Provincial prizes up for grabs

THE intercounty championship is well underway, and we are nearing the semi-final stage in all provincial championships. The games so far have been a mixed bag, with some tight, competitive matches and some disappointing affairs. Overall, the new rules have definitely improved the spectacle, but there have been no surprises or big upsets at this stage.

The games in the next few weeks should be of a higher standard, with more top teams playing each other. Let’s look ahead to the standout games to watch over the coming weeks in football and hurling.

Dublin vs Meath (Football)

I previously mentioned that I fancied Meath as a dark horse, but the last few weeks haven’t been pretty. The end of the league was somewhat disappointing, ending third with what could have been an incredible campaign.

The fiasco with coaches and backroom staff threatened to derail the season, and at half-time in their last game against Offaly, they were 10 points down and looked all but dead and buried. However, the Royals came storming back, putting 17 points on the board in one half of football to win by seven.

This win booked their place against their old rivals, the Dubs, who had a less than convincing win over Wicklow. They are struggling in midfield and have used their fourth variation of goalkeeper already this season. Clearly, Dessie Farrell hasn't got this new-look Dublin clicking yet.

This game is set for Portlaoise, which is definitely one of the first times I’ve seen a Leinster semi-final set outside of Croke Park for a while. On a smaller pitch, Meath could get after Dublin.

Meath are huge and should win the midfield battle, and the new rules suit them. I think this will be a tight game for three-quarters of the 70 minutes, but I see Dublin just pulling away as they will likely get their scores a bit easier with the star power they have up front. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the tightest game Dublin have had in 15 years in Leinster.

Armagh vs Tyrone (Football)

Armagh vs Antrim was a great game for 55 minutes. Then Armagh just pulled away as their bench played a vital role in securing the win.

Antrim got stuck in, and Armagh now have a list of injuries longer than most in the country. At last count, I think six starters are out, but this could well change by the time Tyrone roll into town.

Armagh huffed and puffed in the league; they did what they needed to do, which was survive. But now that they are in the championship, we need to see a more consistent performance if they are to repeat the amazing season they had last year.

Armagh want Ulster; they want the Anglo-Celt Cup and they are going to have to get past a Tyrone side who also have good days and bad. Against Cavan, they were excellent, but I wonder if it was them being good or Cavan being bad.

I think a win here could really ignite Tyrone. They definitely have the squad to win Ulster, and with Armagh’s injury woes, I fancy the Red Hands to upset the apple cart and dump the Orchard out.

Offaly vs Galway (Hurling)

The big question I have in Leinster is who gets the third spot. I think Kilkenny will take first, and Galway surely can’t be as bad as last year, so you would fancy them to come in second. That leaves Offaly or Wexford for third place.

If Offaly are to do it, they would need to win most of their home games. The faithful support comes out and really gets behind their teams, and if they could get some sort of result here, I would fancy them to qualify. They were electric in the league, and although it was disappointing not to beat Waterford in the final, management should be using that as motivation heading into Leinster. With Screeney back, they are definitely in with a chance, but it would be a shock.

Clare vs Tipperary (Hurling)

You could make a case for any team in Munster to qualify. I would say it’s the most competitive Munster round-robin I’ve seen in the last 10 years.

Waterford will probably come up short. Tipperary, after a stellar league, would stake a claim, but do they have the squad to compete in the heat of the championship? Clare, after a disappointing league, surely would want to bounce back. The thought of the All-Ireland Champs not even making it to a quarter-final is surely unthinkable. Maybe the Banner are still on holiday, or have they just been holding off until the real competition starts? Limerick surely would be too good not to make it, but they weren’t overly convincing in the league, and Cork would be most people’s All-Ireland favourites. So I would say Cork should be first and Limerick second.

Now for third place and qualifying for the quarter-final, this game is massive. The winner of this, for me, probably claims third spot. If it was home advantage for Tipp, I would probably fancy them. However, in Ennis, the Clare fans will know how big this game is and will come to drive them home. So I fancy them, but this will be a cracker. This is one not to miss, but you could attach that to every game in the Munster Hurling Championship.