Match Preview

The eagerly anticipated Group 1 clash in the GAA Gaelic football championship features Westmeath taking on Galway. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in their initial outings, setting the stage for a fascinating encounter. Galway will secure a place in the quarter-finals if they win.

Live Scores for Westmeath v Galway

Previous Encounters

Westmeath and Galway have met only twice previously in the championship. Westmeath claimed a narrow victory in an All-Ireland qualifier tie back in 2006, winning 1-8 to 0-10 in Pearse Stadium. However, Galway exacted revenge last year, securing a comfortable 0-20 to 0-12 win in Mullingar during the All-Ireland round robin series.

Championship Journey So Far

Galway

• Galway 5-21 London 0-9 (Connacht quarter-final)
• Galway 1-13 Sligo 0-14 (Connacht semi-final)
• Galway 0-16 Mayo 0-15 (Connacht final)
• Galway 2-14 Derry 0-15 (All-Ireland round robin)

Galway have showcased their offensive prowess and defensive solidity, highlighted by their remarkable run of not conceding a single goal in their four championship games to date.

Top Scorers for Galway

• R Finnerty: 1-21 (0-8 frees, 0-1 mark)
• C Darcy: 2-4
• P Conroy: 1-6
• J Heaney: 0-7
• T Culhane: 2-0

Westmeath

• Wicklow 2-9 Westmeath 1-11 (Leinster first round)
• Armagh 0-16 Westmeath 0-11 (All-Ireland round robin)

Westmeath’s journey has been more challenging, with a narrow defeat to Wicklow in the Leinster first round and a five-point loss to Armagh in their initial All-Ireland round robin match.

Top Scorers for Westmeath

• L Loughlin: 0-6 (0-3 frees)
• J Heslin: 0-5 (0-2 frees)
• J Lynam: 1-0
• R Forde: 0-3 (0-1 free)
• R O’Toole: 0-3

Key Insights

• Galway’s stellar defense has not conceded any goals in their four championship games so far.
• Rival managers, Pádraic Joyce (Galway) and Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), were both players in the first championship clash between these teams in 2006, with Dolan captaining Westmeath to a one-point win.
• Westmeath is still seeking their first victory in the ‘round robin’ series introduced last year, having lost to Galway, Armagh, and drawing with Tyrone previously, and losing again to Armagh this year.

Team News

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud, Kevin Maguire, James Dolan; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O’Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Robbie Forde.

Subs: Jack Connaughton, Shane Allen, Charlie Drumm, Eoin Mulvihill, Matthew Whittaker, Daniel Scahill, Senan Baker, Lorcan Dolan, Stephen Smith, Kieran Martin, Conor McCormack.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Johnny Heaney, Matthew Tierney, Céin D’Arcy; Liam Ó Conghaile, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Eoghan Kelly, Daniel O’Flaherty, Kieran Molloy, Cian Hernon, Patrick Egan, Cathal Sweeney, Cillian Ó Curroain, Tomo Culhane, Niall Daly.

Betting

Galway 1/8 Westmeath 6/1

Handicap – Galway -6 10/11

Conclusion

As Westmeath seek to register their first round robin win and Galway aim to continue their winning streak with both teams eager to secure vital points in Group 1. Expect Westmeath to get within 6pts.

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McGrath has struggled with injury in recent years but will be remembered for playing his part in Donegal’s second All-Ireland triumph in 2012.

The corner-back was an All-Star nominee in Donegal’s All-Ireland winning year after several top performances helped play a part in his side’s journey to the summit of Gaelic football.

The Ardara man was in Croke Park in September once again in 2014 as Jim McGuinness brought the county to their second All-Ireland final in three years.

However, that day was not to be as Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s Kerry bridged a five-year gap to earn their 37th Sam Maguire.

“To have played for Donegal just once, I never would have imagined that as a wee fella growing up,” McGrath told the Donegal News.

“But to have had 12 years and some medals to go along with it, it’s been amazing.

“The friends made and just the honour of wearing my county’s colours, it’s the stuff of dreams.”

McGrath was among the many players that made the leap from under-21 to senior football with ease for Donegal after finishing second in the U21 All-Ireland Championship.

