The real Championship starts now.
After weeks of shadow-boxing and all the moaning over the lack of jeopardy, Gaelic football finally gets serious.
While Dublin, Kerry, Donegal and Armagh have a week off, courtesy of topping their respective groups, the eight other teams will battle it out for a place at Croke Park. Here we take a look at the prospects of the 12 counties still standing in the race for Sam Maguire:
1. Dublin
Still the team to beat. However, Mayo have highlighted vulnerabilities in the champions. That entertaining tussle in the Hyde was Dublin’s first test this summer and they wobbled. However, they have a week off and proven match-winners in Con O’Callaghan, Ciarán Kilkenny, and Brian Fenton while both Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion made a significant impact off the bench in Roscommon.
Key player: Brian Fenton – if anyone is to beat Dublin, they have to curtail the big midfielder’s influence.
2. Kerry
Hard to know what to make of them. Even if Cork asked a couple of questions, they still strolled through Munster and cruised the easiest of Sam Maguire groups. They arrive in an All- Ireland quarterfinal not remotely tested and that will concern Jack O’Connor. If they get enough supply, Kerry have the forwards to burn anyone. Against stiffer opposition, that may become an issue, though.
Key player: David Clifford – Who else? Kerry are trying to ease the burden on their magician, but once they arrive in Croker, it will all be about their main man.
3. Donegal
After the blip in Cork, Donegal got back to business with last Saturday’s demolition of Clare. Their pace and athleticism is built for Croker. Brendan McCole has become one of the best full-backs in the game while Caolan McGonagle’s move to centre-back – to shore up the defence – looks a masterstroke.
Key player: Ryan McHugh; his game-reading is integral to how Jim McGuinness sets up the side.
4. Armagh
Losing another penalty shoot-out – the fourth in three seasons – could have floored Kieran McGeeney’s side. Instead, they absorbed the blow and improved through the group stages. They have depth, too – Stefan Campbell, Aidan Nugent and Oisín O’Neill came from the bench against Galway. In the likes of Campbell, Aidan Forker, Tiernan Kelly, they have seasoned warriors.
Key player: Conor Turbitt has been one of the best forwards in the game over the past couple of years.
5. Mayo
What a difference one game makes. Mayo had been stuttering through their summer with Paddy Durcan’s cruciate injury robbing them of one of their most potent weapons. But the performance against Dublin – with Aidan O’Shea rolling back the years, Donnacha McHugh doing a job on Brian Fenton and Ryan O’Donoghue outstanding in attack – reminded everyone that they remain a force.
Key player: Ryan O’Donoghue has become their main man up front.
6. Galway
The absurd nature of the system is highlighted by the fact that unbeaten Galway are at the same stage as Derry who they consigned to one of their three defeats. Galway have nobody to blame but themselves. They were in control, five points up and cruising, against Armagh when they conceded their first goal of the season.
The sight of Cein D’Arcy and Seán Mulkerrin going off will concern Galway supporters, still waiting for Damien Comer’s return. If they can get their battering-ram back to augment Shane Walsh and Rob Finnerty, they won’t be far away.
Key player: Seán Kelly – with Comer injured, the Galway skipper sets the tone.
7. Tyrone
Their victory over Cork was the first time to put successive Championship wins together since claiming the 2021 All-Ireland, an illustration of their inconsistency. Conn Kilpatrick’s dismissal illustrated the indiscipline that has dogged them. But there are signs that they are coming together. Should see off Roscommon and Tyrone coming to Croker with momentum is a dangerous animal.
Key player: Darragh Canavan – developing into the elite level forward that his potential always promised.
8. Cork
One step forward and one step back. This has been the sequence for Cork for some time. After the shock win over Donegal, the Rebels were wasteful against Tyrone, spurning at least half their scoring chances. The thrust they get from the middle third in the likes of Mattie Taylor and Seán Powter is integral to how they play and Croker, if they get there, should bring out the best in them.
Key player: Mattie Taylor, the speedy wing-back is always a threat in his raids up field.
9. Derry
The Mickey Harte experiment hasn’t worked out. A turgid win over Westmeath has stopped the rot – for now. And it is why the League champions remain inside the top 10, but there is a sense that they are running on fumes. Shane McGuigan looks a shadow of the player who lit up last season, Conor Glass possibly needs a break, as could Brendan Rogers. Indiscipline has eaten into their year, too.
Key player: Conor Glass, Harte needs the inspirational midfielder to rediscover his form.
10. Louth
Ger Brennan has brought Louth on another level, highlighted by their first Championship win over Meath in 49 years. The former Dublin player has tailored his tactics for different games and in the likes of Conor Grimes, he has talent to augment Sam Mulroy. Will fancy the tilt at Cork.
Key player: Sam Mulroy – the talisman for Louth football.
11. Roscommon
The local derby against Cavan was probably the game of last weekend, the sort of game that made you wonder if there is anything wrong with football. Under Davy Burke, the Rossies are still dependant on the same core – Enda Smith and the Murtagh brothers. Will need Ben O’Carroll back to have any chance of causing an upset in Omagh.
Key player: Enda Smith – veteran still calls the shots for the Rossies.
12. Monaghan
Another absurdity of this Championship is that Monaghan win for the first time in five months and are within a game of the quarter-final. It has been a difficult season for Vinny Corey as he is without a totemic figure like Darren Hughes while Karl Gallagher has gone travelling.
Conor McManus is not the force of old, but Galway won’t enjoy seeing him come off the bench in Salthill next Saturday. Feels like their race is run, though.
Key player: Rory Beggan – man of the match against Cavan and made a couple of crucial saves against Louth.