SATURDAY 15 JUNE
Group 1
Derry v Westmeath, Páirc Esler, 7pm
Group 2
Roscommon v Cavan, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 5pm
Group 3
Donegal v Clare, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 3pm
Tyrone v Cork, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 3pm
SUNDAY 16 JUNE
Group 1
Galway v Armagh, Markievicz Park, 1.45pm
Group 2
Dublin v Mayo, Hyde Park, 3.45pm
Group 4
Monaghan v Meath, Kingspan Breffni, 3pm
Kerry v Louth, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 3pm
ONLINE
Live blogs on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app. Highlights also available across the weekend.
TV
Galway v Armagh and Dublin v Mayo on The Sunday Game Live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Tyrone v Cork and Derry v Westmeath available to watch on GAAGO. Highlights of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game, RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, from 10.15pm.
RADIO
Live commentary and updates on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport. Also live updates on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's Spórt an tSathairn and Spórt an Lae.
WEATHER
Saturday: Some bright or sunny spells at times in places, but there'll be further showers or longer spells, again some of it heavy, with a chance of thunder. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 or 18 degrees in mostly light to moderate variable winds, though westerly winds will be fresh, occasionally strong and gusty, for a time in the west and southwest, strongest in coastal parts.
Sunday: It'll most likely be cloudy across the northern half of the country with outbreaks of showery rain, some of it heavy, while it'll be brighter further south with sunshine, but still some showers too. Highest temperatures of 14 to 19 degrees, warmest in the sunshine in the south, in mostly light to moderate westerly winds. For more go to met.ie.
Not quite edge of the seat as group stage concludes
Summer time. The season of blockbusters on our cinema screens, a phenomenon that really burst into life when Jaws was released nearly 50 years ago. It's hard to believe it that's long! Some blockbusters, of course, don't live up to the hype, and disappear from view very quickly after poor box office returns.
In the GAA world, Croke Park is often the backdrop to the thrillers, the twists and turns, the unexpected denouement. The Jones' Road venue won't be on view across this weekend where it is hoped a few cinematic tropes can get us really enthused about this year's football championship.
We've arrived at the final round of group games. Nobody is leaving the stage just yet. Each of the 16 teams still has a part to play, some more prominent than others, some hoping they'll have a starring role at the quarter-finals stage. Before that we have a preliminary round, a place where the likes of Galway and Mayo did not want to be in 2023.
Football permutations - Final round of group phase
The current state of play sees Derry, Westmeath, Roscommon, Cavan, Clare, Monaghan and Meath in a battle to keep their summer alive if they don't get something tangible. If they do, there's a chance to perform again, to see whether they'll be part of the Croker experience.
All told, not enough jeopardy to have us on the edge of our seats in this final round. A few eye-catching performances will do, however. It's the narrative as to how the championship unfolds that needs changing. A new script required to give us some semblance that we are indeed in football's blockbuster season.
Benbulben backdrop as newfound rivals face off again
For the third year running, Armagh and Galway lock horns in June. Up to now their midsummer clashes have provided some on-field fracas, penalty kicks, and in Carrick-on-Shannon last year a narrow win for the Orchard County that saw them top their round-robin group. Rory Grugan kicked the winning point but Galway still had a chance to snatch a draw in a game where they were level a dozen times but Shane Walsh's free from the left in the 79th minute of a gripping contest went across goal.
Markievicz Park is the venue for the latest coming together. For Armagh, their impressive win over Derry was the best they've served up in a while. It's worth throwing in the caveat that Mickey Harte's side were poor enough on the day, again pressing the self-destruct button on more than a few occasions.
Every time Armagh won a turnover, and they won plenty, they had an opportunity at goal and should have scored more than the two they managed before half time at Celtic Park. The 11-point winning margin in no way flattered Kieran McGeeney's troops.
A breakaway goal from Shane Walsh in the 67th minute was the key score as Galway were pushed all the way by Westmeath a fortnight ago. The Tribesmen eventually winning by two points in a performance that wasn't perfect, but a "character-building" display, according to manager Pádraic Joyce, when speaking to RTÉ Sport.
And Joyce, in spite of the injuries to key players within his ranks, is nevertheless keen to avoid playing again a week from now.
"It's important for us to top the group if we can. With all the injuries we have it'll give us more time to relax. A break would be great."
Damien Comer is still sidelined, though Seán Kelly and Rob Finnerty are named to start at Markievicz. With their full deck, Joyce's side are an exciting, formidable force. That said, this year they've definitely added a bit of steel and grit as evidenced by their Connacht final victory over Mayo and edging close battles against Sligo and Westmeath.
Expect a tight contest in the Yeats County, but Armagh may again have that little bit more come the final whistle.
With both sides level on points, a draw would be enough to see the Orchard take top spot. Galway have to win if they are get the week off that Pádraic Joyce craves.
And then at the other end of table, Westmeath and Derry are pointless. That Mickey Harte's side are on zero has the commentariat scratching their heads. What has gone wrong? Well, it's clear to see what has gone wrong.
