It’s a massive weekend in the All-Ireland SFC as the fourth and final round of the Qualifiers will determine who joins Dublin, Kerry, Donegal and Roscommon in the Super 8s.

 

Saturday July 6th

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers round 4
Cork v Laois, Semple Stadium, 5pm

These two sides have taken contrasting journeys to arrive within touching distance of the Holy Grail that is the Super 8s. While the Rebels have only beaten Limerick, the midlanders have got the better of Westmeath, Derry and Offaly and lost to Meath.

Thus, the O’Moore County have an easier form guide to follow. Their victories – all achieved over decent sides – were highly impressive but the double-scores Leinster semi final defeat to the Royals at Croke Park a month ago is difficult to ignore. That was a sobering result and it certainly gives rise to some question marks. Speaking of question marks, Cork have accumulated more than most teams during the course of 2019.

Relegation to Division Three represents something of a disaster for such a proud footballing county but their championship form has been encouraging, in particular the battling display against Kerry in the Munster final, where Ronan McCarthy’s men and quite literally threw off the shackles and ran at the Kingdom with tremendous heart and endeavour. A repeat of that display should see them into Group Two of the Super 8s, where Dublin, Roscommon and either Tyrone or Cavan will provide opposition.

Verdict: Cork

Cavan v Tyrone, Clones, 5pm (live on Sky Sports Arena, coverage begins at 4pm)

The Red Hands appear to have got their mojo back and – with Peter Harte, Mattie Donnelly and Cathal McShane pulling the strings – they were mightily impressive in dispatching Kildare at Newbridge last weekend. They’ve done everything that’s been asked of them since effectively failing to show up against Donegal and last year’s All-Ireland finalists are starting to produce the sort of form we expected to see from them this summer.

Definitely one of eight best teams in the country, it’s difficult to envisage Mickey Harte’s men not making it through to the Super 8s.

The Breffni boys, in contrast, go into this game on a bit of a downer, having been comprehensively outclassed by Donegal in the Ulster final. That defeat brought Cavan back to earth with a resounding bang … despite their victories over Monaghan and Armagh, Cavan still have a way to go if they’re going to rub shoulders with the big boys.

This Cavan side is packed with quality and extremely well managed … they could have made the Super 8s with a kinder draw but being paired with Tyrone was the worst outcome they could have got and their season is set to end on Saturday evening.

Verdict: Tyrone

Galway v Mayo, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 7pm (live on Sky Sports Arena, after Cavan v Tyrone)

It’s been 20 years since these fierce Connacht rivals met in a knockout championship match (this is their first time to cross paths outside the province) and the stakes could hardly be much higher than Saturday night’s Round Four Qualifier, as the victors will advance to the Super 8s while the year ends in Limerick for the losers.

Galway’s impressive record against their neighbours is well documented – they have beaten Mayo seven times in the last four years – but they will have to improve on their Connacht final display if they are to deliver another telling blow this weekend.

Kevin Walsh’s side failed to impress in London, beat an ordinary Sligo team and completely fell apart in the second half of the Nestor Cup decider against Roscommon. Not at all impressive form so far this summer and their over dependence on Shane Walsh was demonstrated to a frightening degree last day out. Mayo also lost to the Rossies and have edged out Ulster sides Down and Armagh in the back-door route thus far. They were very fortunate to get past the Orchard County, though.

To be blunt, on their patchy form to date, it’s hard to make a case for either side winning this game but, even though they look increasingly like an aging puncher on the ropes, waiting to be floored by the inevitable knockout blow, I’m going to give a hesitant vote to Mayo. Based largely on Galway’s woeful effort in the second half of the Connacht final.

Verdict: Mayo

 

Sunday July 7th

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 4
Meath v Clare, Portlaoise, 2pm (live on RTE One, coverage begins at 1.40pm)

The Royals are odds-on favourites despite the fact that they lost their last game by 16 points and only scored four times in the Leinster final. But playing Dublin these days amounts to exceptional circumstances. On Sunday, Andy McEntee’s charges attempt to become the first team since Kildare a decade ago to bounce back from a Leinster final defeat and reach the last eight.

The Banner County have enjoyed a very solid summer so far, putting it up to Kerry in their Munster semi-final (albeit after falling over the line against Waterford) before sending Leitrim and Westmeath packing in the Qualifiers. In Gary Brennan, they have one of the most influential footballers in the country and Colm Collins’ charges are well equipped to cause Meath a lot of problems.

The Royal County have enjoyed the upper hand in recent league meetings between the sides – prevailing by five points in Division Two this year, by 14 in 2018 and by twelve the year before, which suggests that the gap has narrowed. This is the first-ever championship clash of the counties and it promises to be a close encounter. The carrot (or is it a stick?) is a place in Group One of the Super 8s, alongside Kerry, Donegal and either Mayo or Galway.

Verdict: Meath

Join the hoganstand.com match tracker this weekend for live coverage of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers and the hurling preliminary quarter-finals.

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