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Colm O'Rourke's football predictions

Wexford and Dublin collide on Saturday evening
Wexford and Dublin collide on Saturday evening

It's a hectic weekend in the provincial football championships as things begin to come to the boil in Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

RTÉ GAA analyst Colm O'Rourke looks ahead to the action.


SATURDAY

Munster SFC quarter-finals

Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, 6pm
Waterford v Tipperary, Fraher Field, 7pm

If some of those big Limerick hurlers like Kyle Hayes and Gearóid Hegarty gave up that game and threw in their lot with the footballers they could have a serious team! They got to the Division 3 league final and were beaten by Louth. They were right in it until they gave away a goal with about ten minutes to go.

Clare, as usual, found safe harbour in Division 2 and stayed up. They have one of the most experienced and best managers in the country in Colm Collins.

But Limerick have a bit of momentum and have a great chance of winning. Waterford and Tipp play in the other game and I think that will be a win for Tipperary.

Leinster SFC quarter-finals

Wexford v Dublin, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 6.30pm
Westmeath v Longford, TEG Cusack Park, 6pm

Everybody will want to see if Dublin are back to form. Wexford beat Offaly the last day, with Ben Brosnan starring. It was in the corresponding match last year when the Dublin engine began to stall, so it looks like Dublin should win this but it's the performance most people will be interested in.

Longford won the league match between the pair but I think I'll go for Westmeath here playing in Cusack Park.

Connacht SFC semi-final

Sligo v Roscommon, Markievicz Park, 5pm

Sligo have beaten New York in New York; Roscommon had their league win and promotion to Division 1. The Rossies are a team very much on the move.

The game between Sligo and New York was a really good game. It just shows the potential of a secondary competition because it does look as if Roscommon are quite a bit ahead of Sligo on all known form.

Ulster SFC quarter-final

Monaghan v Down, Clones, 4.30pm

Monaghan beat Dublin in the last game of the league very impressively. Down were relegated - and James McCartan must wonder why he went back. They seem to be really struggling. Anything other than a comprehensive win for Monaghan here would be a bit of an upset.


SUNDAY

Leinster SFC quarter-finals

Kildare v Louth, O'Connor Park, 4pm
Meath v Wicklow, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm

A big game between Kildare and Louth. Louth are really on the march under Mickey Harte but Kildare - despite being relegated in the league - drew with Kerry, beat Dublin and scored 24 points against Monaghan, so it would still be a bit of an upset if they don't win this one.

Wicklow scored 5-15 in the last round against Laois. Meath played them two years ago and scored seven goals against them in Aughrim. It's hardly going to be like that this time but I'd still have to go for a Meath win in Navan.

Ulster SFC quarter-final

Derry v Tyrone, Healy Park, 4pm

There was a time when this was an intense rivalry. They used to really get stuck in to each other, but it's 2006 since Derry beat Tyrone. Conor McKeanna is back for Tyrone, they'll probably have Peter Harte back.

Derry had a very good league campaign and were very unfortunate not to be promoted, but... Tyrone are All-Ireland champions, and I think they showed against Fermanagh with a devastating second-half display that they are still a serious team.

Colm O'Rourke was speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.


Watch Tyrone v Derry in the Ulster Football Championship on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Sunday from 1.15pm with live blog on all games RTE.ie/Sport and RTÉ News app

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