Weekend GAA preview: League Final in Kilkenny, Connacht Championship in the Bronx

The Championship may still be a few weeks away for the counties with All-Ireland ambitions, but Sunday’s clash at Nowlan Park certainly has that feel about it.

By Declan Whooley

Tipperary will step into the lion’s den at Nowlan Park and interest in the game has been huge. It was expected that 15,000 would fill the stands, but reports in today’s papers suggest that figure could be closer to 23,000. The Cats have reached a staggering nine finals under Brian Cody’s watch, yet the public interest is as high as ever. And it is the first final at the venue since 1966 owing to an understanding between the respective County Boards prior to the 2009 decider at Semple Stadium.

Kilkenny, of course, will go into the game without Cody at the helm as he recovers from his operation, but will be determined to make a mockery of the critics that questioned their hunger after defeat in their opening two games against Galway and their opponents on Sunday.

Tipp too had a sluggish start after their heavy opening defeat to the Rebels, but recovered quickly and at this early stage look be the most likely team to challenge for top honours later in the season. They were the top scorers in the group stage, averaging 23 points a game, though they did also have the leakiest defence as Eamon O’Shea looked to find the best combinations ahead of the Championship.

The Mullinahone ace is back for the Premier

Lar Corbett has enjoyed a real return to form, scoring 3-7 and looking like his old self, while Séamus Callanan’s form – he’s their top scorer with 1-25 – has been a real bonus. Darren Gleeson starts between the sticks for Tipp after rotating with Brendan Cummins during the league campaign, while Paul Curran comes in for the injured Paddy Stapleton in the full-back line. Kieran Bergin makes his senior debut in the half-back line. Eoin Kelly starts in attack instead of Pa Bourke.

The Cats, for their part, will be without King Henry Henry Shefflin as he still is to overcome a foot injury, while Richie Power is a major doubt with cracked ribs and Michael Rice is also a concern with a groin problem. Michael Fennelly is likely to feature after recovering from a hamstring problem.

If the game is even half as good as the 2009 decider, which Kilkenny won by 2-26 to 4-17 after extra-time, then we are in for a treat. We expect the game to be every bit as close and the added advantage of playing in front of the home crowd may be enough to swing this in Kilkenny’s favour.

2013 Football Championship gets underway in the Bronx

The 2013 Football Championship gets underway 224 days after Donegal defeated Mayo at Croke Park last September, with Gaelic Park in New York the far away venue.

Leitrim travel to the Bronx for the opening fixture in the Connacht Championship and after victory in the FBD League this year, will be buoyed by their early season form. Their league campaign was mixed (W3 L4) in Division 4, but they will be hoping not to become a famous Big Apple scalp.

Gaelic Park in New York

New York manager Connie Molloy is the brother of Donegal's All-Ireland winning captain from 1992 Anthony Molloy, while Leitrim native Eoin Ward is named at centre-half-forward.

Conor Lynam, Keith Scally (both Westmeath) and Jason Kelly (Offaly) provide the inter-county experience while there are five native New Yorkers in the squad, including Connie's son CJ, who lines out at midfield.

Captain Emlyn Mulligan

Mulligan will lead the attack in a team that features eleven members of the side that started in the defeat to Laois in the All-Ireland qualifiers last July in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The four newcomers are centre-back Gary Reynolds, wing-back Wayne McKeon, midfielder Tomas Beirne and corner-forward Robbie Lowe.

Leitrim arrived in the American capital yesterday and should have enough about them to book a place in the semi-final to face the winners of London and Sligo.