John Joe Doherty gave the defender his senior debut for the county in an Ulster Senior Football Championship loss to Down in 2010 but McGuinness, who managed the U21s at that time, came in for 2011 and took the team to new heights.

Three Ulster titles followed under McGuinness, on top of the All-Ireland triumph but Donegal regressed under Rory Gallagher, who succeeded the All-Ireland winning coach and former All-Irelan winning player.

McGrath remained a mainstay in the side throughout Gallagher’s reign and in the early period of current boss Declan Bonner’s second term with the county.

He picked up his fourth and fifth Ulster titles under Bonner in 2018 and 2019, becoming a centurion for the county in the latter season, before an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Mayo in the All-Ireland Super 8s began the end of his career.

His club Ardara praised him on social media after announcing his retirement from the inter-county scene on Monday morning: “Paddy finally bows out from County football after a fantastic career. Donegal’s loss is Ardara’s gain and we look forward to seeing him for many more years in our own green and gold jersey inspiring the next generation of Ardara footballers.

“What a career @mcgrath_2..!”

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O’Brien took charge of the club in 2016 after previously working under Stephen Rochford as a selector and became one of the most decorated club managers in the sport.

The esteemed club manager then took the reins and built on Rochford’s three Galway titles in a row, extending the streak to seven in his time, and led them to an unprecedented three All-Ireland titles in three seasons.

The club also won four Connacht Senior Football Championships in his time with them.

“It’s been a phenomenal journey and a great period of success for the club,” O’Brien told Galway Bay FM yesterday.

Rival club Mountbellew-Moylough proved to be their kryptonite and the last two years have yielded no titles as a result, with the team’s two losses in the Galway Senior Football Championship since O’Brien took charge coming at the hands of the current county champions.

Mountbellew-Moylough also drew with Corofin in the 2018 county final but lost the replay in what was to be the first of three All-Ireland triumphs for O’Brien’s team.

However, Corofin’s almost-spotless record under O’Brien remains a fantastic feat – the side won 51 of their 56 Championship games with their former selector holding the reins.

“I think you have to be very grateful. There were days on the sideline where games were gone from us, and we got the luck that day. Teams evolve as well, and last Sunday was the pinnacle of that with Mountbellew’s success – and fair play to them.

“I’ve been very proud, in winning three All-Irelands, everybody in that dressing-room was from Corofin and that really, really shows the success we have within the club and the calibre of people.

“I’ve no doubt the position will be filled, and I certainly will be there to support them in whatever way I can.”

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The All-Ireland U20 winning boss was confirmed as the recommendation of the county’s selection committee.

Ricken will replace Kieran McCarthy in the role after he departed following a second successive Munster final defeat.

According to the Irish Examiner, Ricken beat out up to six other men who had put their names forward for the role after entering late into the race.

The St Vincent’s clubman will be joined by five selectors with a coach to be announced in the near future.

Micheál Ó Cróinín (Naomh Abán), Ray Keane (MTU / St. Finbarr’s), James Loughrey (St. Brigid’s / Mallow), Barry Corkery (Éire Óg) and Des Cullinane (St. Nicholas) will make up most of Ricken’s backroom.

Ricken most recently managed the Cork U20 footballers where he won the Munster title twice and achieved All-Ireland success alongside a provincial crown in 2019.

Several members of his 2019 All-Ireland winning team have already graduated to the senior set-up, including All-Star nominee Sean Meehan and Brian Hartnett.

He will have the chance to bring through members of the Munster U20 title-winning side in his two years in charge of the Rebel County’s senior footballers.

Ricken has also won the Premier Intermediate Championship in Cork twice as manager of St Vincent’s and won CIT their only Sigerson Cup to date in 2009.

A statement by Cork GAA reads: “The County Executive will be proposing Keith Ricken (St. Vincent’s) as incoming Senior Football manager on a two-year term at our next County Committee meeting.

“Selectors will be as follows: Micheál Ó Cróinín (Naomh Abán), Ray Keane (MTU / St. Finbarr’s), James Loughrey (St. Brigid’s / Mallow), Barry Corkery (Éire Óg) and Des Cullinane (St. Nicholas). Coach to be announced in the near future.”

