Weekend Hurling and Football Championship Predictions

Last week I gave my first set of weekend predictions as I looked ahead to the 11 games across the Senior Hurling and Football championships.

Weekend Hurling & Football Championship Predictions

Eight out of the 11 predictions would come to fruition with the Limerick and Kerry footballers letting me down as well as the Dublin hurlers.

Below I look ahead to this weekend’s games with four hurling clashes highlighted by the Munster final and five more in the football.

Also included are Matt O’Callaghan’s predictions made on this week’s episode of Treaty Talk.

Saturday

All-Ireland Hurling Qualifiers Round 2

Clare v Wexford

Clare will have been happy to get a win under their belt although it was far too close for comfort against Laois. Wexford’s last game saw them put in probably their worst performance under Davy Fitz. As such I see Wexford getting the win and Davy getting that result against Brian Lohan.

Matt says: Wexford

Cork v Tipperary

As with the earlier game, Cork will come into the game oozing confidence with the manner of their win over Dublin while Tipp will still be reeling after the Limerick loss. Nonetheless, I expect the All-Ireland champions to bounce back and get the W. Tipperary into the quarter-finals.

Matt says: Tipperary

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Leinster Hurling Championship Final

Kilkenny v Galway

These sides met in the Provincial decider in 2018 where Galway needed a replay to overcome the Cats. Incredibly, Brian Cody has gone four years without a Leinster title and while Galway will be favoured, that run will come to an end. Kilkenny just to pip the Tribesmen.

Matt says: Galway

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Ulster Football Championship semi-final

Donegal v Armagh

Both sides had two point victories in their respective quarter-finals and each will play Division 1 football in 2021 after Armagh’s promotion. However, despite Armagh’s recent growth, there is a still a gulf so expect Donegal to make it to a 9th Ulster final in the last 10 years.

Matt says: Donegal

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Sunday

Munster Hurling Championship Final

Limerick v Waterford

Recent history will suggest that this should be a straightforward win for John Kiely’s side who have beaten the Deise in each of their four meetings over the past two years, including two drubbings in the Munster championship.

Waterford look to be much improved under Liam Cahill and dominated proceedings against Cork in the semi-final.

However, Limerick are the form team in Ireland and look set to go back-to-back for the first time since 1981.

Matt says: Limerick

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Connacht Football Championship Final

Mayo v Galway

It’s hard to imagine that this is only the second final meeting of these sides since 2009 in Mayo’s first appearance in the final since 2015. Mayo did give the Tribesmen a trimming in the League but I think that will be enough motivation for Galway to secure the upset.

Matt says: Galway

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Leinster Football Championship semi-finals

Dublin v Laois

It won’t be as easy as last weekend but you cannot look past Dublin.

Matt says: Dublin

Kildare v Meath

This is an intriguing one as the two best placed to challenge Dublin meet in the semi’s. It’s a toss of the coin but Meath‘s huge quarter-final victory should give them ample confidence to get past Kildare.

Matt says: Kildare

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Ulster Football Championship semi-final

Down v Cavan

Cavan will face into a third successive weekend having come through the preliminary round against Monaghan. Down got the cobwebs out of the system against Fermanagh and I expect them to overcome the odds and seal a place in the final for the first time since 2017 at the expense of last year’s finalists.

Matt says: Down