1 p.m.: Intermediate Football, Dublin vs. St. Barnabas

The first game of the year for these two sides. The Saints dropped down from senior football and they will be ranked as one of the favorites in this group.

The Garvey brothers may not be available due to injuries, but Thomas McGovern, Andrew Donoghue, Sean Carbin and Kyle Hannon will backbone the side. Brian Montgomery will also return in his normal corner back slot, with Adrian Clarke in the middle of the field.

Dublin will have thoughts of going deep into the playoffs this year after faltering at the pre-quarterfinal last fall. Declan Reilly and Shane Carty are a big one two punch up front. Cathal Loughnane, Keith Murray and Kevin Fitzgerald are tenacious defenders in front of Alan Reilly, who is a top class keeper.

Dublin to squeak through in this one by two points.

2:30 p.m.: SF KO Kerry vs. Cork

The last time these sides met was in the semifinal last season when Kerry pulled away in the second half. Cork has changed some personnel since then, with county players Evan Byrne, Alan Rafferty and Francie Cleary on board. Rory Stafford from Wexford is a big influence in the middle of the field, with J.P. Boyle the free taker in chief until Nicky Dineen comes back from injury.

Kerry lost a heartbreaker to Tyrone last time out when a deluge of goals changed the game. Regular keeper Shane Clifford should be back to solidify. Anthony Glacken is still injured with a finger problem sustained with New York, but Dermie Foley, Kieran Bergin, Vinnie Gavin and Shane Carty in his second game give them firepower.

Might not be enough. The bank is at plus-10 All-Ireland tix after Astoria’s win two weeks ago.

Thirty tix on Cork to keep the streak going. The Rebels by four. 

4 p.m.: SF Four Provinces vs. Leitrim

These sides had contrasting results against Cavan in their first outings; Four Ps a big loss, Leitrim a big win.

The additions of Paddy Madden and John O’Neill have helped Leirim immensely. O’Neill is a brilliant full forward but has not been used there to this point. Madden a 6’6” rock who lines up beside Adrian O’Connor to give them superb height advantage.

Michael Travers, Mike Creegan and Johnny McGoldrick give them speed. A good combination.

Four Provinces will have Justin O’Halloran, David Doyle, Michael Grimes and Mike Higgins to stand in their way. Steve Robinson is a fast and dangerous forward.

It may be a long day, however, for the Out of Towners. Leitrim to prevail by seven points.

5:30 p.m.: SF KO Tyrone vs. Down

Down had a draw against Cork in the first outing in a very competitive outing. A balanced attack got them the result.

Mark Dobbins is on the 40 again, and most everything goes through his hands. Shaun Munnelly covers acres from the middle of the field and should have Robbie Moran alongside him this week.

The Annetts, Brian and Barry, will probably slot in at 5 and 12, with both doing well thus far. Mark Kelly is a reliable goalie, and don’t expect to see five goals going in during this outing.

Tyrone will be delighted to have got the win in the contest against Kerry, but it is not a tactic to have to use to often. Marty Hamill is lost for the season with a devastating knee injury, Darren Doherty is also injured but may be back on Sunday.

Gerard McCullough, Joe Bell and Steve Keating were all on the New York panel for Mayo game. Gerard McGrory, Darren Petit and Sean Bell were all impact subs last time out, and they all may start in this one. Another draw on the horizon. 

*On Saturday, May 16, there will be a senior hurling seven a side competition. The senior hurling division is starting off the year with the invitational competition at Gaelic Park.

With New York supplying Tipperary, New Jersey/Kilkenny, Offaly and Galway and Boston sending down four teams it promises to be a fantastic day of hurling.

The tournament starts at noon and will culminate with the final at 6 p.m.