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Bonnar previously coached the Carlow senior hurlers for a three-year period in which he brought the side up to Division One of the National Hurling League and the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

Under his management, Carlow won the Christy Ring Cup and the Joe McDonagh Cup in two consecutive years to reach the top of the inter-county hurling pyramid.

The Cashel King Cormacs club man has also managed the Tipperary camogie side – with whom he won an All-Ireland in 1999 – the Wexford senior hurlers and Waterford Institute of Technology.

All three jobs have seen Bonnar help the sides to silverware during his tenures and the 57-year-old has also had various backroom roles with other inter-county sides since getting into coaching.

The former Tipperary hurler is currently working with Kilkenny club Dicksboro alongside ex-Waterford boss Padraig Fanning.

Upon taking up the role as manager of the Tipperary senior hurlers, Bonnar is replacing former head coach Liam Sheedy, who brought All-Ireland success to the Premier County in both his tenures.

Bonnar relishes the opportunity to take on “his biggest, but proudest challenge” as Tipperary Hurling Manager.

“I realise that one of the most successful Tipperary teams ever is obviously coming to a natural transition with the departure of Liam Sheedy and the recent retirement of Brendan Maher and I would like to congratulate them on their amazing careers for Tipperary,” Bonnar said.

“However, I am confident with the experience still in the current squad and the many successful U20/21 and minor teams over the last number of years, there are many talented hurlers in Tipperary bursting to take their opportunity to be successful at senior level, just like I am as the new manager.”

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The Ulster champions’ county board said that it could not field a side after receiving expert medical opinion on the health of their players.

There has been a Covid outbreak in the setup that has caused the county to play without some players n the Ulster Senior Football Championship and the game to be rescheduled once previously.

The updated schedule also sees the All-Ireland get pushed back another week to Sunday, September 11th.

The winner of the semi-final between the Munster and Ulster champions will face Mayo in the final after they beat defending champions Dublin in extra time in their semi-final.

The GAA say the revised schedule has been finalised with the integrity of the championship in mind and to ensure that Kerry were not denied a semi-final outing.

Tyrone’s county board have welcomed the decision made by the CCCC to postpone their fixture for a second time.

The post Kerry – Tyrone Semi-Final Delayed A Second Time appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The announcement follows the news that the Tyrone squad are self-isolating and undergoing covid tests after positive cases among the team.

The game is now scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 21 with the venue remaining the same – Croke Park.

The other semi-final, Dublin v Mayo, is not affected by this and will continue as planned on Saturday, August 14 at 6 pm.

The winner of that tie will now have a three-week break until the final, which has been moved back to Sunday, September 4.

In a statement by the GAA on Monday afternoon, the sport’s governing body confirmed the changes.

“The GAA’s CCCC has today confirmed that Sunday’s GAA Football semi-final meeting of Kerry and Tyrone at Croke Park will not take place as originally scheduled and will now be played on Saturday, August 21 at the same venue ​(time to be confirmed). 

“This decision was taken following a status report received by the GAA relating to positive Covid cases in the Tyrone panel.  

“This change will necessitate the GAA Football All-Ireland final being re-arranged to take place on Saturday, September 4.  

“The GAA Football U20 final meeting of Offaly and Roscommon will proceed as planned at Croke Park ​at 1.30 pm on Sunday with the same permitted attendance.  

“The GAA will continue to liaise with the appropriate Government Departments and officials to discuss the practicalities of having these revised fixtures included under the statutory instrument that has facilitated the increased attendances of recent weeks.  

“The GAA will also be working with the LGFA around the TG4 Ladies All Ireland Junior final scheduled for Croke Park on September 4.”

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The game will be held at O’Connor Park and coverage of the game will be on GAAGO.

The two teams have had contrasting seasons so far with Carlow impressing but ultimately falling short in the National Football League Division Four while Longford did the opposite in Division Three.

Carlow impressed in Division Four after their strong displays against Waterford and Wexford, against whom they looked a level above.

However, they looked a level below Division Three-bound Louth in their semi-final tie, missing out on promotion as a result.

Their attack looked sharp in all three games.

The quality of Jamie Clarke, Paul Broderick and Darragh Foley in the final third shone throughout the season and the trio will certainly give the Longford defence problems.

The O’Farrell County had a particularly hard time in their season opener against Derry, conceding 21 points.

