WE KNOW THE identity of two of the teams that have already qualified and we know the day one of them will be playing but everything else is still to be decided as regards the line-up for this year’s All-Ireland senior football semi-finals.
The Super 8s concludes this weekend with clashes in Fitzgerald Stadium, Pearse Stadium, MacCumhaill Park and Croke Park. Kildare and Roscommon may be out of the running but the other six sides have a keen interest in the proceedings that will determine how the semi-finals play out.
Saturday 4 August
- Kerry v Kildare, Killarney, 6pm
- Galway v Monaghan, Salthill, 6pm
Sunday 5 August
- Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 3.30pm
- Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 3.30pm
Dublin will definitely top Group 2 and play their semi-final on Saturday 11 August, Galway will be in action on one of the days, while Kerry, Monaghan, Tyrone and Donegal all still harbour hopes of reaching the last four stage.
There are seven potential All-Ireland semi-final pairings. Here’s the results needed this weekend to deliver those pairings.
Saturday 11 August
Dublin have already ensured they will top Group 2 and will face the Group 1 runner-up which could be Galway, Monaghan or Kerry.
Dublin v Galway
A repeat of this year’s league final will happen if Monaghan defeat Galway on Saturday as Monaghan would then top the group and leave Galway in second place. Kerry cannot overtake Galway.
Dublin v Monaghan
A Galway-Monaghan draw will definitely see Dublin take on Monaghan in the semi-final. A Galway victory could still see Dublin v Monaghan, if Kerry also fail to beat Kildare.
Dublin v Kerry
This is the only possible semi-final facing Kerry as they cannot finish top of their group. They must beat Kildare and hope Monaghan lose to Galway. Then it will come down to scoring difference as Monaghan and Kerry drew in Clones, ruling out the head-to-head scenario. Scoring difference currently stands at Kerry (-3) and Monaghan (+2).
Sunday 12 August
There are four possible pairings here for this semi-final which will see the Group 1 winners (Galway or Monaghan) take on Group 2 runner-up (Tyrone or Donegal).
Galway v Tyrone
A win or a draw sees Galway top their group and they will face Tyrone if Mickey Harte’s side avoid defeat in Ballybofey. A draw will suffice in clinching second place for Tyrone as in that eventuality, they will prevail on scoring difference as it currently stands – Tyrone (+15) and Donegal (+2).
Galway v Donegal
This game will materialise if Galway draw or beat Monaghan on Saturday night, with Donegal defeating Tyrone on Sunday afternoon.
Monaghan v Tyrone
Victories for both Monaghan and Tyrone this weekend will see them face each other in a semi-final tie. The pairing will also arise if Monaghan win and Tyrone draw.
Monaghan v Donegal
This semi-final will only be a prospect if both counties win their respective games this weekend.
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