If Monaghan’s marquee players perform to their potential they will reach a fourth consecutive Ulster final, according to RTÉ Gaelic Games analyst Tómás Ó Sé.
It will also be the fourth time the Ulster rivals face off for provincial bragging rights with Malachy O’Rourke’s side looking to make to it three wins in four attempts against the 2012 All-Ireland champions.
Donegal defender Neil McGee, tasked with shackling Monaghan sharpshooter Conor McManus in last year’s final, lost his appeal against the two-match ban received following his red card in the victory over Fermanagh and Ó Sé says his loss will be keenly felt.
“Monaghan are the one team that are not afraid of Donegal,” the five-time All-Ireland winner told RTÉ Sport.
“They’ve caused problems the last few times they have played.
“McGee would pick up Conor McManus, the best forward in the game at the moment, so it’s a huge loss for them
“Probably someone like Karl Lacey will pick him up. Donegal will need a huge performance if they are to turn over Monaghan.”
The Monaghan side is littered with experience and skill and Ó Sé is backing to Farney men to book their place in the Ulster decider.
“If McManus plays to his potential, the Hughes brothers, Vinnie Corey and Drew Wylie and all these guys put their shoulder to the wheel, I can see them pulling through.”
All-Ireland champions Dublin will face old foes Meath in Croke Park in the Leinster SFC semi-final and few expect the Royals to cause an upset at GAA headquarters.
Ó Sé is also part of that camp, adding that Meath’s depleted squad doesn’t help their cause.
“Meath will struggle to stay with Dublin,” he said.
“Since last season, Mick O’Dowd has lost numerous players again. Stephen Bray and Kevin Reilly two of the bigger names.
“They have put in some good performances in the League, but they have given up big leads. They won’t be too confident coming in here.
“This is a Dublin side looking to sharpen up on their win over Laois and I think they will pull away in the last 15 minutes. You can’t see Dublin losing this.”
On the other side of the draw, Kildare and Westmeath are bidding to make the last-12 in the All-Ireland race and while the Lilywhites failed to ignite last time out against Wexford, he is tentatively backing them to emerge victorious.
“Westmeath have nothing to lose. Tom Cribbin has no injury worries, whereas Kildare have lost Kevin Feely, Paul Cribbin and Daniel Flynn, who is playing very, very well.
“I wasn’t too impressed by them against Wexford, but if they improve, I think they could just shade a win.”
In the qualifiers, Ó Sé is baking Antrim, Offaly, Fermanagh and Down to book their places in the next round.