Cavan registered more (22) but Longford put up a fight to soften the blow.

Longford looked a class below Derry but had close games with Cavan and Fermanagh, the latter being a draw.

The former fell away from them in the second half but their second-half performance against Tipperary in the relegation showcased their potential.

The Fermanagh game was almost a win for the Slashers but a late equaliser prevented that.

Padraic Davis’ men showed some grit in defence and blew Davy Power’s Munster Champions out of the water (and Division Three).

Rian Brady has starred for them in the final third and will look to continue his good form in the Leinster SFC.

Darren Gallagher’s goalscoring exploits have proved important while the ever-reliable Robbie Smyth has also been a feature in this capable Longford attack.

Considering what they did to Division Three defences this year, it is tough to look past Longford in this tie.

Team News

Carlow

C Cunningham, L Roberts, S Redmond, J Moore, J Morrissey, J Murphy, S Bambrick, S Gannon, E Ruth, R Dunphy, C Hulton, J Clarke, C Crowley, P Broderick, D Foley

Longford

P Collum, P Fox, A Farrell, E Macken, I O’Sullivan, M Quinn, C P Smyth, K Diffley, D Gallagher, D Reynolds, D McGivney, D McElligott, R Smyth, J Hagan, R Brady

Predicted Winner: Longford by 5.

Betting

Carlow 2/1

Draw 15/2

Longford 1/2

A Twitter List by IrishScoresGAA

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Click Here for Live scores for on Clare v Waterford
The match will be live on RTÉ One’s ‘The Sunday Game’.

The two teams meet in the Munster quarter-final with the winner of the clash facing Tipperary in the semi-finals.

The loser will get a second chance and will enter the All-Ireland qualifiers.

Clare is on a three-game win streak after a poor start to the National Hurling League season was salvaged with a show-stopping performance against Kilkenny on the final day being the highlight.

Waterford boasted an identical record of three wins to the Banner County but will want to iron out their defensive lapses if they are to get past Tony Kelly and co.

Kelly has once again underlined his importance to this Clare side with his performances so far this season.

A 20-point haul against Dublin is the standout in a list of standout performances.

Kelly’s six points from play in Parnell Park helped his side to a five-point win over the Dubliners, along with his 13 frees and 65.

The side’s performance against Kilkenny was impressive as it showed that this Clare team have other offensive weapons when Tony Kelly plays.

David Reidy, Aron Shanagher, Diarmuid Ryan and Aidan McCarthy starred alongside Kelly in a fantastic attacking display by the county.

A big criticism of Brian Lohan’s Clare side has always been their overreliance on Tony Kelly.

This year could be the year they break free from that, or at least begin to.

Aidan McCarthy has excelled for Clare this year as he led the line in Tony Kelly’s absence in the middle of the league campaign.

The Clare U-21 prospect has impressed after making the jump to senior level and had a fruitful game against Wexford after Tony Kelly went down.

McCarthy has not looked back and will be a danger for Waterford’s defenders this weekend.

Clare’s attackers will have a lot of opportunities to drive this point home against Waterford’s defence, which is yet to get going this season.

Waterford’s defence will need to be much better if they are to get past Lohan’s Clare.

The All-Ireland finalists have already conceded 13 goals this season, conceding three or more on three occasions.

Only Westmeath (20) conceded more in Division One and no other side conceded over nine.

Their defence has looked disorganised and in disarray so far this year, failing to pull it together after falling short in Croke Park last season.

Waterford are in for a long day if their defensive shape is anything like it was against Cork on the opening day of the National Hurling League.

In contrast, Clare maintained a positive points difference over their five games in the league, conceding as many goals as they scored (7).

The side’s defensive woes were a talking point before the 2021 season began but their improvement in attack has lowered the volume on that topic.

The triple-threat of Stephen Bennett, Dessie Hutchinson and Calum Lyons will give the Clare defence their all.

However, Waterford have struggled at times to connect defence and attack by creating problems for themselves in midfield.

They will need to be at their best to beat this in-form Clare side.

The Banner County’s faults in defence are not as negatively impactful as their often-one-man attack has been.

But, as mentioned above, that problem may be solved.

