The fixtures
Galway v Offaly Saturday 7pm (Live on rte.ie)
Carlow v Laois Saturday 7pm
Antrim v Down Sunday 3.30pm
The previews
Galway v Offaly
Although they are regarded as one of the favourites for the Liam McCarthy Cup, Galway are damn lucky to still be in the hunt and will have been reminded of that fact by John McIntyre this week. Offaly were more than a match for the Tribesmen in Croke Park on Sunday and had the umpire correctly given a wide rather than a point for Ger Farragher’s wayward free, then Galway might well be facing into a run in the qualifiers.
They have hung on, however and Sunday’s game should have provided the kick in the behind they seem to need to kick-start their championship campaign. Their defence looked particularly vulnerable in one on one situations against the Faithful County while their attack was well contained by the likes of Offaly’s James Rigney and David Kelly.
For Offaly, Shane Dooley was magnificent from placed balls and open play and his threat up front was supplemented by Joe Bergin and Joe Brady, but it is doubtful that they will be given the same rein to run riot in the replay as Galway’s defence will probably tighten up considerably in Portlaoise.
Offaly’s performance against the odds last weekend was rightly lauded, but they mightn’t get a better chance to beat one of the giants of the game again this year.
Teams:
Galway: (to be announced)
Offaly: (to be announced)
Odds:
Galway 1/10, Offaly 7/1, Draw 16/1
JOE Prediction:
Galway won’t be as lax as they were on Sunday and should finally advance to a much anticipated Leinster final meeting with Kilkenny.
Carlow v Laois
These Leinster rivals meet for the second time this season having already played out an entertaining encounter in Portlaoise last month. Carlow have home advantage this time around and there should be a decent crowd in Dr Cullen Park with the county’s footballers facing Derry earlier in the evening. Despite this, however, Laois have the stronger outfit and should progress.
Teams:
Carlow: (to be announced)
Laois: (to be announced)
Odds:
Carlow 5/2, Laois 1/3, Draw 12/1
JOE Prediction:
It could be closer than it was in Portlaoise earlier this year, but Laois should still have enough for their neighbours.
Antrim v Down
Considering that Antrim have won the last eight Ulster finals and have contested all but two in the competition’s history, this should be a formality for a side that ran Offaly so close in Parnell Park on the last weekend in May. There were only two points between the sides in last year’s decider but it would be a major shock if Antrim don’t pull it off in Casement Park on Sunday afternoon.
Teams:
Antrim: (to be announced)
Down: (to be announced)
Odds:
Antrim 1/5, Down 4/1, Draw 12/1
JOE Prediction:
A ninth Ulster title in succession for Antrim.
Conor Heneghan
