Crucial games for Down, Sligo and Clare

By Mike Fitzpatrick

The following are Sunday’s games at Gaelic Park.

12.30 p.m.

Junior Football Division A

Down vs Sligo

Down are two points behind Ulster rivals Donegal, having played a game more. Down will certainly be all out for a victory, and a win will set the men from the Mourne up for a decent stab at playoff contention.

Sligo are on the same points as Down, having played a game less, so it’s certainly all to play for.

Both need the win to remain in contention.

2 p.m.

Senior Hurling

Clare vs Kilkenny

Clare simply must win if they are to have any hope in this year’s championship race. Having played three and lost three, the lads from the Banner county are perilously close to having their season end prematurely.

Kilkenny, having endured a disastrous season in 1999, may have turned the corner. Having picked up two points from three games played this year, a win here will certainly keep their slim championship hopes alive.

3.30 p.m.

Senior Football Division 1

Donegal vs Westmeath

Both sides endured huge morale-boosting victories last weekend when they both defeated sides capable of winning the championship outright. Westmeath stunned champions Kerry with a five-point victory, to give the lads from the Kingdom their second consecutive defeat, a rare occurrence these days. Westmeath will obviously be on a high after that one, and with another win here, the maroons will lift themselves into a possible top four position.

Donegal defeated old rivals Stamford last week in a high scoring game, and in doing so, lifted themselves to joint second in the table, though with Tyrone having played a game more than them.

5 p.m.

Senior Football Division 1

Leitrim vs Monaghan

A few short weeks ago, Leitrim stood on the verge of an early elimination from this years championship. Having lost a couple of games in succession, their heads were clearly down. Now, however, having defeated Tyrone last Saturday, and having picked up another couple of points, they are on the fringes of qualifying for the playoffs. With five points from six games played, they are still behind the leading pack, but a win here will boost their hopes somewhat.

Monaghan’s season never really came to life.