RTE.ie prediction
Dublin v Tyrone (Saturday)
The GAA is pitching it as a historic event, but most people will be
going to Croke Park for the clash of Dublin and Tyrone to see thunder and lightning in this Allianz NFL Division 1A clash, rather than just flood lights. Throw in at 7.30pm.
With 82,000 people in party mood and expecting a battle of Croke Park to match last year's Healy Park massacre, this will be a game with plenty of incident.
Dublin have opened up their season with victory in the O'Byrne Cup (having defeated Laois in the final), and Paul Caffrey has stuck to the squad that sealed that victory - new boys Ger Brennan, Diarmuid Connolly, Niall O'Shea, David O'Callaghan, and Declan O'Mahony keeping the more experienced Dubs on the bench.
Tyrone's Brian Dooher won't take part in the game - he's out injured - but he will be replaced in the captain's role by Ryan McMenamin. The Red Hand will also be missing goalkeeper John Devine, who broke a collarbone in training.
Mickey Harte is putting out a fairly familiar Tyrone side, though he
has handed league debuts to Colm Cavanagh , who will play in front of brother Sean in the half-forward line, and Martin Penrose, who will slot into the half-back line.
Whether either side will be ready for championship fervour in
February remains to be seen.
Verdict: Dublin
List of all matches today at:
http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0202/league07previews.html
