

Throughout the past few years Down have developed nicely and they will want to remain relevant at this level.

Pearse Óg McCrickard was prominent against Kerry, while Jordan Doran had an impact as a second half substitute too.

A demanding assignment awaits for Down, who will embrace the tough challenge.

Shane Conway continues to impress for Kerry. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Shane Conway continues to impress for Kerry. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Another intriguing match should unfold between Kerry and Carlow.

Kerry did exactly what was required in Ballycran with several players excelling.

Shane Conway pulled the strings, scoring and crafting chances, while Eoin Ross, Dan Goggin, and Darragh Shanahan were effective too.

Defeating Kildare by 5-23 to 0-19 confirmed Carlow's ability to net goals. Paddy Boland bagged a hat-trick, while Conor Kehoe notched 2-2.

Marty Kavanagh and James Doyle were also in splendid form for Carlow, who are preparing for a crunch match in Tralee.

PANELS

Kerry: John B O'Halloran, Darragh Shanahan, Cillian Trant, Paudie O'Connor, Eoin Ross, Evan Murphy, Eric Leen, Fionan MacKessy, Kyle O'Connor, Michael Leane, Jordan Conway, Shane Conway, Gavin Dooley, Brandon Barrett, Colin Walsh, Louis Dee, Seán Weir, Tadhg Brick, Darragh Slattery, Jason Diggins, Niall Mulcahy, Dan Goggin, Philip Lucid, Keith Carmody, Padraig Boyle, Daniel Collins.

Carlow: Brian Tracey, Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Niall Bolger, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Diarmuid Byrne, Jack McCullagh, James Doyle, Kevin McDonald, Jon Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Conor Kehoe, Jack Tracey, Paddy Boland, Chris Nolan, Ciarán Abbey, JP Treacy, Richard Coady, Michael Joyce, Fiach O'Toole, Scott Treacy, Jack Kavanagh, Paudie O'Shea, Ciarán Kavanagh, Tony Lawlor, John Michael Nolan.

Kildare: Paddy McKenna, Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan, Jack Travers, Rian Boran, Paul Dolan, Johnny Byrne, Cathal McCabe, James Burke, Gerry Keegan, Mark Delaney, Brian Byrne, Cian Boran, Cathal Dowling, Seán Burke, John McKeon, Cormac Byrne, Seán Christansen, Micheál Hogan, Drew Costello, Harry Carroll, Seán Whelan, David Qualter, Recce Gavin, Declan Flaherty.

Offaly: Stephen Corcoran, Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, David King, Jack Screeney, Jason Sampson, Killian Sampson, Cillian Kiely, Joey Keenaghan, Adrian Cleary, Jack Clancy, Eoghan Cahill, David Nally, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell, Eamonn Cleary, Cathal Kiely, Paddy Clancy, Paddy Delaney, Dara Maher, Shane Dooley, Liam Langton, John Murphy, James Nally, Eoghan Parlon, Conor Langton.

Laois: Enda Rowland; Donnchadh Hartnett, Liam O'Connell, Ian Shanahan, Padraig Delaney, Ryan Mullaney, Fiachra C Fennell, Aidan Corby, Ross King, Patrick Purcell, Stephen Maher, James Keyes, Aaron Dunphy, Willie Dunphy, Stephen Bergin, Peter Walsh, Padraic Dunne, Liam Senior, Padraig Lalor, Jack Kelly, Gearoid Lynch, PJ Scully, James Duggan, Tomás Keyes, Jordan Walsh, John Lennon.

Down: Stephen Keith, John McManus, Caolan Teggart, Darragh Mallon, Mark Fisher, Ruairi McCrickard, Niall McFarland, Matt Conlon, Pearse Óg McCrickard, Liam Savage, Tim Prenter, Paul Sheehan, Jordan Doran, Daithi Sands, Ryan McCusker, Cathal Lavery, Tom Murray, Barry Trainor, Chris Egan, Stuart Martin, Tom McGrattan, Finn Turpin, Deaglan Mallon, Aodhan Furlong, Jason Croskery, Oisin McManus.