THE EXCEPTIONAL SUMMER in hurling has seen football take a back seat but this is the weekend where the spotlight switches to football.
It’s Croke Park on the August Bank Holiday weekend and all the elite teams are there.
Looking at the games, there is an intriguing element to all of them.
This could be an absolutely cracking weekend of football in Croke Park.
MONAGHAN V TYRONE
When I saw Monaghan lose to Down in last year’s Ulster semi-final, I concluded that their older core of players were not going to claim that provincial title they craved. I suspect I was not alone in that judgement.
Their turnaround to defeat Donegal recently and win Ulster has been seismic. Let’s not forget this was a Division 3 team going up against the All-Ireland champions. But they still beat them.
You have to give great plaudits to their management team for that. I don’t know Malachy O’Rourke but he seems an extremely calm individual and a very good man manager.
Alan Hansen reckoned you wouldn’t win anything with kids but it’s difficult to win with a bunch of older fellas as well. Blending the youth like Walshe, Hughes and Beggan to the older crew like Finlay, Corey and Mone was key to Monaghan’s win.
I was delighted to see some of their players get the medal they wanted after giving sterling service to the the county.
The key question before tomorrow is are Monaghan be satisfied with that achievement in Ulster? I’d be surprised if Malachy hasn’t stepped back and told his players they have a chance to create more history and they should seize it.
It’s a really intriguing tie. Monaghan are a strong and aggressive football team. Their opponents are a crowd that know how to do it going through the back door. It was Tyrone’s marquee players that really stood out against Meath last Saturday. Sean Cavanagh kicked great points and gave great direction to their team.
I don’t believe this Tyrone team is as good as their past teams. But they’re effective and have really class footballers in Cavanagh and Stephen O’Neill, while Matty Donnelly and Peter Harte bring a lot to the table.
Tomorrow’s game is going to be really tight but the way Tyrone closed out the game last Saturday without displaying any signs of worry can stand to them. They have greater Croke Park experience and I’d give them a tentative vote.
Verdict…Tyrone
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
DUBLIN V CORK
For me Dublin represent the dilemma in modern Gaelic football. They are a team I really enjoy watching, particularly with the amount of pace they have all over the pitch. But for all that attacking play, there is the flipside that they can be vulnerably defensively as was demonstrated in the Leinster final.
Compared to their style under Pat Gilroy, Dublin are not as tight at the back with Eamonn Wallace exploiting that for Meath the last day. Dublin have a couple of problem areas in Cian O’Sullivan at midfield who could struggle aerially against a Cork team who will have big men in that sector.
At centre-back Ger Brennan is a very good footballer with the ball in hand but does he lack a bit of pace? If I was in the Cork camp, I’d be looking to target Brennan and hurt Dublin in that area of the pitch.
Yet Cork have their own worries. They may have won last Saturday but the game created concerns for Conor Counihan. He sticks with the tried and trusted and shows huge loyalty to this players. But that could cost them. If they line out with the team that he has selected, I think Graham Canty is a vulnerable figure for Cork despite being a big leader for the team.
We always expect a lot more from Cork but can they deliver? They were troubled by a Galway team last weekwho had their backside handed to them by Mayo, cannot be a good sign. I don’t see the dynamism in their team, they go across the park too regularly. Ciaran Sheehan being in the full-forward line improves the team but for me it has to be Dublin in this game.
Their overall athleticism and pace will be key. They don’t have Alan Brogan in attack and I’d like to see Diarmuid Connolly closer to goal to exploit his talent but I still feel their forwards have the capacity to shoot them to victory.
Verdict…Dublin
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
KERRY V CAVAN
This game is a real throwback to the ties of old between these counties. I have a slight personal interest in that Finian Hyland, one of the selectors of the Ballyboden St Enda’s team that I manage, is a brother of Cavan manager Terry. Finian has been onto me all year about how this Cavan team are developing and what they’ve done has been tremendous.
Cavan have a manager that the county trusts and believes in. They’ve gone through the hard yards and claimed three U21 successes up in Ulster. Terry’s brought all these young players through with him. They play very defensive style of football, leave three guys up front and it’s been very effective.
Cian Mackey is possibly the most exciting player I’ve seen this year and I’ve also been impressed with them defensively. They’re not playing with any fear either.
But they’re now coming up against a level of quality they haven’t faced to date. Kerry are a rejuvenated side and you could list off their entire team as being exponents of great football ability. Terry needs to bring his Cavan side down to earth and ensure they forget about what their opponents represent.
It’s just another team to face. They must continue to trust in the system and believe in what they are doing. It’s been interesting that Kerry have struggled against teams in the past that drop bodies back. Cavan flood their defence with bodies and can they thus pose a problem for Kerry?
