Pat Spillane's verdict on this weekend's GAA clashes
The GAA season is moving through the gears and here is Pat Spillane's verdict on this weekend's game
Cavan’s Mickey Graham, Westmeath’s Jack Cooney, Offaly’s John Maughan and Sligo’s Tony McEntee. Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
The GAA season is moving through the gears and here is Pat Spillane's verdict on this weekend's games:
Cavan v Sligo, Croke Park. 1.45 RTE 2
It is not surprising that Cavan are raging hot favourites for this.
They contested an All-Ireland semi-final two years ago and chalked up big wins over Down and Fermanagh in earlier rounds.
Their 2020 All Star Thomas Galligan is in outstanding form while up front Paddy Lynch (below) was been a revelation.
Sligo have recorded more than 40 wides in the competition so far.
But on a positive note they showed great spirit in coming from two points behind against London to force extra-time and then beat Leitrim in a penalty shoot-out.
They can shoot straight – I saw them kicking 28 points and not record a single wide against Carlow in the League.
I also saw them lose to Cavan in the competition. However, with 20 minutes to go they were two points up, but they lost David Quinn to a red card and Sean Carrabine to a black which cost them dearly.
Cavan ought to advance but the game will be a lot closer than anticipated.
VERDICT: Cavan
Offaly v Westmeath, Croke Park, 4.0 RTE 2
This is the ‘get out of jail’ competition for both counties whose seasons to date have been underwhelming.
Despite all the hype around the financial support from Shane Lowry, the arrival of Tomas Ó Sé as coach and their victory in the U-20 Championship last year Offaly were still relegated from Division 2 and then lost to Wexford in the Leinster Championship.
They have built a bit of momentum again in the Tailteann, however, beating Wexford, Wicklow and New York and veteran Niall McNamee (inset) is on fire.
Westmeath never got going in Division 3 in the League but showed glimpses of returning to form against Kildare in the Leinster semi-final when they scored 2-15.
Unlike Offaly they have had competitive games in the competition; a three-point win over Laois and a five-point victory over Carlow. Though normally I tip the team that played in the higher division in the Allianz League, I believe Westmeath have a better-balanced side.
VERDICT: Westmeath
Today's Headlines
rear-ended | Conor McGregor shows off bloody cut to his buttocks following bike accident
single steps | Paul Brogan confirms relationship status amid rumours he’s dating DWTS partner
'hiding a monster' | Natalie McNally’s parents told PSNI budget cuts will not impact hunt for daughter’s killer
contesting case | Martin Foley pictured as he appears in court accused of threatening to kill man
MOTLEY CREW | One-legged mechanic, bossy mum and juror jailed for trying to fix drugs kingpin’s trial
Protection | Asylum seekers housed in Army camp in Co Wicklow as accommodation crisis continues
'rest easy' | Tributes paid to Maud Coffey following private burial this week
tragic death | Feud victim Eddie Hutch’s ex-wife found dead in her Dublin home
latest | Man and woman remanded in custody after being charged with sexual assault at Luas stop
Red Faced | ‘Alex Ferguson ended my Man United career in a golf club carpark’, says Paul Ince