Limerick and Wexford can book quarter-final spots

Carlow v Limerick
Dr Cullen Park, 7pm Saturday

Carlow claimed the Joe McDonagh Cup last week to book their place in the Leinster Championship for 2019. Carlow scored quickfire goals either side of half-time to see off Westmeath and John Kiely’s Limerick side will be wary of the challenge Carlow poise on home soil.

Limerick were one of the most impressive teams in the early stages of the championship, securing wins over Tipperary and Waterford, but they failed to fire against Clare in the final round.

While they will have been disappointed to have missed out on the Munster final, the manner of that defeat will have been the biggest cause for concern for Kiely and he’ll be hoping the break since will have freshened up his side.

Limerick look like a team going places in the near future and this is a good opportunity for them to bounce back to form quickly and prepare for a clash with Galway or Kilkenny next weekend.

Limerick should bounce out of the blocks and put to bed any chance of an upset.

Recommendations
Limerick -14
2pts 10-11 general

Westmeath v Wexford
Cusack Park, 7pm Saturday

Wexford will look to some of their Under-21 stars who featured in a classic Leinster final clash with Galway on Wednesday as they bid to book their place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Rory O’Connor was one of those on show but he’s struggling with injury and it’s likely that Davy Fitzgerald will rest his star man with a bigger challenge ahead next weekend.

Wexford looked like they were destined for the Leinster final when leading Kilkenny for large amounts of their final-round clash but fatigue took its toll late on and they failed to see it out, losing by just a point.

Like Limerick however, the break since is sure to have helped their cause and this is the first stepping stone on the way back into championship contention.

Westmeath will be looking to overcome the disappointment of last week’s loss to Carlow in the Joe McDonagh Cup final.

They have some quality players in their line-up with Allan Devine and Niall O’Brien leading the charge and while a win is likely beyond them, they should be able to keep a Wexford team missing Rory O’Connor within the handicap.

Recommendations
Westmeath +15
2pts 10-11 general

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