The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship really starts to gather pace this weekend, even if in Munster the hurling is stealing most of the headlines. That said, there are still a couple of provincial football ties worth a look.
Munster SFC semi-finals
On the early evidence, Cork look to be in a strong place. That first-half performance against Limerick was as good as we have seen - four goals, total control around kickouts, and real dominance in possession.
They did not have it all their own way after the break, but that actually gave John Cleary something to work with. There is a clear structure now: a potent forward line - although Dara Sheedy is a loss - a powerful midfield platform, and a defence with both structure and physicality.
Tipperary, on the other hand, improved in the second half against Waterford, but it was a game they were expected to win. Niall Fitzgerald will need a much better start if they are to trouble Cork. It’s hard to see past a Cork win here.
Verdict: Cork
The other Munster tie sees Kerry travelling to Ennis to take on Clare. For Kerry, this will not define their season. We still won’t know if that league final display was just a blip but it does offer a chance to reset.
They have not always had it easy in Ennis, but Clare come in after a disappointing end to their league campaign and do not look at the level they were when they pushed Kerry hard in previous years.
Even without a full complement of returning stars – Seanie O'Shea misses out but not a bad replacement in Paudie Clifford – you would expect Kerry to respond and get the job done.
Verdict: Kerry
Connacht SFC semi-finals
Leitrim will still be riding the wave of that excellent and well-deserved win over Sligo.
Barry McNulty and co gave Stephen Poacher’s side a huge lift, but the reward is a tough one: Galway coming to town.
Galway have built nicely through the league, and with the likes of Oisín McDonagh emerging and Rob Finnerty in scoring form, they carry serious attacking threat and have an interesting bench this weekend with Shane Walsh and Damien Comer named.
Leitrim will be better prepared and full of belief, but Galway’s depth and quality should see them through.
Verdict: Galway
The standout game of the weekend though is in Castlebar. The league meeting between these sides does not tell us much, given Roscommon fielded a weakened team, but Mayo were ruthless that day. This is a different test altogether.
Andy Moran is still new to this rivalry as a manager, and there is plenty of interest around how Mayo will set up.
They have shown that two-point shooting threat, though it misfired at times against London, and they now have a strong inside presence too. Ryan O'Donoghue at centre-forward can really dictate the game, and with Kobe featuring, from the start, it adds another layer of excitement.
Roscommon had a very solid league, but without a fully firing Daire Cregg, there’s a sense they may lean heavily on Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh. The Heneghans bring energy and threat, but Mayo look to have more scoring options across the board. In what should be a tight, high energy and potentially a high scoring derby, Mayo might just edge it.
Verdict: Mayo
Ulster SFC quarter-finals
Down will bring intensity. They have to if they want to keep their Sam Maguire hopes alive, with Westmeath progressing in Leinster (if Westmeath reach the Leinster final, Down would be demoted to the Tailteann Cup unless they manage to reach a provincial decider themselves).
But Donegal under Jim McGuinness are laser focused when it comes to Ulster. Even in a year where losing provincially mightn’t be the worst thing – all that matters is Sam – they still won’t want to give up that grip.
Down will need everything to fall their way to cause an upset, and it’s hard to see that happening. Donegal should come through, setting up what looks like a mouth-watering semi-final with Armagh, assuming they take care of business against Fermanagh.
All in all, there may be a few predictable results on paper, but in championship football, especially what we have seen so far, there is always the chance of upsets.
Verdict: Armagh and Donegal
Watch Mayo v Roscommon in the Connacht Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch highlights on The Saturday Game and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News app and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