Team News

Clare

E Quilligan, R Hayes, C Cleary, P Flannagan. D Ryan, J Conlon, P Fitzpatrick. C Galvin, T Kelly. C Malone, D Reidy, R Taylor. I Galvin, A Shanagher, A McCarthy

Waterford 

B Nolan, S Fives, C Gleeson, S McNulty, C Lyons, I Daly, K Moran, A Gleeson, D Lyons, P Hogan, J Fagan, S Bennett, D Hutchinson, Sh Bennett, D Prendergast

Predicted Winner: Clare by 3

Betting

Waterford 4/7

Draw 9/1

Clare 13/8

A Twitter List by IrishScoresGAA

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CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORES ON DONEGAL v DOWN

In the preliminary round of the provincial competition, the two sides face-off with the winner facing National Football League Division Three winners Derry in the quarter-finals.

The game will be available to watch on RTÉ One’s ‘The Sunday Game’ with coverage starting at 12:55 pm.

After an abysmal season, Down, relegated to Division Three, will want to see improvements in their game.

Similarly, Donegal needs to make a statement in Ulster after unconvincing performances in the league saw them squeeze into the Division One semi-finals, where they looked a level below a Dublin that has not hit top form yet this season.

Donegal is the stronger of the two sides on paper, boasting a powerful attack that includes a blend of established figures and up-and-coming talents coming towards their prime years.

They have entered a new era of attacking football, a far cry from the 2012 side which championed a hard-working defensive style.

Donegal manager Declan Bonner has found a way to include all his attacking talents into one side and has reaped the rewards on that side of play.

Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty still star for the 2012 All-Ireland winners in the forward lines with the pair proving that age is just a number.

Jamie Brennan, Ciaran Thompson and Oisin Gallen look more and more assured alongside the veteran duo as their experience grows.

Niall O’Donnell and the reliable Michael Langan also provide attacking support for the side.

Ryan McHugh is as dangerous as ever going forward from his wing-back role.

Peadar Mogan has also impressed on the opposite flank.

The side’s attack was able to function in the absence of Michael Murphy after he went down four minutes into the Monaghan game.

With him back, they can only get better.

The sheer attacking power will be sure to terrorise a Down defence that has shipped 78 points in its four games in 2021 and looked frail throughout them.

Goalkeeper Rory Burns must be mentioned as he has been a bright spark in an otherwise poor defence for the Mournemen.

But if a side concedes 78 points in Division Two, albeit 27 to All-Ireland finalists Mayo, they will have a rough 70 minutes against a side that scored 77 against the best sides in the country.

James Horan’s Mayo is a good example of a young, pacey attacking side that tore up the Down backline and a similar result will be expected against Donegal.

Down boss Paddy Tally will have his work cut out for him to fix their defensive issues before his side faces Bonner’s Blitzkreig.

However, Bonner’s gung-ho approach leaves Donegal susceptible at the back as Ulster rivals Monaghan and Armagh have already showcased.

A slow full-back line was exposed but the power of Donegal’s attack pulled the side back into the games.

The era of the blanket defence has created a generation of defenders who are not ready to make that step up for Donegal.

Down will look to take advantage of this as they attempt to pull off the upset on Sunday afternoon.

Barry O’Hagan will be an important figure high up the pitch for the Mourne County.

His scores against Laois kept them in Division Two.

Cory Quinn will be another option for Down when an attack is on for the side.

Barry’s brother and Down captain Darren O’Hagan will be busy in the middle of the park.

However, Down will rely on Rory Burns to keep Donegal’s blistering attack at bay but, unlike Laois and Westmeath, it may be too much of an ask for the Castlewallan man.

Team News

Down

R Burns, P Fegan, G McGovern, G Collins, P Laverty, D O’Hagan, D Guinness, C Mooney, R McEvoy, L Kerr, C Doherty, B O’Hagan, C McCrickard, L Middleton, C Quinn

Donegal

S Patton, B McCole, N McGee, S McMenamin, R McHugh, O McFadden Ferry, E Ban Gallagher, H McFadden, C McGonagle, C Thompson, N O’Donnell, M Langan, P McBrearty, M Murphy, P Mogan

Predicted Winner: Donegal by 10

Betting

Down 13/2

Draw 14/1

Donegal 1/10

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