ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE
SATURDAY (6pm)
GROUP 4
Derry v Clare (Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 6pm)
Odds Derry: 1/20 Draw: 25/1 Clare: 9/1
Verdict Derry
Monaghan v Donegal (O’Neills Healy Park, 6pm, live on GAAGO)
Odds Monaghan: 1/2 Draw: 15/2 Donegal: 9/4
Verdict Monaghan
SUNDAY
GROUP 1 (2pm)
Kerry v Louth (Laois Hire O’Moore Park)
LOUTH'S late surge in Castlebar has left events in Portlaoise on Sunday a little trickier than a formality.
Much has been made of the lack of depth in the Kerry panel this year, with the injury-plagued Stefan Okunbur unable to force his way in. Much was also made last year of Jack O’Connor’s record of having won the All-Ireland in every season he captured the Division One title, and the League has proven to be more important than ever.
Louth will have taken great heart from the initial disappointment two weeks ago. The heavyweights of Dublin, Mayo, and Kerry have each struggled against packed defences this year. Despite his talents, Sean O’Sé hasn’t hit the heights to be labelled an undisputed marquee forward, with more onus on you know who, and that has proven enough in certain contests this year.
Kerry are bound to be better, they almost have to be, and they’ll stretch it out to eight or 10 in the final quarter.
Odds Kerry: 1/16 Draw: 20/1 Louth: 9/1
Verdict Kerry
Cork v Mayo (TUS Gaelic Grounds, 2pm, live on GAAGO)
Odds Cork: 4/1 Draw: 10/1 Mayo: 1/4
Verdict Mayo
GROUP 2 (4pm)
Galway v Armagh (Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 4pm, live on RTÉ 2)
Odds Galway: 2/5 Draw: 15/2 Armagh: 11/4
Verdict: Galway
Tyrone v Westmeath (Kingspan Breffni, 4pm, live on GAAGO)
Odds Tyrone: 1/7 Draw: 14/1 Westmeath: 11/2
Verdict Tyrone
GROUP 3 (1.45pm)
Dublin v Sligo (Kingspan Breffni, 1:45pm, live on GAAGO)
YOU get the impression that the Dubs still carry an aura for teams like Sligo, and as poor as Dessie Farrell’s men have been, they have shown in 2023 that they can still crush a team once they get a sniff. Sligo should prove to be more resolute than Laois, and a naive Louth showed them exactly what not to do.
Evan Lyons is a top-quality full-back, and may well face the challenge of marking Con O’Callaghan.
Pat Spillane’s experimental move from midfield to the forward line seems to have paid dividends, while Seán Carrabine would get his place on most senior county teams.
The fact this game isn’t in Croke Park is a huge benefit for the Yeats county, but a mammoth task lies in store. The fact that Dublin know they can only top the group on scoring difference (should Roscommon beat Kildare) will likely see them go for the jugular.
This could be ugly early on, but Dublin will pull away and progress straight to the quarters.
Odds Dublin: 1/66 Draw: 40/1 Sligo: 18/1
Verdict Dublin
Roscommon v Kildare (Glenisk O’Connor Park, live on RTÉ 2)
THIS is a tricky one for Davy Burke, and he for one will be glad of the neutral venue for a clash against his native Kildare.
Prior to taking the Wicklow gig, Burke won an U20 All-Ireland with the Lilywhites. It is believed there was also a sour taste in the mouth regarding the appointment of Glen Ryan in 2021, a gig that Burke had been in the running for, and about which he claimed he had “a lot to offer” before the Ryan announcement.
Kildare have been inconsistent for a few years now, but this year has been incredibly frustrating for supporters. They are not a poor team, and they possess some of the finest footballers in the country. It’s impossible to think there isn’t some sort of sting in the tail.
This one could potentially get feisty, but if the Lilywhites keep their discipline, they are more than capable of turning the Rossies over.
Odds Roscommon: 3/10 Draw: 17/2 Kildare: 7/2
Verdict Kildare