The way Kerry played against Cork in the first 50 minutes of the Munster final was scintillating. Cork didn’t have sweepers but Kerry’s play was beautiful to watch as they hit brilliantly measured passes to their forwards.
It’s an intriguing game but I would come down on the side of Kerry. As long as Cavan don’t freeze, it’ll be a great game on what is a great occasion for them.
Verdict…Kerry
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
MAYO V DONEGAL
I thought the war of words between the Mayo and Donegal management teams this week was absolute nonsense. Personally I don’t like to see it as an approach to a game and found it annoying. I don’t buy into this talk of collusion between Mayo and Monaghan to take down Donegal.
I watched back yesterday the footage of the tackle between Stephen Gollogly and Mark McHugh. It was a very heavy, competitive tackle but there was no malice to it. Mark McHugh was off balance but Gollogly didn’t go in with his elbow or knee. It’s a peripheral point for Sunday’s game anyway.
You’d like to think Mayo have learnt a huge amount from last year’s final, particularly with their defensive match-ups. They’re a very fine team though. Take that early start from Donegal out of last year’s final and Mayo were the better team for the last 50 minutes of the game.
Mayo also have Andy Moran back, a leader they didn’t have last year. Donegal in contrast are struggling to get their leader Karl Lacey in top shape for the game. In addition there is a serious problem with the absence of Mark McHugh. When he isn’t there, the game plan falls apart.
Where is Plan B? Donegal were found wanting against Monaghan and they have questions that need to be answered. There is a question about Mayo as to whether their lack of tests in Connacht means they’re not ready for this game or they are instead fresh and ready to go.
I can’t see there being a huge amount of it and it’s a really close call but I think Mayo will edge this as they might have more in the tank.
Verdict…Mayo
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
This promo for Sunday’s Mayo-Donegal elimination game will get you psyched
Gavin: No need to run the stopwatch on Cluxton’s frees
Have to say I’m ashamed of the stupid comments that the Donegal management came out with over the last week
Think they’re watching too many mourinho interviews
You’re in short supply up in the hills Niall!
No he’s not. Majority of Donegal folk think it’s a loada nonsense.
How would you know that Diarmaid, have you been up here? Or is that the same bias coming from you that you say is in short supply in Donegal? I don’t know many people up here that aren’t at least a little bit embarrassed about what was said.
Christ considering half of what you say on here I’d be embarrassed to be from Cork, but we all know that’s impossible :-P
Thanks lads, I was going to get a red c poll down just to prove it but I’ll leave it off now! Glad we cleared up that Jimmys an embarrassment even to ye now! Good that that has finally been recognised! And you’re right, sher why would I be embarrassed to be from Cork, there would be no sense in that!
surprised at that generalisation of donegal fans diarmaid i thought you were a bit wider than that
Looking forward to it all week! Great weekend of football ahead!
Totally agree it should be a cracker looking forward to it
Up da Dubs!!!!!!!!!
Ask me arse ya red-thumbin’ mulchies!
I gave your second comment a green thumb… I still hope you lose though
Thanks Robert,appreciate it,may the best team win! :)
Monaghan Dublin Kerry and Mayo to win
Yep I agree !! Don’t think Tyrone will do it !!
I will be on the hill tomorrow shouting for the boys in blue it is going be a tight game Cork will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Dublin, The Tyrone Monaghan game should be good but the Donegal Mayo game is going be a cracker a mini all Ireland
from last year.
UP THE DUBS
Monaghan, kerry, Cork and Mayo
I think Tyrone will beat Monaghan.
Tyrone are pretty limited, if Monaghan don’t cough up too many fees Tyrone won’t have an answer for them
I’d even go so far as to say that Tyrone will make the final, they have a lot of very fit and gifted footballers in their squad, and the experience too, especially on the line. Kerry Mayo Cork Dublin Donegal Tyrone, this must be the most open and exciting quarters in years? And Monaghan and Cavan are there on merit too. A cracker of a weekend is right. I think the Kerry/Cavan game could be brilliant and I don’t expect Cavan to take a hammering.
They beat an inexperienced Meath team, that’s in a rebuilding stage, by 2 points. And if it wasn’t for an inspirational performance from Sean Cavanagh and some very soft frees they would not have got over the line. Add into that they lost comfortably to an under performing Donegal in Ulster. I don’t rate then too highly.
I reckon Kerry will get over Cavan but it won’t be the cake walk that people are existing.
Can’t wait for tomorrow and Sunday… Should be a great weekend
Tyrone, Dublin, Kerry and Mayo. Dublin and Tyrone in the final. Dubs to win it.
