Watch Louth v Tyrone live on RTÉ ONE this Saturday from 3.15pm, and Roscommon v Galway and Clare v Limerick live on RTÉ ONE this Sunday from 1.55pm-6.00pm. The Sunday Game is on RTÉ TWO from 10.15pm.
RTÉ Publishing's Patrick Kennedy looks ahead to this weekend's Guinness Senior Football Championship action.
All-Ireland Qualifier Series
Waterford v Longford
Saturday 17 June, Walsh Park, 2.00pm
Longford will be looking to show the rest of the country that their good performance against Dublin was no fluke when they travel to Walsh Park to take on Waterford.
Waterford were soundly beaten by Kerry in their Munster SFC first round outing and have done nothing to suggest that they can bring an early end to Longford's summer of football.
On other occasions Longford may have been suffering from the psychological damage of just missing out to the Dubs when they finally got to face them on home turf.
Not so this time as it points to an obvious improvement from the hidings that the Metropolitans have dished out to them on the previous two SFC meetings between the sides.
Longford will progress to the next round while Waterford can content themselves that their hurlers are still providing an interest.
Verdict: Longford
Louth v Tyrone
Saturday 17 June, Navan, 3.30pm
Both Louth and Tyrone will be aiming to prove that their first round SFC provincial performances were not a true reflection of their form when they clash in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.
Louth failed to score in the second-half against a Meath side that completely overwhelmed them. This only weeks after capturing the NFL Division 2 title, was a major setback to their summer as they sought to prove they could mix it with the big boys in Croke Park.
Tyrone were frustrated by cynical Derry tactics and were not able to get the best out of their marquee players as a result. On paper the Red Hand threaten to destroy Eamonn McEneaney's side.
However, the gap will be much closer if Louth can improve on their defensive performance against Meath. Should they allow Owen Mulligan freedom they will be inviting a hammering. Other than that they will need to pack the midfield area to prevent Tyrone getting on top.
Tyrone will qualify but expect an improved showing from Louth.
Verdict: Tyrone
Monaghan v Wicklow
Saturday 17 June, Clones, 3.30pm
The Farney will welcome Wicklow to Clones for their All-Ireland SFC first round tie.
Monaghan were most impressive in their two outings against Armagh. They gave a very professional performance and showed that they are among the fittest, if not most physical, sides in the SFC. They were unlucky not to defeat Joe Kernan's side for the second time in four years.
Wicklow must be questioning why this game is being played in Ulster as the trend has, in the past, been to award a home fixture to the weaker county.
They travel to Clones more in hope than in confidence after being destroyed by the boot of Carlow's Simon Rea in their Leinster SFC first round game.
Tomas Freeman is likely to perform a similar feat and the Farney will not miss their injured players too much as they progress to the next round.
Verdict: Monaghan
Antrim v Clare
Saturday 17 June, Casement Park, 4.00pm
Antrim's refusal to facilitate their opponents with a Sunday fixture threatens to overshadow their clash with Clare.
The Saffrons see themselves caught up in controversy for the second time this year, following on from declining New York's request to stage the Ulster SHC final on the other side of the Atlantic.
The Banner have more quality throughout their side and should use the inspiration from Antrim's stance to inspire themselves to returning west of the Shannon with qualification to round two safely secured.
Neither side were a match for their opponents in their provincial openers but both are hoping to embark on a run of matches in the qualifier series.
Antrim have not shown that they are ready to mirror the form of their All-Ireland club champions St Gall's and will probably be left to ponder their direction at inter-county level after the final whistle on Saturday.
Verdict: Clare
Sligo v Down
Saturday 17 June, Markievicz Park, 7.00pm
Sligo host Down in the hope that will be able to come with a plan for stopping Benny Coulter sending them to an early SFC exit.
The Mourne County are still smarting from the one-point defeat at the hands of Donegal, a match they were confident of winning, and will be keen to dispel any doubts over their side when they face the side from the Yeats County.