"Countless turnovers, passes from the hand and foot going astray, acres of space in the Derry '45' - you name it, Derry produced it during a 20 odd-minute spell kickstarted by Ross McQuillan's 13th minute gift of a goal"
Marty Morrissey: 'This could be a case of déjà vu... Conor Turbitt is the man in Celtic park'
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 2, 2024
25 min: Derry 0-04 - 2-05 Armagh
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
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The words of Derry journalist Michael Wilson on their game with Armagh, words that sum up where the Division 1 champions are at. Of course, you can add in their troubles in defence, conceding goals for fun - nine in the championship so far. OK, missing some key players in the half-back line hasn't helped, but their midfield is not taking a grip on games and up front it seems that opposition are finding it easier to get out in front. Are Derry tired after going at it hard since the start of the year? And then there is Mickey Harte's seemingly unwillingness to change things.
A draw will be enough to see Westmeath advance due to their better scoring difference.
After their performance against Galway and the disappointment of narrowly missing out on advancing to the knockout stage last year, Dessie Dolan's side rightfully will feel they can add to Derry's woes.
Dublin heading west but not quite to Mayo's patch
Dublin and Mayo may not be as good as the outfits that contested some close All-Irelands in the last decade, but any time they meet now still heightens the expectation that something special might happen. This clash at Hyde Park will decide who tops the group.
Mayo have to win if they are to head the section; a draw will be enough for the Dubs because of their advanced scoring mark.
Paddy Durcan's absence is a blow for Mayo, though David McBrien, who went off injured the last day will start as the Connacht side look to repeat their 2021 championship victory over the Dubs. Tommy Conroy came off the bench against Roscommon and showed well, he's in from the off at the Hyde.
Lee Keegan: Nowhere to Hyde as Dubs loom; FRC proposals welcome
Dublin, on the back of an easy win against Cavan and accounting for Roscommon with a late spurt a week earlier, can move through the gears when required. Mayo will do their best to curb the likes of Brian Fenton, but the Dubs' speed, athleticism and slick skillset is difficult for any team, even at their best, to curb.
The Roscommon town venue will be an advantage to Mayo here in a game where they can afford to take a risk or two.
Tomás Ó Sé: Dublin-Mayo at the Hyde not whetting the appetite
Roscommon and Cavan will face off for the right to play in the preliminary quarter-final. On paper there is a bit more about the Rossies, especially in attack, to see them through here. Conor Cox seems to have found a new lease of life since his recall to the side and he again shot some fine scores against Mayo.
It's true that Roscommon aren't at the pitch they were last year under Davy Burke, but getting out of the group was the obvious target. They will hope for a kind draw, if there is such a thing, following the win their fans will expect in Longford.
Three in with a chance of going direct to the quarters
Things are bit more interesting here. Clare occupy the basement and would need a huge win against Donegal to have any chance of prolonging their campaign.
Jim McGuinness' side were involved in one of the best games of the year in going down to Cork on 1 June - a first defeat for Jimmy in his second coming. Two second-half goals inside a minute for the Rebels saw them record a deserved two-point victory and once they got ahead, Donegal were not able to peg them back.
Cork's pace on the counter gave was also an issue for McGuinness' side who, nevertheless will be confident of overcoming the Banner challenge in Castlebar. A win could propel the Ulster champions to the top of the group. The outcome of the Tyrone-Cork game in Tullamore will be crucial.
A draw will be enough for the Rebels to head the standings; Tyrone and Donegal need to win to have any chance of topping the group
Cork started the year slowly but subsequently found their groove. They put it up to Kerry in Munster and then after accounting for Clare took a lot of satisfaction in they way they attacked and then held firm in seeing off Donegal.
As for Tyrone, a team in transition? Yes. Not All-Ireland contenders, but a performance of note against a top team is what they are surely targeting in 2024. Reaching the last eight has to be their aim.
Kingdom challenge again awaits the Wee County
Against Meath the last day, the Kerry footballers managed to find the net. Two green flags from David Clifford ended an unwanted eight-match wait, well maybe not that unwanted for the Kingdom, with Clifford telling RTÉ Sport that by creating the chances the goals will come.
A lot like the team's performance overall against the Royals, Clifford wasn't at his very best, but burst into life in the final 20 minutes or so to help his team to a slightly flattering 15-point win.
Kerry were only five points up with 49 minutes on the clock, but Clifford's first goal moved the 2022 champions from five to eight points clear and broke the back of Meath's challenge.
This weekend last year, Kerry were at their clinical best in beating Louth by 25 points. A similar winning margin for the Green and Gold is unlikely at O'Moore Park now. Ger Brennan has certainly improved Louth, since he took over from Mickey Harte.
That said, Brennan will be disappointed at not bagging the two points against Monaghan - first-half goals by Craig Lennon and Conor Grimes has the Wee County in the ascendency - but they could not push home their advantage in the second period.
In the group, Kerry are in pole position to top it. Monaghan need to avoid defeat against Meath for them to progress. A home preliminary quarter-final is possible for the Farney if Louth were to succumb to another big loss to Kerry. Colm O'Rourke's Royals simply have to win to keep their summer going.
Not sure you'd fancy Meath to do the business; Monaghan look to have a few extra gears.
