By Eugene Kyne

Saturday, July 15

5 p.m.: SH Connecticut State vs. Galway

GALWAY is in a slide, and unless Eugene Cloonan and Joe Cooney become available it will not stop in this fixture. Dave Simms, Sean Corrigan and Conor Power are trying their hardest, but it is just not there this year.

State is pushing for the top spot, with Ritchie Gaule, Iarlaith Tannion and Bonnie Kennedy in top form. Another win today for the Connecticut boys.

6:30 p.m.: SF B Sligo vs. St. Barnabas

TOP of the table clash, and if you have no plans for Saturday evening look no further. Both undefeated after two, both were pushed hard last week. Cork got within four of Sligo. Meath gave a real scare to the Saints in Rockland before going down by two.

Sligo are putting a good squad together with Colin O’Riordan, Thomas Maher, Enda Henry and Nester Allen all match winners in different ways.

The Saints, of course, have the Garvey brothers from Kilkee, with Ronan in top form and in line for a recall to the county panel when they regroup for the fall season versus Galway in the FBD final. Eddie Greenan, Bryan Kelly and Kieran Moyle’s are all adept at this level.

This will be a classic encounter with a draw a very possible result.

Sunday, July 16

1 p.m.: JF A Tyrone vs. St. Raymond’s

TYRONE are quietly climbing the division ladder and they are sitting confidently in the top four. Dean Gallagher, Conor Skeffington and Barry McElduff are giving them the leadership to make a run at the title and an immediate return to the senior ranks.

St. Raymond’s have been hurt by injuries, with C.J. Doherty missing games alongside Gary Dowd. They still have Mike Creegan and John O’Donoghue, with Mark Comerford on board. Also look for Iarlaith Tannion to show his face without the hurley in this one.

Tyrone is on a run and it won’t stop here. A four point win on the cards.

2:30 p.m.: SH Tipperary vs. New Jersey/Kilkenny

GALWAY pushed NJ/K to six points two weeks ago and that may serve as a wake up call to the combination squad. They have Hugh O’Leary, Liam O’Connor, Cathal McKeever and John Green as leading lights, and the connection to UL of Limerick has served them well this last two years.

Tipp need to start winning if they hope to have a spot in the final three. Top team goes into the final in this division with two versus three in one semifinal. Offaly look to have a spot sealed, with NJ/K on course for the other. This leaves Tipp and Conn State fighting out for number three.

John Madden, Tom Moylan and Gavin Steed will give them a shot here, but NJ/K look to have to many weapons. A five point NJ/K win should be the outcome.

4 p.m.: SF A Leitrim vs. Donegal

LEITRIM should have taken the points against Kerry, but they let their guard down in the waning moments to let the Kingdom back into it. Kenny O’Connor will be absent for this one due to his actions in that game; brother Ray will pick up the slack. John Walsh and Aidan Power are forming a formidable pairing in the full back line. Gary Cornyn is solid as a man marker. Paul Murray, Noel McPartland and Billy Harte are all scorers. The man who is leading and carrying this team is Robbie Moran and he is a horse on the 40.

Donegal will look to Michael Milner, Derek Reilly and Anton Diver for scores and leadership, but it will be a long afternoon.

5:30 p.m.: SF A Clare vs. Kerry

KERRY sits on top of the senior football table, and they are winning while never playing to their full potential. Last time out they had a savior in Ross O’Donovan, who found the net when all seemed lost. Defense seems to be set with Derek Riney and Eoghan Lawler up the center, and Niall Corbett and Pa Murphy at their sides. Midfield is still a question mark, but the attack of Dan Doona, Dermot Fleming and O’Donovan will not be found wanting.

Clare had Cavan beaten until a last second point pulled them back. Mickey Slowey is the star of the team and the league; Anthony Rooney is not far behind as he also exudes class when on the ball or off. Tony McTigue is finding the target consistently since he returned to the football stage.

It may not be enough to stop the Kerry machine however. Kerry to prevail by three in an evening battle.