EVERY WEEKEND, OUR bumper Friday football preview will give you the who, the what, the why, the when and the where ahead of the weekend’s GAA championship action, as well as statistics from analyst Christy O’Connor.
Here are the seven games you can look forward to this weekend. For a chance to win Senior Championship game tickets courtesy of eir, click here.
Meath v Donegal
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 3A
When? Saturday, 6pm
Where? Pairc Tailteann
TV? No
Both Meath and Donegal were unimpressive in their respective victories over Sligo and Longford, but in the backdoor winning is all that matters.
The manner of their heavy provincial semi-final defeats meant the pair retreated into a far more defensive gameplan for their Round 2A qualifier victories. It means that any purists would be advised to stay well away from this clash on Saturday evening, as stifling the opposition will be the order of the day.
The presence of attacking riches like Paddy McBrearty, Eoin McHugh and Ryan McHugh should be enough to secure Donegal’s progression.
The42′s verdict: Donegal
Clare v Mayo
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 3A
When? Saturday, 5pm
Where? Cusack Park
TV? RTÉ 2
Speaking after last Saturday’s away victory over Laois, Clare boss Colm Collins stated that taking down a big gun represents the next milestone for this Banner team. Collins’s well organised outfit have been handed the opportunity to do just that with a home tie against Mayo, who needed extra-time to overcome Derry last weekend.
Mayo’s attack faltered for long spells against the Ulster side and Stephen Rochford may seek to reinvigorate his forward unit by springing Conor Loftus into a starting role at corner-forward.
If Mayo operate at 60% of their capabilities once again this weekend there’s a good chance Clare will end their season.
Christy O’Connor says: “In the aftermath of the Clare-Kerry game, Colm Collins said that the biggest lesson Clare learned from that defeat was Kerry’s shooting efficiency, which was 73%. Clare certainly showed how much they had taken those lessons on board against Laois last weekend, with a 74% conversion rate.”
The42′s verdict: Mayo
Westmeath v Armagh
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B
When? Saturday, 7pm
Where? TEG Cusack Park
TV? No
The 31-point pasting Westmeath shipped to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final will take some time to clear from the system. It’s a favourable draw for Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh, who bounced through the opening round of the qualifiers with a nine-point win against Fermanagh.
Westmeath showed their defensive vulnerability against Dublin, and the likes of Jamie Clarke, Stefan Campbell and Andrew Murnin should pose more problems for Tom Cribbin’s side.
The42′s verdict: Armagh
Wexford v Monaghan
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B
When? Saturday, 3pm
Where? Innovate Wexford Park
TV? No
The Banty derby sees Seamus McEnaney’s former charges Monaghan take the trip to the south-east to take on Wexford. After starting well in the league, Wexford were dumped out in Leinster by Carlow, before they limped past Limerick in the qualifiers.
The Model County have shown nothing close to the sort of form that would suggest they’re capable of an shock here. Monaghan should navigate this with ease.
Christy O’Connor says: “Saturday’s Wexford-Monaghan clash is obviously a huge game for former Monaghan manager, Seamus McEnaney, but it is also a big game for Wexford coach, Martin McElkennon, who coached Monaghan in the 2007 and 2010 Ulster finals.”
The42′s verdict: Monaghan
Carlow v Leitrim
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B
When? Saturday, 3pm
Where? Netwatch Dr Cullen Park
TV? No
The chance to secure a rare fifth championship game of the summer awaits for Turlough O’Brien’s Carlow, but they face a young Leitrim side who beat them in Division 4 earlier this year. Carlow should run out winners, but don’t be surprised if Leitrim spring an upset.
Christy O’Connor says: “When Leitrim play Carlow on Saturday, they will be trying to win just their third qualifier match in 16 seasons. They had to wait until 2012 for their first win in the competition, against Wicklow, while they only recorded their second, last year against Waterford, which they won by four points.”
The42′s verdict: Carlow
Cavan v Tipperary
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B
When? Saturday, 2pm
Where? Kingspan Breffni
TV? No
The spate of injuries have robbed Liam Kearns of several key Tipperary players in his second year in charge. Ankle ligament damage appears to have ruled Michael Quinlivan out of this game, so they’ll be relying even more than usual on a steady supply of scores from Conor Sweeney.
It’s hard to assess where Cavan are at the minute. They put it up to a Monaghan team who subsequently fell to Down, before beating Offaly by four points in the qualifiers. It’s about time they stepped up and put a string of good results together in the championship.
Christy O’Connor says: “When they play Cavan on Saturday, one of the biggest lessons Tipperary will surely have learned from their defeat to Cork, was how much their kickout malfunctioned in the second half. In that period, Cork won ten Tipperary kickouts, and mined five points directly from that possession.”
The42′s verdict: Cavan
Galway v Roscommon
Connacht SFC final
When? Sunday, 2pm
Where? Pearse Stadium
TV? RTÉ 2
The Tribesmen are aiming to put together back-to-back Connacht titles since 2002-2003, when the likes of Jarlath Fallon, Padraic Joyce and Micheal Donnellan were in their prime.
A new wave of talented footballers have emerged under Kevin Walsh and they’ll be expected to back up their win over Mayo with a victory over Roscommon. Kevin McStay’s youthful side were comfortable winners over Leitrim in the semi-final and they come into this game as big underdogs, despite bringing the Tribesmen to a replay in last year’s decider.
Christy O’Connor says: “When Galway defeated Mayo in last month’s Connacht semi-final, it was their first big win against a top team in Pearse Stadium since they beat Mayo in 2007. However, Galway will now be looking to win successive championship games in Pearse Stadium for the first time since 2013, when they beat Tipperary and Waterford in two qualifier matches.
“Twenty years on, Kevin McStay will manage Roscommon in another Connacht final. In 1997, McStay was Roscommon minor manager when they lost the final to Mayo by four points. The Roscommon goalkeeper that day was Chris O’Dowd, the Hollywood actor.”
The42′s verdict: Galway
– First published 18.00, 7 July
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