Friday May 2
Mount Sion v Ballyduff Upper (Fraher Field at 7.00)
The first meeting between this pair since the Reds shocked Sion in the 2011 quarter final after extra time. Michael Kearney carried Ballyduff to victory over Ardmore with 2-9. He will be difficult to tie down and he doesn't shirk the rough and tumble. Sion also conceded frees in the red zone last Saturday. Kevin Casey shipped a bad knock just a minute in and his pace and eye for goal will be missing. Sion only dug out four points from play in a dull encounter with Tallow. They encountered difficulty in finding front men Stephen Roche and Martin O'Neill. Eoin McGrath put in a busy shift at midfield as Tony Browne and Austin Gleeson shared the scoring load. Provided that Sion find more fluency, they can gain a hard earned win.
Odds: Mount Sion 2/5 Draw 10/1 Ballyduff Upper 2/1
Prediction: Mount Sion
Sunday May 4
Fourmilewater v Roanmore (Fraher Field at 2.00)
The Sky Blues packed their defence with thirteen bodies at times against Passage but they countered with a host of different attacking threats and didn't depend on Gavin O'Brien. For once, they got their top fifteen on the field and this is important for their survival prospects. They may regret loosening their grip on that game as time pushes on in this championship. Jamie Barron will punish any indiscipline from 70 metres onwards and they will look at detailing a tracker because he was afforded far too much freedom from Abbeyside. Fourmile's threat is not completely absorbed in Barron's form. Conor Gleeson showed trickery in the corner and Shane Walsh also gave a glimpse of his old self in the first half. If they remain patient and spread out the Roanmore backs, a second win is in store for Benji Whelan's side.
Odds: Fourmilewater 2/9 Draw 12/1 Roanmore 10/3
Prediction: Fourmilewater
Passage v Lismore (Fraher Field at 3.30)
Despite fighting from five points down, Peter Queally expressed his dismay at their opening title defence to WLR FM. "Overall, we would be very disappointed with the performance and the flatness of the lads. We looked very tired and very leggy." Bringing Killian Fitzgerald into the play, perhaps from midfield, will assist the overworked Owen Connors. They struggled to break down a massed Roanmore defence but are likely to fare better in looser conditions here. Lismore must find a position to bring the most out of Ray Barry who stayed almost anonymous against De La Salle. Dan Shanahan should also start at fourteen after spending the first half of last Friday's opener on the wing. Question marks over Maurice Shanahan's participation also persist. Sean Prendergast's side will struggle for inspiration without him based on the first round evidence.
Odds: Passage Evens Draw 8/1 Lismore 10/11
Prediction: Passage
Ballygunner v Ardmore (Walsh Park at 2.00)
Ballygunner regained their rhythm quickly by putting up 2-12 in a first half dismantling of Dungarvan. The second half dip will keep them focussed during the week. Barry O'Sullivan's emergence with 1-2 was welcome as he has been on the verge of a big breakthrough. Ardmore rose from eight points back to almost pip Ballyduff Upper in a Seamus Prendergast driven second half but a scruffy Michael Kearney goal proved the difference. John and David Gartland dropped a hint that they can support Seamus in his endeavours. They cannot afford another sluggish start on Sunday.
Odds: Ballygunner 1/16 Draw 16/1 Ardmore 15/2
Prediction: Ballygunner
De La Salle v Abbeyside (Walsh Park at 3.30)
De La Salle used a sensible possession-style approach to negotiate the storm and Maurice Shanahan first up. John Mullane worked ferociously and scored heavily at full forward. Debutants Stephen Dalton (tidy at number four) and Shane Ryan (eight frees) settled instantly into senior hurling. Eddie Barrett made a robust case at midfield to the Waterford selectors perched in the stand. All in all, a firm opening statement. Abbeyside only settled on their preferred fifteen by the end of their loss to Fourmilewater. Expect to see Richie Foley and Gary Hurney on their teamsheet this time. Fourmile' negated their goal threat as the full forward line finished without a single score from play. A week may be too soon to see a sufficient recovery but they will trouble De La Salle in terms of physicality.
Odds: De La Salle 1/5 Draw 12/1 Abbeyside 7/2
Prediction: De La Salle
Dungarvan v Tallow (Lismore at 7.00)
Dungarvan only woke up when they trailed by twelve last Sunday. Jamie Nagle stirred a mini-comeback from the half back line. Gavin Crotty and Cathal Curran fired up top while Ryan Donnelly was surprisingly called ashore on 46 minutes. Tallow's defence really stumped Mount Sion as David O'Brien, Mark O'Brien and Aidan Kearney played from the front. Their problems rested with an attack that only came up with 1-2 from play. Robert O'Sullivan's reliability on frees will be required once again along with more regular moments of Thomas Ryan magic. With these two desperate for points, a one-score game is probable with Dungarvan's firepower favoured.
Odds: Dungarvan 1/5 Draw 12/1 Tallow 7/2
Prediction: Dungarvan
No comments:
Post a Comment