All Four Senior Football Quarter-Finals This Weekend
All four Leinster quarter-finals on the same weekend will bring a feast of football to the province on May 26th and 27th.
Extra-time was required in two of the three first round fixtures, and more close games are expected in Tullamore and Longford.
Though Dublin are expected to claim the Delaney Cup for the eighth year in a row, all the other counties approach the games with a point to prove.
Take Kildare, for example. Relegated from Division 1 of the League, they are at least aiming to reach the provincial final for the second year in a row and perhaps claim a place in the ‘Super 8s’.
But they will be on guard against a Carlow side on top form after achieving promotion from Division 4 and following-up with a 2-17 to 0-12 victory over Louth last Sunday week.
There’s a feel-good factor in Carlow under Turlough O’Brien and they will be optimistic heading to Bord na Móna O’Connor Park on Sunday afternoon.
Tullamore will also host the first football game of the weekend on Saturday evening, when Laois and Westmeath meet half-way. Laois were relieved to emerge from Wexford with a narrow first round victory and have the benefit of a game under the belts.
Westmeath’s Leinster Championship record has been impressive in recent seasons. Their most recent competitive outing was a defeat to Meath in the Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup final and although James Dolan is a massive loss, this is expected to be another close fought tie.
There’s always a fantastic atmosphere at Glennon Bros Pearse Park when Longford take part in a championship game, and they will relish the visit of the Royal County.
Meath, as mentioned, secured some early-season silverware in the O’Byrne Cup final, but Longford more than held their own in Division 3 of the league and will hope to make the most of home advantage.
Wicklow left nothing in the tank the last time out against Offaly, sensationally coming through after extra-time.
Dublin, though, have enjoyed their trips to Nowlan Park and O’Moore Park in the last couple of seasons and are expected to easily progress to a semi-final back in Croke Park on 10th June.
