Hurling & Football Championship Predictions

There is an abundance of Senior GAA action in store this weekend.

For the Limerick faithful, the Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final clash between the Treaty and Tipperary in the LIT Gaelic Grounds on Saturday will take preference.

In total there are two hurling ties on Saturday and nine football clashes across the weekend.

Below I take a punt and predict each of the games.

---

Saturday

Munster Football Championship semi-final

Limerick v Tipperary

Tipperary are favourites heading into the Gaelic Grounds against the hosts. They overcame Division 2 Clare in their quarter-final and have the likes of Michael Quinlavin back. However, Billy Lee and his side have continuously proved the doubters wrong this year and I expect them to do the same this year. Limerick to make the Munster final.

---

Round 1 Hurling Qualifiers

Clare v Laois

Despite their humbling against Limerick, Clare should have too much against a Laois side who are without some key players.

Dublin v Cork

Probably the most intriguing tie of the weekend. Cork were below par for the 70 against Waterford while Dublin almost overturned a 15-point deficit against Kilkenny, eventually losing by a point. Cork will be hurt and looking for a reaction. However, Dublin can inflict that killer blow on the Rebels.

---

Leinster Football Championship quarter-final

Westmeath v Dublin

Dublin.

---

Ulster Football Championship quarter-final

Cavan v Antrim

Cavan will be buoyed by the heroic comeback and eventual extra-time win over Monaghan last weekend. That momentum should be enough to see them past Antrim.

---

Sunday

Munster Football Championship semi-final

Kerry v Cork

Cork have been building over the past couple of years and will look to take a huge scalp. However, Kerry are the form team in Ireland and a bridge too far for the Rebels.

---

Connacht Football Championship semi-final

Roscommon v Mayo

Roscommon are Connacht champions having knocked out Mayo at the same stage in 2019. They will be underdogs however despite earning promotion and Mayo’s relegation. James Horan’s men were comprehensive 2-15 to 0-10 winners over Leitrim and will be confident of setting up a final meeting with Galway. Arguably the toughest game of the weekend to call. Mayo just.

---

Leinster Football Championship quarter-finals

Longford v Laois

Longford will have the added advantage of having a game under their belt as they beat Louth 1-19 to 1-7 in the preliminary quarter-final. But their preparation for that game was far from ideal as they lost to Derry in their return and gave a walkover to Cork in the final round of the League. So I will pluck for Laois to move into the last four.

Wicklow v Meath

Wicklow will be buoyed by back to back wins over Wexford that secured promotion and a Leinster quarter-final place. However, Meath look best poised to put it up to Dublin despite their relegation from Division 1. Meath to progress.

Kildare v Offaly

Offaly beat Carlow in the preliminary round by three but lost their last two league games.  Kildare were somewhat unfortunate to miss out on promotion to the top tier by a solitary point and will look to rectify that by moving into the Leinster quarter-final.

---

Ulster Football Championship quarter-final

Fermanagh v Down

Fermanagh reached the Ulster final as recently as 2018. However they were relegated from Division 2 and will be replaced by Down who finished second behind Cork in the third Division. I expect them to continue this and knock out Fermanagh.