Donegal love being underdogs!! Expect a mammoth game though. Tyrone, Dublin, Kerry and Donegal all to win.
3 Ulster teams plus Cork in the semi-finals
Ciaran Sheehan improves Corks chances in the full forward line? Really?!
He’s much more effective in the half forward line.
Dublin by 4pts.
If pa Kelly is fit to start it will be a massive boost to cork. We always seem to struggle without him and is very underrated
Dubs have it sealed already, Corks resistance is futile! I am very worried about this awesome Dublin team annihilating my poor ole Cork! No stopping the big blue bus, or so the Herald told me! :-)
U know Cork are at their most dangerous when written off! We can hope :)
Sssssshhhhhh, trying to lull the Dubs into a false sense of security, Dublin are at their most atrocious when they are cocky and built up!
Jim Gavin won’t let his charges get ahead of themselves. He has great respect for this Cork team, he’ll make sure the lads are focused. Can’t wait for it.
Jamie, you and Jim know ye are bankers for the double sher. I was tweeting all the dublin players congratulating them on the victory during the week! :-)
Diarmaid I saw during the week that Dublin were 10/1 for the double and Cork were 30/1.. Interesting to note that the last team to do it were your goodselves back in 1990 I think.. Teddy McCarthy playing centre-field on both teams, what an unreal achievement. Won’t be done again I reckon. Have me Hill ticket for tomorrow anyway thankfully and really looking forward to it, but being honest I feel very wary of this Cork team. Dublin need to go at it from word to go til final whistle.
You’re still at it!
I’m looking forward to (hopefully) giving you my commiserations tomorrow evening Diarmaid!
Aideen we’ll have some craic buzzin off Diarmaid if the Dubs do the Rebels tomorrow.. If we lose, we’ll still have the buzz anyway because we have been beaten enough times to know how to take it on the chin. I hope there’s a few rebels on the Hill tomorrow so we can buzz off them too : )
I am too diarmaid. Jeez your one of the more decent lads on here but change the record.
Dublin aren’t underestimating cork. Get over it!!
I think I want us to win even more (if that’s possible) just so I get to enjoy winding him up! Then again wouldn’t want to push it too much, he could get revenge next week!
We’ll be representing the rebels on the Hill tomorrow Jamie. Can’t wait! Up against it big time but come on you rebels!
Fair play to ya Maurice it’ll be great craic above on the Hill tomorrow, no doubt there’ll be a few red-handers and farney men and women about the place too, that’s what it’s all about! And then we all go for a few scoops afterwards : )
Maybe a bit of singing and dancing, trying to score and invariably end up talking GAA legends with a lad of about 75 years of age
Ah lads lads lads, I am not winding ye at all, I just like dealing in reality, and the reality is we are going to be hammered by this awesome Dublin team! I hear the big blue bus coming, it’s rolling round the bend, I’ve been scared of meeting them since I don’t know when…… *sung by J Cash!
4 provincial winners to go thro….
We’re not at the level we were last year. I’m worried because Mayo have the confidence AND the ability to take scores that both Monaghan and Down were missing against us. Unless we up our attacking game hugely I fear it’ll be Mayo by 5 or 6.
Hoping it’s a great occasion and the supporters have the craic regardless of all the shite going on at the sidelines anyway.
The other games I see as Dublin, Kerry and if Monaghan bring the same intensity as the Ulster final, I see them going through.
I agree – we fluked it against Mayo last year. I just hope we put in a good show.
Away you with yer mind games!
Just agreeing with the professional pundit’s assessment – we are depleted, in poor form and no strength in depth – mayo are Connaught champion 3-years in row, hammered everything in their path and should go on to win Sam.
Super 15 final is the biggest thing on this weekend. I’ll be watching.
Tommy Cunz more like
Too right Tommy. Football, meh!
Colin McNumpty more like
Robert Smobert more like :) BURN!!
lol Robert has no answer to that. He won’t be back.
Poor effort there lad… Poor
Robert must be drunk. He doesn’t know when he’s beat. Stay down Robert, stay down.
He’s digging himself a hole. Best logoff mate.
You 2 best buds are spending an awful lot of time on an article about a sport you don’t like… Night gents… I hope I’ve started a beautiful friendship.
Cheers Rob Smob,. Laters!!
Bet the 4 games for Draws around 8/1 each 20 euro on each = 80 euro one of the games to draw return = 180 euro best bet of weekend
Reckon the four provincial champions (Dublin, Kerry, May, Monaghan) will win but I don’t see any of the games being decided by more than a few points. Knowing my predictive abilities probably all four will now lose.
*Mayo