SATURDAY 9 JULY
Tailteann Cup final
Cavan v Westmeath, Croke Park, 3pm
All-Ireland SFC semi-final
Derry v Galway, Croke Park, 5.30pm
SUNDAY 10 JULY
All-Ireland SFC semi-final
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 3.30pm
ONLINE
Live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and RTÉ News Now app.
TV
Live coverage of the Tailteann Cup final on The Saturday Game Live, RTÉ2 from 2.30pm, with Derry v Galway live from 5pm - also on Sky Sports Arena from 5pm. Dublin v Kerry on The Sunday Game Live, RTÉ One, from 2.25pm, and on Sky Sports Arena, starting at 3pm.
All games can be viewed outside the island of Ireland on GAAGO.ie.
RADIO
Live coverage on Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1, from 2pm; on Raidió na Gaeltachta - Spórt an tSathairn, 2pm, Spórt an Lae, 1.20pm - and on BBC Radio Ulster.
WEATHER
Saturday: The afternoon and evening will be bright with spells of warm sunshine developing. Highest temperatures of 16 to 23 degrees.
Sunday: It will be warm and largely dry with good sunny spells developing after some early morning mist or drizzle. Highest temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees, warmest in the midlands, with light variable breezes. For more go to met.ie.
Footballing feast in the offing
With the Azores high paying us a visit, weather conditions are set to be perfect for the three games at HQ.
While some would have preferred the Tailteann Cup decider be played before the All-Ireland final, its placing just before the first senior semi-final is still giving it a prominence, and let's be honest more of a prominence than it would have got if it was staged in a fortnight's time. The two best teams, Cavan and Westmeath, are in the final. B oth have taken it seriously; both keen to gain the prize of automatic qualification for next year's Sam Maguire race.
The midlanders were the more eye-catching in their semi-final win over Offaly; a strong start paving the way for an impressive victory. In truth Jack Cooney's side kept their foot on the Faithful neck throughout.
Cavan never looked like they were going to lose their last-four encounter against a gallant Sligo outfit, but still coughed up a few goal chances. A few worries then for Mickey Graham's men as they face a side who may not be as profligate as the Yeats County.
Enda McGinley's Tailteann Cup final preview
The GAA will probably be happy with the inaugural running of the competition, in spite of the somewhat pointless decision to geographically organise things in the rounds before the semi-final. Next year's group phase will tell us a bit more whether the Tailteann Cup is loved by all. For now, we can look forward to what should be a close encounter to decide the first name on the roll of honour.
Four remain in the quest for Sam. Dublin and Kerry on the one side. A slight preference for the winner of Sunday's semi-final to go on and lift the big prize, but Derry and Galway have shown enough so far to ensure that the race will remain competitive beyond this weekend.
The Dubs have not lost a championship match to the Kingdom since the 'startled earwigs' quarter-final of 2009. The clashes since have given us no shortage of drama. Expect more twists and turns in the latest renewal. Another coming together that's too tight to call and you can say the same for Derry-Galway. Don't rule out extra-time or another penalty shootout.
It's set up perfectly for football to shine. The talent is on the pitch to ensure that happens.
Breffni looking to justify favourites tag
Cavan were more than a match for Donegal in the Ulster semi-final. The concession of two late goals was ultimately their undoing.
With no back door open for them in the All-Ireland race, the Tailteann Cup was where they were headed. It was felt that if Cavan put their mind to it, then this new competition was there for them to win. Mickey Graham got the buy-in from his squad, with victories over Down, Fermanagh and Sligo ensuring they reached the final.
Cavan's experience and their physicality, with the likes of Raymond and Thomas Galligan, Padraig Faulkner, Gearóid McKiernan, Gerard Smith and Paddy Lynch in their ranks, gives them the slight nod to get over Westmeath. Graham's side are back close to the level that saw them win an unlikely Ulster title in 2020.
Against Sligo the last day, their 11 first-half points came from 11 different players. And while Tony McEntee's side did make a game of it in the second period, Cavan always looked as if they could move through the gears if required. They did, however, let Sligo in for four goal chances, so things to improve on then when facing a really mobile Westmeath attack.
Cavan defender Padraig Faulkner believes the semi-final will stand to them.
He told RTÉ Sport: "They really brought the game to us and I don't know if we expected the Sligo team that showed up that day.
"They played to their strengths, and for us it was a good test because we saw areas to improve upon. We were up by six, to nearly lose two goals to them and go back up by six again, so it was mixed emotions.
"There were lots of takeaways, and where do you start?
"We just have to look at ourselves now in the final. But that's the nature of it."
Lorcan Dolan adds another goal for Westmeath with a classy finish.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 19, 2022
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Westmeath, after pushing Kildare all the way in the Leinster semi-final, then recorded Tailteann wins over Laois, Carlow and Offaly to get this far. The victory over the Faithful was most impressive. They played with power and pace throughout, with Ronan O'Toole the lynchpin for most of Westmeath's good work at No 11. John Heslin remains their scorer-in-chief, while the defence more often than not got a hand in to snuff out the Offaly threat.