They should have little trouble in progressing as Sligo have been in atrocious form in 2006. They have no one in defence that can get to grips with either Coulter or Liam Doyle and do not possess a forward capable of shooting them to victory.
Their one strength may be in midfield but they are unlikely to hold a candle to down unless they can ensure that there is a minimum amount of football played by resorting to fouling and cynical tactics.
However to do so would not be in Sligo's style.
Verdict: Down
Westmeath v London
Sunday 18 June, Cusack Park, 2.00pm
Westmeath should have little trouble in bouncing back from their disappointing defeat to Offaly when they take on London at Cusack Park, Mullingar, at Sunday at 2.00pm.
The Lakesiders have been a mess without talisman Dessie Dolan and but for the scoring touch of PJ Ward they would have been much further behind the Faithful at the end of 70 minutes. Ward should get ample opportunity to add to his season's tally on Sunday.
London were soundly beaten by a strong Mayo side in Ruislip in the first round of the Connacht SFC. They will be hoping for a good showing against Westmeath and containing them to a minimal winning margin.
This may be the high point of Westmeath's summer, as they have not shown anything to indicate that they are returning to anything like their 2004 Leinster SFC winning form.
Verdict: Westmeath
Carlow v Meath
Sunday 18 June, Dr Cullen Park, 4.00pm
An intriguing clash is on the cards on Sunday as Carlow manager Liam Hayes will face his native county for the first time as a manager.
Hayes, since taking the Carlow helm, has been quick to talk up the ability of his squad. They have a number of quality performers, most notably Simon Rea, but do not have the class in defence to prevent the Royal County from taking the honours.
Joe Sheridan showed his obvious ability before the side limped out against Wexford. Daithi Regan only needs half a chance to take a point and Graham Geraghty will be eager to make up for going missing in the second half against the Model County.
If Carlow can prevent Meath from creating goal chance then they may stay in touch until the end of the contest. However, Meath have too many quality experience performers to let this one slip.
Verdict: Meath
Connacht SFC 2006
Roscommon v Galway
Sunday 18 June, Hyde Park, 2.00pm
Roscommon will be hoping that they can upset the formbook when they tackle Galway in the Connacht SFC semi-final.
Normally home advantage would give Roscommon some hope of catching the Tribesmen off-guard. However Peter Ford's Galway side is packed with classy forwards while John Maughan's Roscommon side lacks enough experienced defenders.
Michael Meehan, Padraig Joyce and Seán Armstrong have the ability to heap misery on Roscommon from the off on Sunday.
Roscommon's one hope will be in wining the midfield battle and starving Galway of possession. This task has been made easier due to the unfortunate injury that has ruled Paul Clancy out of the SFC. Seamie O'Neill can win a lot of ball and, if it is used correctly, can give his side some hope.
Expect to see Michael Donnellan playing deeper than usual as Galway try and make up for the absence of Clancy in midfield.
The Tribesmen can win this tie at a canter if they play to their strengths.
Verdict: Galway
Ulster SFC 2006
Donegal v Derry
Sunday 18 June, Clones, 2.15
Derry and Donegal meet at Clones on Sunday, throw-in at 2.15pm, in a bid to decide who will go on to contest the Ulster SFC decider.
Derry appear to be in pole position following their win over Tyrone, but Donegal will have taken a lot of confidence from their one-point win over Down.
The Oak Leaf side have a stronger forward division and will enter the game as favourites. The Bradleys are capable of scoring from anywhere within 60 yards of goal and Enda Muldoon has been in sublime form winning possession for team mates to feed off of.
Donegal have been performing well as a team and will not lie down without a battle. If they can forge a lead over Derry then doubts will begin to enter the minds of the favourites.
Experienced players like Christy Toye Neill Gallagher will be instrumental in ensuring that they do not waste possession.
Donegal are poised to strike the highly fancied Derry side and go on to the Ulster SFC final.
Verdict: Donegal
