By Mike Fitzpatrick
Sunday, June 27
Junior Hurling
Galway vs. New Jersey
1 p.m.
Junior Hurling is something of a rare sight at Gaelic Park these days. The lads are more used to playing in Van Cortlandt Park. Both of these sides are capable of winning, although Galway will perhaps enter as favorites. Expect to see the New Jersey forwards attempt to penetrate the Galway backline from the off, though I feel that the Galwegians may prove too strong and will clinch the game.
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Senior Hurling
Kilkenny vs. Westmeath
2:30 p.m.
Westmeath were recently overwhelmed by Clare in a senior clash at Gaelic Park, eventually losing by 10 points. Coming up against such a side as Kilkenny, they will hope to put their recent shaky form behind them. Kilkenny have looked good at times, defeating Waterford several weeks ago by eight points, and beating a strong Limerick side by the narrowest of margins on opening day. Kilkenny will enter the game as strong favorites, and if they include such hurlers as Kevin Corbett and Vinnie Norton within their ranks, they should sneak a victory.
Senior Football, Div. 1
Donegal vs. Leitrim
4 p.m.
This is the one everyone at the Park will be waiting for. Donegal have looked good this year, and defeated Monaghan last Sunday at the park with the help of a trio of Kildare players. Messrs Rainbow, Ryan and Buckley are rumored to start here against last year’s champs, Leitrim, who themselves could surprise everyone by bringing out a few home-based stars of their own. Despite Leitrim’s phenomenal record in New York football this decade, Donegal will start as favorites. They’ve come into form at the right time, and a second-half performance versus Monaghan last week really won them the tie, despite a dogged display from Seamus Dooley’s men. Frank Brady’s Leitrim men have been something akin to enigmatic this season, losing to Cavan, drawing with Stamford, and defeating high-flying Tyrone. Probably the most difficult tie so far to predict the outcome of, but I’m going to stick my neck out and go
for a narrow Donegal victory.
Senior Football, Div. 1
Cork vs. Tyrone
5:15 p.m.
Liam Bermingham’s Cork side come up against this strong Tyrone side having hit something of a bad patch recently. Beaten by Donegal recently, and again by Westmeath last Sunday despite having led the game at halftime. Tyrone will hope to have Michael Slowey back among their ranks for this one, and if he does play, Cork’s backline had better come prepared. Cork’s results have not gone the way they would have liked, and it will take a phenomenal performance from Pat Mahoney and Co. to stop this well-organized Tyrone side.