The midlanders have a nice mix of youth and experience; a side perhaps that should have made a better fist of getting out of Division 3 in the spring. Still for Ronan O'Toole, the chance to win some silverware this year is now driving the side on.
Speaking to the media ahead of the final, he said: "It's unreal to be playing championship at this time of the year and that’s what we really want, we strive for that.
"After we lost to Kildare, we took Tuesday off and we reset and refreshed.
"We said we would give this a really good rattle and, lucky enough, we are in the final and hopefully we make it four wins out of four.
"I think all of us enjoy playing for realistic silverware. This final against Cavan is a big step up but we have a great management team and backroom team, a good process in place."
The Tailteann Cup winner is expected to receive €60,000 from the GAA towards a team holiday. An All-Star XV will also be selected later in the year.
Cavan: Raymond Galligan; Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Killian Brady; Oisin Kiernan, Killian Clarke, Conor Brady; Thomas Galligan, James Smith; Gerard Smith, Gearoid McKiernan, Conor Moynagh; Martin Reilly, Paddy Lynch, Cian Madden.
Subs: Gary O'Rourke; Ciarán Brady, Chris Conroy, Luke Fortune, Niall Carolan, Niall Murray, Stephen Smith, Cormac O'Reilly, Benjamin Kelly, Ryan O'Neill, Conor Madden.
Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, Jamie Gonoud; James Dolan, Ronan Wallace, Nigel Harte; Jonathan Lynam, Ray Connellan; Sam McCartan, Ronan O'Toole, David Lynch; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Lorcan Dolan.
Much to like and a few question marks also
Derry and Galway are set for a fourth championship meeting. Two of those three previous encounters came at the All-Ireland semi-final stage (1998 & 2001), with the Tribesmen winning both en route to lifting Sam Maguire.
During the league, Derry showed signs that they could have a long summer and while they fell short in gaining promotion to Division 1, they were still considered genuine contenders for an Ulster title. Dismissing an off-colour Tyrone with ease in the opening round made any doubters sit up. Monaghan, and then Donegal after extra-time, were then cast aside as the county landed a first provincial title since 1998.
And while the claiming of silverware in Clones would not have endeared them to the footballing purists, Derry's performance was a triumph for the courage and self-belief fostered by coach Rory Gallagher, fortified by the tactical ingenuity the Fermanagh man has brought to the role.
Gallagher's side showed a greater expression when cruising past Clare a fortnight ago.
An authoritative and ruthless first-half display set the platform for the victory, Benny Heron and the magnificent Conor Glass blasting home goals after a cagey opening and Paul Cassidy rocketing another into the top stanchion just before half-time.
"It's great to see that quality coming through, that ruthlessness and what I would call devastating brilliance from individuals," was how Rory Gallagher summed up the performance to RTÉ Sport afterwards.
The Fermanagh native did, however, point at areas they could improve on - a certain "leakiness", he added that gave Clare a route to goal.
You could say that leakiness was nearly Galway's undoing against Armagh as they threw away a six-point lead late on. Failure to deal with a couple of high balls saw the concession of two goals as the Orchard County brought the game to extra-time. Then we had that melee. Then the football resumed.
Another Armagh goal, from Rory Grugan, was then cancelled out by Galway's Cillian McDaid who also kicked what would eventually be the point that sent the game to penalties. The Tribesmen struck home their spot kicks with aplomb. In the end they did it the hard way, but they were deserving winners. A first competitive win for the county at Croke Park since they last lifted Sam 21 years ago.
It goes without saying that match-ups will be vital.
Chrissy McKaigue v Shane Walsh. Brendan Rodgers v Damien Comer. Also worth keeping an eye on Paul Conroy v Conor Glass in the middle and then there's the task for Sean Kelly in keeping tabs on Shane McGuigan.
☀️ With temperatures set to soar, things are simmering along nicely for the four counties warming up for All-Ireland SFC semi-final action@MartyM_RTE reports #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/HX6A73gE5H
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 8, 2022
Galway's attacking threat would appear to be stronger and they do have more to call on off the bench. However, a worrying trend all summer has been tendency not to firmly shut the door on their opponents. Mayo and Roscommon a case in point in Connacht
Derry have been expert at nullifying the main threats of the opposition so far, and will also have taken note at how Galway's panicked under the high ball against Armagh. That said, the Ulster champions did hand Donegal and Clare opportunities to put more of a dent on the scoreboard.
The case for and against Derry and Galway adds further intrigue to solving this puzzle.
- It's 11-3 in victories to Galway over Ulster opposition in All-Ireland semi-finals. They beat Derry in 2001 and 1998: Donegal in 1983 and 1974; Down in 1971-1965-1959; Tyrone in 1956; Cavan in 1941 and 1934; Monaghan in 1938. They lost to Down in 1968 and Tyrone in 1986 and 1995.
