Tailteann Cup Preview: Group Stage Round 2

Round 2 of the Tailteann Cup this weekend, this round of action will be testing for all sides, as the race heats up to book an automatic spot into the quarter-finals.

Group 1:

London v Cavan, Saturday May 20th, Ruislip, 2pm

Cavan will look to stay on course for a successful championship, as they travel across to face London.

London were beaten by Offaly by nine points last time out and while they have home advantage, signs are on they will find it tough this weekend, as they are desperate to pick up a first win.

One of the Tailteann Cup favourites, Cavan brushed past Laois last weekend, but were not all comfortable at times, despite a nine point margin, but they still looked a strong side and will be out for the same in Ruislip.

Laois v Offaly, Saturday May 20th, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 7pm

With Cavan looking likely to be one of the top two teams, this meeting of Leinster neighbours will look to see who finishes in that other spot.

Laois will be out not to squander a lead in this tie, having led against Cavan in the opening half, they need to take that as a learning curve as this game really is a must win for them, a penalty really changed the dynamic of the tie, they need to be more rigid in defence.

Offaly meanwhile are bidding to stay unbeaten in the competition, having won their first round match in comfortable fashion against London, they will hope to be competitive against their neighbours.

Group 2:

Waterford v Meath, Saturday May 20th, Fraher Field, 6.30pm

Meath will look to put another win under their belts in group 2, as they take on a struggling Waterford in Fraher Field.

While their opponents won by 11 last weekend, Waterford were on the end of an 11 point loss to Down, they looked good from the off but slowly faded and their forwards lacked the pedigree and scoring power to cause Down issues, they will find it tough again this weekend.

A youthful Meath side finally picked up confidence last weekend, Aaron Lynch scored 1-3 on his championship debut, one of three debutants fielded by the Royals, should they pick up the in this weekend, it would be a straight shootout with Down, who should handle the challenge of Tipperary.

Tipperary v Down, Sunday May 21st, FBD Semple Stadium, 1.45pm

Down will look for a statement performance against Tipp as they looked a little off form last weekend but got the job done.

Tipp have had a torrid year and look to be heading into a transition period, back in Thurles however on Sunday, they could produce an upset in this tie, but will need a huge performance, they have a weakened offensive threat and may lack the ability to breach the Down defence.

Down started rather sluggish against Waterford but as the game wore on they took it in their stride, an attack that looks on point thus far, they won by three at the same venue in the league and it’s hard to see them not leave with the same outcome.

Group 3: 

Carlow v Limerick, Saturday May 20th, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm

A meeting of the top two in Group 3, as Carlow look for another impressive win against a resurgent Limerick.

Having looked dead and buried in their tie with Wicklow, Carlow staged a dramatic comeback scoring six points without reply to win by a single point, the underdogs in the group, could well be the favourites to top it should they win this clash.

Limerick edged Longford in a hard fought 2-16 to 1-16 win on Shannonside last weekend, Brian Donovan’s second half goal was the real deciding factor, they conceded a late goal but saw out the contest, looking for another big win this time around to push their chances of silverware. 

Longford v Wicklow, Saturday May 20th, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 5pm

Two teams who lost their opening round games meet in Longford on Saturday evening, looking for a crucial win in this group.

Longford finished the game with a flurry in Limerick last weekend, Dessie Reynolds goal in added time, left a point between them, but their defence was breached twice for late points, they will be encouraged by that performance off their league form, Dylan Farrell notched seven points that day and will look for another big day at the office this weekend.

Wicklow will be out for a better performance having squandered a five point lead over Carlow last weekend in the dying embers, if they have ambitions of qualifying for the knock-out rounds, they need a more well rounded performance.

Group 4:

Wexford v Antrim, Saturday May 20th, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5.30pm

After a massive result in Round 1, Wexford are out for their first win as they welcome Antrim to the South-East,

Wexford keeper Darragh Brooks pointed an injury time 45′ to secure a draw for Wexford in their opening Tailteann Cup clash with Fermanagh in Brewster Park last weekend, they came from six points down at half-time to snatch a draw, against a side who won promotion to Div 2 this season, they could well snatch another result this weekend.

Antrim were nine point winners over Leitrim in round 1 and will look to rubber stamp top spot with another spirited performance, with their league and Ulster campaigns behind them they could well get out of this group after this weekend.

Leitrim v Fermanagh, Saturday March 20th, Avant Money Páirc Sean MacDiarmada, 6pm

Fermanagh were one of the favourites in this year’s competition, now heading to Carrick-On-Shannon, they need to overcome Leitrim to have a chance at the knockout stages.

Leitrim need a big performance this weekend to get their momentum back on track, they faded rather quickly against Antrim and their loss to New York also was disappointing, they need confidence and a big win here would throw the group wide open going into Round 3.

The visitors know well they left points behind them last weekend, a game they looked the better in, they squandered four goal chances, along with kicking nine wides, they gave away a penalty also, they need to be more ruthless this weekend and take those chances or they will limp out in the group stage phase.