February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Junior "A" Football
Donegal vs. Fermanagh
Noon
The "chief," Frank Molloy, will pull on the togs for Donegal once again on Sunday and what an inspiration that will be to all those around him. Donegal, who reached the junior final last year, will be relying on Gary Dowd for assistance around the middle, but Fermanagh will have Colm Shannon, Darren Doherty and Marty McGlade ready for a midday battle. Fermanagh have struggled to make the breakthrough at this grade. John Joe McGovern will be hoping things will be different this summer. His wish may come true on Sunday.
Senior Hurling
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Limerick vs. Offaly
1:30 p.m.
Limerick defeated Westmeath in the Brendan Keane Cup last weekend and have a huge advantage in match practice. Tom and Dave Simms will be back for Limerick, and with four others on the New York panel, they should be able to push Offaly to one side.
The Midlanders will be expecting big games from Sean Nolan, Colm Scanlon and Dave Reynolds. If they click, they have a knack of beating the Munster men. Offaly faltered before the playoffs last year, while the Shannonsiders went down at the penultimate stage when a red-hot Tipperary had too much class for them in the New York final. Limerick get the vote, just.
Senior "A" Football
Cavan vs Westmeath
3 p.m.
Westmeath manager P.J. Quinn has left no stone unturned for this clash. His charges have had successful challenge games against Boston opposition and the New York All-Stars in the last two weeks and with a very strong home-based side, they should be good enough to beat Cavan.
The Breffini boys are team building at present and will be eager to blood a number of new players on Sunday. Dessie O’Reilly and Paul O’Connor are two good wing forwards but they lack support from further in. If Westmeath get two good weekenders, they’ll be hard to beat on Sunday.
Senior "B" Football
Mayo vs. Clare
4:30 p.m.
Clare made the playoffs last season but failed to compete with Donegal in that encounter. After a great start, Mayo failed to win from midsummer. This game should be close, but Mayo may suffer from their dinner dance on Saturday night. Gary Dowd is a huge addition to Pat Scanlon’s side. The banner will also have Dermot Boylan and Gary Rocks to bolster there attack. Mayo will look to Paddy Reddington, Kevin Touhy and Niall McMahon for inspiration. They will also have help from the Emerald Isle.