- Galway and Derry met in this year’s Allianz League (Div 2) in Owenbeg in March when the Tribesmen won by 4-11 to 0-12. They led by 3-8 to 0-4 at half-time.
Galway have kept faith with the same XV that beat Armagh on penalties, Derry have made one change to the side that thumped Clare, Emmett Bradley coming in for Niall Toner.
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Kieran Molloy; Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid; Patrick Kelly, Matthew Tierney, Johnny Heaney; Robert Finnerty, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh.
Subs: James Keane, James Foley, Billy Mannion, Johnny McGrath, Niall Daley, Paul Kelly, Owen Gallagher, Finnian Ó Laoi, Eoin Finnerty, Dessie Conneely, Dylan Canney.
Derry: Odhrán Lynch; Chrissy McKaigue, Brendan Rogers, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Emmet Bradley; Paul Cassidy, Shea Downey, Ethan Doherty; Benny Heron, Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin.
Subs: Conlann Bradley, Paul McNeill, Padraig Cassidy, Ben McCarron, Anton Tohill, Lachlan Murray, Niall Toner, Declan Cassidy, Mark Doherty, Matthew Downey, Oisin McWilliams.
More pressure on Kerry? No Con for Dublin
Jack O'Connor is back with Kerry. So far, so good, if you take winning a league and a Munster title as the currency by which you are measured in Kerry. That's not the case, though. Jack's third stint in charge has to yield a couple of All-Irelands, as was the case in his previous stints.
All year Kerry would have targeted 10 July as the day they'll be facing the Dubs. They were less than eye-catching in getting over Mayo in the quarters. If truth be told, Mayo's poor shooting let Kerry off the hook. Also, the Kingdom's attack at times failed to function, with the Connacht side, particularly in the first half, turning them over far too easily.
Colm O'Rourke's All-Ireland SFC semi-final picks
Questions remain about the fitness of David Clifford, who is named to start, but he still showed enough composure to slot home the only goal a fortnight ago. If Kerry's forward unit is on song they will be hard to beat. Ciarán Whelan, speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, fears that Dublin defence could be in for a tough afternoon.
"If Kerry bring their A game in the forwards, Dublin could struggle defensively," he said
"It's probably the concern a lot of Dubs would have coming in, whether the Dublin defence can withstand the power of the Kerry forward line.
"Jonny Cooper likes to come out and help sweep around the breaks and then he tries to drop off and if Kerry win those, they can get at the Dublin defence quite early.
"I think that is what they [Kerry] are going to try and do because they are excellent at kick passing and they are excellent at their inter-change play in the forward line.
"From a Dublin perspective, I think John Small and Sean O'Shea is ultimately a given.
"Who picks up David Clifford? Probably Mick Fitz [Fitzsimons]. Davy Byrne came on the last day as a sub but Davy Byrne I think is carrying an injury and he made need an operation post-season.
"You have Paudie Clifford, Mayo put Lee Keegan on him to try and curtail his influence, I think he really makes that forward line tick. Does Murchan get the job of following him?
"Lee Gannon marked him for the league game this year and struggled on him for the first 15/20 minutes. Paudie Clifford was very influential, so who goes on Geaney then?"
Similar to Kerry, Dublin have had a handy enough run to the penultimate stage. No stern challenges so far, but the Dubs would appear to be in a better place than they were this time last year. Con O'Callaghan is not named to start. His absence is a blow, with the Cuala player proving be thorn in the Kingdom side in recent times, most notably in the 2019 All-Ireland final replay.
The Dubs have been an itch that Kerry haven't scratched in the championship for 13 years. There is a pressure on Jack O'Connor's side to regain the upper-hand is the age-old rivalry. Also pressure to win a championship match of real note. Recent defeats to Cork and Tyrone are scars the county wants to erase.
- Sunday's semi will be the 32nd championship meeting between the counties since they first met in 1892. Kerry have won 17 times to Dublin's 11 while there were three draws.
- They have met in eleven semi-finals previously with Kerry winning six to Dublin's four while one was drawn.
- Eleven of 31 championship games have been in the last 21 years. Kerry won four and drew one between 2001 and 2009 but Dublin have been dominant since then, winning five and drawing one of six clashes. It leaves the Kingdom seeking their first championship win over the Dubs since the 2009 All-Ireland quarter-final.
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Graham O'Sullivan, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan; Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Tadhg Morley, Gavin White; David Moran, Diarmuid O'Connor; Dara Moynihan, Seán O'Shea, Stephen O'Brien; Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, Paul Geaney.
Subs: Shane Murphy, Tony Brosnan, Killian Spillane, Paul Murphy, Micheál Burns, Joe O'Connor, Jack Savage, Gavin Crowley, Jack O'Shea, Jack Barry, Adrian Spillane.
Dublin: Evan Comerford; Eoin Murchan, Michael Fitzsimons, Lee Gannon; John Small, Jonny Cooper, Seán Bugler; Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff; Niall Scully, Brian Howard, Ciarán Kilkenny; Cormac Costello, Dean Rock, Paddy Small.
