New York GAA Previews Action-packed weekend awaits Gaelic sports fans

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Saturday

Senior Hurling

Limerick vs. Tipperary

5:30 p.m.

Table toppers Limerick versus this free-scoring Tipperary side is surely a mouth-watering prospect. Both sides have proved this season that they are out for silverware come the end of the year. Limerick were not at their most convincing earlier in the season when they defeated a courageous Clare side by a 5 points. On that occasion they had the Simms brothers and Morgan Burns to thank. Tipp will prove to be more of a handful, though. On Limerick’s last visit to Gaelic Park, they participated in a fabulous game of hurling with Kilkenny, where they upped their game to win by a point. Tipp have been playing some great hurling this year, hammering Offaly a month back, and if players of the caliber of Kevin Kennedy, Paul Hogan and Declan O’Meara are playing up front for Tipp, this should be a hugely exciting affair.

Senior Football Div. 2

Longford vs. Roscommon

6:45 p.m.

This has the potential to be another cracker. Roscommon, having been relegated from Div. 1 last season, originally had worries concerning how they would fare in this division because a number of their players chose to leave the club during the offseason. They disposed of Longford a few weeks back by a comfortable ten point margin, and in Aidan Smith and Adrian Lennon they possess two exciting forwards capable of spoiling any opponents day. Longford, however, will prove to be much stiffer competition, having rifled in 1-23 against Clare a couple of weeks back, and defeating Sligo at the second attempt following the rained off first game. Kevin Lilly returns to the Longford side after his adventures back in Ireland with the New York side, and Roscommon must try to contain its explosive style of play if they are to win this one. I’ll go for a close Longford victory.

Sunday

Junior Football A

Rangers vs. Westput Gaels

1 p.m.

Westput recently suffered the embarrassment of not having scored a point in a game when they faced Rockland a couple of weeks back. They must get this out of their system before facing Denis Tuomey’s rampant Rangers side, as the Blues seem in a dreadful hurry to qualify for the playoffs in record time this season. Tuomey’s men completed a healthy victory over Dublin recently and have proved themselves to be a difficult side to topple. Rangers should eventually overcome this Westput side.

Senior Football Div. 2

Clare vs. Sligo

2:30 p.m.

Both these sides will feel that they have a point to prove when they come face to face in this clash at Gaelic Park. Longford defeated both sides so they will obviously be out to pick up a couple of points here. Clare especially will be anxious to win to register a couple of points and perhaps move up the table a little. Clare will hope to have Niall Deignan and Danny Lynch up front, whereas Sligo will hopefully possess the talented Enda Henry in their lineup.

Senior Football Div. 1

Cork vs. Westmeath

4 p.m.

Westmeath pulled off a crucial win versus an impressive Monaghan side at Gaelic Park last week, and will hope to continue this run versus Cork on Sunday. Cork, in turn were heavily beaten by Monaghan earlier in the season, and will hope to bounce back to claim something from this tie. Westmeath played well versus Monaghan in overcoming the threat of P.J. Rogers, Eddie Murphy and Co. and will certainly start this game as favorites. Anxiety is certain to spread through Liam Bermingham’s rank and file as they were beaten by an understrength Donegal side recently also. Cork must hope that star midfielder Pat Mahoney returns to the Munster men’s side, as he has been in fantastic form recently, particularly when playing for New York in Mayo a few weeks back.

Senior Football Div. 1

Donegal vs. Mayo

5:15 p.m.

A capacity crowd should be on hand to witness this eagerly anticipated clash at the park on Sunday. Some fabulously talented players will be on display, including Eddie Murphy, P.J. Rogers, Paul McGlynn and Bonnie Duffy of Monaghan, and Gary Dowd, Donal Breslin, Gerry Kelly and Eunan Docherty of Donegal. A number of New York All Stars will be on display, facing off against each other. It will take a brave man to predict the outcome of this game, but I feel we’ll have a fantastic game, where the midfield, defense and attacks of both sides contain quality players. Donegal may enter the game as slight favorites, particularly if they have a full line up, both don’t be at all surprised if you see Eddie Murphy grab a winner for Seamus Dooley’s Monaghan side.